travel from athens to crete greece

• Ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Crete

Tickets, Costs, Times

• Ferry Tickets
• Ferry routes

Ferry schedules

Is there a ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Crete?

Yes, there are usually at least  2-3 daily ferry crossings from the port of Piraeus to Crete throughout the year. The route is normally serviced by 5 ferry companies: Blue Star Ferries , Minoan Lines , Anek Lines ,  Seajets , and Fast Ferries .

The most frequent ferry routes are from Athens (Piraeus) to Heraklion and Chania. There are also ferries to Sitia and Kissamos in Crete.

What’s the ferry schedule from Athens (Piraeus) to Crete?

The ferry connection between Piraeus and Crete is daily all year long . During the high season, there are usually up to 7   daily ferry crossings from Athens to Crete. 

The earliest ferry departs from the port of Piraeus around 09:00 , arriving at the port of Heraklion in Crete between 17:45 and 18:50. The latest departure is usually at 22:00 , with estimated arrival in Chania at 06:30 the following morning.

Please note that ferry timetables are subject to change depending on the season. You can check real-time schedules and ferry ticket prices for the Athens (Piraeus) - Crete crossing on Ferryhopper. 

Ferry Tickets, Offers & Discounts

How much is the ferry from athens (piraeus) to crete.

The cost of a single Piraeus - Crete ferry ticket usually starts from €23 . The final ticket price depends on your destination, discounts, offers, seat or cabin type, vehicle selection, and the ferry company.

On Ferryhopper, you can find all available offers for the ferry trip to Crete from Athens (Piraeus). Check out all the available ferry routes, find the lowest prices and best offers, and book your ferry tickets on Ferryhopper with ease !

Take advantage of the available discounts and travel by ferry from Athens to Crete with lower-cost ferry tickets . The ferry companies offer discounts up to 50% to the following passenger categories :

• Children from 5 to 10 years old
• Permanent residents of islands (holders of Unique Islander Number)
• Students of Greek Public Universities
• ISIC card holders
• People with disabilities and their accompanying persons
• Senior travelers

Note: infants and children up to 4 years travel for free . However, keep in mind that available discounts may vary depending on the company you’re traveling with.

Ferry Route Info

How long is the ferry ride from athens (piraeus) to crete.

The Athens to Crete ferry duration ranges from 8.5 hr to  14 hr . The duration of the trip to Crete depends mainly on your final destination,         the type of vessel and the ferry company.  

Tip : bear in mind that ferry timetables can change. Therefore, make sure to check your departure time before the trip. You can also track your ferry in real time on the Ferryhopper App !  

Is there a high-speed ferry from Athens to Crete?

The ferries operating the route from Athens to Crete are normally conventional. The fastest ferry to Crete reaches Chania    in approximately 8.5 hr .

What's the distance between Athens and Crete?

The distance between the port of Piraeus and Crete ranges between 145 nautical miles (269 km) and 200 nautical miles (370 km), depending on the port (Heraklion, Chania , Sitia , or Kissamos port).

Ferry Trip Tips

Useful tips for your ferry trip to crete from athens.

Here are some useful tips for your ferry trip from Athens (Piraeus) to Crete :

• The port of Piraeus can get quite busy in the summer, so we recommend that you arrive at least 1 hr  prior to departure.
• Summer ferry rides can be bumpy . There is nothing to worry about, but if you feel seasick you can ask the ferry crew for some aspirin or carry with you anti-nausea pills. 
• The  port of Heraklion , which is the largest in Crete, as well as more ports on the island, are great starting points for island hopping in the Aegean Sea! You can travel by ferry to Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, and more islands in Greece. Check our Map of ferries to discover island-hopping options and plan your itinerary on Ferryhopper. 

Where to take the ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Crete

You can catch the ferry to Crete from the port of Piraeus in Athens. The port of Piraeus is located approximately 15 km south of the city center of Athens and 45 km from Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos. 

You can get to the port of Piraeus by car, taxi, as well as public transport , including bus, metro and suburban railway.

Ferries from Athens to Crete normally depart from Piraeus Gates E2 and E3 . We suggest that you always check your ticket for more information on departure gates, as they can change.

Can I travel on the ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Crete with a car?

Yes, you can travel with a vehicle in the majority of the ferries from Athens (Piraeus) to Crete.

Ferry Luggage

Each company operating the ferry route to Crete from Athens has its own baggage allowance policy. Specifically:

• Minoan Lines allows each passenger to carry up to 2 pieces of luggage and 1 hand luggage. 
• On Seajets and Blue Star Ferries , passengers can bring single luggage weighing up to 50 kg .
• In Fast Ferries there is no weight limit for luggage. 

Most ferries from Athens (Piraeus) to Crete have cabins . You can also book numbered seats.

You can travel with your pet on the ferry to Crete from Athens, depending on the company and type of vessel you’ve chosen. Make sure to carry along the necessary certificates, tickets and any pet supplies you may need for your trip.

Book cheap ferry tickets from Athens to Crete

You can easily book Crete ferry tickets on Ferryhopper. Find all available ferry crossings, compare companies, schedules and prices, and book your ferry to Crete from Piraeus with no hidden fees !

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Home > 2024 Athens To Crete Ferry (& From Crete To Athens)

2024 Athens To Crete Ferry (& From Crete To Athens)

Written by our local expert Bram

Bram was born and raised in Belgium and has traveled the Balkans & beyond. He is a professional freelance travel writer and photographer specializing in outdoor travel with an emphasis on national parks, nature, and wildlife.

If you’re figuring out how to get from Athens to Crete or taking the ferry from Crete to Athens, you’ll find answers in this Athens to Crete transportation guide I wrote to make travel easy for you!

Many Greece travel itineraries include time in Athens as there are more than enough things to do to fill several days. But a trip to Greece isn’t complete without visiting at least one of the Greek Islands.

We have written this guide to show you how to get between Athens and Crete; so, if you’re trying to figure out how to get from Athens to Crete or possibly from Crete to Athens, you’ll find all the answers in this guide.

Skip Ahead To My Advice Here!

Ways To Travel Between Athens And Crete

Athens to crete by plane.

If you’re short on time and want to experience as much of Greece as possible, you can fly from Athens to Crete and save some time. This is an option that travel agents often recommend for reasons that range from wanting to maximize their own commissions to actually trying to help you make the most of your itinerary .

Whether you’re willing to spend more on Athens to Crete flights to cut back on transportation hours is up to you. And flying from Athens to Crete does save you a lot of time.

A direct flight from Athens to Crete doesn’t take much longer than just one hour. So, if you board the domestic flight right after breakfast , you’ll be in Crete for lunch!

You can fly from the Athens International Airport (ATH) to the local Crete airports such as Chania Airport (CHQ) or Heraklion Airport (HER). There are various flights—and prices—on offer from local carriers and budget airlines, such as Aegean Airlines, RyanAir, Volotea, and Sky Express.

Remember that many fares do not include luggage fees when booking your flights from Athens to Crete or from Crete to Athens.

Additionally, they may also not be non-refundable when you cancel. Make sure to look into the conditions and fine print.

Athens To Crete By Ferry

Taking a ferry is by far the best way to go from Athens to Crete for scenic sea views and an authentic Greek island-hopping experience. However, knowing that this is not the fastest way to travel from Athens to Crete is essential. The duration of the sailing ferry from Athens to Crete ranges roughly between 6.5 and 11 hours.

Many crossings are overnight. You can usually book a cabin for the most comfort during an overnight ferry ride, although this option will double or even triple your ticket price.

We recommend you book ferries and look up ferry schedules with Ferryhopper in advance here.

Athens to crete ferry cost.

Ferry prices vary significantly throughout the year and by ferry company. They depend on the season (low, shoulder, or high), the type of ferry (whether you are taking a car or not), the speed of the ferry, and the ticket class you choose.

Generally speaking, you can sometimes find Athens to Crete ferry prices as low as 30 euros, but they can also be as high as 160 euros for a cabin crossing. These prices are just estimates, so be sure to check for real-time prices on websites like DirectFerries.com or FerryHopper.com.

Minoan Lines, Anek Lines, and Blue Star Ferries are major ferry operators operating from Athens to Crete. All have their own ferry route, ferry timetables, and durations. Look which operators have a high-speed ferry on the day you need.

We recommend you see which ferry companies and ferry routes suit you best with Ferryhopper here.

What are the main ferry ports in crete.

There are two main ports on the island of Crete, Chania, and Port of Heraklion , both of which have numerous connections with the Greek mainland port of Piraeus. Heraklion, especially, is a busy port with multiple routes to other Greek islands like Santorini , Mykonos, and Naxos.

What is the main ferry port in Athens?

Although Athens has other ports like Rafina Port or Port of Lavio, which have routes to several popular islands, the main port for ferries from Athens to Crete is Piraeus Port. Located about 30 minutes from the Athens city center, this large port—one of the busiest passenger ports in Europe—has by far the most ferry connections to the Greek islands , including the ferry to Crete.

How many ferries go from Piraeus to Crete per day?

The number of daily ferries between Piraeus and Crete varies depending on the season and some other factors. In general, though, there are at least two daily departures to both Chania and Heraklion, which usually increase in number in the busy peak season .

How far is the ferry trip from Crete from Athens?

Depending on which port in Crete you’re traveling to, the ferry crossing Athens (Piraeus) to Crete ranges from 315 km or 196 miles (Chania) and 330 km or 205 miles (Heraklion) .

The most direct flight routes between Athens and Crete and essentially the same distance, at roughly 320 km or 200 miles.

How long does it take to get to Crete from Athens?

Flights from Athens to Crete are by far the fastest way to travel between both destinations in Greece . Direct flights are about 1 hour in the air , plus time to check in at your departure airport and leave the arrival airport. That total duration shouldn’t be much more than 3 hours total .

On the other hand, ferries between Athens and Crete are significantly longer but offer a more scenic journey. An Athens to Crete ferry journey time can last from about 6.5 hours on a fast hydrofoil to 11+ hours on a slow overnight ferry .

Book your ferries in Greece here.

Brands we use and trust, day trip from athens to crete, check here for day trip ideas..

Technically, you can take a day trip from Athens to Crete. In theory, flying from Athens to Crete in the morning and back to Athens in the evening is possible. In practice, however, this is absolutely not recommended . If you do this, you’ll spend half of your day trip in airports and planes rather than exploring, sightseeing, and sipping on cocktails.

The beauty of a place like Crete also lies in its glorious evenings, sunset drinks, and morning strolls. We highly recommend spending at least one night in Crete —preferably two or three- before the return journey to Athens or moving to islands like Santorini or Mykonos .

Additionally, a day trip from Crete to Athens, or vice versa, by ferry is impossible. As this Athens and Crete transportation guide mentions that the fastest ferry is about 6.5 hours . To get somewhere and back will, therefore, take at least 11 hours. Unless your job is ferry captain, you don’t want to do that.

Athens Travel Information

Athens is the bustling capital of Greece , home to an international airport and several other public transport links, especially tons of ferry routes.

This ancient city is in Greece’s Attica region and has a recorded history spanning fewer than 3,400 years. One of the oldest cities globally, Athens was a center of arts, science, and philosophy thousands of years ago. It’s often called the “birthplace of democracy” and the “cradle of Western civilization.”

Nowadays, the unbelievably rich history of Athens is visible in many locations around the city . The world-famous Acropolis of Athens and the Daphni Monastery are major tourist attractions, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites . Other landmarks include the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the National Archaeological Museum of Greece , Syntagma Square, and Mount Lycabettus.

Athens may be Europe’s most extraordinary destination for history and culture—its only close competitor for that title is Rome . After immersing yourself in Greek history in Athens , it’s pretty easy to find relaxation, beaches and, if you haven’t got enough, even more, historic sites on Crete.

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Crete Travel Information

Crete is one of Greece’s largest island . A super-popular destination on its own, this is a place where you could spend a week or more exploring beaches and ancient sites. Be aware that Crete is a pretty large island, and you might need a rental car or a guided tour to get around and see sights beyond the coastal cities.

The two main cities on Crete are Chania and Heraklion, both of which have transportation connections to Athens. Much more about that is below.

On Crete, you can enjoy  epic Greek beaches like Vai Beach, Preveli Beach, or Elafonisi, visit the superb Heraklion Archaeological Museum, see the Monastery of Arkadi, hike to Mount Ida, and so many other fun activities.

Additionally, because it’s so easily accessible from the Greek mainland, especially from the port of Piraeus, Crete is also one of the gateway islands to the glorious Cyclades island group. For example, you can go on a day trip from Crete to Mykonos—or stay longer in Mykonos —and travel to other beautiful islands like Santorini , Naxos , and Paros.

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• How To Get From Athens To Mykonos

Hi! Do you know if are there any ferries in November to Crete? I have found 1 per day and it says that they are sold out already. Any tips? Thanks! Ivka

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• How to get from Athens to Crete

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With Athens, the gateway to a host of handsome Greek Islands , and Crete sitting high on many travellers’ wish lists, read on to find out how to get from Athens to Crete. The good news is, that you have several options to choose from, and plenty of incredible experiences await once you arrive.

• How far is Crete from Athens?
• What's the quickest way to get from Athens to Crete?

By ferry to Heraklion

By ferry to chania, by private yacht, why is crete worth visiting, tailor-made travel itineraries for greece, created by local experts.

10 days  / from 2657 USD

The Historical and Mythological Cyclades islands

The Cyclades islands include two of the most famous Greek Islands: Mykonos and Santorini. Visit these and some of the smaller, quieter, islands. With white washed houses, narrow cobbled streets, blue domed roofs and stunning beaches, they are what Greece is all about.

9 days  / from 2246 USD

A secluded villa stay on Mainland Greece

Stay in a secluded private villa with magnificent views to the sea and explore this beautiful corner of Mainland Greece with your own rental car. Under the impressive Mt Taygetos in Southern Peloponnese, the region of Mani will give you a snapshot of authentic Greece.

10 days  / from 2030 USD

Along the Coast of Crete: from Heraklion to Platanias

As Greece's largest island, Crete's culture and atmosphere is distinctly different from mainland Greece. Thousands of years of unique culture and rich history complement the island's untamed natural beauty. Explore Crete at your own pace with this unique self-drive trip!

8 days  / from 1609 USD

Cultural and natural sites of Athens and the Peloponnese

Welcome to wonderful Athens for an unforgettable adventure. Enjoy getting lost in this maze of charming streets, where the modern sits beautifully with the ancient. Venture out into the Peloponnese on mainland Greece, and discover historical, cultural and natural wonders the region is blessed with.

10 days  / from 3472 USD

An Odyssey Adventure in Ancient Greece

Learn the secrets of Ancient Greek mythology and history visiting the world-renowned site of the Acropolis, explore the unspoiled landscape of Peloponnese, become a true Spartan warrior in Thermopylae and much more - this self drive tour takes you on a real Greek adventure.

15 days  / from 2711 USD

Explore Classical Greece: self-drive motorhome trip

This 15-days motorhome road trip will take you to Athens, the city of legends and some of the most fascinating classical sites, such as Epidaurus, Olympia, Delphi and the man-made marvels of the Corinth Canal and Byzantine monasteries of Meteora. A perfect tour for history.

4 days  / from 950 USD

Athens: City of the Gods

Welcome to wonderful Athens. Wander this maze of charming streets, where the modern sits beautifully with the ancient; discover the Acropolis and the Parthenon, the crowning architectural achievements of the Classical Age; indulge your sense with delicious Mediterranean food at local tavernas.

9 days  / from 2365 USD

Discover Naxos in style

Stay in a secluded private villa and explore Naxos at your own pace in your own rental car. Lasting just above 1 week, this itinerary leaves plenty of room for relaxation and exploration of the amazing island of Naxos, with its authentic mountainous villages and magnificent sea views.

8 days  / from 1544 USD

Epirus and Athens: The Ancient Sites

Discover the ancient cities of the Epirus region and Athens. Shrouded in myths and legends of Greek gods and Roman and Byzantine warriors, the sites in the Epirus region of Greece, temples, castles, fortresses and rivers, all have tales to tell.

9 days  / from 2549 USD

An exclusive stay in Milos

Get to know the most exotic island in the Aegean by staying in a private luxury villa by the sea. Volcanic rocks paint the beaches red, pink and orange, white rock formations, emerald green waters and caves eroded by the sea, are steeped in stories of pirates. Milos is truly unique.

7 days  / from 1534 USD

Relaxing discovery of classical Greece

Spend a wonderful few days exploring Athens and the ancient sites surrounding the capital on mainland Greece. Blessed with glorious weather, nature and beaches, see sites that rival anything which you may find on the Greek Islands.

11 days  / from 4828 USD

From Athens to Milos, Naxos and Santorini

Stay in Athens, Milos, Naxos, and Santorini, as well as a day trip to Mykonos. Immerse in history at the Acropolis, bask in the Cycladic charm of Milos, explore Naxos's ancient sites, and savor sunsets in Santorini. Cruise the Aegean, savor food tours, and relish private excursions.

13 days  / from 4363 USD

Greek Dreams: Athens, Corfu, Santorini and Crete

A private journey through Athens, Corfu, Santorini, and Crete, staying in exquisite accommodations. Explore ancient history, savor Mediterranean cuisine, and unwind in stunning settings, creating beautiful memories throughout.

8 days  / from 1793 USD

Athens, Meteora & Santorini

Experience Greece's best: Athens' culture, culinary adventures, Meteora's monastic marvels, and the breathtaking beauty of Santorini. An unforgettable journey awaits!

10 days  / from 5508 USD

Majestic Greece: Temples, Castles, Monasteries & Myths

Go on an epic fast paced 10-day journey with a private driver through Greece's ancient wonders & natural beauty. From Athens to Meteora, experience history, culture & breathtaking landscapes along with local tour guides, all culminating in a journey of a lifetime. Recommended for the months Apr-Oct.

9 days  / from 3931 USD

Mainland & Islands: Athens, Paros and Santorini

Embark on a 9-day Greek odyssey! Begin with an Athens Acropolis tour, relax on the idyllic island of Paros, and then immerse yourself in the enchanting beauty of Santorini. Explore history, unwind on stunning beaches, and relish unforgettable moments on this incredible journey.

12 days  / from 3607 USD

Greek Island Hopping: 4 Cycladic Gems

Hop between the islands of Andros, Tinos, Naxos and Syros on this authentic trip. Drive around stunning coastlines, explore mountain villages and unique paths, meet the locals, visit ancient sites, and relax on secluded beaches as you are transfixed by the allure of the Aegean’s turquoise waters.

12 days  / from 3175 USD

Capital & islands - Athens, Mykonos, Santorini and Crete

Experience a diverse Greek holiday exploring Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, and Crete. Enjoy daily excursions and the freedom of a rental car in Crete, immersing yourself in rich history, picturesque landscapes, and local charm.

How to get from Athens to Crete 

Whether you want to reach your island idyll as quickly as possible, or fancy going all-out with a private yacht, here’s an overview of how to get from Athens to Crete .

• By plane : with three airports on the island, travelling by plane from Athens to Crete is quick and convenient.
• By ferry to Heraklion : for a slow and scenic option, you could get from Athens to Crete by ferry to Heraklion.
• By ferry to Chania: faster than the Athens—Heraklion option, catching a ferry from Athens to Chania is just as scenic.
• By private yacht : if you’re on a bigger budget and want to plot your own schedule, you could consider chartering a private yacht to get from Athens to Crete.

