Crete to Santorini Ferry

The Crete to Santorini ferry is mainly a Seajets high speed service, and most ferries from Crete to Santorini island leave from Heraklion. In summer 2026 it left Heraklion every day at 08:00 and reached Santorini's Athinios port at 09:35, for €99.70 in economy. The cheapest option is a Blue Star Ferries conventional ship, from about €15.50, but it runs only around twice a week and often at night. The one thing to know: this is a short open-sea crossing that is popular in summer, so book the high-speed seat early and have a plan B for windy days.

Heraklion and Santorini are about 63 nautical miles apart across the southern Aegean Sea. With the fastest ferry it is a shorter trip than most people spend getting to the airport, which is why the Crete to Santorini route is a favourite way to link the two most famous islands of southern Greece.

Ferry options compared

Two ferry companies serve the Crete Santorini route: Seajets and Blue Star Ferries. Your choice is really about vessel type: a fast, pricier catamaran most days, or a slow, cheap conventional ship twice a week.

Seajets high speed ferries

Seajets operates the fastest ferry between Crete and Santorini, with two services:

• From Heraklion: the Worldchampion Jet or Champions League Jet 1 leaves daily at 08:00. It is not a direct boat to Santorini only: the ship continues to Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Tinos, Syros and Piraeus, so you share it with passengers heading north.
• From Rethymno: the Elite Jet leaves at 08:00 on Tuesdays and Saturdays between 20 May and 18 October 2026, reaching Santorini at 10:20.

These high speed catamarans have numbered seats in indoor lounges, with economy, Club and Platinum (premium seats) classes and snack bars. The fastest crossing is the summer Heraklion sailing: the crossing takes 1 h 35 min. You cannot sit outside while under way. They carry cars, but the fares are high and the ride can be bumpy on open water.

Blue Star Ferries conventional ferries

The conventional ferries of Blue Star Ferries link Heraklion and Santorini with the Blue Star Chios or Diagoras, on a long line that also serves Piraeus, Anafi and the Dodecanese. The crossing between Crete and Santorini takes about 3 h 10 min to 3 h 50 min. Blue Star tickets are far cheaper, from about €15.50 on deck, and the ships are bigger and steadier, with cabins, cafés and open decks.

The catch is the timetable. Blue Star sails only around twice a week, and calls at Heraklion and Santorini often fall in the middle of the night or very early morning. It suits foot passengers on a tight budget with flexible dates, or anyone with a car. Arrival time in Santorini can be well after midnight, so book accommodation that accepts late check-in.

Other Crete ports

There is no direct service from Chania to Santorini in 2026; a Seajets route from Chania via Milos is listed as inactive. A past Seajets line from Sitia and Agios Nikolaos to Santorini is also listed as inactive for 2026. From Chania or Agios Nikolaos, the best option is a KTEL bus to Heraklion and the ferry from Heraklion.

Which ferry for which traveller

• Day trip from Crete: Seajets from Heraklion, out at 08:00, back at 17:20.
• Staying on Santorini, want time on the island: Seajets at 08:00, arriving before 10:00.
• Lowest ticket price: Blue Star on deck, if the day works for you.
• Staying in western Crete: Seajets from Rethymno on Tuesday or Saturday.
• Travelling with a car: Blue Star, which has a larger garage and lower vehicle fares.

Timetable and season

The Crete to Santorini ferry is strongly seasonal. Based on the published 2026 timetables:

• May to early October: Seajets sails daily from Heraklion at 08:00, arriving at 09:35. The return leaves Santorini at 15:45 and arrives in Heraklion at 17:20. Seajets from Rethymno adds two sailings per week.
• April and October to 2 November: the Heraklion boat still sails daily at 08:00 but takes a little longer, arriving at 09:55. The return leaves Santorini at 16:00 and reaches Heraklion at 17:55.
• November to March: no high-speed ferries. Blue Star usually runs around two sailings per week in winter, so you may need to plan your trip around the ferry rather than the other way round.

Direct Ferries counts about 8 sailings per week in total from Heraklion in season, and Ferryhopper shows up to 3 per day at the busiest times. Ferry departures change during the season, so check the departure time a day before you sail.

Getting to Heraklion port

Heraklion port sits on the north coast, about 2 km from the city center of Heraklion, the largest city on Crete. The Heraklion ferry piers are within walking distance of the old town if you pack light.

