Getting from Zakynthos to Heraklion

If you are heading to Heraklion from Zakynthos you are making your way 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 Zakynthos to Heraklion. No Ionian island is connected by sea to any Aegean island. Getting there by sea means taking the ferry from Zakynthos to Kyllini and then travelling by road to Piraeus for the overnight Piraeus to Heraklion ferry, which takes around 8 to 9 hours. The total journey takes the better part of two days.

Getting there by air

Both Zakynthos and Heraklion have airports. Direct flights connect the two cities twice daily via Athens, with the total journey taking around 4 to 5 hours. In Greece, airlines do not operate direct inter island flights.

Your best option

Fly via Athens. It is the most practical approach by a significant margin. If you are travelling with a car, take the ferry from Zakynthos to Kyllini and drive to Piraeus for the overnight ferry to Heraklion, which takes your vehicle directly to Crete.