Although the easiest way to get to Crete is by plane, there are a lot of tourists that choose to arrive by ferry, especially those that bring their own car to the island or cannot travel by plane (aviophobia, certain medical conditions, etc). Ferry is also used by island hoppers, locals and budget travelers. 

Here is some important information, if you consider the ferry as mean of transportation:

· The ferries connect Heraklion and Chania (Souda port) to Piraeus

· There are daily departures, all year round, at 9 pm or 10 pm from Piraeus and from Chania or Heraklion

· The trip is 9hrs, arriving at 6 am in Crete or in Piraeus

· The schedule is pretty much the same all year round, but it is subject to change and exceptional situations, such as: bead weather, strikes, vessel technical issues, etc. also, remember that it can always return to the departing port or drop anchor in the nearest one in case of emergency. 

· During the summer season there is also a day route, leaving Piraeus or Crete at 9 am and arriving at 6pm

· There are 3 main companies that operate the route to Crete: Minoan Lines, ANEK Lines and Blue Star Ferries. 

o Minoan Lines: Piraeus – Heraklion

o ANEK Lines: Piraeus – Chania and Piraeus – Heraklion 

o Blue Star Ferries – Piraeus – Chania and Piraeus – Heraklion, often shared ferries with ANEK or SuperFast Ferries companies

· There are 3 main ticket types: 

o Deck – the cheapest (37-50euros), you can seat wherever you want on the deck, sleep on the couches or on the floor

o Seat – (41-57 euros) this is the airplane type of seat, in different lounges, you get an assigned seat number, just like in a plane

o Cabin – the most expensive (55-130 euros). You can choose a whole cabin or a shared one (male or female). You can also choose from 1 bed up to 4 bed cabins, depending on your needs. Cabins might have shower/toilet inside or outside (shared bathroom). Double check when booking. 

· Small car price is around 80 euros, motorcycle – 30 euros, pick-up truck/van up to 5.5m in length – 142 euros, campers-caravans-trailers – price is calculated based on length in meters

· You can bring pets on board, but a separate ticket must be issued for them, they need to be in their special carrier or leashed and muzzled, per company policies, allowed only in pet friendly cabins or in the designated pet kennels on the deck. Pets must not roam free. Their documentation must be in order (pet passport or health certificate, vaccinations in validity date). All info is on the companies’ official websites.

· Children, retired seamen, students and unemployed passengers have a discount (up to 50%). Families with 3 children and more are also entitled to discount. Necessary documents must be shown at boarding. 

· AFV (alternative fuel vehicles) have a special status as of 2024 and the owners must comply with the following rules, all year round:

o For pure electric or rechargeable hybrid vehicles, upon boarding the vessel, the level of charge of the batteries should not exceed 40% upon boarding.

o For alternative fuel vehicles, such as LPG or natural gas, when boarding the ship, the tanks should NOT contain more than 50% of the tank capacity

o AFVs shall not be embarked on ships if they have a fault in their supply system and their tanks or accumulators, in case they have not been removed. Moreover, no embarkation will be carried out in case of damage with ambiguity as to whether or not their accumulator is damaged.

o The responsibility for ensuring that the vehicle is not damaged or broken in its supply system, tanks or batteries rests solely with the owners of such vehicles and the shipowners may ensure this in any manner they determine.

o Passengers – drivers are obliged to inform the crew at once in case of receiving any alarm indication from their vehicle

o AFV’s passengers – drivers have the obligation to be at the port for loading 1 ½ hours before departure – to allow the necessary inspection of the battery/tank capacity

· You are not allowed to bring your large luggage on deck, due to space considerations and comfort of the other passengers. All large trolley bags will be placed in a designated area upon boarding, next to the car parking and retrieved before disembarking. Do not leave valuable or fragile objects in the large bags. 

· VERY IMPORTANT! Car parking and luggage area will be closed at departure, for security reasons. You will no longer be allowed to enter the area. Have a small backpack with you and make sure you have with you on board all of the following:

o Documents and papers, for all family members, vehicle, etc

o Medication – your daily meds and emergency (aspirin, painkillers, paracetamol, baby/child emergency pills or syrups, stomach and motion sickness, etc.) 9 hrs is a long journey and anything can happen

o Phone, laptop, tablet and external battery

o Hygiene products (toothbrush, toothpaste, cream, deodorant) especially if you travel with the overnight ferry

o A hoodie and a blanket, no matter the season. During the summer months it can be really cold, as the AC is set at a low temperature. A travel pillow is also recommended, if you do not book a cabin for overnight 

o Your children favourite toy, pillow, entertainment method

o Your own food, if you have dietary restrictions.

· Put your phone on airplane mode. As soon as you enter the open sea, there will be no phone coverage. 

· Wi-fi on board is expensive and of very poor quality

· There are restaurants on board, cafeterias and shops. It’s a huge ship, like those luxury cruises ones. 

· Preferred method of payment is cash. Card payment is possible, but it almost never works, unless you are in a port where there is phone coverage 

· Motion is not quite felt, as it is a huge ferry, but the engine sound is quite loud (as it is with airplanes)

· If you travel by day, the upper deck has a pool on some ships

· Smoking is allowed only on the outside decks. It is prohibited to throw lighted cigarette buds overboard

· Children must be supervised at all times, especially on the exterior decks.