Going to Athens or Crete? Contact our Greece travel experts and make the most of your trip.

While planning how to get from Athens to Greece, consider spending some time in Greece's capital © Shutterstock

How far is Crete from Athens? 

If you’re flying from Athens to Crete, the distance is around 320km/200 miles.

By sea, the distance from Athens’ Piraeus Port to Chania in Crete is 315 km/196 miles. Meanwhile, Athens is 330km/205 miles from Crete's Heraklion Port. 

Considering visiting Crete? Browse our inspirational Greece itineraries to start planning your perfect trip.

Sweetwater beach, Crete © Shutterstock

What's the quickest way to get from Athens to Crete? 

Flying is definitely the quickest way to get from Athens to Crete, with an average flight time of 50 minutes.

Coming in as the second fastest option is the ferry from Athens’ Piraeus Port to Chania in Crete. This takes from 6.5 hours to 9 hours.

Meanwhile, the slowest journey between Athens and Crete is the ferry to ferry to Heraklion. This takes from 9 hours to 13 hours.

Short on time? Book The Coast of Crete Itinerary and save yourself the trouble of mapping out and planning.

Chania, Crete, Greece © Shutterstock

Duration: 50 minutes | Cost: from €50

Crete’s three airports are all served by non-stop flights from Athens around the year. 

Chania Airport (CHQ) is located on the west of Crete, Heraklion Airport (HER) is on the northern coast, and Sitia Airport (JSH) to the west.

Duration: 9-13 hours | Cost: from €36

If you’re not in a rush to reach Crete — and are of the mind that the journey is all part of the experience — consider catching a ferry from Athens to Crete’s Heraklion Port.

Several ferry operators run direct and indirect ferry lines from Athens’ Piraeus and Rafina ports to Heraklion. Indirect routes stop at Andros, Tinos, Mykonos, Paros, and Santorini.

Given the journey time, ferries offer a range of seat options and different classes of cabins. They’re also equipped with on-board cafés.

There are usually 1-2 daily ferries from Athens to Heraklion around the year. During the summer high season, this increases to up to five daily crossings.

Note the price depends on when you travel, whether you’re bringing a car, and what kind of seat or cabin you opt for.

Knossos Palace, Heraklion, Crete © Shutterstock

Duration: 6.5—­9 hours | Cost: from €48

The ferry route from Athens’ Piraeus Port to Chania in Crete is normally served around the year. During summer, there are up to seven crossings each week.

As with the ferry from Athens to Heraklion, the price depends on when you travel, whether you’re bringing a car, and what kind of seat or cabin you book. 

Take your pick from economy seats, aeroplane-like assigned seats, business class seats, and a range of cabins sleeping 1-4 people. Some cabins have private showers, while others are pet-friendly.

Old town, Chania, Crete © Shutterstock

Duration: 10 hours | Cost: from €1500 per week

First things first — how long it takes to get from Athens to Crete on a private yacht largely depends on what you want. That is to say, you may well want to stop off at other islands en route, or take your time rather than zoom from Athens to Crete in the fastest possible time.

Note also that the costs vary hugely, depending on how large your party is, what kind of yacht you charter, and your itinerary. 

As an example, you could secure a bareboat yacht charter for a week in the low season from €1500. For a luxury catamaran, you could be looking at upwards of €20,000.

Into independent travel ? Read up on  getting around Greece .

The waters around Crete are ripe for scenic sailing experiences © Shutterstock

Beautiful beaches

From wide sandy bays to rocky coves, you can expect a lot of beautiful beaches on Crete .

Love windsurfing? Head to Koureménos Beach. Or, for Caribbean-type scenery, be awe-inspired by Elafonísi. It’s easy to see why this pink-sand stunner is one of the  best beaches in Greece .

Elafonissi beach, Crete © Shutterstock

Adventure in nature

Alongside having a stunning coastline, Crete’s wilder interior landscapes are ideal for travellers who want to get back to nature and get their adventure on.

Offering everything from gentle scenic strolls to challenging hikes, plus biking, canyoning and horse-riding, it’s fair to stay Crete is a paradise for lovers of the great outdoors. 

More experienced adventurers won’t want to miss Samariá Gorge. Involving a 16km hike, the gorge begins at the xylóskalo, or “wooden staircase” — a stepped path that plunges down from the southern tip of the Omalós plain. 

Samariá Gorge, Crete © Shutterstock

Ancient Culture

Arguably saving the best for last — especially if you’re a culture vulture — Crete boasts some of the world’s finest preserved Minoan sites.

For example, Knossos Palace — the mythological home of King Minos and the Minotaur — dates back to the second millennium BC.

More myth-rich, Minoan marvels await at the Palace of Phaistos, located an hour south of Heraklion.

Crete's wine and dining scene is quite something. So, you won't want to pass up the chance to tour wine cellars and enjoy top-tasting experiences during your stay.

The main grape varieties grown on Crete are the white Vilana and the red Mantilari, Kotsifari and Syrah grapes. 

Knossos Palace, Crete © Shutterstock

Loving the sound of enjoying a sojourn in Crete? Get yourself  The Rough Guide to Crete . For more island inspiration, read up on the  best Greek Islands to start planning your trip. 

Alternatively, if the idea of planning leaves you cold, browse our customisable  Greece itineraries.

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written by Joanne Owen

updated 19.10.2023

Joanne is a Pembrokeshire-born writer with a passion for the nature, cultures and histories of the Caribbean region, especially Dominica. Also passionate about inspiring a love of adventure in young people, she’s the author of several books for children and young adults, hosts international writing workshops, and has written articles on the Caribbean and inspirational community initiatives for Rough Guides. Follow her @JoanneOwen on Twitter and @joanneowenwrites on Instagram.

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How to get from Athens to Crete – All possible Ways

A flight between Athens and Crete takes around 50 minutes, while an Athens to Crete ferry can take over 8 hours.

There's two ways to travel from Athens to Crete which are flights and ferry. While flying is by far the quickest means of transport between Athens and Crete, an overnight ferry can be a good choice depending on your circumstances.

In this guide, we'll look at all possible ways to get from Athens to Crete, so you can determine what would be the best way to travel for you.

Flying from Athens International Airport to Crete

If you plan to arrive in Greece at Athens Airport and want to go straight out to Crete, then honestly, flying is easily your best choice. All you need to do is arrange a connecting flight between Athens and one of the airports in Crete.

The flight time for Athens to Heraklion or Athens to Chania is less than an hour. This means that flying to Crete from Athens is by far the fastest way to travel.

Airlines that fly from Athens to Crete vary year on year, although Sky Express and Aegean Airlines are the most consistent. You may also find other airlines offer a direct flight between Athens and Crete on a seasonal basis such as Volotea.

I last flew from Athen to Chania in Crete with Sky Express on a propeller plane shown in the photo. The flight was scheduled to last 50 minutes, but it arrived quicker than that taking just 45 minutes.

The best place to start looking for flight options is at Skyscanner .

You should note that flights from Athens go to both Heraklion Airport and Chania Airport on the island of Crete. When planning your Crete travel itinerary, keep in mind that the distance between Heraklion and Chania is 142 kms.

If you do need to get from one to the other, here's my guide on getting from Chania to Heraklion .

Athens Crete Flights Travel Tips 

When planning to fly out of Athens to Crete, you should leave yourself plenty of time between connecting flights. Personally, I would consider anything less than 3 hours to be a bit risky if arriving on an international flight.

As you look for tickets, keep in mind that there may be surcharges for baggage. Even if your luggage was included as part of your international flight, you may need to pay extra for the domestic flight from Athens to Crete.

Finally, although flying is the fastest way to get to Crete from Athens, you may need to factor in time taken at check in and any travel to and from the airport into your overall travel plans.

The price of a flight to Crete ranges anywhere from 50 Euro to 120 Euro. You can expect to pay more in the summer months than during the low season.

Landing at an awkward time in Athens and need to stay near the airport? Take a look at my guide to hotels near Athens airport .

How to get to Athens Airport from Athens City Center

If you're planning to spend a few days in Athens sightseeing , and then want to fly to Crete, you'll need to make your way back to the airport. You've got three choices here, which are to take the bus, the metro, or a taxi.

Taking the metro is the easiest way for most people. Just be aware of your luggage and your surroundings, particularly if you need to use the Akropolis Metro Station at any point. Athens is generally safe , but as with any tourist destination, bad people can be around.

If you are two or more people, then taking a taxi might be the most hassle free way to travel to the airport from the center. You can pre-book a tax here: Welcome Taxis .

I've a more complete guide here on how to get from Athens Airport to the city center and vice versa.

Athens to Crete Ferry Routes

Taking a ferry from Athens to Crete is the most popular way to get from one place to the other. This is because traveling to Crete by ferry has several advantages.

Firstly, the ticket prices are a lot cheaper when compared to direct flights. Secondly, the baggage allowances are more generous. Thirdly, if you decide to take an overnight ferry, you'll save yourself the cost of a hotel for the night.

Ferries from Athens sailing to Crete leave from the main port of Athens at Piraeus .

These ferries arrive at one of the two main ports in Crete, which are Heraklion and Chania.

The Piraeus to Chania ferry is normally the quicker of the two. The Piraeus to Heraklion ferry is usually a bit cheaper.

I've seen the very cheapest ticket prices on the Athens Crete route go from 23.00 Euro (it's a long 10 hour journey though). Expecting to pay around 40 Euro is probably more realistic though.

Check out up to date timetables and look for the best ticket price at Ferryhopper .

Also read: Is Chania or Heraklion better?

Ferry Companies Traveling To Crete

During the summer months you'll find the most ferries sailing from Athens to Crete. There may be five ferries a day, or sometimes even more.

Outside of the high season, the frequency of ferries reduces, but you'll still find at least two ferries per day heading from Athens to the island of Crete.

Ferry companies that sail this route include Minoan Lines, Blue Star Ferries, SeaJets, and Anek Lines.

I'd recommend taking one of the overnight ferries from Athens to Crete so you maximize your time when on vacation. If you're hardcore enough, you won't need to book a cabin – just fall asleep in your chair or if you are backpacking, find somewhere to put your sleeping bag somewhere out of the way!

If you do decide to take a cabin, it will bump up your Crete ferry prices significantly. Check Ferryhopper for journey times and ticket information.

How to get to Piraeus Port

To get from Athens International Airport to Piraeus, use the X96 bus. Alternatively, you can pre-book a taxi with Welcome Pickups . If you've never used buses in Greece before, my guide to public transport in Greece might be a useful read.

To get from Athens Center to Piraeus Port you have a few options which include the bus, metro, and taxi services. Allow at least an hour travel time no matter what option you choose.

How to buy Ferry Tickets in Greece

Life has been made a lot easier in the last few years thanks to Ferryhopper , as you can now buy your ferry tickets to the Greek islands online. There's no extra charge, and you'll pay the same price as if you use a ticket agency or go direct to a ferry company website.

Ferry tickets can also be bought at the main ports such as Piraeus, and at local travel agencies in Athens and on the islands. Trust me though, Ferryhopper is going to make checking your ferry schedules and buying tickets a whole lot easier.

Planning Your Time In Crete

Crete is the largest island in Greece , and also one of the top destinations in Europe. Located in the Mediterranean Sea , there's plenty to see and do here, from visiting historic sites to relaxing on stunning beaches.

I've got a few destination guides that might be good reading before planning out your itinerary in Crete:

• Crete Travel Guide
• Best time to visit Crete
• Transfers from Heraklion airport
• Best things to do in Heraklion
• Heraklion tours and day trips
• The Palace of Knossos (near Heraklion)
• Chania tours and day trips
• Plan a road trip in Crete

How to get from Athens to Crete FAQ

Readers planning to travel between Athens and Crete often have some questions about travel at this point.

Let's take a look at the frequently asked questions to help you better plan your trip:

How long is ferry ride from Crete to Athens?

During the summer you may find a fast ferry that will get to Crete from Athens in 6 hours. On average though, the ferry trip will take around 9 hours from Piraeus Port to Heraklion Port.

How much does it cost to take a ferry from Athens to Crete?

Traveling by ferry between Athens and Crete is quite affordable, with ferry ticket prices for passengers starting at around 30.00 Euros. The faster boats that travel in peak season may have higher prices.

What is the best way to get to Crete?

If time is important to you, the best way to get to Crete is by plane. If your budget is more important, taking one of the daily ferries is the cheapest way to travel.

Is there an overnight ferry from Athens to Crete?

Both Minoan Lines and Blue Star Ferries offer an overnight ferry to Crete. Depending on which ferry company you use, the journey can be between 8.5 and 12.5 hours.

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ATHENS SANTORINI AND CRETE ITINERARY

Athens Santorini Crete are three of the most popular destinations in Greece for good reason. Their iconic landscapes and historic sites make them some of the most photographed places in the world.

This itinerary ensures you make the absolute most out of your visit to these two islands and one of the world’s great cities. It covers how to get around, where to stay, top things to see and do, and even where to eat and drink. Just adjust the number of days in each place to suit your needs and your time frame.

Your Athens Santorini Crete Itinerary

– how long in each.

There really is no right or wrong answer to this. The best answer, of course, is to stay as long as you can and hopefully, that’s a long time! But most of us have limited time and it needs to be spent wisely.

We have not bound this itinerary with specific numbers of days but rather our MINIMUM recommended. This articles also suggests things to do at your own pace as many may be weather dependant or you might want to be more spontaneous than having a rigid itineray.

In general:

Fly straight from Athens to Crete ( or direct to Crete) for 3 days, ferry to Santorini for 2 days, ferry OR fly to Athens for 2, fly home

Fly from Athens to Crete ( or direct to Crete) for 5 days, Santorini for 3, Athens for 2

Athens 2 days, overnight in Meteora , fly to Crete 7 days, ferry to Santorini 3 days, fly to Athens 1 day ( near airport – see paragraph at the end of this article)

THREE WEEKS

Athens 3 days, overnight in Meteora , fly to Crete 10 days, ferry to Santorini 5 days, back to Athens for 2 days ( include day trip to Saronic Islands and/or Delphi ).

PLANNING A TRIP TO GREECE?

Whether you’ve been before or it’s your first time it can be hard to process all the information out there. Be sure to check out our complete Planning Guide as well as our FREE 13-page downloadable itinerary.

And come join our private Facebook Group where you can ask questions and get advice from real travelers!

When to visit Greece

The best times to visit Greece are April-June and September-October. The weather is mild and most places have few crowds. High season is late June to early September, and prices will reflect that as will the crowds, the number of cruise ships and accommodation availability.

Summer is still great, especially for beach time and in some of the lesser-known spots. The water is warm, there are blue skies every day and a fun holiday atmosphere.

Easter is an especially wonderful time to visit Greece as it becomes very festive with parades, parties, and on many islands bonfires, fireworks and other activities and traditions. There are many festivals throughout the year that can vary from place to place and can be quite fascinating to witness.

Best beach and swimming weather: June to September Best sightseeing weather: March to June and September/October

Athens 2 or 3 days 

Athens is the capital of Greece and home to some of the most iconic and important historical sites and monuments in the world. 

It’s one of the oldest cities in the world and considered one of the most fascinating. You could easily spend a month in Athens and only scratch the surface so be sure to allow at least a few days here, and always make sure your last night in Greece is back on the mainland before your flight home, even if its at an airport hotel or close by.

There are several ways to get to Athens which cover air, sea, rail, driving and even on foot!

Apart from the many things you can do in Athens including  great shopping, incredible food, and all the ancient sites there is also great nightlife with a plethora of bars, tavernas, and clubs to choose from. There are a lot of new hotels and rooftop restaurants many with incredible Acropolis views .

The Acropolis Museum is world-class and needs to be enjoyed either before or after you visit the Acropolis . 

How to get to Athens

Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos , commonly initialised as AIA, is the largest international airport in Greece. It is usually serviced by Emirates, Etihad, Singapore Airlines, Qatar and Air China are the best choices for people flying from Asia, the Middle East or Oceania and budget airline Scoot also now fly into Athens. Aegean Airlines codeshares with Etihad.

From the US & Canada, choices include American, Delta, United, and Air Canada and most European carriers have several flights a day in summer including Turkish Airlines, British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, and Ryan Air.

To get to the city centre you can catch the Metro, a Taxi or the bus or, our book a private transfers . Only 2Euro more than a cab!

You can also arrive by Ferry from some towns in Turkey, Albania, Italy and Croatia.

It’s also possible to now arrive by train. You can either catch the Eurostar to Bari in Europe and then a ferry across to Greece or travel down through Greece via Paris, Munich, Belgrade & Thessaloniki. More information is available here. 

Arriving overland is also a fun and fascinating way to arrive. Albania, FYROM, Bulgaria and Turkey and it can be a lot of fun and incredibly interesting to arrive by car or bus and to continue to explore Greece by road.

For further reading check out our comprehensive article on Driving in Greece .

Where to stay in Athens

* We recommend hotels and apartments on Booking.com in Greece instead of Airbnb’s and Vrbos. Greek hotels are not like everywhere else – they all include amazing big breakfasts, many have kitchenettes and the Greek service and hospitality is legendary. This is all part of the full ‘Greek Experience’ that people miss out on if they self-cater. Plus, no cleaning or cooking! Most rooms are fully refundable, which in recent years has been very important. (please book via our links to help support this site)

For couples : Zillers Hotel has only 10 rooms and amazing Acropolis views from some rooms and the lovely rooftop bar and restaurant and it’s right on Mitropolous dining street, or The Foundry Suites in Psiri are uber-cool – once an industrial foundry and also with a lovely rooftop bar and garden with amazing views.

We also love Athenian Residences in Psyri ( our favourite neighbourhood) which have a very romantic vibe, and a swimming pool!

For families and groups : The Pinnacle is a 2 bedroom suite that sleeps 6 or the gorgeous White House Plaka is a restored historic home that can sleep up to 11 people.

Estia Apartments are also excellent or Athenian Vintage Apartments – both can sleep up to 6 in their 2-bedrooms apartments and include a great breakfast.

Solo : I love to stay at Ergon House when I’m on my own. It’s across from Zillers and part of the famous Ergon food emporiums . They have even let me use my room until my 6 pm International flight at no extra charge!

Another great option is gorgeous Monsieur Didot and beautiful, chic Shila , both small, intimate and in quiet, leafy streets close to everything.

Where to eat in Athens

Breakfast : If you are staying in a hotel breakfast ( and usually a very delicious one) is likely to be included in your hotel tariff. Otherwise, the Brunch Factory does incredible meals for breakfast and lunch.

Lunch : Nikitas in Psiri for cheap and cheerful homecooked meals or Kostas for amazing Gyros. Cafe Melina is one of the prettiest spots in the Plaka or Gyros Pou Gyrevis for fantastic Gyros near the Acropolis Museum.

Dinner : Maiandros or Athinaikon in Monastiraki/Syntagma. We also love Yiasemi in Plaka ( the much-photographed steps) or Lithos Taverna in Psiri does my favourite Moussaka. And book yourself at least one night at an amazing Michelin Starred and/or Rooftop restaurant , for a truly unforgettable night!

