Crete to Santorini Ferry: Routes, Prices and Tips

You can take a ferry from Crete to Santorini from two different ports — Heraklion in the north of the island, which has year-round daily sailings, and Rethymno, which offers a seasonal high-speed catamaran service from roughly April to October.

Most people only know about Heraklion, but if you’re staying in western Crete — around Rethymno or Chania — the Rethymno departure can save you a long drive east. This guide covers both options so you can choose the route that works best for your trip.

You can search and compare tickets for both routes on Ferryscanner, which shows live availability and prices across all operators.

Crete to Santorini Ferry Options

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the two routes:

Route	Journey Time	Operators	Frequency	Season
Heraklion to Santorini	~2 hours	ANEK Lines, Blue Star Ferries	Daily (most of the year)	Year-round
Rethymno to Santorini	~2–2.5 hours	SeaJets	Several weekly (summer)	April–October

Both routes are comparable in journey time. The main factors that determine which one to use are where you’re staying in Crete and whether you’re travelling in summer or outside of it.

Heraklion to Santorini Ferry

The Heraklion to Santorini ferry is the primary and most reliable connection between Crete and Santorini. Conventional ferries depart Heraklion daily for most of the year, operated by ANEK Lines and Blue Star Ferries (a Minoan Lines brand). The crossing takes approximately two hours.

Heraklion is Crete’s capital and largest city, and the Heraklion ferry port sits right in the centre of the waterfront — you can walk to it from the old town in under ten minutes, and it’s well-served by taxis and buses from across the island. The port handles both domestic and international routes, so it’s busy and well-organised.

Because conventional ferries are larger and heavier than high-speed catamarans, sailings from Heraklion are far less affected by rough weather. You’re much less likely to face a cancellation or delay on this route, which makes it the better choice if you have a flight out of Santorini or tight onward plans.

Ferries on this route carry vehicles as well as foot passengers, so it’s also the option if you want to bring a car or motorbike across to Santorini.

For full details on schedules, operators, and what to expect, see the dedicated Heraklion to Santorini ferry article.

Rethymno to Santorini Ferry

The Rethymno to Santorini ferry is operated by SeaJets using high-speed catamarans. It runs from approximately April through to October, with several sailings per week during summer. Journey time is around two to two and a half hours.

Rethymno is a smaller port city on Crete’s north coast, roughly 80 kilometres west of Heraklion. If you’re based in Rethymno, Chania, or anywhere in western Crete, this route removes the need to drive or get a bus to Heraklion before your ferry. That’s a real practical advantage — the road from Chania to Heraklion takes about two hours, so catching the ferry from Rethymno can cut hours off your travel day.

The key thing to understand about the Rethymno service is that it’s a high-speed catamaran. These vessels are faster and more comfortable in calm conditions, but they’re also more vulnerable to wind and swell. In the Aegean, especially in summer, strong northerly winds (the Meltemi) can cause cancellations with little warning. If your timing is critical, this is worth factoring in.

You cannot take a car on the SeaJets catamaran — it’s foot passengers only. If you’re travelling with a vehicle, Heraklion is your only option.

More information on schedules, the port, and what to expect is in the Rethymno to Santorini ferry guide. For the port itself, see the Rethymno ferry port page.

Crete to Santorini Ferry Prices

Prices vary by route, operator, season, and class of ticket. As a rough guide:

Heraklion to Santorini — Deck/economy class tickets on the conventional ferry typically range from around €30 to €50 per person in low season, rising to €50–70 or more in peak summer (July–August). Cabin tickets are available for higher prices. Vehicles add a significant cost on top.

Rethymno to Santorini — SeaJets high-speed catamaran fares are generally in the €50–80 per person range, sometimes higher in peak season. There’s typically one class of seating (aircraft-style interior seating), so you’re not choosing between deck and cabin.

Prices fluctuate, and booking early in summer often locks in lower fares. The easiest way to see current prices and book is through Ferryscanner, which aggregates all operators and lets you compare in one place.

For what to expect when you arrive, note that both Crete and Santorini use the euro. See the Currency in Crete and Santorini currency guides if you need details on cash and cards.

Tips for Taking the Ferry from Crete to Santorini

• Book ahead in summer. July and August are peak season in the Greek islands. Tickets on the Heraklion route sell out, especially on popular sailing times. Book at least a few weeks in advance if you’re travelling in summer.
• Arrive at the port early. Both Heraklion and Rethymno ports can be busy in peak season. Arrive at least 45 minutes before departure for foot passengers, longer if you’re bringing a vehicle to Heraklion.
• Choose your port based on where you’re staying. If you’re in Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos, or eastern Crete — use Heraklion. If you’re in Rethymno or Chania and travelling in summer — the Rethymno route is worth considering. It saves the drive east.
• Factor in weather if using the Rethymno catamaran. High-speed catamaran services are more susceptible to cancellation in strong winds. If you have a strict onward connection from Santorini, build in a buffer or use the Heraklion conventional ferry instead.
• Day trips are technically possible but tight. The two-hour crossing each way means you can get to Santorini and back in a day from Heraklion, but you won’t have much time on the island, especially if sailings don’t line up well. Most people find an overnight stay more worthwhile.
• Check the full route if you’re island-hopping. Both routes often continue beyond Santorini to other Cycladic islands. If you’re planning to continue to Mykonos, Paros, or elsewhere after Santorini, check whether your ferry carries on rather than booking a separate connection.

Crete to Santorini Ferry FAQ

How long is the ferry from Crete to Santorini?

From Heraklion, the ferry takes approximately two hours. From Rethymno, the SeaJets high-speed catamaran takes around two to two and a half hours. Both routes are similar in journey time — the difference in your total travel day usually comes down to how long it takes you to get to the departure port.

How much is the ferry from Crete to Santorini?

Expect to pay roughly €30–70 per person from Heraklion depending on the season and class, and €50–80 or more from Rethymno on the SeaJets catamaran. Prices are highest in July and August. Check current fares on Ferryscanner for live pricing.

Can you do a day trip from Crete to Santorini?

It’s possible in theory, but the logistics are awkward. With two hours each way and the need to work around sailing times, you’d have perhaps four to six hours on Santorini at best. Santorini is a small island but there’s a lot to see — most people find a day trip rushed and prefer to stay at least one night.

Which port in Crete has ferries to Santorini?

Two ports in Crete connect to Santorini. Heraklion operates year-round with daily ferries, and Rethymno offers a seasonal high-speed catamaran service from approximately April to October. Heraklion is the more reliable option with more frequent sailings.

Is there a ferry from Chania to Santorini?

No. Chania does not have direct ferry services to Santorini. The nearest option for travellers based in Chania or western Crete is the seasonal catamaran service from Rethymno, which is around 60 kilometres east of Chania. Alternatively, you can drive or get a bus to Heraklion (about two hours from Chania) for the year-round ferry.

Do I need to book the Crete to Santorini ferry in advance?

In summer, yes — especially for July and August. Popular sailings from Heraklion sell out, and the Rethymno service has more limited capacity given the smaller vessel. Outside peak season, you’ll have more flexibility, but booking ahead is still the sensible approach to lock in your preferred departure time and price.