Athens (Piraeus) - Rethymno
Ferry to Crete
Athens (Piraeus) - Rethymno
Ferry to Crete
See ferry fares and operators from all over the world in one spot, and find the sailing that fits your trip. Booking early is usually the surest way to get a good price and plenty of choice.
Discounts are available with Direct Ferries all year round. If a senior discount applies to your crossing, it's applied for you automatically once the right age bracket is selected in the passenger options.
Students and recent graduates can claim a 5% saving. Register with our partner Student Beans to verify eligibility, then apply your discount code at checkout.
Resident discounts also apply to a number of Spanish and Italian routes — pick the "Residents" option during search and the fare adjusts automatically. Be ready to show proof of address, such as an ID card or residency certificate, at check-in.
Requirements for travel documents change from route to route, so check what's needed ahead of time. A valid passport is usually required for Athens (Piraeus) to Rethymno travel, plus any visa or national ID relevant to your nationality. Since the rules depend on your citizenship and destination, our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide is the place to check for the latest guidance and avoid delays at check-in.
To book, just add your departure port, arrival port and preferred date, and you'll see every fare and sailing on offer. You can also compare alternative routes and times to find your best match.
Look out for early-bird pricing and flexible ticket options, such as upgrades or flexi-fares that let you make changes down the line. Entering accurate details — passenger count, vehicle specs and so on — keeps the process running smoothly.
As soon as your booking is confirmed, a confirmation email will land in your inbox. What happens next with your boarding pass depends on the operator you've booked.
Some operators issue boarding passes right away, while others need you to check in at the port itself. Where it's supported, the Direct Ferries app lets you check in online in advance.
You'll usually find ticket desks close to the ferry terminal. Giving yourself a little extra time before departure means you can collect tickets and check in without any stress.
Bring your confirmation email and valid photo ID, such as a passport or identity card, to check in. Pet owners should have vaccination and insurance documents on hand, and anyone with a resident discount should carry proof of address.
There are a few reasons departures from Athens (Piraeus) to Rethymno might not show for your chosen date — a schedule change, sold-out sailings, or a seasonal lull are the most likely. Try another date or check alternative routes through our Route & Port finder.
Booking your Athens (Piraeus) to Rethymno ferry well ahead of time generally works in your favour — you'll usually find better fares and a wider choice of departures and cabins.
A few weeks ahead is usually enough notice to catch the best offers, though fares can still fluctuate with the season and remaining space.
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| Athens (Piraeus) - Rethymno Ferry Route Prices |
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| Athens (Piraeus) - Rethymno Ferry Route Summary | |
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| Origin | Athens |
| Destination | Crete |
| Distance | 0 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 September 2026.
The port city of Piraeus can be found in the Attica region of Greece along the east coast of the Saronic Gulf about 12 km south west of Athens, the Greek capital. Piraeus is the largest ferry port in Europe and one of the largest in the world when it comes to passenger transportation with services provided by every major ferry company in Greece. Approximately 20 million passengers pass through its doors each year and the port provides the main link between the Greek mainland and the Aegean islands and Crete. Piraeus proves the gateway from the Greek mainland to all of the main holiday destinations in Greece and some of the less popular ones too. Piraeus is also famous for its football team – Olympiakos who regularly feature in the UEFA Champions League.
Located between the popular regions of Heraklion and Chania is the beautiful historic town of Rethymno, the third largest town on the island of Crete in Greece. Rethymno is a place of outstanding natural wealth and a variation of landscapes, with flourishing valleys, harsh mountains and rocky shores following long sandy beaches. The east side of the region is mostly mountainous while the northern and southern coasts are dotted with fabulous beaches which are pretty popular in summer. The city of Rethymno is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Greece, with Venetian fortification works, orthodox and catholic churches, mosques, grand Venetian mansions, arches and cobbled streets all together, creating this wondrous traditional atmosphere. The Venetian port is probably one of the most popular spots of the Town. This small port was of great strategic importance during the Venetian period and has undergone numerous constructions since 1300. Nowadays, the port is lined up by cafes and delicious restaurants where you can enjoy the secrets of the Cretan cuisine.