Drinks : enjoy Sunset drinks at the Grand Bretagne Rooftop bar, 360 Cocktail Bar, A fo Athens Roof top bar ( be sure to book this as its small) MS Roof Garden or Thea Terrace. The Clumsies is one of Europes most famous bars as is Brettos. We also love to catch some jazz at The Speakeasy or a quite drink at Drunk Sinatra. 

If it’s lively nightlife you are after the whole of Kolokotroni Street and Agias Irinis Square is where you find the best of Athens bar and club scene.

Further reading: 11 of the Best Rooftop Restaurants in Athens

Things to do in Athens

• wander down Ermou Pedestrian Street
• Visit Syntagma Square and see Parliament House and the Changing of the Greek Presidential Guard – the Evzones
• wander through Plaka and the many cafes, shops and galleries
• stop by the Monastiraki flea market
• walk into the Athens Central Food Market
• Visit the Acropolis either as early or as late as possible. Read our Full Guide on how to do this and the Acropolis Museum.
• Visit the Acropolis Museum
• Catch the Red Hop on Hop off bus to visit various ancient sites and points of interest
• Stroll through the National Gardens and see the Temple of Zeus
• have coffee or a drink in the Plaka
• Take in an open air concert at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus
• Spend time before, during or instead of a concert in the lively area of Psiri including a visit to the colourful and very kooky Little Kook !
• If you are spending 3 or 4 days in Athens ( or longer) you could do one of the many amazing day trips that are possible. These include visiting ancient sites like Delphi and Cape Sounion, extraordinary marvels like Meteora , the fascinating Peloponnese peninsula – archaeology, mythology, wineries!, or even a trip out to the beautiful Saronic Islands. Read all about our suggested day trips .

Further Reading:

The Best Rooftop Restaurants in Athens

The Elite Presidential Guard

Private Drivers in Athens

Santorini – 2 to 4 days

Santorini is a bucket list destination for most people and for good reason.

Despite the cruise ships and the crowds, it remains one of those places that not only meets your expectations but probably exceeds it. The views truly are the stuff of legends and it is little wonder it is so popular with honeymooners.

It can get a bit crazy when the cruise ships come in each day so a room with a pool and terrace makes for a great escape for an afternoon siesta and sundowners. When you re-emerge for dinner most of the tourists will have floated away!

We love to stay in Oia which is considered the most picturesque village, although a lot of people also enjoyed Imerovigli which is about a 20 minute walk along the nice flat footpath that runs along the Caldera seam.

There are a surprising amount of things to do on Santorini with  beaches, wineries, hot springs, great shopping and some of the worlds most iconic and photographed sunsets. 

How to get to Santorini

You can travel from Athens to Santorini by ferry or by plane. Return to Athens from Meteora either on your overnight tour, by driving or by train.

The small international airport has several flights to Athens a day as well as regular flights in summer from other European destinations like Rome and England. Check flight schedules HERE.

There are also many ferries each day, year round.

Most service either the Western or Eastern Cyclades Islands and on to Athens whilst some come from Crete. Book ferry tickets HERE.

TIP : Both the port and the airport can be quite nuts in summer and there can be long waits for the cablecar, taxis and donkeys . It REALLY pays to have a private transfer waiting for you!

NEED TRANSport FOR Santorini?

Book Ferry tickets   HERE

Book Hire Car HERE

Book Airport Shuttle Bus   HERE

Book Private Airport Pickup   HERE

Book helicopter transfers for Santorini   HERE

Where to stay in Santorini :

For couples : Ducato Di Oia ( adults only) suites in Oia or Above Blue Suites in Imerovigli for more isolation and at a lower price point. Canaves Oia Epitome is one of the most iconic luxury hotels in Europe and is incredibly romantic. Aspa Villas are great value for money and most rooms have hot tubs.

For families and groups : White Harmony Suites have 2 bedroom suites or Theoxenia Boutique Hotel have quad rooms and are not far from, dare I say it, McDonald’s.

In Oia we have had a great stay with our family at Armeni Village and Myst Boutique Hotel is also worth checking out. If you want to be right near a beach then Crystal Blue in Kamari is great or Damma Luxury Villas have a wonderful 4 bedroom beachfront villa that can sleep 8.

Solo : Kivotos in Imerovigli for a splurge or Abelonas Retreat on a tight budget. For something a bit different stay at Pyrgos 1870 winery or in the authentic medieval village of Pyrgos at Aroma Cavas Apartments or Skyfall Suites (adults only) .

Where to eat in Santorini

Breakfast : this will likely be included in your hotel tariff. Otherwise, Our Corner in Fira and La Scala on Oia are great choices.

Lunch : Lefkes Taverna in Oia is hard to beat for food or service. It often books out well in advance. Some of the Wineries such as Santos are great for lunch but be sure to book head there too. Other spots we love are Aeolos Taverna in Akrotiri or Akro Beach Bar at Black Beach.

Dinner: Santorini Mou in Oia or Dimitris Ammoudi Taverna in Ammoudi Bay are wonderful. For stunning clifftop views check out Lycabettus , Lauda and Strogoli for special occassions and Melitini , Thalami and Pelekanos for traditional meals.

You also MUST book a sunset dinner cruise on the Caldera for one of the nights.

Drinks : PK Cocktail Bar is amazing and check out V Lounge Cafe & Cocktail Bar in Fira or Le Moustache Pool Lounge  too.

Things to do in Santorini

• check into your hotel and explore your local area. If cruise ships are in you may want to rest up and explore at night when it is less crowded and cooler.
• explore the maze of streets in Oia including Panagia Platsani Church
• visit famous Atlantis Books for a unique bookshop experience
• check out the many upmarket boutiques and jewellery shops in Oia
• walk down to Oia Castle
• a half day tour of the island
• tour the world renowned wineries with a sommelier
• do wine tasting AND a cooking class
• swim at Black Beach, Red Beach and Kamari Beaches
• visit authentic Pyrgos village and see what Santorini is like for long time locals
• do a sunset fishing trip with dinner and drinks
• attend a ‘traditional’ Greek wedding !
• have a professional photographic session done – hard to beat the backdrop
• or do a ‘ Flying Dress’ photography session – the hottest thing on Instagram!

Further reading:

Santorini vs Mykonos

3 days in Santorini – a complete itinerary

Riding a Donkey in Santorini

How to get from Santorini to Mykonos

Winter in Santorini

Crete – 4-14 days

Crete is the largest of the Greek Islands and the 5th largest in the Mediterranean – its bigger than many countries!

Not only is it big but it is also very diverse with a wide expanse of mountain ranges and gorges as well as a stunning coastline with some of the best beaches in Europe. Add to that a colourful and often tragic history with significant Ottoman and Venetian influences and you have a destination that is often a trip all on its own.

We recommend you visit for no less than 4 days and if that is all you have base yourself in either Chania or Rethymon. Ideally you would have at least 10 days which would see you able to cover most things in the northern half and several of the western beaches as well. 

How to get to Crete

There are 3 airports in Crete – Heraklion and Chania are both International airports and have regular flights to Athens, Thessaloniki and multiple international destinations, mostly in Europe.

There is also a small domestic airport at Lassithi which is close to popular Sitia.

Many people also arrive by Ferry. The main terminal is in Heraklion but there is also a port  in Chania and both have regular connections with Athens. In Summer there are also ferries from the Capital to Sitia and Rethymnon. 

NEED TRANSPORT FOR CRETE?

Book Private Airport or Port Pickup   HERE

*TIP The public bus on Crete is quite good but it can take a long time to get from one place to the next, with many stops. This is one island where it really is vital to rent a car. The driving is quite easy with wide modern highways (and lots of narrow roads too but you can avoid them much of the time).

Selene Chania

Where to stay in crete

If you are short on time then Chania or Rethymnon are the best places to stay.  Heraklion too but the others are much prettier.

If you have at least 8 days its a good idea to divide it up between say Chania for the East and somewhere like Agios Nikoloas or Elounda for the East.

If you have even more time and/or really want to get away from it all then head to the south where some places are still only accessible by boat. 

For couples :

In Chania Monastery Estate Venetian Harbour is stunning and right near the old town and the beautiful Venetian Harbour. Amazing views and hot-tubs too!

Casa Del Porto and 1924 Suites are also amazing as is Domus Renier Boutique Hotel , a member of Historic Hotels Worldwide.

Budget travellers check out Porto Chania which is amazing value for money.

In Rethymnon it’s hard to beat Dyo Suites which has suites with amazing sea views and indoor jacuzzis, or Vista Del Porto Luxury Suites are very similar. R imondi Boutique Hotel is part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World Group and is right in the heart of the Old Town near Pepi Boutique Hotel which is Adults Only and also incredible.

For families and groups :

Kores Boutique Houses in Chania have big 3 bedroom villas that can sleep up to 6 people or you could rent adjoining two-bedroom apartments at Centro Storico or Spring Apartments . Hotels like Epavli Boutique and SanSal are very experienced in looking after large groups and have fantastic swimming pools too.

Elois Suites in Rethymnon Old Town have 2 bedrooms apartments that sleep 4 or Made of Blue Luxury Suites have 3 bedrooms Villas. Calmare is a new and very chic property on the beachfront near the OId Town and have family rooms – worth a look!

ALL INCLUSIVES

There are not a lot of All-Inclusive resorts in Greece. Most people prefer to enjoy local tavernas at night and we try and support local owned business and not big foreign owned brands. 

There are several in Crete though and they are scattered across the island. Our pick would be The Syntopia Hotel ( Adults Only) near Rethymnon or lavish Stella Island in Hersonissos ( west of Chania). If travelling with children then Fodele Beach Water Park and Creta Maris Beach Resort are very popular and have heaps of activities for the kids.

Solo travellers love Consolato Boutique and Scala de Faro in Chania – both small hotels with gorgeous rooms and right in the Old Town. Be sure to book a room with a terrace and views! Both are also great value especially given the sumptuous breakfast they include.

In Rethymnon either Iona Suites or Pepi Boutique (Adults Only) are perfect for solo travellers or splurge a little and stay at Rimondi Boutique Hotel for some lovely indulgence.

Where to eat and drink in CRETE

Cretan cuisines is unique and not like you will find on other Greek islands. A lot of it is similar of course but there is a distinct Ottoman and Pontian influence that has been handed down by generations.

The local produce and organic ingredients make Crete a very popular destinations with food fanatics and a farm, wine or cooking experience is usually on everyones agenda. As well as eating! 

Breakfast :

Breakfast is always included in hotel tariffs ( amazing ones too!). If you have chosen an Airbnb you will have to budget to self-cater or go out & many places will not open before 10am. Phyllo Breakfast and Brunch is a great places to go or Bizoudaki for great coffee.

Lunch by the beach is one of the many great things about visiting Crete. Places like Blue Restaurant and Kaiki in Chania have wonderful waterfront locations and great food. 

When you are out visiting the western beaches be sure to stop in at Spilios above Falasarna Beach, Kalomirakis Tavern near Elafonisi and Limani Fish Tavern right on Kassamos Port ( if you have been on a  Balos Beach boat trip).

In Rethymnon you must eat at Stella’s Kitchen , an institution in the Old Town as is Castelo , Othonas and Nyn & Aei . We also love Achinos on the Harbour and Barrio on the beach.

Cretan Wine is some of the best in Greece and the wine region behind Heraklion is particularly good.

It’s really worth driving up EO trakliou Faistou Highway to Douloufakis and Silva Daskalaki Wineries or further east are the excellent Lyrarakis , Domaine Paterianakis and Winery Stilianou as well as many other smaller producers. Joining a wine tour is actually the easiest way of doing this.  

There are way too many places to mention for evening dining in Crete but here’s a handful that should not be missed.

In Chania the harbourfront restaurants of Salis and Palis are iconic and very good. In the backstreets Strata, To Koutourouki and Oinóa are all local institutions while the Well of the Turk has been serving authentic Cretan food to happy customers for decades.

In Rethmnon be sure to book Achinos Rethymnon early for a harbour view and La Boheme for a stunning garden setting.

If dining in Heraklion then Peskesi cannot be missed (possible the most iconic taverna on the island) or Amalia’s Kitchen for authentic home-cooked dishes. There is also a great chocolate café called Utopia .

Elsewhere on the island people go out of their way to dine at The Ferryman in Elounda and Gioma Meze in Agios Nikolaos.

There’s no shortage of bars on the Crete either with a number of nightclub strips as well as small bars and craft breweries.

Fagotto Jazz Bar in Chania is lots of fun as is Sinagogi Cocktail Bar which has a beautiful outdoor courtyard.  If you want more of a pub atmosphere then the Avalon Rock Pub is right on the harbour and hard to miss.

In Rethymnon Fortezza Lighthouse Bar has a great vibe (can get pretty wild even)and views while the Livingroom Lounge is more subdued but popular and also waterfront. In the Old Town we love the charming Monitor Art Cafe and Nafpigio who have live music regularly.

Things to do in crete

There is a huge variety of activities on Crete for all different interests, ages and abilities.

Highlights include: 

• Hiking the Samaria Gorge (Chania)
• swimming at Seitan Limania (Chania)
• visiting beautiful Elafonisi Beach (Chania)
• see the amazing Kedrodasos cedar forest and Beach(Kissamos)
• a boat trip to Balos Lagoon (Chania)
• hang out at the Venetian Harbor of Chania (Chania) and perhaps a walking tour too 
• Do an Olive Oil tour and tasting 
• Do a day trip to Lefka Ori / White Mountains (Chania) – there is a great cooking class here!
• Arkadi Monastery (Rethymno)
• Ideon Andron cave / Psiloritis Mountain (Rethymno)
• Visit Knossos Palace – home of the Minataur (Heraklion)
• Archaeological Museum of Heraklion (Heraklion)
• Spend the day exploring the many wineries ( see dining above) 
• Zeus Cave ( where he was born) (Heraklion)
• explore the Palm Forest of Vai (Agios Nikolaos)
• a boat trip to Spinalonga Island – a former leper colony  (Agios Nikolaos)

A Crete Road Trip

Your last night in Greece

We always recommend spending your last night in Greece  where your flight home departs from. So if that’s from Athens then spend the last night there. Either add one last night on and spend it in one of the airport hotels or surrounds ( there are a surprising number of choices here) or do all your Athens days together at the end, which is what we often do.

Every year ferries are cancelled and flights are delayed due to bad weather, especially the Meltemi wind , or industrial strikes. Don’t get caught out!

The Athenian Riviera

Don’t forget Travel Insurance!

It’s important to make sure you are covered for medical expenses    ( some countries may include this in health insurance) but also for lost baggage, flight and ferry delays and cancellations, theft, and emergencies, including something that happens back home while you are away.

This can save you tens of thousands of dollars, or even more.

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Welcome to Greece Travel Secrets! I’m Sandy, a tragic Grecophile married to a Greek, hoping to help you have the best possible trip to Greece. We want you to experience the famous Greek ‘Filotimo’ before you even get there.

FERRY TICKETS

RECENT ARTICLES

LooknWalk Greece

One stop travel guide to greece, ferries from athens to crete (and return) [updated 2023].

The Crete to Athens ferry schedule is available at the bottom of the article.

Nothing is more romantic than approaching Crete by ferry. And if your budget is rather low, nothing is cheaper either! Ferries have become a very popular way to travel between the mainland and the islands, especially when you are looking to save some money. A deck seat on a ferry costs less than the airplane ticket between Athens and Crete.

Port of Piraeus

The Port of Piraeus (or Pireas*) serves Athens. It is large, hectic and confusing. Make sure you allow plenty of time to get from the airport or the hotel to the port. And also allow enough time to find the gate (it’s written on the ticket).

Ferries to Crete depart from Port Gate Ε2 and E3 . The port gate E2 is served by the free bus within the port, while at the gate E3 you will also find a rest area and places to eat.

>>more information on Getting from Athens to Piraeus

Crete, Heraklio, Chania, Sitia, Kissimos or Rethymnon ?

When you look up ferries between two places (mainland to islands or between islands), you are actually looking for a way to travel by ferry between two ports. While for the majority of islands, you’ll find the port name exactly the same of the island’s name, it is not Crete’s case.

The island is served by the following ports:

• Heraklio (or Heraklion), port code HCR
• Chania , port code CHC
• Rethymnon (or Rethymno), port code RET
• Kissamos , port code KIS
• Sitia , port code SIT

To make it less confusing, Heraklio and Chania are served by the most ferries, so those two ports are the best choices for tourists. Price-wise, the tickets to Chania are cheaper than the tickets to Heraklio.

How long does it take to get from Athens to Crete?

The ferry journey between Athens (Piraeus, alt spelling Pireas) to Crete (Heraklio or Chania) takes between 6 hours, 30 minutes and 8 hours, depending on the type of ferry you are taking. If you travel between Athens and Rethymnon, the journey takes 12 hours and 3 minutes.

Is there a high speed ferry between Athens and Crete?

Yes, there’s a ferry which takes only 6 hours and 30 minutes to get from Athens to Crete.

How much does it cost to get from Athens to Crete by ferry?

The price depends on where you prefer to stay (deck seat, cabin, lounge) and the type of ferry you are taking, as well as the port you’ll be arriving in (although the differences are not significant). Also, you should consider that several ferry companies serve the route so there’s also a price difference between the same type of seat on ferries run by different companies.

Heraklio On the ferry operated by Anek SuperFast, a single adult ticket starts at 36 eur. On the ferry operated by Minoan, a single adult ticket starts at 42 eur.

Chania On the ferry operated by Anek SuperFast, a single adult ticket starts at 48 eur.

Sitia On the ferry operated by Aegeon Pelagos, a single adult ticket starts at 44 eur.

Kissamos On the ferry operated by SeaJets, a single adult ticket starts at 23 eur.

How many ferries per day depart from Athens to Crete during the low season?

During the low season 2023 (Apr May, Sep-Oct ), there are the following connections between Athens and Crete:

To Heraklio

To Kissamos

How many ferries per day depart from Athens to Crete during the high season?

During the high season 2023 (Jun-Aug), there are the following connections between Athens and Crete:

Are there any overnight journeys between Athens and Crete?

Yes, there’s a ferry departing at 9 p.m. daily both during the high and low season. There are departures to both Heraklio and Chania. Also, during the low season there’s a ferry departing at 9:30 pm to Heraklio, almost daily.

Where can I buy tickets from?

Another option is to have your travel agent book them for you, but they will need to contact a Greek travel agency. So an easier option is to contact a reliable Greek travel agency yourself and book your tickets via them.

If you have some time available between your arrival in Athens and the time you planned to take the ferry to Crete, you can buy the tickets directly in the port of Piraeus, at Port Gate Ε1. Unless you are traveling during the peak season or national holiday weekends, you shouldn’t worry about booking in advance, especially if you plan to use a deck seat.

Does everyone charge the same prices?

All the research points to the fact that the prices are exactly the same, whether you buy them online, via a travel agent or directly from the ticketing office in the port. If there are any differences, those shouldn’t be significant.

However, when you book online, service fees may apply based on the country you book from. And if you choose to get the tickets deliver via courier, you’ll pay the shipping fee (you can choose to pick them up in the port).

How about the ferries between Crete and Athens?

