Getting from Donoussa to Crete

If you are heading to Crete from Donoussa you are making your way from one of the Small Cyclades to the largest island in Greece, with ancient Minoan sites, mountain gorges, excellent food and a coastline that stretches for hundreds of kilometres.

Take the ferry

There is no direct ferry from Donoussa to Crete. Getting there means taking the ferry from Donoussa to Piraeus, which runs around 3 to 6 times a week and takes around 7 to 8 hours, and then boarding the overnight Piraeus to Crete ferry, which departs around 9pm and arrives in Heraklion or Chania in the early morning after around 8 to 9 hours. Alternatively fly from Athens to Crete. The total journey by sea takes the better part of two days.

Getting there by air

Both Heraklion and Chania have airports with daily connections from Athens. Donoussa has no airport. The nearest airport is Naxos. Taking the ferry from Donoussa to Piraeus and flying from Athens to Heraklion or Chania takes around 50 minutes on the second leg. Total journey time is around 12 to 14 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the ferry from Donoussa to Piraeus and fly from Athens to Crete. Choose Heraklion for central and eastern Crete, Chania for the west. Check the Donoussa to Piraeus departure days before planning as the service runs a limited number of times per week. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Donoussa to Piraeus and board the overnight Piraeus to Crete ferry, which takes your vehicle directly to the island and arrives in the morning ready to go.