Greece

How to get from Chania (Crete) to Piraeus (Athens port)

Compare all transport options: bus, ferry, train, flight. Prices, durations and practical tips.

⏱
FASTEST
9h 15min
💶
From
55€
📍
Distance
272 km
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⚡ Quick answer

Checked offer from Chania (Crete) to Piraeus (Athens port): Ferry, about 9h 15min, from €55. Main companies selling this route on 12Go (checked on November 4, 2026): Blue Star Ferries; main departure point: Chania Port.

Distance: 272 km. Data updated on .

One option to get from Chania (Crete) to Piraeus (Athens port)

Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.

Ferry
9h 15min
55 €
View
🚌 Departure from Chania (Crete)
📍Ferries to Piraeus leave from the port area of Souda, the main ferry port serving Chania. Arrive well before departure with your ticket and ID, and check the quay or gate details with your operator on the day.
🚇From Chania town centre, you can reach Souda port by taxi or by local bus from the main bus station. A taxi is the easiest option with luggage, especially for an evening departure. Book ahead in busy periods.
⏰Sailings usually leave in the evening and arrive in Piraeus the next morning. Timetables and operators change by season, so check the departure time for your date before booking.
💸 Transport from 55€ per person
⚡ Fastest: 9h 15min
🗓 Book now Secure payment · via 12go.asia

Companies selling this route on 12Go

Offers listed on 12Go on November 4, 2026 for a departure on November 25, 2026. Timetables and prices change with the date: check them before booking.

CompanyModeDeparts fromFromOffers
Blue Star Ferries Ferry Chania Port €55 1

Continue your trip from Piraeus (Athens port)

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Practical tips

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Book early for summer

Summer sailings and holiday weekends fill up fast, especially cabins. Book your ferry as soon as your dates are fixed, using a platform with instant confirmation, so you are not left searching for a seat at the last minute.

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Arrive at Piraeus, not Rafina

This crossing ends at Piraeus, the main Athens port. Rafina and Lavrio serve other island routes, so do not mix them up when planning your onward hotel, metro or taxi transfer in Athens.

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Check the departure port in Crete

Ferries for Chania leave from the port area at Souda, not from the old Venetian harbour in town. Check your ticket and plan your transfer in advance, using a taxi or local bus to reach the quay.

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Choose a cabin for comfort

Since the crossing is usually overnight, a cabin helps you arrive rested. If you stay on a seat, bring a light jacket, earplugs and a charger, as lounges can be cool and lively.

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Keep a buffer for wind

Strong winds can delay or cancel sailings. Avoid booking a tight onward flight or tour the same morning you arrive, and check your operator's updates on the day before departure.

The journey experience

Getting from Chania to Piraeus is one of the most straightforward overnight-style crossings in Crete, and for most independent travellers the ferry is the clear answer. The boat takes you straight to the mainland port of Athens, so you avoid airport transfers, baggage limits and a separate trip into the city.

The ferry link between Chania and Piraeus is a conventional ship crossing, usually run overnight. You can choose between a seat, a simple cabin or a deck-style ticket, and you can sleep through most of the journey, arriving in the morning ready to start your day in Athens. On board you will find cafés, restaurants and lounges, and it is easy to bring luggage without extra fuss. Ships on this route leave from the Chania port area at Souda, and the operators running the route can vary by season, so check who sails on your date.

The key tip is to confirm the arrival port: this route ends at Piraeus, the main Athens port, not Rafina or Lavrio, so there is no risk of mixing them up. Timetables shift between summer and winter, and busy dates can sell out, so book early through a trusted platform with instant confirmation. If strong winds are forecast, keep a little flexibility in your plans for the day after arrival. Compare the options in the table on this page and you will know quickly whether the boat suits you.

Frequently asked questions — Chania (Crete) → Piraeus (Athens port)

Why visit Piraeus (Athens port)?

