Getting from Crete to Anafi

If you are heading to Anafi from Crete you are going to one of the most remote and most rewarding islands in the Cyclades. Getting from Crete to Anafi requires some planning but the route is manageable.

Take the ferry

There is a direct seasonal ferry from Crete to Anafi running in summer, departing from Heraklion and stopping at Santorini along the way, with the full journey taking around 3 to 4 hours. The route is not year-round and the frequency is limited so check the schedule before planning around it and build your travel dates around the available departures. Outside of the summer season the connection goes via Piraeus or Santorini.

Getting there by air

Anafi has no airport. The nearest airport is Santorini. Flying from Crete to Athens and then Athens to Santorini, followed by the short ferry to Anafi taking around 1 hour 15 minutes, gives a total journey time of around 4 to 5 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the direct summer ferry from Heraklion when it is running. If the direct service is not available for your dates, fly to Santorini via Athens and take the short ferry across to Anafi.