Crete ports: ferries from Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno, Kissamos and Sitia
Where ferries to and from Crete leave, which islands you can reach, and how to get from each port into town.
Heraklion Port
Where: Next to the city centre. The main KTEL bus station is about a 5 minute walk away.
Getting to town: Walk to the centre, take a taxi from the port rank, or a KTEL bus to central and eastern Crete.
| Destination | Company | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Piraeus | Minoan Lines, ANEK Superfast / Blue Star, Seajets | about 9 to 10 hours (Seajets about 7.5 hours) |
| Santorini | Seajets, ANEK Superfast / Blue Star | from 1.5 hours (fast ferry) |
| Naxos, Paros, Mykonos | Seajets | 3 to 4.5 hours |
| Milos | Minoan Lines | about 4.5 hours |
| Kasos, Karpathos, Rhodes (via Sitia) | ANEK Superfast / Blue Star | a few times a week |
Ferries to Piraeus usually sail overnight. Book a cabin and arrive rested in the morning.
Souda Port (Chania)
Where: At Souda, about 7 km east of Chania town.
Getting to town: City bus line 13 to Chania about hourly (from €1.20, about 25 minutes). A taxi takes about 20 minutes to town.
| Destination | Company | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Piraeus | ANEK Superfast / Blue Star | about 9 hours, daily |
| Milos | ANEK Superfast / Blue Star | about 4.5 hours |
City buses are few at night and in winter. If you arrive late, arrange a taxi.
Rethymno Port
Where: In the centre of Rethymno, next to the Venetian harbour.
Getting to town: Walk to the old town. The KTEL bus station is about 10 minutes on foot.
| Destination | Company | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Santorini | Seajets | about 2 hours 20 minutes, a few times a week |
The Santorini link is seasonal. Check it runs on your dates.
Kissamos Port (Kavonisi)
Where: About 3 km outside Kissamos and 41 km west of Chania.
Getting to town: KTEL buses to Kissamos and Chania. A taxi takes about 40 minutes to Chania.
| Destination | Company | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Gythio | Seajets | about 6 to 7 hours, a few times a week |
| Kythira, Antikythira | seasonal sailings | depends on the sailing |
| Balos and Gramvousa | tour boats (summer) | day trip |
This is where the boats to Balos leave, so you avoid the dirt road.
Sitia Port
Where: In the centre of Sitia, in eastern Crete.
Getting to town: Walk to town. KTEL buses to Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos and Ierapetra.
| Destination | Company | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Kasos, Karpathos, Chalki, Rhodes | ANEK Superfast / Blue Star | Kasos about 2 hours, Rhodes about 8.5 hours |
| Heraklion, Santorini, Piraeus | ANEK Superfast / Blue Star | a few times a week |
This is the easiest link from Crete to the Dodecanese.
Frequently asked questions
Which port is closest to Chania?
Souda, about 7 km from Chania town. City bus 13 runs to the centre roughly every hour.
Can I go from Crete to Santorini by ferry?
Yes. Fast ferries run from Heraklion in about 1.5 to 2 hours, and seasonal fast ferries also run from Rethymno.
How do I get to Balos by boat?
Day trip boats to Balos and Gramvousa leave from Kissamos port (Kavonisi) in summer.
Times and fares can change because of works, strikes or events. Always check the official source before you travel: the ferry companies (Minoan Lines, ANEK Superfast / Blue Star, Seajets). Last checked: 22/10/2026.