Getting from Andros to Heraklion

If you are heading to Heraklion from Andros you are making your way from the northernmost island in the Cyclades 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 a seasonal direct ferry from Andros to Heraklion running in summer on the wider Blue Star route. The service runs a limited number of times per week and takes around 7 to 9 hours depending on the vessel and stops along the way. It is a good option if you want to travel by sea and avoid going through Athens entirely. Alternatively, take the ferry from Andros to Rafina, make your way to Piraeus and board 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. Andros has no airport. Taking the ferry from Andros to Rafina, flying to Athens and then Athens to Heraklion takes around 50 minutes on the second leg. Total journey time is around 4 to 5 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Andros to Rafina, fly to Athens and then fly to Heraklion. It is the fastest and most practical approach. If you prefer to travel by sea, check whether the seasonal direct ferry from Andros aligns with your dates as it avoids Athens entirely. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Andros to Rafina, drive to Piraeus and board the overnight Piraeus to Heraklion ferry, which takes your vehicle directly to Crete.