Getting from Alexandroupoli to Heraklion

If you are heading to Heraklion from Alexandroupoli you are making your way from the far northeastern corner of Greece to the capital of Crete, with the Palace of Knossos just 5 kilometres from the city centre and one of the finest archaeological museums in Greece.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Alexandroupoli to Heraklion. Alexandroupoli's ferry connections are limited to Samothrace, Lemnos, Agios Efstratios and Lavrio. Getting to Heraklion by sea means flying to Athens first and then boarding the overnight Piraeus to Heraklion ferry, which departs around 9pm and arrives in the early morning after around 8 to 9 hours.

Getting there by air

Heraklion has an international airport with daily connections from Athens and Thessaloniki. Flying from Alexandroupoli to Athens and then Athens to Heraklion takes around 50 minutes on the second leg. Total travel time door to door is around 4 to 5 hours. A direct seasonal flight between Alexandroupoli and Heraklion may also be available in summer so check before routing through Athens.

Your best option

Fly from Alexandroupoli to Athens and then fly to Heraklion. It is the fastest and most practical approach. If you are traveling with a car, drive from Alexandroupoli to Piraeus via the Egnatia motorway and E75 and board the overnight Piraeus to Heraklion ferry, which takes your vehicle directly to Crete and arrives in the morning ready to go.