Ferries 2010 - Crete to/from Santorini (Thira)

Ferries and dolphins (express catamarans) from Crete to Santorini (Thira)

Updated: See our 15 selected hotels in Santorini, on the caldera, with dreamy views - and our Santorini guide.

There are 3 WAYS of travelling to Santorini from Crete (by sea):

From HERAKLION to Santorini:

By Catamaran: (passengers only, no cars)

•   Hellenic Seaways-Flying Cat 4, in 1 hour and 45 minutes. Daily (except some Wednesdays). This is the fastest way. The catamaran leaves at 09:45 and returns at 19:25 (SUMMER only) > Jump to schedule & more details

•   Sea Jets-MegaJet, in about 2 hours, for passengers and cars. 5 times a week (SUMMER only) > Jump to schedule & more details

From SITIA to Santorini:

By classic Ferry: ANEK Lines-Prevelis ferry, in about 7 hours (with stops). This is a "classic" older ferry that takes both passengers and cars, has cabins and makes many stops. (Year round, but winter schedule is unreliable) > Jump to schedule & more details
 

From CHANIA/RETHYMNO to Santorini:

There are no ferries. You have to go via Heraklion or Sitia.

Flying to Santorini:
Except for the SkyExpress flights between Crete and Santorini (in the summer only), there are no direct flights from Crete, you would have to fly to Athens and from there to Santorini. See flights from Crete to Athens.
 

Heraklion (Iraklio) to Santorini (Thira) by Catamaran:

2010 Catamaran Fares (1 person, one-way, including taxes):

Tip 1: It is worth paying extra for business class. It's on the top deck, separate, quiet and you have much more space and comfort.

Note: We do not book tickets. The information provided here is for your convenience. You can book your tickets online with the ferry companies: www.HellenicSeaways.gr and www.SeaJets.gr.

Tip 2: You may try to book, say in early May for June, and find that you get no sailings on the websites mentioned above. It does not mean there will be no ferries. It is because of the ridiculous way the ferry companies do not "open up" ticketing until a couple of weeks before the actual travel date!!! ...and they do not explain as much on their websites. (The fine irony: Hellenic Seaways offers "early booking" discounts!)

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Heraklion to Santorini to Heraklion

Hellenic Seaways (formerly Hellas Flying Dolphins) Flying Cat 4 catamaran (for passengers only, no cars).   Tel: 210-4199100, 4199000, email: info@hellenicseaways.gr, website: www.HellenicSeaways.gr Heraklion agent - Paleologos shipping: tel. 2810-346185, 2810-330598 Schedule effective: 9 April to 31 October 2009.

FlyingCat4 catamaran (passengers only)

24 March to 31 October 2010:

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SeaJets ferry schedule "MegaJet" catamaran, for passengers & cars (750 passengers, 100 cars capacity).   Tel: 210-4121001, 4121901, 4121902, email: superjet@hol.gr, website: www.SeaJets.gr Heraklion agent - Arabatzolgou Vasilia: tel. 2810-301398.

MegaJet catamaran (passengers & cars)

20 May to 10 October 2010:

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Sitia to Santorini (to Pireas):

See the schedule in detail here.
 

Daily round-trip excursions:

Golden Sun Cruises offers one-day excursions from Heraklion to Santorini and back, on the "Sea Runner " cruise-ferry (bookable through travel agents in Crete). The service starts from May or June and ends  usually in September. Departure is early morning and return in the evening. These are rather old-looking vessels! Tickets are available for round-trip only.
 

Island hopping - from Crete to other islands

Planning to visit other Greek islands before or after Crete?
You can travel from Crete to Santorini (or Paros, Mykonos, Ios) and from there take a ferry to Folegandros, Sifnos, Serifos, Kimolos, Milos and other islands.

Some of the Aegean Speed Lines high-speed ferries to these islands connect well with the catamarans from Heraklion. Information & online ticketing: www.aegeanspeedlines.gr
 

Other ferries for travelling between islands: Blue Star Ferries (www.bluestarferries.com).

Useful websites for planning your island sailings: www.ferries.gr & www.gtp.gr.
 

Another option is to fly: there are flights from Heraklion to some islands on SkyExpress.

Disclaimer: We try to keep these schedules up to date for your convenience, but you should always call the ferry company to check sailing times.
 

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