Port of Heraklion
Ferry Routes and Cruises
(Heraklion, Crete, Greece)
The port of Heraklion is serviced by many ferry companies offering services to several routes. These include services to Mykonos, Pireaus, Sitia, Ios, Santorini, Paros and Rodos, all on the Greek Mainland.
The vessels which sail these routes are usually large 3 level ships offering comfortable cabins, seating, bars and restaurants, shops and in-house entertainment. Most also carry vehicles and for those who bring their pets along, animals are welcomed, though in most cases are regulated to certain areas only.
Heraklion to Santorini
The trip to Santorini takes approximately 2 hours. Hellenic Seaways offers services from Heraklion every day throughout the summer months. Many ferries now dock at Athinios port, which can be found very close to Santorini and bus services and taxis meet the arrival of ferries.
Heraklion to Ios
Hellenic Seaways also manages the route to Ios. The schedule is seasonal, only sailing in the speak summer months, and the journey takes about 2 hours, 30 minutes. The port is about 3 km / 2 miles from the town of Hora. The port is small but due to the convenient location close to the centre of town, a wide range of amenities are easily accessible.
Heraklion to Paros
The Hellenic Seaways ferries depart for Paros every day during the summer. The journey takes about 3 hours. The port at Paros is usually very busy with many ferries arriving and departing at the same time. There are plenty of cafés lining the harbour front.
Heraklion to Mykonos
Hellenic Seaways offers seasonal sailings to Mykonos. During the summer, ferries depart every day. The port is about 0.5 km / 1 mile from the town centre and easy to get to because there are regular shuttle bus services. The port itself has a café and places for to relax. The trip takes approximately 4 hours.
Heraklion to Pireaus
ANEK Lines and Minoan Lines are both long established Greek shipping companies offering sailings between Heraklion and Pireaus. Both companies have daily departures. The journey between the two ports is overnight with travel time at 9 hours. The port of Pireaus is located very near the city and offers many facilities including ATM machines, left luggage, money changers, taxi services, cafés and restaurants.
Heraklion to Rodos
Lane Lines offers one sailing a week to Rodos. The ferry will make several stops on the way, usually stopping at Sitia, Kasos, Karpathos, Diafani and Chalki before finally docking at Rodos. The journey takes approximately 13 hours.
Heraklion to Sitia
The port at Sitia is well equipped with cafés at the quay, banks and medical facilities. Lane Lines offers sailings once a week from the port of Heraklion taking approximately 3 hours.
Heraklion to Kasos
This is the second stop on the route, taking approximately 5 hours. Kasos is a very small island, about an hour away from Karpathos. The port has shops, bars and a restaurant.
Heraklion to Karpathos
Karpathos is the second stop on the journey with routes taking 7 hours. The port has restaurants, cafés and public telephones.
Heraklion to Diafani
The journey takes 8 hours to reach Diafani and briefly stops here before carrying on with the rest of the journey.
Heraklion to Chalki
This is the last stop of the trip before the ship carries on to Rodos, where it will dock. The journey takes 10 hours to reach Chalki which is a very small port offering limited facilities.
