Ferries Crete

Aside from special offers, ferry companies generally offer regular ticket discounts to various groups of passengers. Indicative discounts:

• Infants and children up to 4 travel for free.
• Children aged 5 to 10 receive a 50% discount.
• Greek university students and ISIC card holders are entitled to 50% off.

Depending on the ferry company, discounts may also be available for teenagers, seniors, travelers with disabilities, residents of Greek islands, and members of loyalty programs, among others. The discount rates vary between companies, but you can see them when booking your ferry tickets on Ferryhopper.

The best time to book ferry tickets to Crete is 1 to 3 months ahead of your departure. This will generally offer you the widest range of options and travel dates. This is particularly important if you intend to travel during the summer when Crete is in high season.

If, on the other hand, you opt to visit Crete the rest of the year, then you can comfortably book your ferry tickets up to 1 month in advance. If you think that you will miss out on all the sunshine, keep in mind that September is the best month to visit Crete.

Good to know: you can check the Ferryhopper guide on how to get to Crete for more details on planning your trip.

Crete, located in the South Aegean Sea, is the largest island in Greece. With a history spanning thousands of years, an impressively diverse landscape, unique local cuisine and warm hospitality, Crete stands out as a top holiday destination in the country.

If you are keen on history or nature, you should take note. The island boasts the Palace of Knossos, home of the legendary Minoan civilization and the mythical Minotaur. For something a bit more active, you can hike through the Samaria Gorge, one of Europe’s longest canyons. As for beaches, Crete has all bases covered! You won’t want to miss the secluded Seitan Limania or the pink sands and turquoise waters of Elafonisi Beach for a tropical escape.

Here’s a list of travel tips and advice to help you plan your trip to Crete:

• As one of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece, Crete can get very busy during the summer and major holidays. For the greatest range of options, book your ferry tickets as soon as possible.
• Not everyone was born to brave the sea, so if you are prone to seasickness, speak to your pharmacist or doctor about seasickness medication, such as Dramamine. 
• Due to the great distances between the major cities in Crete, it is highly recommended that you bring your car or motorcycle. If that is not feasible, there is a KTEL bus service that can get you around.
• Ferries in Greece have a reputation for being chilly indoors, so it’s a good idea to pack a sweater or light jacket for the trip, even during the summer months.
• Many ferries sail to Crete in the evening, so we recommend you book a cabin for greater comfort—especially if you are traveling with children.

The ferries traveling to Crete are typically conventional and offer a range of amenities to make your trip a comfortable and relaxed experience. In general, you can expect:

• Wi-Fi onboard
• Air conditioning
• Deck/lounge seating
• “VIP” Numbered airplane-type seats
• Cabins (1 to 4 beds)
• Canteens for coffee, snacks, and beverages 
• Restaurants
• Shops
• Car deck

Some ferries may also feature additional facilities, such as swimming pools, bars, playrooms, and a kennel area.

There are 5 ports on Crete: Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos, and Sitia.
Chania, on the eastern side of the island, has regular ferry routes to Athens (Piraeus) and Milos, while Rethymno is connected to Santorini. Near the center of Crete’s northern shores is Heraklion, which has regular ferry routes to Athens (Piraeus), Milos, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Syros, Tinos, Ios, Santorini, and Anafi in the Cyclades, as well as Kasos, Karpathos, Diafani, Halki and Rhodes in the Dodecanese Islands.

Agios Nikolaos does not have a direct connection to Athens (Piraeus), however you can travel there from Heraklion or Sitia. Sitia, on the eastern end of Crete, is connected to Athens (Piraeus), Santori and Anafi from the Cyclades, and Kasos, Karpathos, Diafani, Halki and Rhodes in the Dodecanese. 

It is also possible to hop on a ferry and travel between the major cities of Crete.

Ferry route map

Below, you can see all active ferry connections to Crete, as well as starting prices for each route. Use our interactive Map of ferries to visualize your trip and easily plan an island-hopping adventure.