Getting from Tinos to Crete

If you are heading to Crete from Tinos you are making your way from the most venerated pilgrimage island in 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 a direct ferry from Tinos to Heraklion running on the Blue Star route, which connects several Cycladic islands before continuing to Crete. The service runs a limited number of times per week and takes around 7 to 10 hours. Check the schedule carefully before booking as departure days vary by season. Alternatively take the ferry from Tinos to Piraeus and board 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.

Getting there by air

Both Heraklion and Chania have airports with daily connections from Athens. Tinos has no airport. The nearest airport is Mykonos. Taking the short ferry from Tinos to Mykonos, flying from Mykonos to Athens and then Athens to Heraklion or Chania takes around 50 minutes on the second leg. Total journey time is around 5 to 6 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Take the short ferry from Tinos to Mykonos and fly from Mykonos to Athens, then 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 Tinos 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.