There are 7 ways to get from Athens to Crete by plane, car ferry, busferry, bus, or ferry
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly to Heraklion International Airport, “Nikos Kazantzakis”
best- Fly from Athens International Airport (ATH) to Heraklion International Airport, “Nikos Kazantzakis” (HER)ATH - HER
2h 43m€45–130Bus and ferry, bus
cheapest- Take the busferry from Port of Piraeus to Chania
- Take the bus from Chania to Heraklion
12h 52m€30–43Car ferry via Páros
- Take the car ferry from Port of Piraeus to Paros
- Take the car ferry from Paros to Heraklion Port
7h 30m€136–244Fly to Chania International Airport
- Fly from Athens International Airport (ATH) to Chania International Airport (CHQ)ATH - CHQ
3h 17m€71–219Fly to Sitia Airport
- Fly from Athens International Airport (ATH) to Sitia Airport (JSH)ATH - JSH
2h 47m€54–199Car ferry
- Take the car ferry from Port of Piraeus to Heraklion Port
9h 15m€35–150Ferry
- Take the ferry from Port of Piraeus to HeraklionAbs / ...
9h 15m€30–60
Athens to Crete by ferry
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Athens to Crete is to bus and ferry and bus which costs €30 - €45 and takes 12h 52m.
The fastest way to get from Athens to Crete is to fly which takes 2h 43m and costs €45 - €130.
No, there is no direct bus from Athens to Crete. However, there are services departing from Τερμα(Ομονοια) and arriving at Heraklion via Port of Piraeus and Chania. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 12h 52m.
Yes, there is a direct ferry departing from Port of Piraeus and arriving at Heraklion Port. Services depart once daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 9h 15m.
The distance between Athens and Crete is 344 km.
Book your Athens to Crete ferry tickets online with Omio.
The best way to get from Athens to Crete without a car is to car ferry via Páros which takes 7h 30m and costs €130 - €250.
It takes approximately 2h 43m to get from Athens to Crete, including transfers.
Athens to Crete bus services, operated by KTEL Chanion-Rethymnou S.A, depart from Port of Piraeus station.
Athens to Crete bus services, operated by KTEL Chanion-Rethymnou S.A, arrive at Chania station.
What companies run services between Athens, Greece and Crete, Greece?
Aegean Airlines and Sky Express fly from Athens International Airport (ATH) to Heraklion International Airport, “Nikos Kazantzakis” (HER) every 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a car ferry from Port of Piraeus to Heraklion Port via Paros in around 7h 30m.
- Website
- en.aegeanair.com
Flights from Athens International Airport to Heraklion International Airport, “Nikos Kazantzakis”
- Ave. Duration
- 51 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €35–120
Flights from Athens International Airport to Chania International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 51 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €45–120
Flights from Athens International Airport to Sitia Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- €80–130
- Website
- skyexpress.gr
Flights from Athens International Airport to Heraklion International Airport, “Nikos Kazantzakis”
- Ave. Duration
- 52 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €35–120
Flights from Athens International Airport to Chania International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 56 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €40–110
- Website
- olympicair.com
Flights from Athens International Airport to Sitia Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- €80–130
- Website
- ryanair.com
Flights from Athens International Airport to Chania International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 55 min
- When
- Wednesday
- Estimated price
- €45–130
- Phone
- +302821093306
- info@e-ktel.gr
- Website
- e-ktel.com
Busferry from Port of Piraeus to Chania
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 28m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- €19–27
- Website
- https://www.e-ktel.com/en/
Bus from Chania to Heraklion
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 45m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €10–15
- Website
- https://www.e-ktel.com/en/
- Phone
- +30 210 710 7 710
- reservations.dpt@seajets.gr
- Website
- seajets.com
Car ferry from Port of Piraeus to Paros
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- €65–75
- Website
- https://www.seajets.com/
Car ferry from Paros to Heraklion Port
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 45m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- €70–170
- Website
- https://www.seajets.com/
- Deck Fare Economy
- €70–95
- Deck Fare Economy & Car less than 4.25m
- €120–170
- Phone
- +30 21 0419 7400
- info@anek.gr
- Website
- anek.gr
Car ferry from Port of Piraeus to Heraklion Port
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 15m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- €35–150
- Website
- ANEK Lines
- Economy
- €35–60
- Airplane-type seats
- €40–60
- 2 beds - outside cabin
- €100–150
Ferry from Port of Piraeus to Heraklion
- Ave. Duration
- 9h 15m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- €30–60
- Website
- https://www.bluestarferries.com/en-gb/
Want to know more about travelling around Greece
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
Related travel guides
Getting around the Cyclades
Read the travel guide
More Questions & Answers
There are 2522+ hotels available in Crete.






















