{"id":134246,"date":"2023-08-27T13:00:02","date_gmt":"2023-08-27T10:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thetinybook.com\/?p=134246"},"modified":"2024-03-15T13:09:05","modified_gmt":"2024-03-15T11:09:05","slug":"how-to-get-from-athens-to-crete","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thetinybook.com\/how-to-get-from-athens-to-crete\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get from Athens to Crete: 7 Reasons to Choose the Ferry or the Plane"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Wondering how to get from Athens to Crete? Or maybe you\u2019re not sure whether to use the ferry or plane?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This detailed comparison has you covered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is everything you need to know to decide between a boat or plane for your trip to Crete from Athens!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Posts include affiliate links to products or services. I might earn a commission if you make a purchase<\/em><\/strong><\/em>.<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From Athens to Crete: All the Alternatives<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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>> Join our Facebook Group!<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Be sure to book ahead of time to ensure availability!<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udece\ufe0f Find the best hotels in<\/strong> Crete here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udccd Top tours I recommend on the island:<\/strong>
– Boat cruise to Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa<\/a>
– Ticket to Knossos Archaeological Site<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\ude98 The best way to get around Crete is by car.<\/strong>\u00a0Check\u00a0rental car rates for Crete here.<\/a><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcf2<\/a><\/strong> Book a consultation call<\/a> if you need help planning your trip to Crete!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Get the Digital City Guide to Crete’s Best Beaches<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Let’s discuss all the advantages and disadvantages of getting to Crete by plane or ferry from Athens…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flying from Athens to Crete is Way Faster than Taking the Ferry<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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In short, a plane will take you to Crete three to six times faster than a ferry. And that includes the time you need to go through security in Athens<\/a><\/strong> and exit the arrival airport. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

If you want specifics, expect 2 hours at Athens airport, less than 1 hour in the air, and a few minutes at Crete\u2019s airport. In contrast, the ferry can last anywhere from 8 hours to 12 hours on a slow overnight ferry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Chania Port of Souda, Anek Lines ferry to Athens.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hence, a flight to Crete is a no-brainer if you’re short on time. You\u2019ll travel for fewer hours and thus maximize your time on the island. That means you can make the most of your itinerary on the island<\/a><\/strong>, even if you’re there for a few days<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ferry Prices from Athens to Crete are Stable and Usually Lower than Flight Fares <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Generally, the ferry from Athens to Crete costs less than choosing the plane. However, that\u2019s not necessarily the case, especially if you book well in advance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, you could find a summer plane ticket at just \u20ac50 if you buy it in fall or winter. If you decide not to book and get a ferry instead, you could pay around the same for a regular seat and about double (if not more) for a cabin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, for an average estimate, expect the flight ticket to range from \u20ac50 to \u20ac200 plus, while the ferry crossing will usually be between \u20ac40 to \u20ac60.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As for the lowest price, you can find a boat ticket in the \u20ac20-50 range for the 11-hour-long overnight ferry. This basic ticket will get you a standard seat, but you can upgrade to a cabin, which will cost around \u20ac160. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you know, the earlier you book a ticket, the better the deal, while prices are higher for June to September<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And although the above applies to both ferries and planes, sea crossing fares are relatively stable and don\u2019t climb as fast or as high. If you travel from Athens to Crete in the next few days, a ferry is the logical option.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Port and the Airport are 50 Minutes Away by Car, so Consider your Starting Point in Athens <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A significant factor to consider when evaluating your options is where in Athens you start your journey to Crete. If you\u2019re landing by air in the Greek capital and want to get to Crete the same day, flying is the way to go.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, if you want to spend a few nights in Athens, the ferry port of Piraeus may be closer and easier to reach. Then, the choice boils down to how fast you want to arrive in Crete and how much you\u2019re willing to spend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you want to get from Athens City Centre to Athens Airport, the taxi is the fastest and most expensive option, followed by the easy-to-navigate metro. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Arriving in town late at night?<\/h4><\/div>If you arrive in a new city late at night, are unsure about taxi fares, have heavy luggage,<\/span> <\/strong>and no local currency, <\/span>Welcome Pickups <\/strong>comes to the rescue!<\/span> Welcome Pickups<\/strong> is a 5-star airport taxi company with local English-speaking drivers, flight monitoring for delays, and a flat pre-paid fee. It offers its travelers a great experience and safety.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n
