The ferry from Katapola on Amorgos to Rethymno in Crete is a long open sea crossing that links the quiet Cycladic island of Amorgos with the historic town of Rethymno on Crete’s north coast. This route is operated by Seajets and, when it runs, it is usually scheduled as a daytime high speed service rather than an overnight ferry. The crossing time from Katapola to Rethymno is normally about 6 hours, with most guides giving an average journey time of 6 hours 3 minutes and a fastest crossing of around 6 hours. Departures are typically in the early afternoon, with timetables showing an approximate 13:20 departure from Katapola and arrival in Rethymno in the evening, which gives you time to settle into your accommodation and have dinner by the harbour. Ticket prices are on the higher side compared with shorter Cycladic hops, with recent listings showing one way fares from around €168.60 for a standard seat, and more if you choose upgraded seating. The route is seasonal and may run only on specific days of the week, and some current schedules even note periods with no active sailings, so it is very important to check live availability for your dates. This ferry is ideal for travellers who want to connect the Cyclades with Crete directly and do not mind a longer high speed trip as part of a more adventurous island hopping itinerary.
Key information for the Katapola (Amorgos) to Rethymno ferry
1. Ferry duration
The Katapola to Rethymno ferry usually takes around 6 hours, with most sources quoting an average journey time between 6 hours 0 minutes and 6 hours 5 minutes. Information from route guides confirms that the fastest crossing is about 6 hours and the slowest about 6 hours 5 minutes, so there is very little variation between departures. You should still allow some extra time for boarding and disembarking at both ports, especially in peak season.
2. Ferry companies
This route is currently operated by Seajets, one of the main high speed ferry companies in Greece. Timetable summaries and booking sites list Seajets as the only operator on the Katapola (Amorgos) to Rethymno line, with up to 2 sailings per week in some seasons. Because Seajets adjusts its high speed network from year to year, you should always confirm the operating company and exact vessel when you book.
3. Fast vs slow ferry
The Katapola to Rethymno route is a high speed service, with Seajets vessels covering the distance in around 6 hours, which is relatively quick for a long Aegean crossing. There is usually no slower conventional ferry alternative on the same direct route, so you are choosing between different dates rather than between fast and slow ships. If this direct high speed connection is not running, the slower alternatives generally involve travelling via another island such as Santorini and changing ferries, which increases your overall travel time significantly.
4. Best time to travel
The best time to use the Katapola to Rethymno ferry is between June and September, when high season schedules are most active and sea conditions are usually more stable. Ferryscanner and other guides mention that from June to September there is about 1 weekly crossing on this route, while from October to May there is still usually around 1 sailing but with more limited availability and a higher chance of seasonal suspension. Some current schedules even state that no ferries are operating on this line at the moment, so you should always check live timetables early in your planning.
5. Sea conditions and wind
The Katapola to Rethymno ferry crosses a long section of open Aegean Sea between the Cyclades and Crete, an area that can be strongly affected by the Meltemi wind in summer. High speed Seajets ferries are built to cope with these conditions but can still experience noticeable movement when the wind is strong, which some passengers may find uncomfortable. It is sensible to keep an eye on the weather forecast, take seasickness tablets if you are prone to motion sickness and allow some flexibility in your schedule in case of delays or cancellations on very windy days.
6. Port guide
In Amorgos the ferry departs from Katapola, the main port village of the island, which has a relaxed waterfront with tavernas, cafés, bakeries and mini markets along the quay. Many guesthouses and small hotels are within easy walking distance of the pier, while local buses and taxis connect Katapola with Chora and Aegiali if you are staying elsewhere on the island. In Crete the ferry arrives at Rethymno port, which is close to the old town, Venetian harbour and beach, with plenty of hotels, car rental offices and bus connections located a short walk from the ferry terminal.
7. Car rental advice
Information for the Rethymno to Amorgos route shows Seajets operating a car ferry twice a week, with tickets in the range of €80 to €210 and a journey time of around 6 hours 25 minutes, which suggests that some sailings can carry vehicles. However, Ferryscanner notes clearly that cars are not allowed on the Katapola to Rethymno route and that it is exclusively for foot passengers, which may reflect the specific vessel or configuration on that line. Because of this mixed information, it is crucial to check the booking engine for your exact date to see if vehicle transport is available; many travellers choose to rent a car separately in Rethymno and return any hire car in Amorgos before boarding.
