There are 7 ways to get from Central 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)plane ATH - HER
2h 41m€40–140Ferry
cheapest- Take the ferry from Port of Piraeus to Heraklionferry Abs / ...
10h 40m€31–61Car ferry via Páros
- Take the car ferry from Port of Piraeus to Paroscarferry
- Take the car ferry from Paros to Heraklion Portcarferry
7h 43m€147–259Bus and ferry, bus
- Take the busferry from Port of Piraeus to Chaniabusferry
- Take the bus from Chania to Heraklionbus
12h 52m€32–46Fly to Chania International Airport
- Fly from Athens International Airport (ATH) to Chania International Airport (CHQ)plane ATH - CHQ
3h 15m€71–209Fly to Sitia Airport
- Fly from Athens International Airport (ATH) to Sitia Airport (JSH)plane ATH - JSH
2h 45m€49–229Car ferry
- Take the car ferry from Port of Piraeus to Heraklion Portcarferry
10h 40m€36–151
Athens International Airport (ATH) to Heraklion International Airport, “Nikos Kazantzakis” (HER) flights
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Central Athens to Crete is to bus and ferry and bus which costs €30 - €50 and takes 12h 52m.
The fastest way to get from Central Athens to Crete is to fly which takes 2h 41m and costs €40 - €140.
No, there is no direct bus from Central 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.
The distance between Central Athens and Crete is 343 km.
The best way to get from Central Athens to Crete without a car is to car ferry via Páros which takes 7h 43m and costs €140 - €260.
It takes approximately 2h 41m to get from Central Athens to Crete, including transfers.
Central Athens to Crete bus services, operated by KTEL Chanion-Rethymnou S.A, depart from Port of Piraeus station.
Central Athens to Crete bus services, operated by KTEL Chanion-Rethymnou S.A, arrive at Chania station.
There are 2623+ hotels available in Crete.
What companies run services between Central Athens, Greece and Crete, Greece?
Aegean Airlines and Sky Express fly from Athens International Airport (ATH) to Heraklion International Airport, “Nikos Kazantzakis” (HER) hourly. Alternatively, you can take a vehicle from Central Athens to Heraklion Port via Port of Piraeus and Paros in around 7h 43m.
- Website
- en.aegeanair.com
Flights from Athens International Airport to Heraklion International Airport, “Nikos Kazantzakis”
- Ave. Duration
- 52 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €30–130
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, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- €35–120
- Website
- skyexpress.gr
Flights from Athens International Airport to Heraklion International Airport, “Nikos Kazantzakis”
- Ave. Duration
- 57 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €30–130
Flights from Athens International Airport to Chania International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 56 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €40–110
- Website
- ryanair.com
Flights from Athens International Airport to Chania International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 55 min
- When
- Wednesday
- Estimated price
- €50–110
- Website
- olympicair.com
Flights from Athens International Airport to Sitia Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 5m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- €35–120
- 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
- €21–30
- 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