Getting from Syros to Crete

If you are heading to Crete from Syros you are making your way from the capital of the 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 Syros to Crete. Getting there by sea means taking the ferry from Syros to Piraeus, which runs up to 6 daily crossings in summer and takes around 2 hours on the fast boat, 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. Plan your Syros departure carefully to allow enough time to reach Piraeus for the evening sailing.

Getting there by air

Both Heraklion and Chania have airports with daily connections from Athens. Syros has a small domestic airport with limited connections from Athens. Taking the ferry from Syros to Piraeus and flying from Athens to Heraklion or Chania 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 Syros to Piraeus and fly from Athens to Crete. Choose Heraklion for central and eastern Crete, Chania for the west. It is the fastest and most practical approach. If you are traveling with a car, take the ferry from Syros 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.