Heraklion, the capital of Crete, sits on the island's north coast facing the sea. From Athens there are two good ways in: a short flight or an overnight ferry from the port of Piraeus. The plane is quick and simple. The boat makes the journey part of the trip, with a night at sea and Crete waiting at dawn.
How do you get to Heraklion from Athens?
The flight from Athens International Airport to Heraklion Airport (Nikos Kazantzakis) takes about 50 minutes. Aegean and Sky Express both fly the route, with departures throughout the day.
The ferry leaves Piraeus in the evening. You can eat in the onboard restaurant as the port slips away, sleep, and wake up as the ship nears Crete around dawn. It's slower and far more atmospheric, and it asks more of your schedule.
The other routes suit special cases. You can fly to Chania in western Crete, about 55 minutes in the air, and continue by bus, private transfer, or rental car. Chania's airport is about 87 miles (140 km) from Heraklion. The drive follows the northern coast and takes about two hours. KTEL buses cover the same road and stop along the way, including at Rethymno, a port town with an old Venetian harbor and fortress. This route makes sense if your trip starts in western Crete. If Heraklion is the goal, it usually just adds hours. Bus and ferry combinations through Chania are slower still.
Is it better to take the ferry or fly to Heraklion?
The choice comes down to time, money, and mood.
Flying wins on time. Even after the ride to the airport and the security line, you'll reach Heraklion hours before the ferry docks.
The ferry usually wins on price, especially if you book a basic seat. You can also bring a car on board, which matters if you plan to tour the island. And the ride is scenic. Many ferries have a cafeteria and a viewing deck, there's space to walk around and stretch your legs, and you may catch a glimpse of some of the Cycladic islands along the way.
The plain verdict:
- First trip, limited vacation days: fly.
- Families: the overnight ferry, in a cabin, with the children's fares listed below.
- Tight budget: the ferry in a seat, booked ahead.
- Bringing your own car: the ferry.
What can go wrong? Transportation strikes are common in Greece and can interrupt seaports, airports, taxis, and public transit. Demonstrations can also break out with little notice. Leave yourself slack: don't book an international flight home on the same day you arrive by boat.
How long is the ferry to Heraklion?
The length of the crossing depends on the ship. Crossings run from about 7 hours 50 minutes on the fastest boat, run by Seajets, to about 12 hours. The conventional overnight ferries take about 9 1/2 hours. Five companies serve Athens to Crete: Seajets, Minoan Lines, Anek Lines, Hellenic Seaways, and Blue Star Ferries. Between them they run both conventional ferries and high-speed catamarans.
The overnight ferry
Minoan Lines sails from Piraeus to Heraklion every evening, year-round, usually leaving around 9 p.m. and arriving early the next morning. Its ships, such as the Festos Palace and the Kydon Palace, take turns on the route. Check the timetable before you go.
On Minoan Lines timetables, the arrival time shows when the ship reaches the pilot station, just before the entrance of the port. Expect to be at the dock a little later.
On board, you choose between a numbered airplane-type seat and a cabin. The seat is the cheap option. A cabin gives you your own space to sleep and makes the night far more comfortable. Either way, the early arrival has a reward: sunrise over the water.
Summer midday sailings
On selected summer dates, mostly in late June and July, Minoan Lines adds a daytime sailing that leaves Piraeus in the morning and arrives in the early evening. The dates change each year, so check the timetable. It's the one to pick if you'd rather watch the Aegean than sleep through it.
How do you get to Piraeus?
Piraeus is the main port of Athens. It sits about 9 miles (15 km) south of the city center and about 28 miles (45 km) from the airport. You can get there by metro, bus, suburban railway, taxi, or car.
A taxi or private transfer takes about 30 to 45 minutes from central Athens and 45 to 60 minutes from the airport. If you take the metro with luggage, keep your bags close, because pickpockets work the trains. Ferries to Crete leave from gates E2 and E3, so head for those once you reach the port.
How do you book ferries to Heraklion?
Book online and in advance. You can buy directly from the operators or through sites that compare schedules across companies. Exact departure times appear during booking, so check the specific date you want.
Minoan Lines lists these discounts (2026) on its Piraeus to Heraklion line, so look at them before you pay:
- 20% off passengers and vehicles if you buy both directions at the same time.
- 20% off for ages 13 to 18.