During the high season 2023, the following ferries run between Crete and Athens:

From Heraklio

From Chania

From Kissamos

During the low season 2023, the following ferries are available between Crete and Athens:

Important note:

Sometimes the ferry schedules available online are not very accurate. It’s not the websites’ fault at all as the ferry companies submit their schedule to the Ministry of Merchant Marine weekly. Hence the ferry schedule might change from week to week. Your best bet is to check this link the day before departure (or the day of before) just to make sure things haven’t changed.

More information

Read more about >> Ferries in Greece >> Ferries from Athens: How to deal with the Port of Piraeus >> Ferries from Athens to Aegina >> Ferries from Athens to Mykonos >> Ferries from Rafina to Mykonos >> Ferries from Athens to Santorini >> Ferries from Athens to Rhodes >> Ferries from Athens to Hydra >> Ferries from Athens to Patmos >> Ferries from Athens to Karpathos >> Ferries from Mykonos to Syros >> Ferries from Santorini to Crete >> Ferries from Santorini to Mykonos >> Ferries from Santorini to Naxos >> Ferries from Alonissos to Skopelos >> Ferries from Corfu to Patras >> Ferries from Rhodes to Kos >> Ferries to and from Santorini >> Ferries from Athens to Paros >> Ferries from Mykonos to Crete >> Ferries from Santorini to Karpathos >> Ferries from Thessaloniki to Lesvos >> Ferries to and from Mykonos >> Ferries from Mykonos to Paros (and return) >> Ferries from Crete to Gavdos >> Ferries from Santorini to Rhodes >> Ferries from Santorini to Paros >> Ferries from Mykonos to Ios >> Ferries from Mykonos to Tinos >> Ferries from Thessaloniki to Rhodes >> Ferries from Athens to Naxos >> Ferries from Athens to Thessaloniki >> Ferries from Santorini to Syros >> Ferries from Kavala to Thassos >> Ferries from Alonissos to Skiathos >> Ferries from Athens to Lesvos (Lesbos) >> Ferries from Thessaloniki to Kos >> Ferries from Thessaloniki to Chios

Note: * Pireas and Piraeus are exactly the same place, but you can find them spelled in both ways. All road signs though point to Pireas. *The article was first published in 2009; latest schedule update was made as of April 2023. This article includes links that may qualify as affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission.

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4 thoughts on “ ferries from athens to crete (and return) [updated 2023] ”.

I was wondering what the different levels of seats were on the ferries. It is rather confusing, and is it worth getting a cabin if I am traveling with 3 other adults, and we want to take the “overnight” ferry trips to Crete. Any suggestions? Also, while we are in Athens we want to watch a football game, is there a local pub that has the US Football games on, that you would recommend? Thank you.

@Colby: I cannot help with the US Football thing, sorry. But i bet you can watch a lot of European soccer 🙂 Actually the seats aren’t “that” confusing. Typically there are deck seats (which are un-numbered), then there are those aircraft type of seats (numbered, reclining) and the different cabins. If there’s 4 of you, yes, you might want to look at a cabin but the prices are quite high. The only suggestion would be to compare the prices and if a cabin bed costs more than a flight, you are probably better off flying anyway and if you want to save money, just book a different kind of seat. Just think about it like you would if you were taking the train over night. Is it ok to travel in a regular seat in a compartment or do you prefer a couchette (or sleeping car)? Just make sure to look at the particular ferry you want to take b/c not all ferries offer the same types of cabins. [more confusing?] You can email me at [email protected] if you have more questions.

I will be touring Europe in Nov/Dec, and Greece in the below dates. I’d like to see Athens, but spend the majority of the week in Crete (I think this is during the low season, but I don’t know what the season dates are). I arrive in Athens at 20:05, 27 Nov by flight and depart 20:35, 04 Dec. Any recommendations on planning a round trip ferry ride?

are here ferries operating between Athens and Crete in the first fortnight of March?

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Inspiring Destinations For Solo Female Travel

Best Route From Athens To Crete By Ferry

Ah, the Greek Island of Crete, or Creta, in Greek. It is a dream destination for many visiting Greece in the summer! Most travelers fly into Athens and then start island hopping from there.

And although flying is the fastest route to Crete, there is an efficient ferry option to consider. For the best route from Athens to Crete by ferry , read on.

This post will answer any questions about traveling from Crete to Athens by ferry. More specifically, travel between Athens to either Chania or Heraklion. 

What is the best route from Athens to Crete by ferry?

Booking the overnight ferry from Athens to Crete is the best route by far. Athens to Crete is a long journey, so it is perfect for an overnighter. Taking the ferry trip also allows you to maximize your time in Athens.

Piraeus port is only 20-30 mins from the center of Athens vs. the airport, which can take up to an hour or more depending on traffic.

Instead of wasting time in the Athens airport to catch a flight, you can explore the historical sites in Athens city center. Don’t waste precious time on your trip to an airport, especially in the busy summer months.

Book Ferry Tickets Now

TIP: If you are traveling in the low season, buying tickets well in advance from November through March isn’t necessary.

In peak season, June through September, booking ferry tickets in advance is highly advisable .

Is it better to fly or ferry from Athens to Crete?

Direct flights are rather frequent and easily accessible for you to travel from Athens to Crete, but if it’s better really depends on how you want to structure your trip.

And although the flight time is short, getting to the airport 2 hours early and going through security is time-consuming.

Not to mention the cost via taxi to get from Athens to the airport. I recently paid 60 euros for a taxi from Athens to the Athens International Airport .

If you plan to fly , Aegean Airlines has a direct flight daily. 

How far is Athens to Crete?

The main ferry port in Crete would be Chania or Heraklion. There is a smaller port in Sitia, and The distance to Athens from Chania in nautical miles is 149 or 276 kilometers, and Heraklion to Athens is 167 miles or 309 kilometers.

The difference in flight miles from Athens International Airport to Heraklion International Airport is 192 miles and to Chania Airport 172. The flight time is around 45 minutes.

How long is the ferry ride from Athens to Crete?

The journey times between Athens and Crete will depend on your chosen ferry route. Overnight ferries are slower and take around 11 hours, and the daytime fast ferry is around 8 hours.

Burning hours all day on a ferry isn’t my idea of a good time; this is why you should consider an overnight ferry . It is the best way to get there!

At times of peak summer, there are typically 5-8 daily crossings from Athens to Crete. The first-morning ferry leaves for Piraeus at 9:00 and arrives at Heraklion at 18:50.

The overnight ferries usually depart around 22:30, depending on the season and the sailing schedule. I use Ferry Hopper to check all the ferry timetables.

Overnight ferry from Athens to Crete benefits

There are a couple of reasons why taking the ferry might be the right choice for you.

• It might be the cheapest way to get there. The ferry ticket prices may be much lower than an airline ticket.
• An overnight ferry is also your hotel saving you money that you would have otherwise spent sleeping in Crete.
• Taking the ferry is a lot more of a low-key travel experience . Forget the stress of the airport and flying in general.
• It is a pretty cool experience to spend a night on a ferry sailing across the Aegean Sea.

Athens to Crete Ferry Routes

Ferries between Athens and Crete are frequent as Crete is highly populated year-round. When you are searching for ferry options, you should use sites like Ferry Hopper or Direct Ferries to compare routes, timetables, and prices.

Firstly, ticket prices will vary based on the travel season, but in general, are much less expensive when compared to flight prices. Taking a ferry from Athens to Crete is also easier when you have a lot of luggage. There is a higher baggage allowance, and you also save time by just leaving directly with your bag. You won’t be stuck waiting for your bag to arrive at the carousel.

In Crete, the most popular ports are Chania (the fastest route) and Heraklion. Both ferry routes leave from Piraeus port in Athens. The ferries from Piraeus to Chania or Heraklion are generally more efficient. Sitia is also an option, but there are fewer routes and much longer travel times.

When choosing your ferry route, you must first choose your port. An itinerary idea for you would be to arrive in Chania and then make your way up to Heraklion. Get your ferry tickets in advance to be safe.

What Ferry Companies Are The Best?

There are several ferry operators to take you to Crete. Since most ferries are all about the same quality of the ship, you are really choosing between the price and the timetable.

Remember, in high season, you want to book your ferry tickets in advance! Below are the ferry companies that frequent Crete from Athens.

Blue Star Ferries

Blue Star Ferries is a Greek ferry company operating Superfast Ferries, Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, and Africa Morocco Link. A commonly booked ferry to get from Athens to Crete.

ANEK Lines was founded by Cretans. They offer high-quality transport service with a fleet of 9 ships. Based in Chania, they aim to boost tourism and strengthen the economy of Crete.

Minoan Lines

Minoan Lines is a ferry company based in Heraklion, Crete. The Heraklion ferry company offers many daily ferries between Athens to Crete. They are not exclusively sailing between the two but offer many options.

Sea Jets, based in Greece, offers service from Attica to the Cyclades islands and Crete. They have a large fleet of ferries in the Aegean seas. The high-speed ferry I took most recently was with Sea Jets, which has great service.

The best way to book your ferry tickets is to compare the deals Ferries in Greece or Direct Ferries offers. I find that most of the companies have the same prices, but I always double-check.

Check Athens to Crete Ferry Prices

How to buy Ferry Tickets in Athens, Greece?

I really like using the Ferries in Greece to buy my ferry tickets. Check the ferry schedules here and easily book ferry tickets in advance.

You will get an email reminder a day before your trip that it is time to check in and the tickets will get sent directly to your inbox.

There are no extra fees charged with these apps, and the prices are the same as with ticket agents.

Tickets for ferries can be ordered through various travel agency sites in the capitals of Greece, such as Piraeus and the Greek Islands. But trust me, buy your tickets with Ferries in Greece! And get them months in advance if going in high season. 

How much is the ferry from Athens (Piraeus) to Crete?

A ferry ticket costs will vary from season to season, but an overnight ferry to Crete costs from $48 – $150. Final ticket prices depend on the seats offered and the ferry company prices.

Crete Travel Information

Crete is one of the Greek islands with the most things to do! It is a highly visited destination during summer. The island of Crete offers beautiful beaches, ancient buildings, and vibrant old towns. There are many areas to stay in Crete , some bustling and others tranquil.

The best way to see the island of Crete would be by renting a car. But if you choose not to rent a car, you can go between the main cities of Chania and Heraklion easily by public transport. To see some stunning beaches like Vai Beach, Preveli Beach, or Elafoniss , rent a car.

In Heraklion, visit historical sites such as the Archeological Museum, Arkadian Monastery, and Knossos Palace. It is a super popular destination, so you might want to book your trip tickets and tours ahead of time.

Many tourists start in Chania or Heraklion and then make their way to the other end of the island. Both ends of the island offer so much in the way of beaches and historical sites!

Chania is more picturesque than Heraklion and slightly more popular. Though in July and August, you can expect both places will be packed!

When you stay in Chania, I recommend staying in the old town. There are a few beaches that you can walk to from the center of Chania. If the center seems like it would be too busy for you, there are places to stay up along the coast.

There is a public bus that runs rather frequently. Or you can rent a car, and get around much easier. When I visit again, I will stay in the old town. 

Best Hotels in Chania

Nonnalena Boutique Hotel

Incredible location and GREAT prices! This is the perfect boutique hotel for anyone looking to stay right in the old town.

Cretan Berry Kondylak

Only 11 minutes walk to the Nea Chora Beach! This boutique is very modern and spacious! A great choice for staying in old-town Chania.

Monastery Estate Venetian Harbor

This is your high-end luxury hotel in the center of old-town Chania! An impressive property with a must-try on-site restaurant. 

Heraklion is the largest city on the island of Crete, with lots to see and do! I would say for the beauty you visit Chania, but for historical sites, you visit Heraklion.

The best area to stay in Heraklion again would be the old town unless you rent a car. The old town has so much to offer, with the port being so close.

Best Hotels in Heraklion

Metropole Urban Hotel

This highly reviewed hotel is located just a mile from the Venetian walls. Enjoyed a shared lounge and a la carte breakfast.

A lovely boutique hotel near everything you want to see in Heraklion. 

Artion City Boutique Hotel

Located in the center of Heraklion town this boutique hotel features a lovely terrace.

Just a 10-minute walk from the Venetian Walls. Enjoy the onsite restaurant and close proximity to everything you want to visit in Heraklion, Crete!

Infinity City Boutique Hotel

This hotel has rooms with incredible ocean views! Boutique vibes all throughout; it is a family-owned and run property.

Located just 650 feet from the Heraklion Archaeological Museum.

Packing List For Greece Do you have everything you need to visit Greece? This packing list has some of the best suggestions for traveling to Greece. Some additional items you might want to bring on the ferry would be: Motion sickness patches Sea-Band Anti-Nausea Ginger Gum Bonine Chewable for Motion Sickness Relief

FAQ’s

The ferry port in Chania is the Port of Souda which is located 15 minutes by car from the old town . You can also take the public bus, which takes about 30 minutes. There are typically a lot of taxis outside the ferry port, but to be safe, you can always arrange a pick-up ahead of time. Check with your accommodations if they offer this service.

When you arrive in Heraklion, you will arrive just minutes from the old town, which is very convenient. If you stay in the old town, you can likely walk from the ferry port. 

Yes, but ferries leave from Heraklion, not Chania. There is a bus you can take from Chania to Heraklion, it takes about 2 hours and 45 mins.

If you would rather fly than take the ferry from Heraklion to Santorini it is possible. It would only be better if the time of the ferry wasn’t convenient and the flight was. Otherwise, the 2-hour ferry is better than flying.

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Melissa Byron, a seasoned solo traveler since 2009, is the founder & visionary behind A Solo Woman Traveling. Drawing from her extensive personal experience globetrotting solo to over 40 countries, she has dedicated herself to a mission: crafting invaluable guides and itineraries for women who embark on solo adventures.

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Athens to Crete: Your Ideal 7-Day Itinerary

Greece, a land of captivating landscapes, rich history, and cultural treasures, is an ideal destination for a 7-day getaway. I highly recommend spending your 7-day itinerary investing your time going from Athens to Crete. In this way you’ll get the best of Greece in a short amount of time.

The different regions of Greece offer much art, culture, and architecture to experience but are spread out enough that you will need to decide on a general area of the country to visit. This sample itinerary shows you how you could experience a great first trip to Greece with a focus on the major historical sites around Athens and a bit of island time.

Athens: Day 1

Your seven-day adventure starts in Athens, the capital city of Greece. Arrive in Athens (If flying in from the United States do not go to bed. Stay up to get acclimated to the time zone difference). Catch your pre-arranged ground transportation service and drop your bags at your hotel.

Athens is known for its rich history, iconic landmarks, and vibrant culture. I always start my Athens visits off at the Acropolis, an ancient citadel situated atop a rocky hill. Take in the picturesque views and marvel at the Parthenon, the crown jewel of Athens.

Then explore the ancient Agora, which was the heart of the city in the 5th century BC. End your day by dining at a local taverna and trying some authentic Greek cuisine such as tzatziki, moussaka, or souvlaki. You can read about Greek food here.

Athens: Day 2

There aren’t too many all-inclusive options in Greece, so make sure that you are booking a hotel that offers free breakfast. Take in history today with a visit to the Acropolis and Parthenon. I recommend watching the changing of the Greek Presidential Guard. I also recommend a visit to the Temple of Apollo and Temple of Zeus.

Acropolis – Where Legends Stand Tall

First, visit the Acropolis, an ancient citadel towering above the city. At its heart lies the iconic Parthenon, a marvel of classical architecture that has endured for centuries. Walking through these hallowed grounds, you’ll be transported to the height of ancient Greek civilization, surrounded by the remnants of temples and theaters that once echoed with the voices of philosophers and poets.

Sunset at Lycabettus Hill – A Captivating Panorama

Then, as the day draws to a close, ascend Lycabettus Hill to witness a breathtaking sunset over Athens. The panoramic view showcases the city’s sprawl against a backdrop of the setting sun. The magical transition from daylight to twilight offers a moment of reflection and appreciation for the vibrant history and culture that Greece exudes.

Athens: Day 3

Again, after breakfast and some fabulous Greek coffee, check out the Panathenaic Stadium which is where the first Olympics were held. Most importantly, head over to the Plaka to explore this historic city center and to grab lunch and enjoy the shops. Tonight is a perfect time to take a walking food tour.

Greek Coffee

From my experience, Greek coffee is not for everyone. Moreover, this cherished morning ritual holds more than just a caffeine fix. It’s a sensory journey into Greek history and flavors. Greek coffee, known as “ellinikos kafes,” is distinct from its global counterparts.

It’s made by slowly boiling finely ground coffee beans, water, and sugar in a small pot called a “briki.” What you get is a concentrated and strong brew that packs a punch of robust flavor. The method of preparation is as important as the coffee itself. The mixture is heated gradually, allowing the foam to rise. This foam, called “kaimaki,” is the hallmark of a well-made Greek coffee.

When it comes to enjoying Greek coffee, you have options that cater to varying tastes. For a traditional experience, opt for “sketos,” which is unsweetened. “Metrios” indicates a moderate amount of sugar, while “glykos” translates to sweet.

The amount of sugar can be customized to your preference, ensuring a personalized cup of coffee that suits your taste buds. Don’t discount it until you savor this rich elixir. It might take a moment to appreciate its cultural significance. Again, for more about Greek food, check out my post here!

Plaka – A Taste of Old Athens

Finally, venture into the charming Plaka neighborhood. Cobbled streets wind through a maze of shops, cafes, and tavernas, inviting you to explore. You’ll discover an array of traditional crafts, local delicacies, and picturesque corners perfect for leisurely strolls.

Crete: Day 4

Travel to Crete

Welcome to Crete, Greece’s magnificent island where history and myths intertwine with the present. Curious about the ferry ride duration from Athens? Get ready for a 7 to 9-hour journey that will have you on the edge of your seat with anticipation for the adventures that lie ahead. Or, if you’re eager to embrace the island’s allure sooner, opt for a swift flight from Athens to Crete and save time.

Choosing Your Route: Fly or Ferry?

Now, the ultimate question is whether to fly or ferry from Athens to Crete. Let’s consider your travel preferences and style! If you’re all about speed and convenience, go for the thrilling flight, whisking you across the breathtaking Aegean Sea in a matter of hours.

On the other hand, if you crave a leisurely voyage, hop on the ferry and indulge in gazing at the mesmerizing endless blue waters while possibly making friends with fellow travelers along the way. No matter your choice, Crete awaits with its enchanting landscapes and cultural treasures, eager to captivate you.

Crete: Day 5

First, as you step onto the shores of Crete, a world of mythical landscapes and cultural treasures unfolds before you. The largest Greek island offers an array of experiences that cater to all kinds of travelers. This part of the itinerary begins by visiting the Palace of Knossos, a window into the fascinating Minoan civilization.

Next, walk through the labyrinthine corridors and chambers that are rich with history and myths. The vibrant frescoes and intricate architecture offer insights into the ancient way of life that once thrived here. The Palace of Knossos is a historical and archaeological marvel dating back to the Bronze Age.

Additionally, the site is located in the city of Heraklion and is considered to be the greatest archaeological site in Crete. The Palace of Knossos is known for its intricate architecture, frescoes, and ancient artifacts. A visit to the Palace of Knossos is like a journey back in time to the ancient Minoan civilization. The Palace of Knossos is a must-visit site for history buffs and those interested in Greek mythology.

