Ferry from Sitia (Crete) to Karpathos (Pigadia)
3h 30m to 3h 35m · 1 operator
Sitia to Karpathos at a glance
Ferries from Sitia (Crete) to Karpathos (Pigadia) are scheduled 4 times over the next 14 days, roughly 2 a week. The earliest departure in that window is 07:00 and the latest is 08:30. The crossing takes between 3h 30m and 3h 35m, depending on the vessel. The route is served by 1 operator: Blue Star Ferries. There are sailings on Thursday and Saturday during the next fortnight. Operators have published this timetable as far as 31 October 2026.
Operators have published this route's timetable to 31 October 2026. Sailings beyond that date have not been announced yet.
Sitia to Karpathos Route Map
Blue Star Ferries' Blue Star Chios covers Sitia to Karpathos in around three and a half hours, usually calling at Kassos on the way. It is a conventional ferry with cabins and a vehicle deck, running the long line between Crete and Rhodes. This is the shortest sea link between eastern Crete and the southern Dodecanese.
Karpathos is a big, mountainous island between Crete and Rhodes, rugged and much less developed than its larger neighbours. The ferry docks at Pigadia, the main town on the east coast, where the accommodation, buses and hire cars are concentrated. The island is known for beaches such as Apella and Kyra Panagia, for serious walking country, and for the mountain village of Olympos in the north, which has kept its own dress and dialect.
Sailings run a couple of times a week and thin out sharply outside the summer. The current timetable and fares are shown below. Karpathos has its own airport with domestic flights, which is the usual alternative when the ferry days do not line up.
Sitia to Karpathos Ferry Fares
Official maximum fares on subsidised sailings
These are ceilings set by ministerial decision for public-service (PSO) sailings, quoted net of VAT and port dues. They are the most an operator may charge on a subsidised departure, not a fare on sale, and they do not apply to commercial sailings on the same route.
| Ticket type | Category | Maximum, net | Valid to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger, conventional ferry | passenger | €14.70 | 2027-04-30 |
| Passenger, conventional ferry (vessel <10y) | passenger | €17.64 | 2027-04-30 |
| Passenger, high-speed | passenger | €29.39 | 2027-04-30 |
| Car up to 4.25m | vehicle | €37.52 | 2027-04-30 |
Weekly Sitia to Karpathos Ferry Schedule
The repeating pattern behind the dated timetable, without dates. Each row is one scheduled departure and the days it runs.
| Operator | Vessel | Days | Departs | Arrives | Duration | From | Season | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Star Ferries | Blue Star Chios conventional | 07:00 | 10:35 | 3h 35m | 2026-08-20 to 2026-10-29 | Book the Blue Star Chios sailing | ||
| Blue Star Ferries | Blue Star Chios conventional | 08:30 | 12:00 | 3h 30m | 2026-08-22 to 2026-10-31 | Book the Blue Star Chios sailing |
Book ferry port and airport transfers here: Welcome Pickups →
Hiring a car
Can you rent a car in Karpathos?
Yes, with desks in Pigadia near the port. It's worth it if you're staying several days: the drive north to Olympos, about 58km, runs along narrow, winding cliff roads that can turn genuinely windy, and buses only cover the main routes. For a short stay, buses and boat trips to the beaches are enough. Compare hire options at Discover Cars.
Do you need a car in Sitia?
Yes, a car is genuinely useful here. Sitia sits about 130km, roughly two hours' drive, east of Heraklion, on the quieter side of Crete. A limited KTEL bus reaches the palm forest at Vai (28km) in summer, but a car gives easier access to Toplou Monastery and Sitia's beaches. Rental offices operate in Sitia town and at the small local airport; compare prices at Discover Cars.
Next 14 days
Every scheduled departure from Sitia to Karpathos between 24 August 2026 and 6 September 2026.
| Date | Departs | Arrives | Duration | Vessel | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 2026-08-27 | 07:00 | 10:35 | 3h 35m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
| Sat 2026-08-29 | 08:30 | 12:00 | 3h 30m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
| Thu 2026-09-03 | 07:00 | 10:35 | 3h 35m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
| Sat 2026-09-05 | 08:30 | 12:00 | 3h 30m | Blue Star Chios | Blue Star Ferries |
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do ferries run from Sitia to Karpathos?
Ferries from Sitia (Crete) to Karpathos (Pigadia) are scheduled 4 times over the next 14 days, roughly 2 a week. In that fortnight there are departures on Thursday and Saturday. Operators have published this route's timetable as far as 31 October 2026, and nothing beyond that date has been announced yet.
Are there ferries from Sitia to Karpathos today?
No, there are no scheduled departures from Sitia (Crete) to Karpathos (Pigadia) today. The next sailing in the published timetable is on 27 August 2026, at 07:00. Departures fall on Thursday and Saturday.
How many ferries run from Sitia to Karpathos this week?
2 sailings from Sitia (Crete) to Karpathos (Pigadia) are scheduled over the next seven days, typically 1 a day on the days it runs.
What time is the first ferry from Sitia to Karpathos?
Scheduled departures from Sitia (Crete) to Karpathos (Pigadia) leave at 07:00 and 08:30.
How long is the ferry from Sitia to Karpathos?
The fastest crossing from Sitia (Crete) to Karpathos (Pigadia) takes 3h 30m and the slowest 3h 35m.
Which ferry companies operate the Sitia to Karpathos route?
The Sitia (Crete) to Karpathos (Pigadia) route is served by Blue Star Ferries. Crossings run on conventional ferries.
Tips for the Sitia to Karpathos ferry
- Mobile signal is generally good within sight of land but drops to nothing in the middle of longer crossings – plan your connectivity accordingly.
- If you are connecting to another ferry on the same day, check whether both depart from the same area of the port to gauge how much walking time you need.
- EU citizens with a disability card are entitled to discounted or free travel on many Greek ferry routes – check the operator's accessibility page when booking.
- Once you arrive in Karpathos, you'll find an unspoiled island with an extensive network of around 50 hiking routes crossing rugged mountains and remote villages. The northern village of Olympos, perched on a clifftop ridge, is one of the most striking traditional settlements in the Dodecanese.
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