Heraklion - Athens (Piraeus)
Ferry to Athens
Heraklion - Athens (Piraeus)
Ferry to Athens
Fares for the Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus) crossing usually range somewhere between $65* and $792*. Most travellers pay around $309* for a Heraklion Athens (Piraeus) ferry ticket, and the cheapest fares on this route begin at $65*. Foot passengers can expect to pay roughly $250* on average. Bringing a car along typically brings the average fare up to $568*.
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.
Sailings on the Heraklion Athens (Piraeus) route generally kick off from Heraklion at around 03:20, and the last departure of the day is usually around 23:45.
With a longer crossing time, a trip between Heraklion and Athens (Piraeus) is better suited to a weekend away or an extended stay, so you get proper value out of the journey.
Yes, Minoan Lines & SeaJets carries vehicles on the Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus) 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 Athens (Piraeus) 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 Athens (Piraeus).
Yes, Minoan Lines & SeaJets carries foot passengers between Heraklion and Athens (Piraeus).
Pet owners are in luck — Minoan Lines allows pets on board between Heraklion and Athens (Piraeus). Travelling with a pet on this crossing costs an average of $565.
Fares reflect searches from the last 30 days, exclude service fees, and were last checked September 26.
Before you bring a pet on board, it helps to have the following sorted:
It depends on which operator you're sailing with — some ferries keep pets in your vehicle for the whole trip, while others have dedicated pet areas, kennels, or even pet-friendly cabins. Our Deal Finder lays out the options so you can pick the crossing that works for your pet.
There's a bit to know before travelling with a guide or assistance dog. Let our customer service team know in advance, or mention it to the ferry operator when you book, so everything's arranged ahead of time.
Carry any certification or documentation your dog needs, since you could be asked to show it at boarding or partway through the crossing.
Rules for guide dogs and assistance dogs can differ from general pet policy, even on sailings where pets aren't otherwise allowed. Reach out to our customer service team to check what applies to your sailing, or visit our Special Assistance Help page for more detail.
Whether the Heraklion to Athens (Piraeus) 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 Athens (Piraeus) 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 Athens (Piraeus) 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 Athens (Piraeus) 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 - Athens (Piraeus) Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $250 | |
| Average Price with Car | $568 | |
| Average Price with Motorbike | $306 | |
| Average Campervan Price | $707 | |
| Average Cabin Price | $409 | |
| Heraklion - Athens (Piraeus) Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Crete |
| Destination | Athens |
| No. of Operators | 2 |
| Operators | Minoan Lines & SeaJets |
| Average Price | $309 |
| Average Pet Price | $565 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 3 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 19 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 9 h 30 m |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 7 h 25 m |
| First Ferry | 03:20 |
| Last Ferry | 23:45 |
| Distance | 168 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 city and port of Piraeus is one of the largest ports in the whole of the Mediterranean, and the third largest in the world, and has become a major hub for the ferry network that spans the Aegean Sea. Piraeus is an important city in its own right despite the fact that it is frequently considered to be a suburb of Athens, the Greek capital, which is only a very short distance away. Despite its proximity to Athens, Piraeus' waterfront has its own distinct appearance and visitors will see that the most appealing parts of the city are located around its eastern quarter, alongside both Mikrolimano Harbour and Zea Marina. A popular event in Piraeus is the Ecocinema International Film Festival which is held annually in late February and is where a number of films are screened at the Atticon Cinema and the Cineac Cinema, which are both located in the city's Town Hall Square.
Full of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, the waterfront district was greatly redeveloped in time for the Athens Olympics and as a result a new harbour front promenade was created that is lined with trees and passes the medieval city walls. The walls serve as a reminder and as an insight into the city's rich past.
