Donoussa - Iraklia
Ferry to Cyclades Islands
Donoussa - Iraklia
Ferry to Cyclades Islands
Most travellers pay around $15* for a Donoussa Iraklia ferry ticket, and the cheapest fares on this route begin at $15*. Foot passengers can expect to pay roughly $15* on average.
Fares vary according to passenger count, vehicle type, the route itself and what time you sail. Figures come from fares searched in the previous 30 days, don't include service fees, and were last checked August 26.
There's a quick way to stack up ferry fares and operators from around the world side by side, so you can pick the crossing that best suits you. Getting in early tends to open up the widest choice of prices and sailing times.
Direct Ferries has discounts running throughout the year. Where a senior discount applies to your crossing, it's applied the moment you pick the matching age bracket in the passenger section of your search.
If you're a student or recent graduate, a 5% discount is up for grabs. Head to our partner Student Beans to confirm your status and you'll receive a code to enter at checkout.
A handful of Spanish and Italian ferry routes also offer a resident discount — choose the "Residents" option if it appears during your search and the lower fare is applied straight away. You'll usually need to show proof of address, like a residency card or certificate, when you check in.
Sailings on the Donoussa Iraklia route generally kick off from Donoussa at around 09:20, and the last departure of the day is usually around 09:25.
With a longer crossing time, a trip between Donoussa and Iraklia is better suited to a weekend away or an extended stay, so you get proper value out of the journey.
No, vehicles aren't currently accepted on sailings between Donoussa and Iraklia.
Bicycles aren't currently accepted on sailings between Donoussa and Iraklia.
Yes, Small Cyclades Lines carries foot passengers between Donoussa and Iraklia.
Pets aren't currently permitted on ferries between Donoussa and Iraklia. Our Deal Finder can help you find a nearby route that does allow them.
Guide dogs and assistance dogs are often treated differently to general pets, even on routes where pets aren't allowed. Contact our customer service team to find out what's possible on your sailing, or check our Special Assistance Help page for more information.
Whether the Donoussa to Iraklia route has an overnight sailing depends on a mix of factors. Search with your travel dates, and we'll show you whether an overnight option exists, plus current timetables, crossing times and daytime alternatives.
Note that overnight sailings can occasionally take a bit longer than daytime crossings.
What you'll need to travel varies by route, so it pays to check ahead of your sailing. A valid passport is typically required for the Donoussa to Iraklia crossing, along with any visa or national ID required for your nationality. As rules depend on both where you're from and where you're headed, our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide is worth a read to avoid any hold-ups at check-in.
Booking couldn't be simpler — select your departure port, arrival port and travel date to see everything on offer. From there, you can weigh up alternative routes and departure times to land on the best fit.
Look for early-booking deals and flexible fare types, like upgrades or flexi-tickets, which give you room to change plans later. Double-check details such as passenger numbers and vehicle specs as you go, to keep the booking process painless.
You'll get a confirmation email the moment your booking goes through. From there, how your boarding pass turns up depends on the operator.
Some operators send the boarding pass straight away, while others want you to check in at the port. Where it's on offer, online check-in through the Direct Ferries app can save you time at the terminal.
Ticket desks tend to sit right by the ferry terminal. Building in some extra time before you sail means you won't be rushed collecting tickets and getting checked in.
Have your confirmation email and valid photo ID — a passport or identity card — ready at check-in. If a pet's travelling with you, bring their vaccination and insurance papers, and hold onto proof of address if you booked with a resident discount.
A gap in sailings from Donoussa to Iraklia on your chosen date usually comes down to something like a timetable adjustment, limited space, or a seasonal dip in service. Try a different date, or browse other options with our Route & Port finder.
Generally speaking, booking your Donoussa to Iraklia ferry sooner rather than later pays off — earlier bookings usually mean lower fares and more choice of departure times and cabins.
A few weeks' lead time is usually enough to catch a good deal, though fares can still move around depending on the season and what's left available.
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| Donoussa - Iraklia Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $15 | |
| Average Cabin Price | $27 | |
| Donoussa - Iraklia Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Cyclades Islands |
| Destination | Cyclades Islands |
| No. of Operators | 1 |
| Operators | Small Cyclades Lines |
| Average Price | $15 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 1 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 3 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 2 h 5 m |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 2 h 5 m |
| First Ferry | 09:20 |
| Last Ferry | 09:25 |
| Distance | 23 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 August 2026.
Forming one of the Cyclades group of islands, the Greek island of Donoussa is roughly 16 km to the east of the island of Naxos and 25 km to the north of the island of Amorgos. Donoussa is quite a small island measuring around 14 sq. km, with its highest point 385 m above sea level. Due to its small size, the island has remained a virgin place for summer holidays, with few tourist facilities and much privacy. The island's main town is also called Donoussa.
Many visitors to the island while away the hours by swimming in the warm, crystal clear waters off the island's beaches. Most of the beaches are not organised and are mostly accessible on foot. For the more energetic visitor, the island is an ideal destination for trekking.
Donoussa can be reached by ferry from Piraeus or with local boat from Naxos and Amorgos. The small ferryboat Express Skopelitis works the route between Naxos, Iraklia, Schinoussa, Koufonissi, Donoussa and Amorgos three to five days a week during the summer months.
The small Greek island of Iraklia is located at the western edge of the Small Eastern Cyclades group of islands and only has around 100 inhabitants. The island is characterised by hills, thick vegetation, clear waters with the od shipwreck on the sea floor, and scenic bays which all combine to make it one of the most unspoilt islands of the Cyclades. For nature lovers the island is home to the Mediterranean seal and the marine turtle, Caretta Caretta. The island only has two villages. Ayios Georgios, which is home to the island's harbour, and Panayia.
Perhaps because the island is so small its history remains largely unknown with speculation that is may have been a Minoan settlement in the 2nd century BC, as there is an similar city in Crete. Under Venetian and Ottoman rule, the island paid taxes but it seems that it was the only obligation the Iraklians had.
From the island's port there are ferries available that depart to the Port of Piraeus with a crossing time of between 8 and 10 hours, depending on itinerary. There are also ferry services to the other islands of the Small Cyclades and to Naxos and Amorgos.
