Crete is one of the most desired destinations in Greece. The combination of dreamy beaches, delicious food, and welcoming locals guarantees an unforgettable experience. While there are direct seasonal flights from European cities to Crete, most travelers will visit the island via Athens. Therefore, in this article, you’ll learn how to get from Athens to Crete (and vice versa) and various tips for your upcoming Greek vacation.
Specifically, I will narrow down every available option for your journey from Athens to Crete and show you how to book your tickets. Moreover, I will share tips about budgeting, and answer some frequently asked questions. Lastly, if you’d like to see more photos of the beautiful island, you can check my Crete guide.
Let’s start.
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How to get from Athens to Crete: every option explained
Crete is the largest Greek island and definitely one of the most beautiful. To get a better impression of its size, it takes more than five hours to drive from one side of Crete to the other.
Moreover, Crete has three airports and several ports. As you can imagine, there are various entry points in Crete, and that’s what I’ll explain in the following lines.
In brief, you have two options to get from Athens to Crete: ferry and plane. So, let’s break down every available option.
From Athens to Crete by ferry
Although Crete hosts more than ten ports, in reality, you won’t need to search for connections to all of them. For your journey from Athens to Crete -or from Crete to Athens- you mainly need to check the itineraries to Chania and Heraklion. There are daily connections from Piraeus -the nearest port to Athens- to both Heraklion and Chania.
And here’s what you need to know.
From Athens (Piraeus) to Chania by ferry
Located on the western side of Crete, Chania is one of the most picturesque towns on the island. Traveling from Athens to Chania by ferry takes approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes. Most ferries offer late-night itineraries, so usually, you will reach Crete early in the morning. The same goes for the return journeys from Chania to Athens (Piraeus).
During the high season, you’ll also find some express ferries serving the route in 6 1/2 hours.
From Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion by ferry
Heraklion is the biggest city on the island, and it can be seen as the administrative center of Crete. There are daily connections between Athens and Piraeus, and the journey takes approximately 9 hours and 15 minutes. Exactly like with the connections to Chania, the ferries traveling from Athens to Heraklion usually operate at night. That said, it’s pretty common to start at 21:00 from Piraeus and arrive in Crete around 6-7 am.
From Athens to Kissamos by ferry
Kissamos is a small settlement about an hour away from Chania. While it doesn’t connect daily to Athens, there are a few itineraries every week to Kissamos from Athens. The journey is slightly longer, and it takes 11 hours to reach Kissamos. Unless you have booked accommodation at Kissamos (or close to it), I suggest sticking to either Chania or Heraklion. You’ll have easier connections from these two ports to most places on the island.
From Athens to Crete by plane
Crete is home to two international airports: Chania (CHQ) and Heraklion (HER). As you can imagine, the two cities are the main entry points for the majority of travelers. Crete also has a third airport in Sitia, which is significantly smaller, and just a few airlines operate.
So, here’s what you need to know for your flight from Athens to Crete.
From Athens to Chania by plane
There are several daily connections between the Athens Airport and Chania. Flying from Athens to Crete is a much faster (and often more expensive) option. The flight time from Athens to Chania is 50 minutes, and if you book in advance, you have a good chance to find relatively cheap tickets.
From Athens to Heraklion by plane
Athens connects to Heraklion several times per day too. Many airlines operate daily between the two cities, and the trip is smooth. The flight time from Athens to Heraklion is 55 minutes, and booking in advance is also recommended. During the summertime, the flights tend to be very expensive, so it’s always a good idea to book early your flights from Athens to Crete and also from Crete to Athens.
From Athens to Sitia by plane
Flights to Sitia are rare compared to the previous two options. Flying from Athens to Sitia is currently possible only with Olympic Airlines. That said, the itineraries won’t be that frequent, and higher prices should be expected. The flight time is 1 hour and 5 minutes.
Exactly like with the ferry option, I’d suggest sticking to Chania and Heraklion unless you have booked accommodation in Sitia or close to it.
How to book ferry tickets from Athens to Crete
Booking your ferry tickets for the journey to Crete is straightforward. What I always do is head over to the Ferries In Greece website and add the itinerary. After adding the ports and the dates, the search engine will show you every available option for your journey.
If you’d like to learn more about booking ferry tickets in Greece, I wrote a comprehensive article. You can read my Greek ferry guide here.
You can use the interactive widget below to see every available connection between Athens and the various ports of Crete.
Crete ferry ticket prices
The Crete ferry prices start from 35 euros one way. This price is for the deck, so you should expect to pay approximately 40 euros if you want a seat. Of course, each company has its own pricing policy, and the final price might vary. However, there are no significant differences between the ferry companies.
On the other hand, if you book a cabin on an overnight ferry, you should expect to pay at least 100 euros one way.
In general, I’d say that 50 euros one way is the average price for the journey to Crete from Athens.
Crete ferry tip
As I mentioned earlier, most ferries travel late at night to Crete. Traveling by ferry is fun but can also be tiring when you are sleepless. Most ferries offer cabins, which means you’ll have a private room with a bed and an ensuite bathroom. Of course, this comes at a price, so it’s better to skip this option if you are on a tight budget. However, if you don’t mind spending the extra cash, a cabin is a very relaxing option for your trip from Piraeus to Crete.
As a rule of thumb, more or less, cabins cost twice as much as regular tickets. You can read my Blue Star Ferries cabin review here (they also have itineraries to Crete).
How to book plane tickets from Athens to Crete
Booking your flights from Athens to Crete is equally easy. However, you have two options here.