Cretan Cuisine – Savoring Local Delicacies

Finally, on this night, try the local cuisine. Indulge in Cretan cuisine, renowned for its simplicity and rich flavors. Sample dishes like “dakos” (rusk with tomato and cheese), “stifado” (slow-cooked beef stew), and the famous Cretan “kalitsounia” pastries. Pair your meal with local wines and olive oil, and you’ll have a true taste of the island’s culinary heritage.

Crete: Day 6

Explore the samaria gorge.

Definitely, make the Samaria Gorge a 16 km long canyon located in the White Mountains of Crete a top priority. It is a popular hiking destination for adventure seekers. Moreover, the Gorge is known for its stunning natural beauty, crystal clear waters, and unique flora and fauna.

The hike through the Samaria Gorge can take up to 6 hours, but it is worth it for the breathtaking scenery. The Samaria Gorge is open from May to October and is a must-visit for those who want to experience the natural wonders of Crete. Especially when you reach the picturesque village of Agia Roumeli and the sparkling waters of the Libyan Sea.

Crete: Day 7

Relax on elafonisi beach.

On the final day, I’d relax on Elafonisi Beach. This beach is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete. The beach is located on the southwestern coast of Crete and is famous for its pink sand and crystal-clear waters. Elafonisi Beach is an ideal spot for sunbathing, swimming, and snorkeling.

I found the area surrounded by a natural reserve, and the water shallow, which makes it perfect for children. Elafonisi Beach is the perfect destination for those who want to relax and unwind in a picturesque location.

If you’d like a more romantic itinerary of Greece, specifically for couples, check out our post here!

Chania – Venetian Charms and Seaside Splendor

Explore Chania, a city that seamlessly blends Venetian influences with Cretan charm. Wander through the cobbled streets of the Old Town, where colorful buildings and hidden courtyards beckon. The Venetian Harbor is a postcard-perfect scene, dotted with waterfront tavernas and shops. Don’t forget to visit the Chania Archaeological Museum to delve deeper into the island’s history.

Additional Excursion: Athens to Crete

Spinalonga island – a haunting history.

Consider a journey to Spinalonga Island, known for its haunting history as a former leper colony. The island’s Venetian fortress and abandoned buildings tell a story of resilience and isolation. A boat trip to this unique destination offers a blend of historical insight and stunning coastal views.

If you want to explore some of the other amazing Greek islands, check out my post here !

Athens & Crete: 7-Day Itinerary

As your time in Crete unfolds, you’ll find yourself immersed in a blend of history, nature, and gastronomy that’s unique to this captivating island. From ancient wonders to scenic hikes, Crete’s offerings cater to every traveler’s curiosity and interests.

Feel free to let me know if this covers the specific things you were looking to include about Athens or Crete. If you need further details or adjustments, please don’t hesitate to ask. You can contact me here.

Sully Montero is the founder of Teach Travel Discover. She has been in the travel industry for over 10 years and has helped hundreds of clients travel all over the world. She is now a Romance Travel Specialist helping busy couples plan destination weddings, honeymoons and romantic getaways. She's on a mission to help busy couples experience stress-free and weddings and honeymoons without the overwhelm!

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How To Get From Athens To Crete: Prices, Transport, Info

Category Greece , Athens , Travel Updated on March 27, 2023

Wondering how to get from Athens to Crete?

Crete is one of the largest islands in all of Greece. There are so many things to do, see and explore that could leave you wanting to stay longer. Crete is a popular spot for people on their romantic Greek honeymoon but also solo travelers wanting some adventure.

There’s something for everyone on this diverse island!

Traveling from Athens to Crete is a very popular route. If you are planning your Greek vacation, you might be wondering how exactly to get from Athens to Crete.

In this blog post, we’re going to share the number of transport options, the prices and the time each one takes which is important to consider.

Here’s the complete guide on how to get from Athens to Crete.

Where Is Crete Located?

Crete is the largest but also most populated island in Greece.

It is located between the Aegean Sea and the Libyan Sea. The island of Crete is quite long and narrow, stretching about 160 miles (260 km) east to west.

How Far Is Crete From Athens?

If you look on the map, you can see Crete is much further than popular Greek islands such as Santorini, Mykonos and Naxos. Crete is about 160 km south of the Greek mainland.

If you take a flight from Athens to Crete, it will take around 1 hour of flight time.

If you want to take a ferry, the journey time will depend on which port you decide to arrive in. For the Chania port, it will take around 8-8.5 hours and if you want to arrive in Heraklion it takes around 9-9.5 hours of journey time.

Where To Fly/Dock In Crete?

Remember – Crete is the biggest island in Greece. There are going to be multiple points of arrival depending on where you want to start exploring.

Here are the 2 ports most travelers land in when visiting Crete:

Athens To Chania

Chania was built by the Venetians back in the 1300s. When you walk around Chania Harbour, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Venice, Italy. Many similarities you’ll see will take your breath away. Chania is a picturesque and romantic town that has also become a popular honeymoon destination!

Chania is located on the west side of the island. It’s about a 3-hour drive from Chania to Heraklion. If you want to explore both Chania and Heraklion, we recommend starting in Chania and making your way to Heraklion as more ferries and flights are departing from Heraklion.

Athens To Heraklion

Heraklion is the capital city of Crete. It’s located on the north side of the island which makes it a great port to land in but also to depart from. Heraklion has many ferry options to head to islands like Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos and more.

Many international and domestic flights land at Heraklion Airport. It’s easy to catch a flight here to other Greek islands or all the back to Athens.

From Athens to Heraklion, it’s an extra hour on the ferry. Chania is an hour less if that makes any difference to you. Both are beautiful towns worth visiting on the island of Crete!

How To Get From Athens To Crete – 2 Options

What’s the best way to get from Athens to Crete?

Well…that depends on several factors! You can argue for both types of transportation but everyone’s circumstances are different. That’s why it’s important to ask yourself these questions:

• Would I rather save time or save costs?
• Am I super sensitive to motion sickness?
• Do I need to make the most of my time?
• Am I pressed for time?
• Is money a matter in this case?

The most vital things you need to consider are simply: cost and time. If you need to save some money, you will choose one option over the other. If you don’t have 7 days in Greece, for example, you might not want to waste hours of your precious time sitting still.

There are really only 2 options to get from Athens to Crete. You can either take a flight from Athens International Airport to any of the airports in Crete – Heraklion or Chania. Or you can take a ferry from the Piraeus port to any of the ports (Heraklion or Chania).

If you’re pressed for time, it’s MUCH faster to take a plane than a ferry that’s for sure. If you take a ferry, you might spend a lot of time on the boat but hey – it’s part of the complete Greek adventure right?

Here’s all the details you need to consider for each transport option when traveling from Athens to Crete.

Getting From Athens To Crete By Plane

Looking for the fastest way to get from Athens to Crete?

You can’t beat the speed of an airplane. It’s easy enough to book a flight, choose a destination in Crete and rush off to the airport.

If you’ve got a short number of days to explore Greece, this is a great option because you barely waste any precious hours. The flight time from Athens to Crete is only 1 hour – seriously!

Crete is a very popular island for travelers to visit and there have been more flights from Athens to Crete. Some airlines include Aegean Airlines, Sky Express and the good ole budget airlines, RyanAir.

Matthew and I spend our anniversary on the island of Crete while we were digital nomads in Athens. When we tried to decide how to get from Athens to Crete, the main thing we considered was our time. We were only going for 3 nights and we wanted to make the most of it!

That’s why we decided to fly from Athens to Crete in the end. We found pretty cheap RyanAir flights for a return journey from Crete to Athens as well. Matthew and I decided we would solely explore Chania because we had heard the old town was very romantic – and it certainly didn’t disappoint.

This was the best decision for us because it saved us tons of time and it was easy enough to get from Chania Airport to the city center.

How Long Is The Flight From Athens To Crete?

Whether you are flying into Heraklion or Chania, the flight duration is actually the same. The journey time from Athens to Crete by plane is only 1-1.5 hours.

Taking a plane from Athens to Crete whether that’s at Heraklion Airport or Chania Airport – it’s going to be the fastest transport option for you.

As it’s a domestic flight from Athens to Crete, you won’t have to go through immigration and simply need to go through security. This also makes it a much faster journey!

How Much Does A Plane Ride From Athens To Crete Cost?

That depends on how early/late you book your tickets and which airlines you decide to fly with. For budget airlines like SkyExpress or Volotea, we have seen tickets for as low as $30 USD! The only catch is that luggage is usually not included and you’ll have to pay extra if you need to check bags.

You can spend a little more for a nicer airline like Aegean Airlines and they offer tickets from $70 USD. Sky Express is a little more in the middle and they can start from $55 USD.

Getting From Athens To Crete By Ferry

Want the full Greek experience?

You can take a ferry from Athens to Crete! We loved traveling by ferry across islands like Santorini and Paros. It makes you feel like you’re in Greece and it’s something you should try at least once!

When you are booking a ferry from Athens to Crete, you need to decide which ports to arrive in. Most ferries depart from the Piraeus port in Athens. From here, you need to choose between two wonderful cities in Crete: Heraklion or Chania. Heraklion is the capital city filled with a ton of history and Chania is a romantic city that will remind you of Venice.

For the Athens to Crete ferry, there are a few companies that will take you there. Minoan Lines and Anek Superfast are great options! From Crete, it’s also pretty easy to take the ferry to other islands like Santorini, Milos or back to Piraeus (Athens).

How To Book Your Athens To Crete Ferry

When booking your Athens to Crete ferry, you first need to determine your arrival port. You can choose between these routes: Athens to Chania and Athens to Heraklion. What’s the difference?

Heraklion is an extra hour on the ferry but it is the main port. Chania is located on the west side of the island and we think it’s a great starting point to explore Crete. You can make your way over to Heraklion where most ferries and flights depart from. There are a lot more ferry options in Heraklion to islands like Santorini, Mykonos or Athens.

Where should you book your ferry tickets? You can do it by heading directly to the ferry companies’ websites or through third-party websites.

These are the ferry companies’ websites to get from Athens to Crete:

• Minoan Lines Website
• Anek Lines Website

We used a third-party website and we had no issues! These are the most popular third-party websites for ferries from Athens to Crete:

• GreekFerries.gr
• Ferryhopper.com

Both options are great ways to buy your tickets. You’ll receive an email confirmation with your tickets and you should be set to go!

How Long Is A Ferry Ride From Athens To Crete?

I’ll be honest with you – taking the ferry from Athens to Crete will take longer than if you take a flight.

If you decide to arrive in Chania, the ferry takes about 8 to 8.5 hours. If you want to arrive in Heraklion, it takes a bit longer at around 9 to 9.5 hours from Piraeus. We took the Athens to Santorini Ferry and it was around 6 hours which was long enough for us. I don’t know if I could’ve done another 3 hours. Eeep!

It’s a long journey from Athens to Crete by ferry and that’s why decided against taking the ferry ourselves. We were only spending 3 nights in Chania, Crete and we wanted to make the most of our time. This is something you might need to consider if you’re pressed for time like we were.

How Much Does A Ferry Trip From Athens To Crete Cost?

A ferry from Athens to Crete can cost from $48 USD. We have found that Heraklion seems to be a cheaper port to arrive in by around $10 USD.

This can sometimes be cheaper than a flight if you don’t book your tickets early enough. Prices for flights do rise closer to the dates whereas the ferry prices don’t usually climb as fast or as high.

Can You Do A Day Trip To Crete From Athens?

You can certainly attempt to do a day trip to Crete from Athens. But do we recommend it? Not if you want to truly see this vast island.

Crete is the largest island in Greece! You certainly can’t see enough of it in a single day. You can make your way over via ferry or plane within a day but you wouldn’t see much or do much in 24 hours.

We spent 3 nights in Chania and that wasn’t enough time for us to enjoy the surrounding areas. It’s very easy and cheap to grab a rental car too which makes Crete a great island to explore for at least a couple of days. In fact, we think we could stay in Crete for a month and still not see everything! You really don’t realize how big it truly is until you are there yourself and have to drive around the roads.

What’s The Best Way To Get From Athens To Crete?

If you’re pressed for time, the best way to get from Athens to Crete is definitely via plane. The journey time is only 1 hour and you’ll land on the beautiful island of Crete!

When Matthew and I were weighing up on which way to get to Crete, we only had 3 nights to explore. We wanted to make the most of our time and taking the flight made the most sense! If you book early enough, you can get flights for as low as $30 USD.

Want the complete Greek adventure? Take the ferry! It does take around 8-9 hours to get from Athens to Crete but you can book a comfortable cabin to sleep in or sit in the ‘airplane seats’ provided.

The best way to get from Athens to Crete will depend on the amount of time and budget you’ve planned for the trip. We hope you have the best time in Crete because we loved it! We’re counting the days till we get to go back and explore more this huge island.

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Ultimate Athens to Crete Travel Guide: How to get from Athens to Crete in Greece

Marco Santos

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Looking for a guide on how to travel from Athens to Crete in Greece? Look no further than this comprehensive post, outlining the best ways to do so.

As the summer sun warms the picturesque landscapes of Greece, your heart might be yearning for the island of Crete, a gem tucked away in the southeastern part of the Mediterranean Sea.

Crete, the 5th largest island found in the Mediterranean and also the largest and most populated Greek Island has been drawing in throngs of tourists in search of an idyllic and romantic Greek getaway .

Whether you’re exploring the exciting sounds and things to see and do in Chania or Heraklion, or visiting in order to explore the absolutely gorgeous beaches of Crete , the island promised to beguile even the most avid travellers. With its rich history, amazing sights, delicious Grecian drinks and cuisine, and warm hospitality, it’s easy to see why so many visitors fall in love!

If you too are planning a Greek Islands hopping escapade and plan to include Crete on your itinerary, then you may be researching exactly how to get from Athens to Crete, or vice versa.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll outline all the best ways to do exactly that, helping you plan and take care of the logistics of how to travel from Athens to Crete. Let’s go!

Disclaimer: This post contains links to services or products that I trust and recommend and from which I may earn commissions. Read our privacy policy for more.

Pssst…Before you jet off to idyllic Greece, be sure you have all your essentials packed by reading our European packing guide . Also make sure to check out our guide on the most useful Greek words and phrases too!

Flights From Athens To Crete

Journey time: flight time – 1 hour

If time is of the essence, catching a flight from Athens to Crete can be an excellent option and one of the easiest ways of getting from Athens to Crete.

A myriad of flights operate daily between Athens International Airport (ATH) and Heraklion International Airport (HER) or Chania International Airport (CHQ) in Crete, ensuring a convenient connection for all travellers.

Airlines like Aegean Airlines, Sky Express, and Olympic Air offer multiple flights daily, with a flight duration of approximately 1 hour. The short flight time allows you to maximize your time exploring Crete’s awe-inspiring attractions.

Other Airlines such as RyanAir, as well as Volotea all offer direct non-stop flights to Crete from various destinations in Europe too. 

Depending on the flight booked, and if doing so well in advance, you could bag fares for around €50 one-way per adult. 

Beware: Pay special attention when booking as many discounted European fares often exclude luggage and are also offered at the most restrictive fare rules, meaning they may in fact be non-refundable in case of cancellation.

Save Time Searching: Whenever I search for flights I always consult Skyscanner where I can search, consult, and book the various flight options available. To search and book on Skyscanner click here !

Ferry Athens To Crete

Journey time: between 2h25 mins to 5h15 mins

Athens to Crete distance 154 kilometres, 95 miles

Travelling by ferry throughout the Greek Isles is another affordable and popular mode of transport. Whether you’re travelling from Athens to Santorini , between Mykonos and Athens , need to get between Santorini and Mykonos , or looking to book a Crete to Athens ferry, it really is a great way to hop around between these gorgeous islands scattered throughout the Aegean. 

Having said that, to get from Athens to Crete by ferry is by no means the quickest route with the fastest ferry travelling time around 8.5 hours. These ferries are usually overnight and also has a cabin option, although booking a cabin ticket will just about triple the price. 

Several ferry operators service this route include Minoan Lines, Blue Star Ferries, and Anek Lines. 

Ferry Ports In Athens And Crete

Most ferries for Crete will depart from the Piraeus port in Athens. Do make sure to get there ahead of time as this port is rather large and you’ll need sufficient time to find your ferry and book in. 

When booking you have the option to book a ferry to either Heraklion or Chania in Crete. Whether you’re booking the Athens to Chania ferry or the Athens to Heraklion ferry, they should both last more or less 8.5 – 9 hours in journey time. 

There are also some ferries with a slightly longer travel time, so do make sure to check this when booking!

Athens To Crete Ferry Cost

The ferry from Athens to Heraklion as well as the ferry from Athens to Chania are both in and around the €28 – €40 price range for a standard ticket one-way ticket per adult. An overnight cabin ticket could set you back in excess of €100 for a one-way adult fare.

Booking Your Athens To Crete Ferry – Save Time

When ready to book, don’t waste your time hopping around different ferry operator sites. Instead, save yourself the headache and search & book on Ferryhopper instead. This is exactly what I did on our trip to Greece and boy was I happy I did just that. The site allows you to compare all the various ferry routes, operators, times, and costs, as well as allowing you to book directly on their site too!

A Road Less Travelled: Athens to Crete by Car

Driving from Athens to Crete presents an adventurous alternative for those who want to explore Greece at their own pace and discover more of this incredible country. Keep in mind, though, that this journey involves both driving and a ferry ride.

You’ll be starting your road trip heading south from Athens to Gythio or Neapoli, where you can catch a ferry to Kissamos in Crete. The car journey takes around 3-4 hours, and the ferry ride can last between 7 to 9 hours, depending on the route and weather conditions.

It’s a longer and more complex journey compared to flying or a direct ferry ride, but the freedom to explore lesser-known sites along the way might be worth it for some.

Where To Stay In Crete

Most visitors to Crete will either head for Chania or Heraklion, the two main hubs on the island. Here are some suggested places to stay in these stunning locations on Crete:

Heraklion Hotels:

If you want to be in the heart of Heraklion, the capital of Crete (also referred to as Iraklio), then consider booking into the stunning 4* DOM Boutique Hotel , the gorgeous 4* Olive Green Hotel , the top-rated 5* GDM Megaron Historical Monument Hotel , or the modern 4* Ibis Styles Heraklion Central Hotel , all of which will make you feel right at home during your stay!

Alternatively, search for, and click here to search and book apartment-style holiday rentals through VRBO .

Chania Hotels:

As far as hotels go in Chania, check out these gorgeous options. The beautiful and charming Cretan Renaissance , the modern 4* SanSal Boutique Hotel , as well as the impeccable 5* Serenissima Boutique Hotel are great choices for your stay in Chania.

Again, should you want to search availability & rates of holiday apartments in and around Chania, then click here to book on VRBO . 

What To Do – Crete Tours & Activities

Crete offers visitors an exceptional range of sights to explore, beaches to uncover, and a host of other interesting things to see and do throughout the island. 

If like me you love to book a range of tours & activities when visiting any new destination, then why not consider these exciting experiences on offer in Crete. 

Chania Tours & Activities:

In Chania, enjoy a full-day Wine & Olive day tour, or a full-day Gramvousa Island & Balos Bay tour from Chania, or splurge out and treat that someone special in your life with an unforgettable Private Sailing Cruise from Chania’s Souda Port . 

For these and many more exciting experiences that you can book during your stay in Chania, click here ! 

Heraklion Tours & Activities:

For your stay in Heraklion, consider booking this Skip-The-Line-Entry and Guided Walking Tour of the gorgeous Knossos Palace , one of the area’s most notable attractions and landmarks in Greece . 

Avid foodies will no doubt love the incredible cuisine and traditional Greek drinks on offer in Crete. Book this Heraklion Gourmet Wine Tasting & Lunch Tour , or this 4-Hour Bites and Sights Heraklion Walking Tour and savour all the best flavours of Crete. 

For other exceptional bookable activities and tours to round out your stay in Heraklion click here!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Traveling From Athens to Crete by Ferry

Traveling from Athens to Crete by ferry is a quintessential Greek experience, offering unparalleled views of the shimmering Aegean Sea dotted with idyllic islands.

However, if it’s your first time taking the ferry in Greece, you might have some questions. So, we’ve put together an FAQ section to answer those queries and provide some helpful tips for a smooth and enjoyable ferry journey from Athens to Crete.

How can I buy ferry tickets from Athens to Crete?

Booking ferry tickets online is the most convenient method. Websites like Ferryhopper provide easy platforms to book your tickets. You can compare schedules and prices before making a decision. Make sure to print out your tickets or keep a digital copy on your phone to show at the port.

What should I expect on the ferry?

Ferries from Athens to Crete are large, modern vessels equipped with various amenities to make your journey comfortable. Depending on the ferry company and the class of your ticket, you may find cafeterias, restaurants, or bars on board. Many ferries also have open deck areas where you can relax and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea.

What’s the difference between economy, business class, and cabin bookings?

Economy class tickets give you access to common lounge areas and open decks. Business class offers more comfortable seating in a separate lounge, often with better food and drink options. A cabin booking provides you with a private cabin, ideal for overnight journeys. The cabins range from basic ones with bunk beds and a bathroom to luxurious suites with large beds and windows, depending on the ferry company.

Can I bring my car or motorbike on the ferry?

Yes, most ferries from Athens to Crete have a garage deck for vehicles. However, remember that transporting a vehicle on the ferry comes with an additional cost, and you will need to indicate it while booking your ticket.

What should I do if I suffer from seasickness?

If you’re prone to seasickness, opt for a seat or cabin in the middle of the ferry, where the vessel’s motion is least felt. Keeping your gaze on the horizon can also help. Over-the-counter motion sickness medication is available in most pharmacies in Athens and can be useful during your journey. Be sure to consult with a medical doctor prior to your journey if this is the case.

Is it safe to travel by ferry in Greece?

Absolutely. Greek ferries adhere to international safety standards and regulations. Life vests are readily available, and safety instructions are provided at the beginning of each journey. It’s always recommended to pay attention to these instructions for your safety.

What should I pack for the ferry journey?

Pack a small carry-on bag with essentials like water, snacks, a book or tablet for entertainment, a light blanket or sweater (as it can get chilly with the AC), sunscreen, and sunglasses for daytime travel. If you’re on an overnight journey, you might want to bring toiletries and a change of clothes in your carry-on bag.

Can I bring my pet on the ferry?

Yes, many Greek ferry companies allow pets on board. However, they usually have specific areas or cabins designed for passengers with pets. Make sure to check the ferry company’s pet policy when booking your ticket.

Taking the ferry from Athens to Crete is not just a mode of transportation—it’s part of the Greek adventure. With a bit of planning and the right information, you’ll be able to enjoy a memorable and hassle-free journey across the magnificent Aegean Sea.

Welcome to Travel-Boo. My blog is where I share travel tips, suggestions, and stories focused on European travel adventures!

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Ferry from Athens to Crete

Are you planning a trip to Greece and wondering how to get from Athens to Crete by ferry? Look no further! In this web page, we will guide you through the process of taking a ferry from Athens to Crete, including schedules, prices, and other useful information.

General information about the trip from Athens to Crete

There are several ferry options available for traveling from Athens to Crete. The journey time varies depending on the route and the type of ferry you choose.

One of the most popular routes is from Piraeus , the main port of Athens, to Heraklion , the capital of Crete and to Chania . The journey to Heraklion takes around 9-10 hours , so as to Chania and there are several ferry companies that operate on this route.

Another option is to take a ferry from Rafina , a smaller port near Athens, to Heraklion. The journey time is around 8 hours . If you prefer a faster journey, you can take a high-speed ferry from Piraeus to Heraklion. The journey time is around 6 hours .

It's important to note that ferry schedules and prices can vary depending on the season, so it's best to check our online booking system for the most up-to-date information. It's also a good idea to book your tickets in advance, especially during peak travel times, to avoid disappointment.

How to get from Athens to Crete by ferry

First, let's start with some background information. Athens is the capital city of Greece and is located on the mainland. Crete, on the other hand, is the largest island in Greece and is located in the southern part of the Aegean Sea. There are several ferry companies that operate between Athens and Crete, offering a convenient and affordable way to travel between these two destinations.

The most popular ferry route between Athens and Crete is from the port of Piraeus, which is located about 12 kilometers southwest of Athens city center. The journey takes approximately 8-9 hours, depending on the type of ferry and the weather conditions. There are several ferry companies that operate on this route, including Blue Star Ferries, Anek Lines, and Minoan Lines.

The schedules for these ferry companies vary depending on the season. During the peak season (June-September), there are usually several ferries per day, while in the low season (October-May), there may be only one or two ferries per day.

The prices for ferry tickets also vary depending on the season and the type of ferry. It's important to book your tickets in advance, especially during the peak season, as they can sell out quickly.

When you arrive at the port of Piraeus you will board the ferry and find a seat or cabin, depending on your ticket type. Most ferries have comfortable seating areas, restaurants, cafes, and other amenities to make your journey more enjoyable.

During the journey, you will have stunning views of the Aegean Sea and the Greek islands. You may also have the opportunity to stop at other ports along the way, such as Santorini or Mykonos, depending on the route and ferry company.

Once you arrive in Crete, you will disembark at one of the island's ports, such as Heraklion or Chania. From there, you can take a taxi or bus to your final destination, whether it's a hotel, beach resort, or other attraction on the island.

In conclusion, taking a ferry from Athens to Crete is a convenient and affordable way to travel between these two destinations. With several ferry companies operating on this route, you can choose the one that best fits your schedule and budget. So pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable journey through the Aegean Sea!

Give a date and click on "search" to view the ferry timetables from Athens to Crete!

Notice: Each year and depending on the period, there may be more or fewer connections from Athens to Crete by ferry. The biggest shipping companies (ferry operators) announce the new ferry schedules Athens to Crete by the end of December and the rest of them by January-March each year!

Transportation in Athens and Crete

Please click on Athens and Crete and find useful suggestions on how to reach the port of Athens, tips for ground services and public transportation options by arriving in Crete with the Ferry.

Schedules & prices Athens - Crete

Ferry schedules from Athens to Crete can vary depending on the time of year and the ferry company you choose. During peak season (June-August), there are usually more options available. Some popular ferry companies that operate this route include Minoan Lines, Anek Lines, and Blue Star Ferries.

If you're looking for a direct ferry from Athens to Crete, you're in luck. There are several options available, including overnight ferries that depart from Piraeus (the port of Athens) and arrive in Heraklion (the main port of Crete). These ferries typically take around 8-10 hours, so be sure to bring some snacks and entertainment to keep yourself occupied.

If you're not in a rush and want to take your time exploring the Greek islands, you can also consider taking a ferry from Athens to Santorini, and then from Santorini to Crete. This route will take longer, but it's a great way to see more of the beautiful Aegean Sea.

In addition to the standard ferry options, there are also high-speed ferries available that can get you from Athens to Crete in as little as 5 hours. However, these tend to be more expensive and may not be as comfortable for longer journeys.

Overall, there are plenty of options for getting from Athens to Crete by ferry. Whether you're looking for a direct route or want to explore more of the Greek islands along the way, there's a ferry option that will suit your needs and budget. Happy sailing!

With the developed "Easy-Way" system of go-Ferry.com, you can make the most reliable and flexible online booking of your ferry ticket from Athens to Crete! We will connect you to the booking systems of most ferry operators and will show you:

• Direct itineraries with schedules Athens to Crete
• Alternative routes from Athens to Crete
• Ferry prices Athens to Crete
• Prices for Adults, children, and babies
• Prices for all vehicle sizes
• Trailer prices
• Ticket offers
• Early booking discount With all these options we offer, you can be sure that you will find the best deal for the ferry ticket at a price that will suit your budget.

Select only the departure port and click on "search"!

Ferry tickets Athens to Crete

Book in advance your ferry ticket from Athens to Crete!

If your final destination is Crete do not neglect to book your ferry tickets early enough to avoid last-minute surprises! We are sure that you do not want to ruin your vacation or change your route because you will not find an itinerary available. How could you feel to be at the departure port and not be able to board the ferry from Athens to Crete because it is fully booked?

On the next page, we will mention some reasons that make it necessary to book your ferry tickets Athens to Crete in advance !

Crete to Athens Ferries

Greece › Greek Ferries › Crete to Athens Updated: May 27, 2023 By Santorini Dave

• Best Hotels in Crete
• Best Hotels in Crete for Families
• Heraklio (Crete) Ferry Port Guide
• Where to Stay in Crete
• Best Hotels in Athens
• Best Hotels in Athens for Families
• Piraeus (Athens) Ferry Port Guide
• Where to Stay in Athens

The Heraklio ferry port is close to several good Heraklio hotels and walking distance from downtown. You can purchase tickets at the port though I recommend passengers buy ferry tickets online .

Souda Bay is the ferry port for Chania. It’s 10-20 minutes by taxi or bus from Old Town Chania .

Ferries from Crete arrive at the Piraeus ferry port, 30-minutes by taxi or train from central Athens.

Crete to Athens – Ferry Essentials Ferryhopper.com is the best way to buy ferry tickets for Athens to Crete ferries. It’s also good for researching ferry timetables, costs, and schedules. Most ferries do not sell out. But for peace of mind, book tickets 2 to 3 months in advance. Most tickets (when booked at Ferryhopper ) are e-tickets which means you do not have to pick up a paper ticket before boarding. If a ticket purchased online doesn’t have a barcode, you’ll need to pick up a real ticket when in Greece. This is most often done at the ferry port 30 to 45 minutes before departure. Don’t worry about pick up – it’s easy and effortless and usually very close to your actual ferry. Ferries will leave on time from their first departure port in the morning (usually large ports like Piraeus, Heraklio, and Chania) but will be late arriving and departing from all onward ports (e.g. Naxos). Usually getting later as the day progresses. Most areas in Greece, including Athens and Crete, have public transportation strikes throughout the year. These strikes can affect all forms of transit, including, buses, trains, ferries, flights, and taxis. During strikes no buses, no ferries, and only a handful of trains and flights will depart on time (or at all); taxis tend to be the least affected mode of transport. Though strikes can occur any time, there is always a huge strike on May 1. Avoid booking any ferries, flights, or trains that day .

Crete to Athens Ferry Schedule

The “Blue Horizon” Blue Star ferry in Heraklio bound for Athens.

The “Blue Galaxy” Blue Star ferry in Chania bound for Athens.

Example Crete to Athens Ferry Schedule Crete-Athens ferry schedule and prices on ferryhopper.com . Ferries depart from Chania and Heraklio. There are ferries from Heraklio and Chania to Athens year-round, with frequency increasing in the summer months. Ferries depart from the ports at Heraklio (near downtown) and Chania (6 km west of central Chania) and arrive in Athens at the Piraeus Port. The length of the ride varies from 7.5 to 9.5 hours, with many routes traveling through the night. It’s a good idea to book a cabin on an overnight ferry – the large boats that service this route are slow and stable and the cabin berths are fairly comfortable for sleeping. Ferry tickets from Athens to Crete cost €30 to €120, depending on the ferry line and class of ticket. I recommend Business or First Class seats for the longish ride from Crete to Athens. For a bit more money you get added room and a quieter, more relaxed environment. Sleeping cabins are available in two and four-bed layouts. This is the four-person sleeping cabin. It has a small private bathroom and shower. • Check prices and times for Crete-Athens ferries.

• Greek Ferry Guide
• Mainland Greece Travel Guide
• Crete Travel Guide
• Maps of Crete
• Athens Travel Guide
• Best Hotels on the Athens Riviera
• Maps of Athens
• Athens Transportation Guide

About Santorini Dave

Travel | April/May 2024

The Thrills of Rediscovering Ancient Greece While Touring Modern Athens

The Mediterranean capital city savors its connections to antiquity—while reappraising its past

2,500 years after it was built, the Parthenon is still among the first places tourists go when they arrive in Athens.

By Tony Perrottet

Photographs by Myrto Papadopoulos

The first golden age of Athenian tourism occurred around 435 B.C., when culture-lovers from around the Greek world flocked to the city at the peak of its glory. It was an unforgettable travel experience: After arriving by sea at the port of Piraeus, wide-eyed ancient sightseers would walk the four miles along defensive walls to the central Agora, the market square where illustrious philosophers like Socrates debated, young athletes worked out beneath marble colonnades, mathematicians drew their geometric theorems in the sand, and splendid temples were crowded with ravishing artworks by the world’s most talented sculptors. Travelers rushed to the houses of historical celebrities, the grave of lawgiver Solon and the supposed resting place of the mythic hero Oedipus. The main attraction, however, was to ascend on foot the Panathenaic Way up the steep flanks of the Acropolis, the soaring “sacred rock,” which was crowned with the newly completed Parthenon, considered the most perfectly proportioned structure on earth.

There, they might attend one of the theatrical performances for which Athens was justly famous, for its dramatists had invented tragedy, comedy and choral poetry.

In Athens today, centuries can dissolve in the blink of an eye, as I found on a recent summer’s evening when I set off on foot along the same Panathenaic Way with a stream of modern Greek-culture-lovers. Every step was an echo of ancient tradition: Climbing to the Acropolis, I passed serene olive groves with sweeping views of the Agora, where the near-intact Temple of Hephaestus still rises; thanks to blasts of the etesian winds, I could see the blue Aegean sparkling on the horizon. My destination was the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a majestic 4,680-seat amphitheater on the Acropolis’ southwest side named after the arts patron who funded its construction. The audience members all edged along narrow rows of the steep semicircle to take their limestone seats, which were thankfully softened by thin pillows. On the night’s playbill was Euripides’ tragedy The Bacchae , which had premiered in 405 B.C. at the Theater of Dionysus a stone’s throw away, when it won first prize in the annual theater festival.

Now, 2,400-odd years later, the play was performed in Greek with projected English translations and modern sound and lighting systems. But otherwise, there was a rich sense of continuity: Like the original Athenian audience, we watched in fascination as the god Dionysus came down to earth to visit the women of Thebes, who had taken up his secret Bacchic rites in the nearby mountains. The tragedy unfolds inexorably as the arrogant King Pentheus infiltrates the sacred female ceremonies in disguise but is discovered and torn limb from limb by the delirious and ecstatic celebrants—who, it turns out, include his own mother and aunts.

Leaving the theater afterward, we all looked in wonder at the Parthenon hovering above and the moonlit city below. I could only agree with the classical travelers who felt that Athens’ exquisite natural setting was matched by the harmony of its man-made adornments. As the Athenian comic poet Lysippus proudly declared around 400 B.C.:

If you’ve never seen Athens, your brain’s a morass; if you’ve seen it and weren’t entranced, you’re an ass; if you’ve left without regrets, your head’s solid brass!

For me, watching the live performance of Euripides was a pleasing connection to antiquity. It was also a serene way to experience the Acropolis, which has become so jampacked with tourists that in September 2023 their numbers had to be limited to 20,000 per day. But a night at the amphitheater is not the only unexpected gateway to the past.

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This article is a selection from the April/May 2024 issue of Smithsonian magazine

A fresh energy is evident in Athens today, allowing the ancient and modern worlds to interact in creative ways. “There is a new sensitivity to how archaeological finds are being saved and presented,” said Paul Cartledge , an ancient Greek historian emeritus at the University of Cambridge, pointing to the array of innovative showcases for the city’s historic treasures in the pipeline.

The National Archaeological Museum has been home since 1889 to many of the finest artistic masterpieces of the ancient world, including a bronze statue of Zeus or Poseidon and the so-called Mask of Agamemnon made from beaten gold. In 2023, it announced a $300 million expansion designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect David Chipperfield and Greek firm Tombazis, adding around 200,000 square feet of exhibition space and lush gardens. Plans were also approved in 2023 for a striking “invisible” museum devoted to the history of Athens, where underground galleries will blend with verdant parkland to revive the run-down inner-city area Akadimia Platonos, or Plato’s Academy.

And the fascination for the classical world ripples through society in unexpected ways: There are now museums in subway stations, ancient aqueducts are being repurposed, and Athenians are drawing on the past for inspiration in art, gastronomy, even massage therapy. At the same time, historians are looking more critically at ancient Athenians’ society and culture, offering a less worshipful and more complex understanding of both their genius and their faults.

As a base for exploring our changing attitudes about ancient Athenians, I checked into the Grande Bretagne , the favored hotel for visiting Hellenophiles since it opened in 1874. When Athens had been chosen as the capital of Greece four decades earlier—the country won its independence after four centuries of Ottoman rule in 1832—it was barely larger than a village, with 2,500 inhabitants, a shadow of its classical peak of 300,000. To remedy this, the Greek government embarked on excavations and a building program, erecting grandiose public edifices, museums and a university in the neoclassical style. The palatial Grande Bretagne accommodated foreign admirers—many of them Britons inspired by Romantic poets like Lord Byron and Percy Shelley—and it still rises like a marble-sheathed temple over Syntagma Square, the official heart of the modern city. My gilded room was adorned with evocative 19th-century engravings—Greek urns, overgrown ruins, images of the gods and heroes—and from the balcony I could watch the Sunday changing of the guard outside the Hellenic Parliament, with the soldiers marching in traditional pom-pom shoes past classical-style statues.

It was only in the 1950s that Athens exploded in size, with internal migrants flooding in from the Greek countryside and islands to create sprawling suburbs bristling with TV antennas and electricity wires, as well as notoriously gridlocked traffic. The new building methods created a collision between the ancient and modern cities, with developers damaging archaeological sites in the breakneck push for expansion. When I first visited 25 years ago to research my books on the ancient world, Athens was a chaotic and exhausting place where most visitors stayed for a night or two before beating a hasty retreat to island beaches. But the 2004 Olympics brought radical improvements, with new highways easing traffic and pedestrian-only areas growing around historic sites. Today, despite ongoing economic pain since the 2010 debt crisis brought rioters into the streets, Athens is recreating itself as one of Europe’s most energetic cities, where past and present coexist in ways that once seemed impossible.

My first stop was the most unlikely new “museum” in Athens: a subway station called Dimotiko Theatro, or Municipal Theater, more than 50 feet underground. It’s located in Piraeus, the port of Athens, where ancient travelers would often arrive and where the Athenian fleet was built and berthed in the days of Pericles to rule the empire. Today, it’s a gritty industrial area and hub for shipping and ferries, where trendy restaurants in warehouses sit alongside art galleries and nautical machinery shops. Twenty minutes from downtown, I joined throngs of rush-hour commuters as they followed subterranean tunnels through Dimotiko’s gleaming chrome-and-blue interior. Surrounding us on all sides was a permanent exhibition called “Tales of Invisible Water,” displaying objects unearthed during construction related to Athens’ ancient hydraulic system, including the imposing carved stone remains of below-ground aqueducts and bell-shaped cisterns. Under glass beneath our feet were the foundations of a villa from the fourth century B.C. complete with floor mosaics and softly lit domestic water tanks and amphoras.

Inaugurated in late 2022, the metro museum in Piraeus is the latest phase of the subway project that began in 1992 and has become the city’s largest and most fertile archaeological dig. Athens is one of Europe’s oldest cities, and the sheer density of material evidence is mind-boggling. “You’re dealing with a city whose site has been occupied since Neolithic times and built on continuously,” said Florentia Fragkopoulou, a scientific collaborator at the Acropolis Museum . “It’s a paradise for archaeologists and visitors, where you can see the strata of everyday life for millennia.” Almost every time a spade is put into the earth, a trove of relics is revealed, Fragkopoulou said. For example, one of the city’s most striking contemporary structures, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, designed by Renzo Piano as the home of the Greek National Opera and a splendid library, was erected on the site of an ancient cemetery that was in use from the eighth to fourth centuries B.C. When construction work began in 2012, the private company brought in a team of archaeologists, including Fragkopoulou in 2013 for 12 months. In that time, they unearthed and cataloged hundreds of artifacts from the site and placed them safely in storage.

The metro system has been even more fruitful. Since excavation began in 1992, some 50,000 artifacts have come to light. Apart from the new Piraeus stop, several subway stations, including the central hub Syntagma itself, display the finds in exhibits that are now a casually accepted part of the urban fabric.

But while the ancient infrastructure in the Piraeus subway is only for display, another section of the water system is being put to practical use. To explore it, I returned to central Athens and climbed the steep streets into the upscale Kolonaki neighborhood below Lycabettus Hill, the city’s highest point, to meet George Sachinis, director of strategy and innovation for EYDAP (the Athens Water Supply and Sewerage Company). We were joined by Lynnette Widder , a Columbia University architecture expert who specializes in sustainable environmental building, and two members of Urban Dig, an Athenian group that hosts cultural events in historic sites. Sachinis, a wiry engineer in khaki work clothes, led us down steps into a cavernous, empty reservoir chamber whose arched roof was being strengthened. Before us gaped the carved stone entrance of Hadrian’s Aqueduct, about five feet high and three feet wide. We put on hard hats and climbed a ladder to enter, using our iPhones to light the way as we crouched through the barrel-vaulted tunnel. “It was a different technological approach to what we imagine as a Roman aqueduct,” explained Widder. “It was an invisible water supply, unlike the heroic arched versions.”

Built in the second century A.D. as part of the Roman Emperor Hadrian’s renovation of the city—he was a devoted Hellenophile—the aqueduct starts in the mountains above Athens, some 100 feet higher than the Agora, and is replenished along its 12-mile route by some 400 bore wells. It was such a fine piece of engineering that it remained one of the main water sources for Athens until 1931, when a new aqueduct was built with help of New York engineers. By then, the groundwater for Hadrian’s Aqueduct was becoming contaminated, because Athens had no effective sewerage system, and it soon fell into disuse. The 200 million gallons of water passing through it daily are still simply flushed out to sea, a terrible waste in a city parched by the Mediterranean sun. “We tried to use the water for irrigation in the 1980s,” said Sachinis, “but all the plants in the parks died.” The sewerage system was finally improved in the ’90s, and today the water is relatively clean, he said, with bio-membranes and UV treatments to purify it further. With European Union funding, EYDAP plans to redistribute water in ten spots along the aqueduct’s route, many in poorer areas that lack parks. “With climate change, urban heating is a huge problem in Athens,” he said. “We need these green projects to bring shade and cool.”

Meanwhile, Urban Dig is inviting artists to increase community involvement. It plans to use the reservoir as a venue for theatrical events and as a “digital canvas” where images about its history will be projected on the walls and ceilings. It will also be connected with another ancient water tank to create a new plaza called Reservoir Square, with underground galleries and cultural centers. “For centuries, Hadrian’s Aqueduct was a major water source for the city,” Sachinis summed up. “Athenians used antiquity in their daily lives. Now we are revisiting it for the new urban needs of the 21st century.”

If the aqueduct is a hidden 21st-century site, the Acropolis is at the opposite extreme: As one of the Mediterranean’s most visible attractions, every renovation or alteration is the subject of furious debate. (In 2021, paving over part of the plateau’s surface with concrete to make it more accessible to disabled visitors was decried by many scholars as “Disneyfication.”) Thanks to its popularity, timing a visit by day is a delicate art: When I revisited, I went late in the afternoon via the lesser-known secondary entrance by the pedestrian street Dionysiou Areopagitou, where the crowds were magically thin. In the relative serenity, it was easy to imagine the excitement of the classical Greek travelers who rushed to the hallowed site. The Parthenon’s friezes were then colorfully painted, and the temple was presided over by a colossal statue of the warrior-goddess Athena, whose gold helmet glinted in the sun. To appreciate the many pagan shrines and relics that crowded the site, these pioneer tourists consulted guidebook-scrolls, hired learned guides called periegetai (“leaders around”) or exegetai (“explainers”), and even paid artists to dash off souvenir portraits with the Parthenon in the background.

Today, the plateau is uncluttered in a way that would have surprised the ancients. “The Acropolis as we see it now is not as it was but a modern creation,” Cartledge had explained when I spoke to him before my visit. “When the Greeks became independent in 1832, they wanted to see themselves as linear descendants of the ancient Athenians, specifically those in the fifth-century B.C. golden age. With both excavations and standing ruins, everything before and after those dates was removed or destroyed.” At the Parthenon, a Byzantine tower and mosque from the Ottoman era were knocked down. Greece’s first archaeology museums, meanwhile, privileged the relics of the city’s Periclean heyday over items from earlier eras or the non-Greek world. “Now museums are showing the historical context and the foreign influences on the Athenians.”

The most vivid example of this is the Acropolis Museum, which opened in 2009 in a light-filled contemporary structure designed by architect Bernard Tschumi. Visitors ascend floor by floor through the physical strata of Athenian history from the Bronze Age to the end of antiquity. The spectacular top floor is angled to parallel the Parthenon, which is visible through vast picture windows. On display are copies of the sculptures that once decorated its pediment, often referred to as the Elgin Marbles after Lord Elgin, the British aristocrat-collector who removed the originals and had them shipped to England between 1801 and 1812.

In a parallel movement, historians are broadening the idealized view of Athenian society formed in the 19th century, which focused only on its intellectual splendor. “The Athenians can make a very good case that their ancestors’ achievements are at the root of Western civilization,” said Cartledge. “They invented democracy, which is today a worldwide phenomenon. Add to that their cultural breakthroughs, inventing historiography, medicine, theater, philosophy—even the words are of Greek origin. But today in the Black Lives Matter and #MeToo era, we have to look at the ancient Athenians more critically. Slavery was taken for granted. Women were never allowed anywhere near politics. Non-Greeks”—that is, those beyond the Hellenic lands and the dozens of Greek colonies around the Mediterranean—“were regarded in a negative way that today we would find offensive.” Meanwhile, the building program of the 440s and 430s B.C. that created so many masterpieces was funded by the Athenians’ empire, which exacted tribute from 200 or so Greek towns, cities and islands. “Who physically constructed the Parthenon? Who hauled the marble? Slaves. They did much of the carving as well,” Cartledge added. “It’s not a straightforward situation. One has to be more nuanced.”

Today, Athenian museum curators are taking these academic shifts to heart. “We hope to tell new and different narratives about ancient Greece,” said Anna Karapanagiotou, the director of the National Archaeological Museum, as she led me into its sprawling storage rooms to show me the staggering depth of its collections. Currently some 12,000 items are on display in the stately neoclassical edifice, but behind the scenes 150,000 more are arranged by type—cemetery reliefs, urns, statues—with slices of foam to protect them if an earthquake hits. There are many misconceptions about the ancients, Karapanagiotou added as we passed staff photographing a Mycenaean pyxis, or carved stone jewelry box, starting with their politics. “Athenian democracy was such a powerful idea,” she said, “but few realize that women could not vote. They couldn’t hold office or even go to the theater. The only public role was for priestesses.” (One of the main differences in my visit to see The Bacchae , she added, was that there are today female actors and women in the audience.) Slaves and foreigners, who were dismissed by Athenians as “barbarians,” were also unable to vote. In fact, only 40,000 male citizens participated in the first democracy—out of a population of 300,000.

Then there is ancient sexuality, which many Greeks in particular are slow to accept. Cartledge points out that, according to the dogma of the Greek Orthodox Church, homosexuality is still frowned upon. But ancient Greek men, including Alexander the Great, openly slept with men as well as with women. When Oliver Stone’s 2004 movie Alexander depicted this, a Greek organization claimed it was defamatory and threatened to sue in an attempt to stop its distribution.

Meanwhile, our perception of the physical appearance of Athens is changing. Victorian scholars popularized the idea that Greek sculptures were pristine white marble, making them a pinnacle of refined taste. In fact, they were all painted in bright colors, which can seem garish to modern eyes; they often had ivory eyes for expression, and copper or brass adornments. “The lack of color distorts our view of the past,” said Panagiotis Iossif, scientific director of the Museum of Cycladic Art . “I tell my students that if you want to imagine ancient Athens, look to the modern-day souks of the Middle East. They are very noisy, very colorful, very smelly. Forget about the white!”

The creative dialogue between ancient and modern infuses Athenian daily life in other unexpected ways, as I discovered when I visited Anthologist , a design store located in a splendidly restored 1912 building and hidden, incongruously, above two busy falafel restaurants. The entryway was adorned with stained-glass images inspired by the art of Knossos, the Minoan city in Crete, while the jewelry and textiles on display rework favorite ancient Greek motifs like dolphins and the chimera, a mythological creature that combined the parts of a lion, goat and snake. These were blended with design elements from the Middle East, North Africa and beyond, reflecting the recent academic acceptance of foreign influences. “Athens has always been at the center of the trade routes of the eastern Mediterranean,” observed Andria Mitsakos, the founder and creative director of Anthologist. “The ancient Greeks were influenced by Persia, Egypt, North Africa, even Afghanistan and Armenia. They were never in isolation.”

Mitsakos, the granddaughter of Greek Armenians who fled to the Boston area in the 1920s, moved full time to Athens in 2013 to work with local Athenian artisans and metal foundries. “I take ancient Greek design and see how it translates to the modern world,” she said. “The type of objects that were in use 3,000 years ago are still in use today. The cubed floor mosaic patterns you find in Delos, Apollo’s sacred island, are still popular. They have been reinterpreted by designers over the centuries, but you can recognize them.”

The ancients even made a surprise appearance when I moved to my second hotel, Mona , located in a renovated textile factory from the 1950s in the former working-class neighborhood of Psirri. The hotel’s industrial-chic aesthetic was strikingly contemporary, with postmodern furniture set against raw concrete walls and polished stone floors suggesting a refined Hellenic corner of Brooklyn. But then I learned that the hotel hosts a regular social club that was testing out an ancient banquet theme. This “archaeo-gastronomy” was taking recipes from classical references like Athenaeus’ The Deipnosophists , a detailed description of a symposium, or philosophers’ banquet, involving food, wine and learned debate. Its title is usually translated as “Banquet of the Learned,” although some scholars suggest the more evocative “Partying Professors.”

And so I joined the Greek Italian actor, chef and TV host Dorotea Mercuri on a shopping trip for fifth-century B.C. banquet ingredients in the busy Kallidromiou Farmers Market, held every Saturday in a narrow laneway. Farmers come from the countryside around Athens to sell their produce while small groups of musicians busk with bouzouki music. It evoked the exuberant market in the ancient Agora, which by the fifth century B.C. overflowed with culinary treats, brought by traders from Syria to Spain. (As the Athenian poet Eubulus said, you could find anything in the prototype piazza; there were figs, roses, chickpeas, fish, lawyers, lambs, water-clocks, iron mongers, perfumers …)

“The first thing you notice in a market is what we can’t use,” Mercuri said. Many beloved “Mediterranean” vegetables actually came from the Americas post-1492, she noted. “There were no tomatoes, so ‘Greek salad,’ the most famous Greek dish on the planet, didn’t exist. There were no potatoes. No corn.” There was no sugar—they sweetened dishes with honey—and little of the modern Greek dining favorite, lamb: “The ancient Greeks didn’t eat much meat compared to today. It was only at religious festivals, when animals were sacrificed. Then, everyone was given a piece.” Instead, we loaded up on fresh fish, chickpeas, onions and garlic, as well as thyme, oregano and bay leaves for seasoning. “Ancient Greek food was very light, fresh, easy to digest and very colorful,” Mercuri said, and was far humbler than imperial Roman banquets made famous by Hollywood, designed to titillate jaded aristocratic palates. “The ancient Athenians enjoyed what we would call ‘comfort foods,’” she said. “They had a healthy diet with little fat, and people walked a lot!”

The actual banquet—or ancient Greek “test kitchen”—was held the next day in Mercuri’s apartment in the leafy Mets neighborhood, around a table decorated with flowers, nuts and pomegranates. Unlike at the all-male symposia, all the guests beside myself were Athenian women, including the creative director of Mona, Eftihia Stefanidi; her artist sister Elli; and the photographer Alexandra Mercuri. One by one the dishes emerged: fava beans with red onions and extra-virgin olive oil from Messinia, oven-baked white snapper with lemon and thyme, hard sheep and goat cheeses from Samos served with plump Kalamata olives and grapes, boiled zucchini in sea salt from Kythera. Of course there was wine, which for the Greeks was as essential a staple as bread, although it tended to be strong, so it was drunk mixed with water; only drunkards took their wine “neat.” For another touch of authenticity, I had picked up a bottle of Assyrtiko, wine made from grapes that have grown on the volcanic slopes of the island of Santorini for over 3,500 years, a uniquely venerable lineage: The tough island vines, accustomed to dry and sandy soil, were resistant to the phylloxera pest that decimated world vineyards in the 19th century. Its lively taste lived up to its description as “smoky,” “salty” and “flinty.”

In ancient symposia, a guest was chosen as the master of drinking, who poured the wine into decorated bowls called kraters and regulated the pace of the meal. In the fourth century B.C., the poet Eubulus wrote a humorous verse about drinking parties that often descended from refined to rowdy, quoted in The Deipnosophists . I read it aloud as a toast to the evening. After the first three bowls of wine, Eubulus opines, “wise guests go home.” The fourth bowl of wine “belongs to violence; the fifth to uproar; the sixth to drunken revel; the seventh to black eyes. The eighth belongs to the policeman; the ninth to biliousness; and the tenth to madness and the hurling of furniture.”

Later, Dorotea Mercuri suggested I continue my research into the renewed interest in the ancient world with a “Pythagorean sound massage.” She pointed out that the thinker Pythagoras, who lived on the island of Samos from around 570 to about 532 or 530 B.C., is known today as a mathematician—the Pythagorean theorem is a cornerstone of geometry—but he also believed that mathematics could explain musical tones and harmony, and that music had medicinal qualities for its calming and healing effects. I was skeptical, but the next day I dutifully climbed the stairs of a nearby apartment in Mets to meet the 40-something Nikolaos Unalome , who greeted me at the door in down-to-earth Nike shorts and T-shirt. “Pythagoras, Aristotle, Plato—all the ancient Greek philosophers talked about the vibration of the universe,” Unalome said. “Sound can unblock deep emotions and induce a profound level of relaxation.” Laid out in a room were musical instruments handcrafted by specialist artisans in Poland, including bilas , “flat bells,” sheets of polished bronze that are struck by mallets, and “singing birds,” a set of 21 small metal disks that make a sound, he explained, “as if a flock of birds were singing while flying over space.”

“Pythagoras said that the highest aim of music is not to entertain but to connect one’s soul to its divine nature,” Unalome told me as I lay down on a padded table in a candlelit room. I was still dubious. But as he played the instruments, I could indeed feel the vibrations rippling through my body like a subtle massage.

Later, I went to a more formal immersive experience, the new House of Classical Greek Ideas , which opened in late 2023 in a sleek conservatory that overlooks the ruins of Aristotle’s Lyceum. The museum celebrates the art of philosophy, perhaps the most influential of all Athenian contributions. “We look at eudaimonia , which is the search for ‘human well-being,’” explained curator Lida Arnellou as we entered a chamber with moving projections on every wall. “The great moral and social questions first posed by the Greek philosophers are still debated today. How can we live a good life? How can we be happy? How can democracy be better?” Groups of 20 pass through high-tech interactive exhibits and are encouraged to debate the issues. The experience ends with a real-life historical dilemma: Visitors are returned to 399 B.C., when Socrates has been condemned to death unjustly for “corrupting Athenian youth” and introducing new gods. Should he accept the law and drink the cup of deadly hemlock or (as his friends begged) flee to safety? Depending on how visitors vote, they leave through different exits.

“Think of it as a philosophical escape room,” Arnellou said with a laugh.

Athens’ contemporary artists are also engaging with the ancients, as I found when I visited the city’s annual art fair, Art Athina . It was held in Zappeion Hall, an enormous circular structure that was built in 1888 in classical style as a venue for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, with an open atrium, gleaming white Corinthian columns, and brilliantly colored frescoes and floor mosaics. At the stand of a provocative gallery called The Breeder, the artist Aristeidis Lappas had created a giant portrait of the Minotaur. The mythical half-man, half-bull lived in the Labyrinth of Crete and received the sacrifice of young Athenian men and maidens, but Lappas had made him a colorful, friendly forest creature. “I’m trying to transform the symbol,” he said. “Picasso used the Minotaur as a symbol of aggressive masculinity, but Minoan culture was matriarchal, and this bull is very gentle.” Another artist, Panos Profitis, was displaying sculptures that included a giant foot of Hermes, messenger of the gods, spray-painted silver and with bat-like wings on his ankles instead of bird wings. He also used classical torsos, masks from Greek tragedy and references to Aristophanes’ 405 B.C. satire The Frogs , which involves a visit to the underworld.

On my last night in Athens, I took an ancient journey to the underworld myself. Throughout antiquity, the most intellectually adventurous travelers to Athens would embark on a 14-mile procession west along a stone road called the Sacred Way to visit the shrine of Eleusis, one of the most sacred in the pagan world. There, secret rituals were held in honor of the earth and fertility goddess Demeter and her daughter Persephone, whose annual passage back and forth to Hades regulated the cycle of the seasons, with her absence creating the barren winters and her return the fertile warmth of spring. Initiates could not divulge details of these so-called Eleusinian Mysteries on pain of death, and the rites remain hazy even today. But as far as historians can tell, they simulated a symbolic journey to Hades via a cave with an altar to the underworld’s ruler, the god Pluto—possibly with hallucinogenic substances taken to induce visions—followed by a healing spiritual rebirth.

