Heraklion to Athinios
Heraklion to Santorini ferry
Compare the Heraklion sailings, jet or ship, and open a booking for Athinios
- SeaJets daily from 1 h 35, Blue Star Chios twice a week in 3 to 4.5 h
- Daily jet into early November, one to two sailings a day in all
- Departure from Heraklion port, arrival at Athinios
Table of Contents
The crossing at a glance
Heraklion to Santorini is the direct link from Crete. SeaJets sails daily into early November with its largest catamarans - Worldchampion Jet, Champions League Jet 1 and 2, Eurochampion Jet and Eurochampion Jet 2 - in 1 h 35 to 1 h 40. Blue Star Ferries runs the conventional Blue Star Chios about twice a week until the end of October in 3 to 4 h 35, partly in the early morning hours. One to two sailings a day in total.
Getting to the port in Heraklion
Ferries leave from Heraklion port on the city seafront, where the port authority operates a passenger terminal of its own; the airport is a short taxi ride away and the old Venetian harbour a walk along the quay. The berth is on the ticket - Blue Star and SeaJets do not necessarily use the same one - and vehicles follow the port authority's marshalling order.
Check-in and boarding
SeaJets: foot passengers at the embarkation area at least 30 minutes before departure, vehicles at the loading area 60 minutes before. Tickets are issued by name; show the e-ticket with your ID.
Blue Star Ferries: every passenger, on foot or with a car, at the embarkation area at least one hour before departure. Web check-in runs from 48 to 2 hours before departure and issues the e-ticket you show with your ID card or passport.
On board
The SeaJets jets on this route are the company's largest, with café bar, shop, Wi-Fi and kennels. Blue Star Chios has cabins, airline seats, a self-service restaurant, open deck bar and pet cabins - the better ride when the sea between Crete and Santorini is up. Luggage up to 50 kg is free with both.
Vehicles, bicycles and pets
Both operators carry vehicles on this route: Blue Star Chios has a 430-lane-metre garage, the SeaJets jets 130 to 140 car spaces each. Drivers load and unload themselves. Electric cars board only with the battery at 40 % or less, declared at booking - a Greek rule every operator applies. Pets travel free but must be declared at booking with the health-booklet number; no pet ticket is issued on board. Blue Star Chios adds pet cabins for the overnight legs.
Arriving at Athinios
Every sailing lands at Athinios, Santorini's main passenger and vehicle port below the caldera cliffs - about 8 km from Fira, 7 km from the airport, open around the clock, with buses, taxis and a car park on the quay. The switchback road up the cliff is the only way out, so settle your transfer before you land: Athinios port guide.
Tickets and fares
The fare depends on operator, vessel and seat type. Cancellation terms are contractual and staggered: SeaJets refunds in full up to 14 days before departure, then in steps down to 12 hours; Blue Star Ferries refunds in full up to 14 days before departure, then in steps down to 12 hours. Departures for your date are in the timetable.
Heraklion - Santorini
Crete to Santorini in an hour and a half
Heraklion - Santorini is the corridor from Crete, and it has two very different products. SeaJets sails daily into early November with its largest catamarans - Worldchampion Jet, the Champions League Jets and the Eurochampion Jets - in 1 h 35 to 1 h 40, and they carry vehicles. Blue Star Ferries sends the conventional Blue Star Chios twice a week until the end of October, 3 to 4 h 35 on the water, partly overnight, with a full garage and cabins.
The jet makes a Santorini day trip from Crete possible; the ship is the choice for campers, large dogs or a rough forecast. Departures are in the schedule below.
- Departure
- Heraklion port, passenger terminal
- Operators
- SeaJets, Blue Star Ferries
- Crossing
- 1 h 35 - 4 h 35
- From-price
- €7
- SeaJets
- Blue Star Ferries
Next departures
FAQ Heraklion - Santorini
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Heraklion - Santorini crossing.
How long is the ferry from Heraklion to Santorini? +
1 h 35 to 1 h 40 on SeaJets' high-speed craft and 3 to 4 h 35 on Blue Star Chios, whose sailing time varies with the day's itinerary. SeaJets sails daily, Blue Star about twice a week.
Can I do a day trip from Crete to Santorini? +
Yes - the SeaJets jet leaves Heraklion in the morning and returns in the evening on most days of the season, leaving several hours on the island. Book both legs together and check the day's times in the timetable.
Can I take a car from Heraklion to Santorini? +
Yes. Blue Star Chios has a 430-lane-metre garage, and the SeaJets vessels on this route - Worldchampion Jet, Champions League Jets, Eurochampion Jets - carry 130 to 140 cars each. Vehicles must be at the loading area one hour before departure with both operators.
Where in Heraklion does the ferry leave from? +
From Heraklion port on the city's seafront, where the port authority runs a dedicated passenger terminal; it is a short taxi ride from the airport and a walk from the old harbour. Follow the operator's berth information on the ticket.
Is there an overnight sailing? +
Blue Star Chios runs part of its Heraklion - Santorini leg in the early morning hours on some dates - the ship has cabins and airline seats for it. SeaJets sails by day only.