How to get to Crete? By plane or boat

You can get to Crete either by plane or by boat, let's see the best options, airports and ports to get to Crete:

How to get to Crete by plane

Like most Greek islands, the best option to get to Crete is undoubtedly by plane. The island of Crete has three significant airports, two international and one domestic: Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport in Heraklion or Heraklion (HER), Ioannis Daskalogiannis International Airport in Chania (CHQ), and the small Sitia National Airport (JSH)..

They can reach Crete with direct flights from the main European cities, even with low-cost airlines such as Ryanair or Easyjet, only at the two international airports. The flight lasts from two to three hours, obviously, it depends on the departure airport. If you cannot find direct flights, you can use Athens as a stopover, and from there, take an internal flight to reach the island (to any of the three airports depending on your accommodation in Crete).

How to get to Crete by ferry

Another option is to get to Crete by boat. They can take a ferry from Piraeus, the port of Athens, to Crete. Shipping companies reach Kissamos, Souda (Chania port), Rethymno, Agios Nikolaos and Sitia with connections that, in high season, reach the frequency of several daily trips. The journey takes 9-10 hours with fast boats, 18-22 hours with slower ferries. Crete is connected to other islands in the Aegean Sea with various companies.

How to get to Crete by car

Although it is not the cheapest or most popular way, if you travel by car, you can embark at the port of Athens and reach the island of Crete by car. It is an option I do not particularly recommend; renting a car directly in Crete and arriving by plane or ferry (without a car) is best. Up to you!

More about Crete, Greece, and other Greek islands

If you visit Crete, be sure to read our posts: