There are 7 ways to get from Athens to Heraklion by plane, helicopter, car ferry, busferry, bus, shuttle, or ferry
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly to Heraklion International Airport, “Nikos Kazantzakis”
best- Fly from Athens International Airport (ATH) to Heraklion International Airport, “Nikos Kazantzakis” (HER)plane ATH - HER
2h 41m€45–121Helicopter, car ferry
- Take the helicopter from Athens Heliport to Mykonos Heliporthelicopter
- Take the helicopter from Mykonos Heliport to Santorini Heliporthelicopter
- Take the carferry from Thira Santorini Port to Heraklion Portcarferry
7h 15m€689–1,099Car ferry via Athens
- Take the carferry from Port of Piraeus to Heraklion Portcarferry
8h 3m€132–294Bus and ferry, bus
- Take the busferry from Port of Piraeus to Chaniabusferry
- Take the bus from Chania to Heraklionbus
12h 12mFly to Chania International Airport, Private transfer
- Fly from Athens International Airport (ATH) to Chania International Airport (CHQ)plane ATH - CHQ
- Take a shuttle bus from Chania - Airport to Heraklion
4h 30m€174–379Car ferry
- Take the carferry from Port of Piraeus to Heraklion Portcarferry
9h 50m€45–170Ferry
- Take the ferry from Port of Piraeus to Heraklionferry Hsw
9h 50m€45–180
Athens to Heraklion by car ferry
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Athens to Heraklion is to car ferry which costs €45 - €170 and takes 9h 50m.
The fastest way to get from Athens to Heraklion is to fly which takes 2h 41m and costs €45 - €130.
No, there is no direct bus from Athens to Heraklion. However, there are services departing from ΣΤ. Υπεραστικων and arriving at Heraklion via Port of Piraeus and Chania. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 12h 12m.
Yes, there is a direct ferry departing from Port of Piraeus and arriving at Heraklion Port. Services depart once daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 9h 50m.
The distance between Athens and Heraklion is 343 km.
Book your Athens to Heraklion ferry tickets online with Omio.
The best way to get from Athens to Heraklion without a car is to helicopter and car ferry which takes 7h 15m and costs €650 - €1100.
It takes approximately 2h 41m to get from Athens to Heraklion, including transfers.
Athens to Heraklion bus services, operated by KTEL Chanion-Rethymnou S.A, depart from Port of Piraeus station.
Athens to Heraklion bus services, operated by KTEL Chanion-Rethymnou S.A, arrive at Chania station.
What companies run services between Athens, Greece and Heraklion, Greece?
Sky Express and Aegean Airlines fly from Athens International Airport (ATH) to Heraklion International Airport, “Nikos Kazantzakis” (HER) hourly. Alternatively, Seajets operates a car ferry from Port of Piraeus to Heraklion Port twice daily. Tickets cost €120–280 and the journey takes 7h 50m.
- Website
- en.aegeanair.com
Flights from Athens International Airport to Heraklion International Airport, “Nikos Kazantzakis”
- Ave. Duration
- 54 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €35–100
Flights from Athens International Airport to Chania International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 50 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- €50–95
- Phone
- +302821093052
- [email protected]
- Website
- KTEL Chanion-Rethymnou S.A
Busferry from Port of Piraeus to Chania
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 28m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Website
- KTEL Chanion-Rethymnou S.A
Bus from Chania to Heraklion
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 40m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- €18
- Website
- KTEL Chanion-Rethymnou S.A
- Phone
- +30 210 710 7 710
- [email protected]
- Website
- Seajets
Car ferry from Thira Santorini Port to Heraklion Port
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 35m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- €45–110
- Website
- Seajets
Car ferry from Port of Piraeus to Heraklion Port
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 50m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- €120–280
- Website
- Seajets
Want to know more about travelling around Greece
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.
Related travel guides
Getting around the Cyclades
Read the travel guide
Booking & Getting There
There are 2828+ hotels available in Heraklion.