  • ✓ Catch a ferry from Piraeus, Greece's largest port, to the Cyclades, Saronic Islands or Crete
  • ✓ Stroll the Mikrolimano marina and dine on fresh seafood right on the waterfront
  • ✓ Explore the Hellenic Maritime Museum and its collection of ships, models and naval history
  • ✓ Walk up to the Kastella hill for sweeping views of the Saronic Gulf and the harbours below
  • ✓ Visit the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus to see its rare ancient bronze statues, including the Piraeus Apollo
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Recommended stay
1 to 2 nights — ideal as a ferry stopover with time for the seafront and museums

When to visit Piraeus (Athens port)?

MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE

April to June and September to October — pleasant temperatures, calm seas and fewer crowds than peak summer

Jan 😞
Feb 😞
Mar 😐
Apr 😊
May 😊
Jun 😐
Jul 😞
Aug 😞
Sep 😊
Oct 😊
Nov 😐
Dec 😞
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In Piraeus (Athens port) — Plan your stay
Accommodation, activities and tips selected for you
🏨 Accommodation
Hotels in Piraeus (Athens port)
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What to do in Piraeus (Athens port)?

Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you

MUST-SEE
🏺
Piraeus Archaeological Museum
Home to rare bronze statues found in the port in 1959, including the Piraeus Apollo and Athena. Allow 1 to 1.5 hours. Open most days from about 8:30 to 15:30, closed Mondays. Tickets around 4€. Quiet compared with Athens museums, so you can take your time.
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Zea Marina and Mikrolimano Harbour
Stroll around Zea Marina, lined with luxury yachts, then continue to Mikrolimano, a small fishing harbour packed with seafood tavernas. Go around sunset for the best light. Fish dishes cost roughly 15 to 25€ per person. Take the metro to Piraeus, then a 15-minute taxi or bus ride.
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Hellenic Maritime Museum
Covers 3,000 years of Greek naval history, from ancient triremes to modern warships, with detailed models and a section on the 1821 independence war. Count about 1 hour. Entry is around 4€. It sits right by Freattyda and Zea, so combine it with the marina walk.
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Veakeio Theatre Open-Air Shows
Built into Kastella hill, this open-air theatre hosts summer concerts, plays and festival events with views over the bay. Check the programme in advance, as performances run mainly from June to September. Tickets usually range from 10 to 30€. Bring a light jacket, evenings can turn breezy.
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Fish Market and Local Tavernas
The central fish market near the port offers fresh catch and a lively local atmosphere, best in the morning. Nearby tavernas grill the day's fish at fair prices. Order by weight and ask the price first. A relaxed lunch costs about 15 to 20€ per person.
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Kastella Hill Sunset Views
Climb the stepped streets of Kastella, a neighbourhood of neoclassical houses, to reach viewpoints over Zea and Mikrolimano with the Saronic Gulf beyond. Free to visit. Arrive 45 minutes before sunset and bring water, as the slopes are steep. Cafés near the top are good for a drink.
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Ferry to Aegina Island
Take a ferry from the main port to Aegina, about 40 to 70 minutes depending on the boat. Fast boats cost roughly 15 to 20€ one way, slower ones less. Visit the Temple of Aphaia and try the local pistachios. Check the last return departure before you go.
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Street Art in Piraeus Centre
Wander the streets around Terpsithea Square and the old market district to spot murals tucked on building walls and shutters. Free and best in daylight, ideally on a weekday morning when it is calm. Stop at a local bakery for a koulouri or a tiropita for under 3€.

How long to visit Piraeus (Athens port)?

1 to 2 days

Piraeus works best as a 1-day stop or a base for island hopping. In a few hours you can walk Mikrolimano and Zea marinas, visit the Hellenic Maritime Museum and the Archaeological Museum, and eat fresh fish by the water. Stay 2 days if you want to combine it with an Athens day trip (30 minutes by metro line 1) and catch an early ferry the next morning.

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