Ferry from Syros (Ermoupoli) to Heraklion (Crete)

Syros to Heraklio links the administrative capital of the Cyclades with the largest city on Crete, and the Seajets high-speed craft cover it in a bit under six hours. The Worldchampion Jet and Champions League Jet 2 are big fast catamarans with reserved indoor seating, and the routing takes in several Cycladic islands before turning south for Crete. It is a long day aboard, but a fast one for the distance.

Heraklio is a busy working city rather than a resort, with a Venetian old core and the Koules fortress guarding the entrance to the old harbour. It is the main gateway for Crete, with the Palace of Knossos a short trip inland and the Archaeological Museum in the centre. The ferry port is close enough to walk into town, and onward buses and car hire are easy to arrange.

The route operates roughly once a day in high season, and the current timetable and fares are shown below. Heraklio also has one of Greece's busier airports, so it works well as an exit point from a Cyclades trip.

Syros to Heraklion Ferry Fares

Weekly Syros to Heraklion Ferry Schedule

The repeating pattern behind the dated timetable, without dates. Each row is one scheduled departure and the days it runs.

Hiring a car

Can you rent a car in Heraklion?

Yes. Heraklion's ferry port sits about 1km from the centre, an easy walk or short taxi ride, and several rental firms have desks right at the harbour or nearby in town. The city itself is compact enough on foot, but a car pays off once you want to reach Knossos, the south coast or the Lasithi plateau, where buses run less often. Check rates at Discover Cars.

Can you rent a car in Syros?

Yes, and rental desks cluster right in Ermoupoli, a short walk from where the ferry docks. Syros Town itself is easily walkable, but a car earns its keep for reaching Kini, Galissas and Poseidonia beaches, each 8-10km away on the other side of the island. Compare prices across local suppliers at Discover Cars.

Next 14 days

Every scheduled departure from Syros to Heraklion between 24 October 2026 and 6 November 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips for the Syros to Heraklion ferry

• The ferry quay sits right in Ermoupoli town centre, close to hotels, cafés and the bus station, so you can walk to most accommodation. In peak summer, arrive at least an hour early, or 60–90 minutes if you're bringing a car.
• There's no single ferry ticket office at the port – tickets are issued by several independent travel agencies clustered near the harbour, so check your booking confirmation for pickup details rather than expecting one terminal counter.
• A taxi rank is around 100 metres from the quay, but ranks empty fast in August, so pre-book a taxi or arrange a hotel transfer in advance rather than relying on hailing one on arrival.
• Booking directly with the ferry operator's own website often gives you the same price as third-party sites and makes changes or cancellations simpler.
• Heraklion serves as the main gateway to Crete, with the legendary Palace of Knossos – the centre of Minoan civilisation – just a short drive from the city centre. The city's Archaeological Museum houses one of the most important collections of Minoan artefacts in the world, and wine tours into the surrounding region are a popular option.

Plan a journey

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