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BOOK YOUR AIRPORT TRANSFER<\/strong><\/span>\n <\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n



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Finally, you can take the Athens Airport Bus X96<\/strong>, which runs every 20-30 minutes and connects the airport with the main Athens port.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Note that Piraeus is the only port with direct ferries to Crete<\/strong>. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The port of Rafina, which is closer to the airport, serves mainly the Cyclades islands. So head that way only if you want to spend a few nights before Crete in other Greek islands such as Mykonos<\/a><\/strong>, Santorini<\/a><\/strong>, or Naxos.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Alternatively, you can reach Piraeus port within 30-45 minutes from the city center. If you take the bus there, you\u2019ll find the kiosk to purchase or print your ticket right in front of the bus station. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To avoid that hustle and head straight into the boat, buy your ticket online through Ferryhopper<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u26f4\ufe0f  Check out <\/strong><\/a>ferry<\/a><\/strong> ticket fees and schedules here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The price will be the same whether you book on the website or at the port, so I\u2019d advise you to make a reservation online if you know your departure date. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, remember to print your boarding pass since you\u2019re required by law to hold it before hopping on a ferry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Flights are More Frequent than Ferry Connections<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Surprisingly, there usually are more flights than ferries between Athens and Crete. For example, on any given day in summer, you will find at least five direct flights from Athens to Chania and five more for Heraklion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compare that with the three or four direct boats from Piraeus to Chania or Heraklion, and you see the difference. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In winter, the gap is even more significant, with airlines usually sticking to the same flight number while ferry companies are at least halving their itinerary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In short, this shows that locals prefer traveling to the mainland by air, so consider this fact when choosing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re wondering which companies you can use, Aegean and Sky Express are two airlines with consistent flights to Chania and Heraklion daily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In addition, you\u2019ll find occasional connections from low-cost airlines such as RyanAir and Volotea. Traveling by sea, you\u2019ll board a ferry from Minoan Lines and Anek Lines, with eventual rides on Blue Star Ferries and SeaJet Ferries in summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2708\ufe0f Search for cheap flights with CheapOAir<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ferry Companies are More Generous with Baggage Allowances<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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If there is a big caveat with Athens to Crete flights, that boils down to the baggage constraints. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you book a standard ticket, you can only bring carry-on baggage plus a small item that fits below your seat. You must pay extra to check a big suitcase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, Greek ferries offer a generous baggage allowance that sometimes looks limitless. After all, you can bring your car on every boat other than the high-speed ferry from Athens to Crete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Chania and Heraklion will Always be your Landing Points in Crete<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Whether you travel by air or sea, you can only reach two towns from Athens to Crete: Chania or Heraklion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the difference in flight time between the two options is negligible, if you go by ferry, expect to stay on board for one more hour to reach Heraklion. \u00a0Strangely, the pricing is usually better if you choose to go to Heraklion instead of Chania. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ferry port, Heraklion.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re wondering why, I\u2019d guess there is more demand among visitors for the picturesque town of Chania than for the capital of Crete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter where you land on the island, remember that getting from Chania to Heraklion or the reverse is relatively easy. You could even land in one town and depart from the other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Overnight Ferry Crossings from Athens to Crete could Save you a Night\u2019s Worth of Accommodation <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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If you visit Greece and Crete on a tight budget, catching an overnight ferry from Athens makes sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll have to compromise some comfort since you\u2019ll be sitting upright, but you\u2019ll save a ton. Of course, you could rent a cabin instead, a great option if your wallet allows it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Verdict…
How to get from Athens to Crete: By Boat or By Plane<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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If you ask me, the best way to get from Athens to Crete is by plane. It\u2019s fast, reliable, and accessible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, picking the ferry is wiser if you have time to spare, are on a tight budget, or want a sample of the Greek ferry experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I publish new content about Crete almost every day! Bookmark my Crete<\/a> and Practical Guides<\/a> pages to learn more before your trip.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Are you dreaming of a getaway to Crete but feeling overwhelmed with planning? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n