Heraklion To Syros Ferry Crossing In 2026
🚢 Heraklion → Syros — this week
7 sailings over the next 7 days · usually 1/day
Tomorrow (Fri 7 Aug): 1 ferries — first at 08:00
Heraklion to Syros Ferry
Heraklion to Syros -- At a Glance
- Season: Timetables are currently published through 31 October 2026.
- Frequency: Typically 1 ferry per day during the season.
- Sailing days: Daily service.
- Journey time: 5 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 30 minutes.
- Operators: SeaJets.
- Tickets from: €88 per person.
- Book tickets: Check prices at Ferryscanner
Heraklion to Syros is one of the few direct links between Crete and the Cyclades, cutting out the detour back through Piraeus that most island-hopping itineraries require. It's a proper open-sea crossing rather than a short island hop, so treat it as a travel day in its own right rather than something to squeeze between other plans. Check the schedule box above for the latest confirmed dates before you build an itinerary around it.
Departures run once a day when the route is operating, so there's no juggling multiple timings -- you simply need to know which day the boat runs and book accordingly, especially in high summer when seats go early.
Monthly Schedule Overview
Here is a month-by-month overview of ferry service from Heraklion to Syros:
| Month | Available | Avg. Ferries/Day |
|---|---|---|
| January | Not yet published | – |
| February | Not yet published | – |
| March | Not yet published | – |
| April | Not yet published | – |
| May | Not yet published | – |
| June | Not yet published | – |
| July | Yes | 1.0 |
| August | Yes | 1.0 |
| September | Yes | 1.0 |
| October | Yes | 1.0 |
| November | Not yet published | – |
| December | Not yet published | – |
Book ferry port and airport transfers here: Welcome Pickups →
Heraklion to Syros — next 14 days
Actual sailing dates and departure times for the next two weeks (last updated 2026-08-06):
| Date | Sailings | Departure times |
|---|---|---|
| Thu 6 Aug | 1 | 08:00 |
| Fri 7 Aug | 1 | 08:00 |
| Sat 8 Aug | 1 | 08:00 |
| Sun 9 Aug | 1 | 08:00 |
| Mon 10 Aug | 1 | 08:00 |
| Tue 11 Aug | 1 | 08:00 |
| Wed 12 Aug | 1 | 08:00 |
| Thu 13 Aug | 1 | 08:00 |
| Fri 14 Aug | 1 | 08:00 |
| Sat 15 Aug | 1 | 08:00 |
| Sun 16 Aug | 1 | 08:00 |
| Mon 17 Aug | 1 | 08:00 |
| Tue 18 Aug | 1 | 08:00 |
| Wed 19 Aug | 1 | 08:00 |
Check availability & book on Ferryscanner →
Ferry Companies
The Heraklion–Syros route is served by 1 company:
- SeaJets – approximately 5 hours 15 minutes
SeaJets runs this crossing with its larger high-speed vessels, which is what keeps the journey to around five and a half hours rather than the far longer time an old-style conventional ferry would need to cover the same stretch of open Aegean. There's no direct alternative on this pairing, so it's worth booking ahead once your dates firm up rather than assuming you can walk up on the day.
Tips for the Heraklion–Syros Ferry
- Arrive at Heraklion port at least 45 minutes before departure if you already hold an e-ticket – if you are travelling with a car, allow 60 to 90 minutes, as vehicles queue and board separately from foot passengers.
- Buy your ferry ticket online in advance rather than at the port – ticket kiosks at Heraklion only open a few hours before each departure, and Santorini's high-speed services sell out in summer.
- For the Santorini day-boats, SeaJets asks passengers to be at the terminal 30 minutes before sailing – expect heavy congestion and longer check-in queues on summer mornings.
- In July, the meltemi typically produces its strongest conditions in the open Cyclades, particularly between Mykonos, Paros, and Ios; plan shorter hops in this area.
- Once you arrive in Syros, the elegant capital Ermoupoli – with its grand neoclassical town hall, marble-paved Miaouli Square, and the Apollo Theatre – reflects the island's prosperous 19th-century history as the commercial centre of the Aegean. The hilltop medieval settlement of Ano Syros, built by the Venetians around 1200 CE, offers a contrasting older layer of island history.
Heraklion's port sits right on the edge of the old town, a short walk or a quick taxi ride from the Venetian harbour and the main hotel districts, so there's no need to build in extra transfer time on the Crete side. At Syros, the boat comes into Ermoupoli, the island's capital and main port, with its neoclassical waterfront and mansions rising up the hillside behind the quay -- you can walk into town directly from where you disembark. Because this is a long open-water crossing between Crete and the Cyclades rather than a sheltered inter-island hop, expect more motion than you'd get on a short crossing, particularly if the meltemi is blowing in high summer; if you're prone to seasickness, it's worth planning for that and picking a seat accordingly. The route suits travellers looking to combine Crete with the Cyclades in one trip without backtracking through Piraeus, and those happy to treat the crossing itself as part of the journey rather than a formality to get through.
Useful Resources for Your Greek Island Trip
- Find accommodation in Greece – hotels, apartments and villas on Booking.com
- Book tours and activities in Greece via Viator
- Find guided experiences and day trips via GetYourGuide
- Compare car hire prices in Greece via DiscoverCars
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do ferries run from Heraklion to Syros?
Typically 1 ferry per day during the season. Timetables are currently published through 31 October 2026.
Are there ferries from Heraklion to Syros today?
Yes – 1 sailing today. See the 14-day timetable above for departure times.
How many ferries run from Heraklion to Syros this week?
Around 7 sailings over the next 7 days (typically 1 per day).
What time is the first ferry from Heraklion to Syros?
The first departure is usually 08:00.
How long is the ferry from Heraklion to Syros?
The fastest crossing takes approximately 5 hours 15 minutes, while the slowest takes around 5 hours 30 minutes. Journey times depend on the ferry type and company.
How much does the Heraklion to Syros ferry cost?
Ticket prices start from €88 per person for a standard seat.
Which ferry companies operate the Heraklion–Syros route?
The route is served by SeaJets.
Can you rent a car in Syros?
Yes, and rental desks cluster right in Ermoupoli, a short walk from where the ferry docks. Syros Town itself is easily walkable, but a car earns its keep for reaching Kini, Galissas and Poseidonia beaches, each 8-10km away on the other side of the island. Compare prices across local suppliers at Discover Cars.
Can you rent a car in Heraklion?
Yes. Heraklion's ferry port sits about 1km from the centre, an easy walk or short taxi ride, and several rental firms have desks right at the harbour or nearby in town. The city itself is compact enough on foot, but a car pays off once you want to reach Knossos, the south coast or the Lasithi plateau, where buses run less often. Check rates at Discover Cars.