- 50% off for ages 5 to 12.
- Children under 5 travel free on deck passage and get 50% off other accommodation.
- 25% off for ages 60 and over, including the accompanying car or motorbike.
- Students at Greek universities and holders of the European Youth Card or ISIC card get 50% off accommodation (except Deluxe and A1 cabins) and 20% off cars and motorbikes.
- A 3 + 1 free offer in a 4-bed cabin, if at least 2 tickets are full fare and all four passengers share the cabin.
If you're shipping a vehicle without driving it on yourself, deliver it to the port at least 2 hours before departure, with its key.
How do you get to Heraklion from other islands?
You arrive by ferry. Heraklion has a busy port with regular ferry service, mainly to Piraeus, Santorini and other Greek islands.
Santorini is the classic pairing, and the ferry is the easiest way to connect the two. The crossing is a straightforward run south through the Sea of Crete, and near the end you pass the uninhabited island of Dia. Several companies share the route. High-speed boats take about two hours and regular ferries about six.
Boats also reach Heraklion from other Cyclades such as Mykonos, Naxos, and Paros, from a few Dodecanese islands, and from Sitia on Crete. Sailings are much more frequent in high season and thinner in low and mid-season. In the other direction, Anafi, Karpathos, Kasos, and Serifos are all easy to reach from Heraklion, and Santorini is close enough for a day trip. Schedules change, so check current timetables before you build an itinerary around a specific island hop.
How do you get from the port or airport to your hotel?
The airport lies east of the center. A taxi or bus takes you into town, and the bus runs to the city's bus terminal. The trip takes 15 to 20 minutes in light traffic and up to 30 minutes at rush hour (8 to 9 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.).
The ferry docks at the main port, about 0.75 to 1.25 miles (1.2 to 2 km) from the center. A taxi stand is about 65 feet (20 meters) from the port and a bus station about 130 feet (40 meters) away. If your hotel is near Lion Square, it's a 5 to 10 minute walk from the old Venetian port.
What do U.S. citizens need to travel to Greece?
U.S. citizens can enter Greece without a visa for stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business. Your passport should have at least three months of validity beyond your planned departure date. If you travel on a passport that was reported lost or stolen, you will be refused entry. If asked, be ready to show proof of sufficient funds and a return ticket or other evidence of departure. Once you're in the country, carry your passport or another photo ID at all times.
If you rent a car on Crete, don't leave passports, valuables, or luggage inside, because thieves target rental cars. Before you leave home, get an international driver's permit. Greek law asks for it alongside your valid U.S. license, even if the rental company does not request to see it.
Sources
- rome2rio.com (https://www.rome2rio.com/s/Athens/Heraklion), checked October 18, 2026
- kimkim.com (https://www.kimkim.com/ab/getting-to-heraklion), checked October 18, 2026
- omio.com (https://www.omio.com/travel/athens/heraklion), checked October 18, 2026
- greeka.com (https://www.greeka.com/crete/heraklion/travel/), checked October 18, 2026
- ferries.gr (https://www.ferries.gr/en/ferry-routes/piraeus-heraklion/), checked October 18, 2026
- U.S. Department of State (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Greece.html), checked October 15, 2026
- ktelherlas.gr (https://www.ktelherlas.gr/en/timetables), checked October 15, 2026
- minoan.it (https://www.minoan.it/en/routes-fares-timetable-minoan-lines/timetable-ferry-piraeus-heraklion), checked October 15, 2026
- minoan.gr (https://www.minoan.gr/en/ferry-routes/piraeus-heraklion), checked October 15, 2026
- Visit Greece (GNTO) (https://www.visitgreece.gr/islands/crete/irakleio/), checked October 15, 2026
- Visit Greece (GNTO) (https://www.visitgreece.gr/islands/crete/rethymno/), checked October 15, 2026
- Visit Greece (GNTO) (https://www.visitgreece.gr/islands/crete/elounda/), checked October 15, 2026
To plan your stay
- Best Time to Visit Heraklion: Late May, June, September and Early October for Warm Beach Days Without the Crush
- Day Trips from Heraklion: Knossos, Rethymno, Agios Nikolaos and Spinalonga
- Heraklion Hotels: Where to Stay in Crete's Capital
- Heraklion in April: Weather, Knossos, the Archaeological Museum and Orthodox Easter