• From the city center: walk 15 to 20 minutes downhill towards the waterfront, or take a taxi.
• From Heraklion airport: the airport is 4 to 5 km from the port. City buses 1 and 78 connect them, and a taxi takes about 10 minutes.
• From elsewhere in Crete: KTEL intercity buses link Heraklion with the rest of the island, and the main bus station is about an 8-minute walk from the piers. Check the first bus times; for the 08:00 ferry from western Crete you will usually need to stay in Heraklion the night before.
• At the port: arrive 45 to 60 minutes before departure to find the right pier and boarding pass point. The Koules fortress at the harbour entrance is a useful landmark.

Rethymno's port is next to the old town and the Venetian harbour, a short walk from most hotels.

If you have time before or after the ferry, the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, home to the finds from Knossos, is in the center, a short walk uphill from the port.

See our Crete ferry port guide for more on Heraklion port.

Arriving in Santorini

All ferries from Crete arrive at Athinios port, also called Thira Santorini port, below the caldera cliffs on the west coast.

• Distance: about 8 km from Fira, 10 km from the airport and 20 km from Oia.
• Buses: KTEL public buses meet every scheduled ferry and go to Fira for €2.70 in about 20 minutes. For Oia, change in Fira. In peak season they fill fast.
• Taxis and transfers: Santorini has very few taxis. A private transfer booked in advance, or one arranged by your hotel, is the most reliable way to get from Athinios port to Oia or Imerovigli, especially on busy summer days.
• The road: the road up from Athinios is steep, narrow and full of switchbacks, and can be jammed when several ferries arrive together. For your onward ferry departure, allow extra time.

Our Santorini ferry port guide covers Athinios in detail.

Tickets and prices

You can book ferry tickets on the Seajets and Blue Star websites, or compare prices on Ferryhopper and Direct Ferries. Most bookings issue an e-ticket or booking confirmation with a QR code that works as a boarding pass; keep your travel documents (passport or ID) with you, as crews can check them.

What drives the price:

• Operator and vessel: Seajets economy costs €99.70 from Heraklion and €104.70 from Rethymno. Blue Star starts from about €15.50.
• Class: Club and Platinum on Seajets cost €107.70 and €129.70 from Heraklion. Blue Star sells numbered seats from about €17.50 and cabins from about €51.
• Vehicles: Seajets charges €89.70 for a car under 4.25 m from Rethymno; Blue Star car fares start around €60.
• Returns: Seajets fares are the same in both directions.

When to book: in peak season (July and August), book the Seajets boat at least one to two weeks ahead. For June and September a few days is usually enough. Booking early matters most for the cheapest tickets on Blue Star, since there are only two sailings a week.

Combining Crete and Santorini

Most travelers use this route as one leg of a bigger trip. Common plans:

• Crete first, then north: fly into Heraklion, spend a week in Crete, take the ferry from Heraklion to Santorini, then carry on north. The same Seajets boat continues from Santorini to Naxos, Paros and Mykonos, so you can stay on board or stop off.
• Santorini first, then Crete: end a Cyclades trip on Crete for beaches and ruins. The afternoon Seajets departure from Santorini reaches Heraklion at 17:20 in summer.
• Day trip: stay in Crete and visit Santorini for the day from May to early October. You get about six hours on the island.

Travel times on this route are short, so the best time to sail is the morning boat: it gives you a full afternoon on arrival. Remember that the return journey from Santorini to Crete follows the same seasonal pattern.

Tips

• Weather and seasickness: this crossing is exposed to strong winds, especially the summer meltemi. High-speed ferries are sometimes delayed or cancelled. If you are prone to motion sickness, take medication before boarding and sit near the back.
• Day trip timing: the 08:00 departure is early. Stay near Heraklion port the night before, and book a tour or transfer on Santorini so you are not stuck at Athinios waiting for a bus.
• Luggage: large bags go in racks at the entrance of high-speed vessels. Keep valuables and medication in your hand luggage.
• Food and drink: Seajets boats have a snack bar with coffee and drinks. Blue Star ships have cafés and more seating space.
• Accessibility: passengers with disabilities should request assistance when booking; larger conventional ships generally have more space and adapted facilities.
• Onward travel: from Santorini you can continue north to Mykonos, Naxos, Paros or back to Athens. Going the other way? The same boats run Santorini to Crete. For a longer plan, see our Greek island hopping guide.

Operator pages: Seajets and Blue Star Ferries.