Knossos · Venetian harbour · the gateway to Crete
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Heraklion is the capital and largest city of Crete, Greece’s biggest island, and its busiest ferry port. Just outside the city lies Knossos, the great palace of the Minoans, and the Archaeological Museum in the centre holds the finest Minoan art in the world. The old town is ringed by Venetian walls, with the Koules fortress guarding the old harbour and the Morosini fountain in Lions Square, a few minutes’ walk from the ferry.
Overnight ferries sail from Piraeus every night of the year, in about 9½–10 hours with cabins, so you sleep on board and wake up in Crete. A Seajets boat also runs by day in about 8 hours, calling at Cycladic islands, and in summer there are fast connections to Santorini, Naxos, Paros and Mykonos.
Good for one or two nights: museums, Knossos, restaurants and the ferry, all close by.
Crete is big: from Heraklion, roads lead east to Hersonissos, Malia and Agios Nikolaos, west to Rethymno and Chania, and south to Matala.
From Piraeus, Blue Star and Minoan Lines sail overnight every night: both carry cars, campers and trucks and have cabins, so book one for a good night’s sleep. The cheapest deck fare we found was €33 on Blue Star. By day, the Seajets boat takes about 8 hours and stops in the Cyclades on the way.
| From | Companies | Fastest | Fares from | When |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piraeus | Blue Star Ferries, Minoan Lines, Seajets | 7 h 50 m | €33 | All year, every night |
| Santorini | Seajets, Blue Star Ferries | 1 h 35 m | €15.50 | All year |
| Milos | Minoan Lines | 4 h 40 m | €44 | All year |
| Naxos, Paros, Mykonos | Seajets | 3 h 05 m | €107.70 | Summer |
Children travel at reduced fares on every company. Cabin prices depend on the cabin type. Other discounts, such as for students, large families or people with disabilities, apply only to Greek citizens. For a cabin, car, motorbike or group booking, ask us for a quote.
Related guides: Piraeus portFerry to ChaniaChoosing an Athens portAll ferry routes
Heraklion links Crete with the Cyclades. Santorini and Milos are year-round October 2026 figures; Naxos, Paros and Mykonos are Seajets examples for 17 June 2027.
All ferries arrive at the port of Heraklion, on the north coast, next to the city centre. The terminal is east of the old Venetian harbour and the Koules fortress, opposite the main bus station.
Heraklion is one of Crete’s two main ferry ports; the other is Chania (Souda) in the west. Choose the port closest to where you are staying.
The day boat stops at several Cycladic islands on the way. Seajets usually leaves from gate E9 or E7; the gate is on your ticket, it can change, and Seajets usually sends you an SMS with the gate.
Big overnight ferries with cabins, restaurants and space for cars and trucks. Ferries to Crete usually leave from gates E2–E3, near the main entrance of the port; Blue Star shows your gate when you check in. Always check it on your ticket.
Getting to Piraeus from the airport or city centre: Piraeus port guide →
Yes. The ferry quays are just east of the Venetian harbour; the old town and Lions Square are about 10–15 minutes on foot.
The main KTEL bus station is opposite the port, with buses to Knossos, the airport and all over Crete. Taxis wait outside the terminal when ferries arrive.
Crete is big, and a car is the best way to explore. Many rental companies deliver to the port, or bring your own car on the overnight ferry.
Heraklion airport is about 5 km east of the city, with flights from Athens and, in summer, from all over Europe. Many travellers fly one way and take the ferry the other.
The overnight ferries arrive around 06:30–07:00. Cafés by the harbour open early, and the museum and Knossos open in the morning.
Taking a camper, motorhome, van or your boat on a trailer to Heraklion (Crete)? Big vehicles need a little more planning on Greek ferries. Here is what to know, for holidays and for business.
Give the exact length and height of your camper, van or car with caravan, including bike racks, roof boxes and tow bars. The ferry fare and deck space depend on them, and a vehicle bigger than booked may be refused or charged extra at the port.
Vehicles running on LPG or other gas, and hybrid or electric vehicles, must be declared when you book. Gas tanks may be filled to no more than 50% and EV batteries charged to no more than 40%. Make sure gas bottles are turned off before boarding.
Be at the port at least 1 hour before departure. Large vehicles are loaded in the order set by the port authority, so arriving early helps. Book well ahead in July and August: garage space for big vehicles runs out first.
Only the driver stays with the vehicle to drive it on and off; everyone else boards on foot. Nobody may stay in the vehicle during the crossing, so take what you need for the trip with you.
Taking your own boat? We also book ferry tickets for a car towing a boat trailer. Give the total length of car, trailer and boat together, and the height of the boat on the trailer, including any mast, frame or outboard engine.
Vans carrying goods, tools or equipment for work may be booked as commercial vehicles, with a different fare and different paperwork from a private car. Tell us what the vehicle carries and its weight.
Several vehicles and drivers on the same sailing, or regular crossings for a project? We book them together so your team travels on the same ship.
Length, height and weight decide the category. Include racks, ladders and trailers, and tell us if anything is loaded on the roof.
Commercial vehicles may need to be at the port earlier than cars. We confirm the exact check-in time and gate for your sailing.
Travelling for work? We issue an invoice in your company’s name. Send us the company name, address and VAT number with your quote request.
Heraklion is a city, but beaches and famous sights are a short drive away.
The palace of the Minoans, Europe’s oldest city, with restored frescoes and columns.
The world’s greatest collection of Minoan art, from frescoes to the Phaistos Disc.
The sea fortress, the city walls and the tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis.
A long sandy beach west of the city, and a sheltered bay with clear water.
The famous beach with caves in the cliffs, about 1½ hours away.
Heraklion is a lively student city all year: bars and cafés fill the streets around Lions Square and the old harbour. For big beach clubs and party nights, Hersonissos and Malia, east of the city, are busy all summer.
From Piraeus, the overnight ferries of Blue Star and Minoan Lines take about 9½–10 hours, leaving around 21:00 and arriving early the next morning. The Seajets day boat takes about 8 hours.
One way for 1 adult on deck, October 2026 examples: from €33 on Blue Star and €44 on Minoan Lines; €89.70 on the Seajets day boat. Cabins and vehicles cost extra.
On the overnight ferries, a cabin gives you a bed and a private bathroom and you arrive rested. Deck and airline-type seats are cheaper. Ask us for a cabin quote.
Ferries to Crete usually leave from gates E2–E3, near the main entrance of the port. Blue Star shows your gate when you check in, and Seajets usually leaves from E9 or E7. Always check your ticket. Flying into Athens? Leave at least 4 hours between your flight’s landing and the ferry’s departure.
Heraklion for central and eastern Crete (Knossos, Hersonissos, Malia, Agios Nikolaos); Chania for western Crete (Chania town, Rethymno, the west coast beaches).
Yes, all year. The Seajets high-speed boat takes about 1 h 40 m, and Blue Star has a slower, cheaper ferry on some days.
Yes. Blue Star and Minoan Lines carry cars, campers, caravans, vans and trucks every night. Declare the exact length and height and the fuel type when you book. Wild camping is not allowed in Greece. Get a vehicle quote.
Photo credits: Tomisti / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · A.Savin / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