The narrative of regeneration suffuses Eleusis’ later history. In the early 1900s, the coastal town (then known as Elefsina) got new life as one of the busiest industrial sites in Greece. But economic depression set in after World War II, and by the 1980s Elefsina had become a byword for environmental damage and urban blight. Today, the Sacred Way is a busy six-lane highway lined with factories, while the rusting hulks of abandoned freighters are scattered offshore, many half-sunk like the discarded playthings of the Titans.

Despite its post-apocalyptic appearance, Elefsina’s fortunes turned around yet again in 2023, when its ancient status as a pagan religious and artistic center (it was also the birthplace of the playwright Aeschylus) helped it be chosen as a European Capital of Culture. It became the unlikely focus of an E.U.-funded art festival, with exhibitions in restored factory spaces and theatrical pieces staged in ruins. Each event was labeled a Mystery but also numbered to distinguish it on the modern program. “We don’t want to simply revive ancient history,” said Michail Marmarinos, creative director of the festival. “We play with the term ‘Mystery.’ After all, art is the closest modern equivalent of the ancient cult rituals: Artworks are secrets whose meaning has to be revealed. We are fascinated by the question mark.”

As dusk approached, I joined an audience of 50 Athenians at an avant-garde performance in the legendary ruins created by Italian director and playwright Romeo Castellucci. Once again, the centuries dissolved. As the golden light sloped across the site, we all picked our way cautiously past broken marble columns and carved stairs to observe strange, beautiful—and indeed, mysterious—scenes. Women in black mourning weeds gathered and hummed dirges. Naked actors were glimpsed behind the remains of a frieze, their limbs smeared in blood. A young man entered the gateway to Hades and emerged with new life. As if on cue, a flock of birds flew overhead.

The imagery of decay and renewal felt like a commentary on the fate of Athens itself, which has gone through so many cycles over the last 2,500 years. After the play, I returned to the city’s heart and ascended to the rooftop of my third and final hotel, the Dolli , which opened in 2023. There, the floodlit Acropolis was reflected in the waters of an infinity pool, yet another unexpectedly beautiful blend of classical and modern. “Decay and renewal are rules of life,” Marmarinos had told me earlier in the night. “Rome, Athens, Alexandria—all of antiquity’s great cities have followed the cycle of the seasons, with its pattern of withering, rebirth and return to strength.” Whatever else happens, I felt sure, the ancients will be there to help usher Athens into a creative new future.

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Tony Perrottet | READ MORE

Tony Perrottet is a contributing writer for Smithsonian magazine, a regular contributor to the New York Times and WSJ Magazine , and the author of six books including ¡Cuba Libre!: Che, Fidel and the Improbable Revolution that Changed World History , The Naked Olympics: The True Story of the Ancient Games and Napoleon's Privates: 2500 Years of History Unzipped . Follow him on Instagram @TonyPerrottet .

Myrto Papadopoulos | | READ MORE

Myrto Papadopoulos is a photographer and documentary filmmaker. Her work has appeared in Le Monde , Time , and the Wall Street Journal , among others.

How much Does a Trip to Greece Cost? (2024 Travel Budget)

I s a vacation to the Greek Islands on your bucket list? I always knew the Greek Islands were expensive but until I started researching our trip to Greece costs, I didn’t realize quite how pricey a vacation to Greece can be.

After spending 10 days in Greece for our special anniversary trip, we have a great handle on what you will need to save for your Greek Islands travel budget (hint: it depends on which island you visit!)

The Greek Islands have never been a budget destination, but these days if you want to go the luxury route for a special occasion trip (like our 20th-anniversary trip!), it is downright expensive. So before you pull the trigger and book a Greek vacation, make sure you figure out your own Greece trip cost.

In this Greece travel budget, I’ve broken down your estimated expenses including airfare, intracountry transportation, accommodations, food, and activities. Given four-star level accommodations, a total Greece vacation budget when visiting Greece in the summer for a total of 12 nights for two adults would be $9,710 , or about $405 per person, per day . But read on for a detailed breakdown and how you can save money on your trip.

How to Plan Your Trip to Greece

Planning a trip to Greece can get complicated. Coming from the USA, it is easiest to fly directly into Athens, but then if you are visiting the Greek Islands, you need to figure out how to get to the various islands.

You can also fly into one island and out of another, but you will need to connect somewhere in Europe, and depending on the day you leave, there can also be long layovers. And, you still need to worry about getting ferry tickets or flights from place to place. Plus ferry tickets can book up early so you need to plan in advance.

WHere in Greece do you Want to go?

Your first step in planning your Greek Islands vacation is to choose your destinations and figure out how long you want to spend in each location. Are you mostly interested in archeological sites and learning about the Ancient Greeks? Or do you want to relax by the beach for most of your holiday in Greece?

Which islands you choose makes a difference too. Santorini and Mykonos are notoriously expensive. Santorini is popular with couples and Mykonos is known as a party island.

Lesser visited islands like Naxos are much less expensive and family-friendly, but some may not have as much tourist infrastructure built out. Other islands like Crete are so large you need a week or more just for one island.

WHen do you Want to Travel?

Will you travel in the high season and deal with the crowds, or opt for the less crowded shoulder seasons? Or maybe you want to save money and visit the mainland during the low season and potentially navigate closures, cooler weather, and limited services on the islands?

All of these factors make calculating what a trip to Greece costs a challenge. But to make your budgeting job a little easier, I’ve put together a sample travel budget for your reference.

Greece Budget Assumptions

Our trip was a splurge vacation to celebrate a milestone birthday and anniversary, but I’ve based this budget on a more moderate trip. I’ve tried to provide some comparisons if you are looking to upgrade to luxury properties.

For simplicity, I’ve also used U.S. dollars and typically use xe.com to get up-to-date currency conversion rates. Luckily right now the U.S. dollar is strong against the Euro so, for Americans, your money goes further.

In order to determine what a trip to Greece costs, I’ve based this Greece travel budget on the following assumptions:

• Pricing for two adults
• Traveling from a major airport hub on the east coast of the United States (e.g. JFK)
• Travel during the summer
• A trip of 12 nights
• Stops in Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, and Crete — these popular destinations were chosen as they might typically be included in a Greek vacation package

To create your budget and a general idea of how much it costs to go to Greece, I’ve included the following:

• Approximate price of flights (both international and in-country)
• The average cost of a hotel in Athens and in popular island destinations
• Transportation costs to get around Greece
• How much money to set aside for special experiences, like a day trip from Athens or a sunset cruise around Santorini

Keep in mind that if you are traveling on a tight budget, a great way to reduce costs is to stick to the mainland and shorten your trip. You can also choose to visit some of the less expensive islands, like Naxos , Paros, and others. By making those adjustments, you can easily cut the cost of your accommodations practically in half.

How much does a trip to Greece cost?

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. Prices are subject to change.

The costs in this post have been organized by airfare, accommodation, transportation, food, and activities. As I mentioned, I included some of our actual costs as a comparison.

Airfare to Greece

One of the reasons that airfare eats up a lot of money when budgeting for a trip to Greece is that there are a limited number of direct flights from the U.S. to Athens, and even fewer in the off-season and shoulder seasons.

If you don’t live near one of a handful of airports, you’ll have to connect elsewhere in the U.S. or Europe before arriving in Athens, and likely pay even more to do so. For daily direct service to and from Athens in July and August (peak season), the main options at present are American Airlines from Philadelphia, Delta from Boston, JFK, and Atlanta, and Emirates and United from Newark.

Average flight prices during this time of year are $1,000 per person . Prices go up the closer you get to summer so book early if you are visiting Greece in the summer!

If $1,000 per person for the international flight is beyond reach, be aware that the price typically drops to $500-900 in the low and shoulder seasons (fall, winter, and early spring). However, some resorts on the islands won’t be open from November – April, and some ferry services will not operate on a daily schedule, so it will take some finesse in planning to still see everything you’d like to see.

Given the high cost of airfare, it would be a good time to save your credit card points or airline miles for this trip or consider flying a budget airline that connects somewhere in Europe. I also highly recommend signing up for a membership to  Going  to get alerts on flight deals and set up preferences for your dream destinations.

If you want to find the best way to accumulate points and miles through credit card spending and sign up bonuses, I’d suggest downloading the  Travel Freely app  to track your credit cards and learn how to earn points.

Intra-Island Flights

Most people traveling to Greece and venturing beyond Athens will end up on another flight at some point, especially if they wish to visit Crete. The quickest ferry from Crete to Athens is 7 hours.

If you are planning on primarily visiting the Greek Islands, pay attention to your flight times. I’ve found that it can be hard to get into Athens early enough to catch a ferry to Santorini or Mykonos on the same day if you are connecting in Europe. This will force you to spend a night in Athens despite your plans. If Athens isn’t a priority, you may want to fly directly to one of the island airports.

The same will be true on the return trip. Depending on how far the island is away from Athens, it may be a challenge to get back to Athens in time for your flight. Especially considering that Greek ferries don’t exactly have a reputation for running on time. That may not be a risk you want to take.

Therefore you may need to return to Athens the night before your flight unless you book a multi-city flight and return from a different island. I also found that some return flights from Athens have exceedingly long layovers on certain days of the week so this is another thing to keep an eye on when you are booking your flights.

The cost for a one-way short flight between Athens and Crete is less than $100 per person (usually $50-75) so this typically makes the most sense for that particular journey.

For this post, I assumed visitors would spend $1,000 per person to get to and from Athens from the U.S., and then another $150 total on a one-way domestic flight back to Athens from Crete.

Total airfare cost: $2,150

Accommodations Costs in Greece

In order to estimate accommodation costs, I allocated two nights in Athens at the start of the trip, two nights in Mykonos, two nights in romantic Santorini, five nights in Crete, and then a final night back in Athens before your return journey back to the United States.

If you don’t have two weeks to enjoy Greece, or you need to cut costs, there are many ways to adjust this itinerary. For example, if the beach isn’t a big priority, you could skip Crete or opt for a few days on the island of Naxos or Paros instead of Crete (they are much closer to Athens and much cheaper than Santorini or Mykonos).

Alternatively, if spending time on the beach and enjoying views of the Aegean Sea is your top priority when planning your trip, then consider simplifying your itinerary by only visiting Athens plus one of the islands in Greece, instead of spending time island hopping around to different locations.

In Athens, expect to pay $500-700 or more per night for a room at a 5-star property in the summer such as the Hotel Grand Bretagne . Pro tip: we used Marriott Bonvoy points to book a night at the Hotel Grand Bretagne.

More basic 4-star accommodation is around $200-450 per night. VRBO options or budget hotels often price out under $140 per night but do choose neighborhoods carefully to ensure you are in a safe area convenient for sightseeing.

Mykonos is one of the most expensive destinations in Greece, especially when it comes to accommodation. Five-star properties are easily $1,000 or more per night in the summer.

Four-star hotels are around $300-600 per night. When we were planning to do one night in Mykonos, I found a bit of a “deal” at the Nissaki Mykonos for 420 per night. Anything below 400 euros will likely be a huge sacrifice in quality and amenities (like a pool) or in location. But that isn’t to say that there aren’t budget properties available.

In Santorini, 5-star hotels such as the Canaves Oia start around $1200 or more per night in the summer. And those gorgeous suites with personal plunge pools or jacuzzis? You could potentially spend $2,000 a night. The town of Oia is the most expensive (but offers the stunning sunsets and blue-domed churches you’ve likely come here to see).

We went with the slightly more affordable property of the Canaves chain, the Canaves Oia Epitome , and the honeymoon suite with the plunge pool was a mere $1,200 a night. It feels insane to spend that much on a hotel room but as I said, this trip was a splurge celebration for us. You can find upscale boutique hotels for less, such as the Vedema Resort , where you may be able to find a room for under $500.

Fira is where the ferry port is located and is a bit cheaper, with easy access to Oia by bus or taxi. A 4-star hotel in Fira such as the Aria Suites will be around $400-500 in the summer.

Even a very basic 3-star hotel in Fira is $300+ per night during peak season. Again, Airbnb/VRBO can offer much cheaper options, but many require a three-night stay minimum, so it may require some itinerary adjustment. If you are booking a vrbo in Santorini , be sure to look carefully at their cancellation policy and any additional cleaning or service fees they may tack on.

Crete is the largest Greek island, and it offers a lovely balance of beautiful beaches plus historically and culturally interesting sites. It also has a well-developed tourism infrastructure and plenty of family-friendly resorts to choose from.

These are all reasons Crete works so well as a home base for a lengthier stay during a trip to Greece. Families can expect to pay $200-500 per night in summer for a 4-star resort or boutique hotel on or near the beach such as the Ammos Hotel or Porto Elounda Deluxe Resort .

For a higher-end luxury option, 5-star properties such as the Daios Cove Resort run $500-700 in July and August.

One cost-saving tip is to be aware of affiliations with U.S. chains like Marriott and Hilton. Many Greek hotels and resorts are affiliated with these brands, so guests can earn a lot of points or use existing points they may already have.

As I mentioned before, you could also skip Crete and choose a closer island in the Cyclades and stay on Naxos or Paros. We didn’t have quite as much time so we opted for five nights on Naxos at the Virtu Suites . We got a deluxe sea view suite for just about $700 per night.

To calculate approximate accommodation costs, we assumed booking at 4-star properties in each location, so a $400 average nightly rate was used. You can obviously bring costs down considerably if you book an Airbnb for certain portions of the trip (or the entire trip), or redeem some hotel points for part of your stay. Costs increase dramatically if you opt for a 5-star experience, paying upwards of $1,000 per night in some locations.

Total Accommodation Cost: $4,800 for 12 nights

Transportation Costs within Greece

The most efficient route for getting to these four locations is to take the ferry from Athens to Mykonos, then a ferry from Mykonos to Santorini, and a final ferry from Santorini to Crete. Most people would then fly back to Athens from Crete for their return flight to the U.S., but an overnight ferry is an option for that particular journey.

The cost of the ferry and the flight are similar. You can use FerryHopper to check rates and schedules for the various ferry lines and book tickets online.

Each of the ferry journeys outlined above is between two-to-three hours and ferry tickets cost around $20-90 each (depending on if you take a fast ferry or not.) You can save a little if you travel on slower ferries or not at peak times, but it’s usually not significant. You can also choose first-class tickets or VIP tickets with priority boarding and seating, but that will cost a bit more.

Keep in mind when planning your trip that you will need to book ferries at least a couple of months in advance as they do sell out and you don’t want to end up stuck without a way to get from island to island.

For those who choose to travel to the typical destinations in Greece (Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete, for example, as outlined in this post), then a car rental isn’t necessary. Hotels can arrange transfers or I used Welcome Pickups to schedule transfers to/from the port in many destinations and it worked perfectly every time and we were relieved to not have to wait in a long taxi line.

If you want to do some off-the-beaten-path exploration, the cost of a private driver in Greece is typically $200-400 per day. On some of the islands, you can also rent an ATV to explore, but locals strongly advise against ATVs as they see many fatal accidents each year. On our trip, we just took taxis, a hotel shuttle, or booked private tours that helped us explore more of the islands.

For budgeting purposes, let’s assume three ferry services at $90 per person per ride, plus one day of a private driver service or day trip at $200, and an additional $200 for public transport and taxi fares. For a two-week trip, this is actually quite affordable. Opting to stay in the center of walkable cities and full-service beach resorts is key to this cost savings.

Total Car Rental/Transportation Cost: $940

Food Costs in Greece

If you’re suffering from sticker shock after reading about the cost of flights and accommodations, you’ll be pleased to learn that Greece is one of the more affordable European countries as far as food and dining out. First, breakfast is included at most hotels and resorts (but do confirm that before booking.) If not, expect to pay less than $5 per person for coffee and a pastry at a cafe each morning.

The key to saving money on Greek food is to eat at local establishments (and you probably came for the fresh seafood and local food anyway) or try some street food. A large lunch at a taverna is usually $10-15 per person, or you can just grab fast food sandwiches or a light bite and feta cheese from bakeries or cafes to enjoy a picnic on the beach or between sightseeing adventures.

A hearty sandwich or cheap gyros will be less than $5 from local shops or stands. For dinner, expect to only pay about $15-20 per person for a multi-course dinner at local restaurants. Of course, this all goes out the window if you are dining at a luxury hotel or trying a degustation menu (in Santorini an experience like that with wine pairing can run you $500+ for two!)

A few budget busters in Greece, however, are cocktails or imported wine. Best to stick to beer or house wine if you don’t want to spend a lot of money on drinks.

We assumed couples would spend per day on $20 lunch and $40 per day on dinner, but again, you could easily spend less if you didn’t sit down for a full-service meal for both each day. I’ve also budgeted for one fine dining dinner at an additional $100.

Total Food Cost: $820

Tours and Activities Costs in Greece

Another cost-saving perk of a trip to Greece is that much of what you came to see is free, like a day spent enjoying one of the spectacular beaches or wandering the beautiful side streets and alleys of Santorini. That said, you’ll definitely want to budget for a few memorable activities.

A tour of Athens is a must, in my opinion, especially for history buffs. These can be chosen to match your interests or needs, like a general walking tour as a way of getting oriented on your first day, or to dig deep and learn more about important archaeological sites like the Acropolis, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, or even just a food tour . Prices for a half-day tour in Athens are around $97 per person.

An Athens sightseeing pass while in Athens might also make sense if you want to visit attractions like the Acropolis Museum, as most of the landmark historical sites do charge admission. A pass usually results in cost savings for those who plan to see several of the included sites. The price is around $40 per adult.

A sunset cruise while in Santorini, Mykonos, or Crete is usually a highlight for visitors to Greece as well. Done as a small group, it’s usually around $200 for a couple, which sometimes includes a meal or drinks. Done privately, expect to pay around $500-1,000 or more.

Also on Crete, many visitors enjoy a guided tour of the Palace of Knossos or perhaps olive oil tasting. Again, expect to pay $200-300 for a small group experience or $500+ for a private excursion. There are also some food tours or wine tours on Santorini and Naxos that can make for a fun afternoon. We did a half-day wine-tasting tour in Santorini for around $350 and a full-day food, wine, and island tour on Naxos for closer to $800.

For this Greece trip budget, I estimated $1,000, based on three tours or excursions.

Total Activity Cost: $1,000

Total Greece Trip Budget

Given these parameters, a total Greece vacation budget when visiting Greece in the summer for a total of 12 nights for two adults would be $9,710 . However, if you can find a way to use miles or points for airfare or hotels, a trip to Greece can actually be pretty inexpensive.

If spending nearly $10,000 on a two-week trip is beyond your reach, just know that there are more affordable ways to visit Greece. If you have the flexibility to travel from April through June, for example, you may find flight prices and accommodation costs to be significantly less (and even better, fewer crowds!)

Also, choosing home rentals through online booking sites is often half the cost of a hotel stay, especially if you are willing to forego amenities like a pool. Or, opt to visit less popular islands or locations, instead of pricey destinations like Mykonos and Santorini.

Don’t forget to also budget for travel insurance for a trip to Greece!

Traveling to Greece?

• Be sure to check out our 10-day Greece itinerary
• See where we stayed in Santorini
• See where we stayed in Naxos
• Purchase a complete Greece Travel Guide

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