Price US$18 | |
Ride Duration 3h | |
Earliest Departure 02:30 | |
Latest Departure 02:30 | |
Most Popular Operator |
Find up-to-date information on departure times, schedules, and prices so you can easily compare and book your tickets.
Saying goodbye to the gorgeous city of Heraklion on the island of Crete might seem like a challenging feat. But when your next destination is the stunning island of Santorini, leaving is much easier. So, kiss Heraklion and the beauty of Crete goodbye, and set your sights on Santorini — another exquisite island in the Aegean Sea.
Since Heraklion and Santorini are both islands, your only way across this 74-mile (119 km) distance is via ferry. Thanks to high demand, there are daily departures to Santorini during the summer season. But you’ll need to check ahead during the low/winter months. As long as you plan ahead, you’ll have no problem finding a ferry that suits your schedule.
Are you ready to sail the high seas? Luckily, the journey from Heraklion to Santorini is smooth sailing, with gorgeous views of the Sea of Crete and smaller islands on the way. You’ll want your camera on hand for this mini-cruise.
So, keep reading to learn more about this journey, including the best travel options, when you should visit, and what you need to know before you board. Let’s go.
After your voyage from Heraklion, it’s time to see the highlights of Santorini. Here’s what’s on the menu for this fantastic Greek island.
See an Oia sunset. All the iconic blue-dome building sunset photos from Santorini are taken from Oia, so don’t miss this experience. It gets crowded, but it’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime sights.
Visit Skaros Rock. This imposing rock is below the town of Imerovigli. Once a fortress, it’s now a popular hiking spot and a great photo point. Bring water on this walk!
Hike from Fira to Oia. The trail from Fira to Ois is a gorgeous day hike that takes you past a volcano caldera, sweeping coastal views, and quaint Greek villages. Nice!
Admire Agios Theodori Church is one of the island's most famous blue dome churches in Firostefani. Go early to avoid the afternoon crowds.
Unwind at Red Beach. Santorini is a volcanic island with incredible rock formations and unique beaches. Red Beach is made from pulverized volcanic rock, which gives the coastline a striking look and a vivid red hue.
The fastest route from Heraklion to Santorini by ferry takes 1 hour and 55 minutes.
Your only travel option from Heraklion to Santorini is via ferry. But don’t worry if you’re not used to traveling by sea. This journey is relaxed and allows you to continue sightseeing while traveling — talk about a two-in-one.
All ferry tickets provide an individual seat and basic necessities (e.g., A/C and WC facilities). The starting price is $17 per person.
However, different classes and upgrades are available if you want to travel in style. Your two main options include:
High-Speed Ferry (1 hour 50 minutes)—If you want a faster ferry, opt for the 1 hour and 50 minutes option. However, this ferry costs more, starting at $73 per person. It departs once a day and arrives at Santorini’s Thira port. The boat has seating and WCs on board.
High-Speed Ferry (2 hours 55 minutes) — This journey is slightly longer and drops you off at Santorini’s Thira port. It’s a cheaper option, with tickets starting at $17 per person. There are seats and WCs on the boat.
Most ferries have onboard cafes, restaurants, and shops. However, there’s no guarantee these will be open, so always arrive with your own food and water.
Pro tip: Many ferries to Santorini leave early in the morning. Bring comfortable clothes and a pillow if you want to nap on the journey.
This ferry journey is very safe, and most are operated by English-speaking staff. Perfect for any first-time travelers, solo travelers, and solo female travelers.
All ferry journeys on this route leave Heraklion Port and arrive at the Thira (Santorini) Port.
The journey from Heraklion to Santorini is one for the books. You cross sparkling seas, sail past tiny islands, and take in the undisturbed views of Crete and Santorini.
The journey takes between two and three hours and covers 74.7 miles (119 km). This is typically an early journey, so you should arrive in comfortable clothes and with plenty of water. Even if you’ll be traveling in the morning, it gets hot quickly.
Though it’s rare, ferries from Heraklion to Santorini may be canceled due to severe weather. In this case, your provider will refund you or allow you to rebook at a later date.
The best time to visit Santorini is from June to September. In these months, you can expect highs of 30°C/86°F and lows of 24°C/75.2°F, so don’t forget to arrive with a big bottle of sun lotion. August is the hottest and driest month of the year, but it’s also one of the busiest. For sun and fewer crowds, visit in the early weeks of June or the last weeks of August.
The coldest month of the year is January. In this month, temperatures average around 14°C/57.2°F with lows of 9°C/48.2°F. Avoid the winter months if you’re looking for a scorching beach vacation.
Santorini is well-known for its natural beauty, volcanic beaches, and distinct towns.
Have you ever seen a photo of cliffside white buildings and vibrant blue dome roofs? It’s very likely Santorini.
Santorini has something for everyone. Whether you want to party at a sophisticated beach club or hike the island’s lunar landscape, this Greek island is ready to impress.
With over 6,000 islands, there’s always somewhere new to visit in Greece. After Santorini, take another quick ferry to Ios and see the Tomb of Homer, the Statue of Kulozis, and the Skarkou archaeological site.
Ferries from Santorini to Ios take one hour.
Here are some of the best travel books to help spark your wanderlust just by turning the page (or tapping the screen) of a stand-out novel.
5 brilliant ways to turn your mobile into the best travel buddy ever… especially if you`re traveling alone and start to feel a bit lonely.
The world is too big and beautiful for us to stop traveling and exploring everything it has to offer, so discover how to become a more sustainable traveler.
Bookaway.com makes it simple and easy to find, compare, and buy city-to-city tickets via bus, train, ferry, and more. We support over 13 languages and 23 currencies worldwide, and we believe that everyone should easily be able to find and purchase what they are looking for. We don’t just want to help you get where you want to go - we want you to enjoy the ride.
