Getting from Antiparos to Heraklion

If you are heading to Heraklion from Antiparos you are making your way from a small quiet 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 no direct ferry from Antiparos to Heraklion. The most practical sea approach is to take the short ferry from Antiparos to Paros, which takes 7 minutes from Pounta, and then board the seasonal direct ferry from Paros to Heraklion, which runs in summer and takes around 5 to 6 hours. This avoids going through Athens entirely and is one of the more enjoyable Cyclades to Crete connections. Alternatively, 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. Antiparos has no airport. Taking the short ferry from Antiparos to Paros, making your way to Piraeus and flying to Heraklion via Athens gives a total journey time of around 6 to 7 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the short ferry from Antiparos to Paros and board the seasonal direct ferry from Paros to Heraklion when the schedule works for your dates. It avoids Athens entirely and is one of the most enjoyable connections from the island. If the timing does not align, make your way to Piraeus and fly to Heraklion via Athens. If you are traveling with a car, take the short ferry from Antiparos to Paros, drive to Piraeus and board the overnight Piraeus to Heraklion ferry, which takes your vehicle directly to Crete.