How long is the ferry from Crete to Santorini?

High-speed services from Heraklion take around 2 hours to Santorini's Athinios port. There is no standard overnight conventional service on this route.

Which port in Crete do ferries to Santorini leave from?

Heraklion's main ferry port, in the east of the city. The port is walkable from the city centre and close to major bus stops.

How often does the Heraklion–Santorini ferry run?

In summer (roughly June–September), there are typically several services per week, and in peak July–August sometimes daily. Outside summer, frequency drops significantly — check current schedules.

Crete to Santorini Ferry

Crete (Heraklion) → Santorini (Athinios)

Compare & book ferries

Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you book via Direct Ferries — at no extra cost to you.

High-speed crossing: ~2 h
Frequency: several weekly in summer, limited in winter
Carries cars: Yes (on the car ferry)

SeaJetsMinoan Lines

Crossing times and frequency are typical ranges and vary by season and operator. Check the operator or Direct Ferries for current sailings before booking.

Where it leaves from

Ferries to Santorini depart from Heraklion (Iraklio), Crete's capital and largest city, from the main passenger ferry port on the north coast. Heraklion is easily reached by bus from across Crete and is also the site of the island's main airport, making the ferry a useful onward connection after a flight from elsewhere. On Santorini, ferries dock at Athinios, the working harbour below the caldera cliffs on the west side of the island.

A direct link between two major Greek islands

Crete and Santorini are both major destinations in their own right, but the direct ferry connection between them is seasonal and less frequent than routes within the Cyclades proper. The crossing covers roughly 130 kilometres of open Aegean water and, by high-speed catamaran, takes about 2 hours. Conventional overnight services do not regularly operate this specific pair, so the fast catamaran is typically the only option.

Operators

SeaJets has been the primary operator running the Heraklion–Santorini service in recent summers, deploying high-speed catamarans capable of carrying passengers and vehicles on the route. Minoan Lines has historically served the Heraklion corridor and may offer seasonal connections. Check current schedules directly with operators or via aggregators, as services change between seasons.

Connecting Crete to the Cyclades

Santorini sits at the southern end of the main Cyclades chain. From Athinios, ferries run onward to Ios, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos and Piraeus, allowing a combined Crete–Cyclades itinerary without returning to Athens. Many travellers fly into Heraklion, spend time in eastern Crete, then catch the ferry to Santorini to begin a northward island-hopping route toward Athens. The combination is a classic Greek summer circuit.

Ports & terminals

Crete (Heraklion)View on map →
Santorini (Athinios)View on map →

Frequently asked questions

How long is the ferry from Crete to Santorini?: High-speed services from Heraklion take around 2 hours to Santorini's Athinios port. There is no standard overnight conventional service on this route.
Which port in Crete do ferries to Santorini leave from?: Heraklion's main ferry port, in the east of the city. The port is walkable from the city centre and close to major bus stops.
How often does the Heraklion–Santorini ferry run?: In summer (roughly June–September), there are typically several services per week, and in peak July–August sometimes daily. Outside summer, frequency drops significantly — check current schedules.