Heraklion - Diafani
Ferry to Dodecanese Islands
Heraklion - Diafani
Ferry to Dodecanese Islands
Fares for the Heraklion to Diafani crossing usually range somewhere between $35* and $263*. Most travellers pay around $71* for a Heraklion Diafani ferry ticket, and the cheapest fares on this route begin at $35*. Foot passengers can expect to pay roughly $71* on average. Bringing a car along typically brings the average fare up to $264*.
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 Heraklion Diafani route generally kick off from Heraklion at around 05:20, and the last departure of the day is usually around 08:20.
With a longer crossing time, a trip between Heraklion and Diafani is better suited to a weekend away or an extended stay, so you get proper value out of the journey.
Yes, Blue Star Ferries carries vehicles on the Heraklion to Diafani route. Check our Deal Finder for up-to-date car ferry pricing on this crossing.
Whether a caravan or campervan is welcome on board the Heraklion to Diafani ferry comes down to the ship and operator running the sailing. Pop your travel details into our Deal Finder, and we'll check the operators on this route for you.
Bicycles aren't currently accepted on sailings between Heraklion and Diafani.
Yes, Blue Star Ferries carries foot passengers between Heraklion and Diafani.
Pets aren't currently permitted on ferries between Heraklion and Diafani. 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 Heraklion to Diafani 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 Heraklion to Diafani 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 Heraklion to Diafani 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 Heraklion to Diafani 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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| Heraklion - Diafani Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $71 | |
| Average Price with Car | $264 | |
| Average Cabin Price | $117 | |
| Heraklion - Diafani Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Crete |
| Destination | Dodecanese Islands |
| No. of Operators | 1 |
| Operators | Blue Star Ferries |
| Average Price | $71 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 1 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 1 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 8 h 25 m |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 7 h 50 m |
| First Ferry | 05:20 |
| Last Ferry | 08:20 |
| Distance | 126 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 August 2026.
The Greek city of Heraklion is the capital and largest city on the island of Crete. A popular visitor attraction near the city is Knossos, which is around 5 km from Heraklion. This important archaeological site was the Palace of King Minos and home to the Minotaur, if legend is to be believed. The palace was built over the remains of a former Neolithic settlement in around 1900 BC.
An important attraction in the city itself is the Archaeological Museum which can be found on one corner of the central Eleftherias Square, in a converted power station. The museum collects and displays many artefacts from Knossos, Archanes, Phaestos, Zakros and many other important archaeological sites on the island. The museum's collection spans several thousand years and includes the Phaestos disc, classic Hellenic and Roman sculptures, frescos, jewellery, wall paintings and pottery.
Visitors to Heraklion can take a ferry from the port, which is important for both passenger services and cargo, to destinations including Santorini, Ios, Paros, Mykonos and Rhodes. There are also daily sailings to the mainland port of Piraeus.
The Greek town and port of Diafani is located on the island of Karpathos which is located in the southern part of the Dodecanese group of islands, between the islands of Crete and Rhodes. As the second largest of the Dodecanese islands, Karpathos extends to a surface area of around 300 sq. km and its terrain is characterised by mountains, the highest peak being Kali Limni and 1,214 meters above sea level. On the slopes of the mountains are springs, vineyards, forests of Pine, olive trees and many other varieties of fruit trees. A popular tourist site on the island are the rock caves that are home to the Mediterranean seal which can is supposedly the only place they can be found along with Kastelorizo. The island's first inhabitant, according to mythology, was Iapetos, the son of Uranus and Gaea (Sky and Earth).
The island can trace its history back to the Neolithic Age and is closely linked with the history of Rhodes and the other islands of the Dodecanese. The island's character has been strongly influenced by those who have conquered it including the Francs, the Turks and the Italians.
