Heraklion - Koufonissi
Ferry to Cyclades Islands
Heraklion - Koufonissi
Ferry to Cyclades Islands
Fares for the Heraklion to Koufonissi crossing usually range somewhere between $215* and $433*. Most travellers pay around $341* for a Heraklion Koufonissi ferry ticket, and the cheapest fares on this route begin at $215*. Foot passengers can expect to pay roughly $341* 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 September 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.
Heraklion Koufonissi sailings generally depart at around 08:00.
With a longer crossing time, a trip between Heraklion and Koufonissi is better suited to a weekend away or an extended stay, so you get proper value out of the journey.
Yes, SeaJets carries vehicles on the Heraklion to Koufonissi 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 Koufonissi 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 Koufonissi.
Yes, SeaJets carries foot passengers between Heraklion and Koufonissi.
Pets aren't currently permitted on ferries between Heraklion and Koufonissi. 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 Koufonissi 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 Koufonissi 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 Koufonissi 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 Koufonissi 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 - Koufonissi Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $341 | |
| Average Cabin Price | $480 | |
| Heraklion - Koufonissi Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Crete |
| Destination | Cyclades Islands |
| No. of Operators | 1 |
| Operators | SeaJets |
| Average Price | $341 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 1 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 6 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 6 h 25 m |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 6 h 25 m |
| First Ferry | 08:00 |
| Last Ferry | 08:00 |
| Distance | 90 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 September 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 island of Koufonisia is located to the east of the island of Naxos and to the west of the island of Amorgos, and is made up of two islets named Pano Koufonisi and Kato Koufonisi. The two islets are separated by a strait which is around 200 meters wide and the island's name is derived from the Greek for "Hollow Island" which is a reference to the large caves which led pirates to believe that the island was hollow when viewed from the sea. Located close to Koufonisia is the deserted island of Keros which has been declared an archaeological site that is under protection because of the many Cycladic artefacts that have been found on the island.
Pano Koufonisi is the only inhabited of the two islets and is a popular destination for visitors who want to relax on the island's golden sandy beaches or to swim in the island's war, crystal clear waters.