The first option is to head directly to the website of Aegean Airlines and search for connections. Aegean Airlines is the flag carrier of Greece and flies to every destination in the country. The planes are in mint condition, and their Airbus fleet is new. They also operate 50 or 70-seat planes to the islands using their subsidiary, Olympic Airways. You can also use the widget below to find the best prices between Crete and Athens.
Your second option is to visit the website of Kiwi. Instead of seeing only the flights operated by Aegean Airlines, you’ll see every carrier flying to the island. As you can imagine, Kiwi makes it easy to compare prices, and if budget matters to you, it’s a good idea to have a look at Kiwi before booking your flights.
Athens to Crete flight prices
The earlier you book your flight to Crete from Athens, the better. Last-minute booking will be extremely expensive; therefore, I recommend booking a plane ticket the moment you know your vacation dates. You can find flights for 50 euros one way, but during the high season, people tend to pay even 300 euros for a flight. So, book in advance to save money.
Crete plane tip
Aegean Airlines has recently introduced the so-called Aegean Pass. That’s practically a pass for flying at a fixed price to various destinations. You can buy a pass for either 6 or 10 flights between the destinations of your choice. If you plan to visit more than one island or intend to return to Crete within 12 months, the Aegean Pass is an excellent idea for keeping costs down. I wrote an extensive article, and you can read my Aegean Pass Greek vacation tips here.
In addition, if you’re ready to splurge, you can always consider flying business class. Sometimes I spend the extra cash too, and here’s what to expect from Aegean’s business class.
FAQ about traveling between Athens and Crete
In this section of the article, you can find replies to frequently asked questions about the Athens-Crete journey. Although I did my best to answer every question, there might be something missing. Therefore, feel free to comment at the bottom of this post, and I’ll do my best to assist you.
How long is the ferry from Athens to Crete?
The fastest ferries can travel between Athens and Crete in approximately 6 1/2 hours. However, the rule is anything between 8 1/2 and 9 1/2, depending on your chosen ferry routes.
Is it better to fly or take the ferry?
You’ll have to reply based on your budget and your schedule. Ferries provide a (usually) cheaper and more immersive experience, but flying is significantly faster if you are on a tight schedule and don’t want to lose time.
As for the environmental impact, both ferries and airplanes seem to have similar emissions.
Is flying from Athens to Crete more expensive than using the ferry?
The simple ferry tickets (without a seat) start from 35 euros. It’s hard to find plane tickets for this price. Therefore, it’s cheaper to take the ferry to Crete.
On the other hand, a cabin might be equally priced to fly. If you book in advance, you’ll probably find plane tickets for 70-80 euros one way.
How far is Athens from Crete?
The distance between Athens and Crete is approximately 286 kilometers (178 miles). Of course, the distance varies slightly depending if you arrive in Chania, Heraklion, or any other town.
Can you make a day trip from Athens to Crete?
A day trip from Athens to Crete is only possible by plane. The ferries take too long, and they usually travel at night. If you take an early morning flight to Chania or Heraklion, you can spend the day in Crete and return late at night to Athens.
However, I don’t encourage you to do that. Crete is a big island, and you won’t see that much on a day trip. Plus, such journeys are bad for the environment and should be avoided.
Is Crete better than Santorini?
I believe that Crete is better than Santorini. While Santorini’s landscape is more dramatic, Crete is far more charming: the locals are warm-hearted, the food is delicious, and the beaches unforgettable. Plus, you can find places to relax even during the summer -which is not the case in Santorini.
Can I travel from Crete to Santorini?
Yes, you can travel from Crete to Santorini. You can either take the ferry (~6 hours) or the catamaran (~2 hours). The itineraries are mainly available from Heraklion, but check your options on Ferries in Greece.
How far away is Piraeus from Athens?
Piraeus is the main ferry port of the Greek capital, and it is easy to reach. From downtown Athens, you can reach the port of Piraeus in 25 minutes from Monastiraki (Metro Line 1).
Since October 2022, you can travel directly from the Athens International Airport to Piraeus. The journey takes approximately 55 minutes (Metro Line 3).
Can you do island hopping from Crete?
Yes, it’s fairly easy to do island hopping from Crete. The ports of Crete connect daily to various destinations to the Cyclades and the Dodecanese. Therefore, Crete is an ideal starting point if you’d like to see some of the most famous Greek islands.
Chania or Heraklion?
Both cities are beautiful, but I’d pick Chania. The Old Town of Chania and the unbeatable nearby beaches are a must-see, in my opinion. Heraklion, on the other hand, has more big-city vibes.
Athens to Crete Summary
So, here’s a summary of how to travel from Athens to Crete, including journey time.
From Athens to Crete by ferry: Chania (~8 1/2 hours), Heraklion (9 hours and 15 minutes), or Kissamos (11 hours).
From Athens to Crete by plane: Chania (~50 minutes), Heraklion (~55 minutes), or Sitia (1 hour and 5 minutes).
How to get to Crete from Athens: conclusion
Traveling from Athens to Crete -or from Crete to Athens- is one of the easiest journeys in Greece. As you’ve read in the previous lines, you can either take the ferry or fly to Crete. The most important questions to consider before booking your tickets are, of course, your budget and the schedule.
If you like slower journeys that won’t cost that much, the ferry is your best option. On the other hand, if budget is not a problem and you’re on a tight schedule, the plane provides a solid solution.
Crete is one of the most beautiful Greek islands, and you’ll not regret visiting it. In fact, it will be a memorable experience that will stay with you for many years.
More about Greece: Folegandros guide, Anafi guide, One week in Greece, Day trips from Athens
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Last Updated on April 10, 2024 by George Pavlopoulos