8. Foot passenger tips
If you are travelling as a foot passenger, you should arrive at Katapola port at least 45 to 60 minutes before departure, particularly in high season when boarding can be busy. Timetables show that the Katapola to Rethymno ferry typically departs around 13:15 to 13:20, so planning a relaxed morning, checking out of your accommodation, having lunch by the harbour and then walking to the ferry works very well. On arrival in Rethymno you can usually walk from the port to many hotels and guesthouses in the old town and along the seafront, while buses and taxis from near the terminal make it easy to reach other parts of the region.
9. Is this route worth it?
The Katapola to Rethymno ferry route is very worthwhile if you want to connect Amorgos with Crete in a single journey and avoid travelling back through Piraeus or Santorini. It gives you a direct link between a quiet Cycladic island and one of Crete’s most atmospheric towns, saving at least one extra change of ferry and a full travel day. The main trade off is the higher ticket price and the fact that the route is seasonal and may not run every year, so it best suits travellers who plan ahead and are comfortable with a six hour high speed sea crossing.
10. Alternative route if cancelled
If your Katapola to Rethymno ferry is cancelled or not operating for your dates, the most common alternative is to travel via another port in Crete or via Santorini. One option is to sail first from Katapola to Santorini and then connect from Santorini to Rethymno or to Heraklion or Chania, followed by a bus or car journey to Rethymno. Another possibility, especially outside high season, is to route via Heraklion using a Katapola to Heraklion ferry, or to travel from Amorgos to Piraeus and then down to Crete on one of the regular mainland to Crete ferries that run all year.
11. Reverse route internal links
There is also a reverse Rethymno to Katapola ferry route, with Seajets operating up to 2 sailings weekly and a journey time of around 5 hours 50 minutes to 6 hours 25 minutes according to different sources. Timetable summaries show that these ferries are usually daytime departures from Rethymno, making it easy to arrive in Amorgos in the evening and start your stay without needing an extra overnight stop. When you design your itinerary it is useful to check both Katapola to Rethymno and Rethymno to Katapola schedules, so you can decide which direction fits best with your flights, hotel bookings and wider island hopping plan.
How long does the Katapola (Amorgos) to Rethymno ferry actually take?
The Katapola to Rethymno ferry usually takes around 6 hours in total. Most route guides state that the fastest sailing is about 6 hours and the longest about 6 hours 5 minutes, so the variation is very small. You should still allow extra time for boarding, disembarking and any minor delays, especially during the busy summer months.
How often does the Katapola (Amorgos) to Rethymno ferry run in summer?
In high season timetables typically show about 1 weekly Katapola to Rethymno sailing, and in some years there can be 2 days per week with departures. Recent summaries mention that ferries run seasonally and that the route may be limited to certain months, with October to May often seeing only occasional or no crossings. Some current schedules even say that no ferries are operating on this line right now, so you should always check live availability for your exact dates.
What time does the Katapola (Amorgos) to Rethymno ferry usually depart?
Published timetables show that the Katapola to Rethymno ferry usually leaves in the early afternoon, around 13:15 to 13:20 from Katapola port. This means you can enjoy a relaxed morning on Amorgos, check out of your accommodation, have lunch in the village and then board the ferry without rushing. You will normally arrive in Rethymno in the evening, which is perfect for checking into your hotel and going out to explore the old town or have dinner by the harbour.
Can I do a day trip on the Katapola (Amorgos) to Rethymno ferry?
A day trip from Katapola to Rethymno is not realistic because the one way journey already takes around 6 hours and there is no same day return ferry. Travel guides for the Amorgos to Crete routes also highlight that the long distance and limited frequency make day trips impractical. If you want to visit both Amorgos and Rethymno, you should plan at least a couple of nights on each island and treat the ferry as a one way transfer between longer stays.
Can I take a car on the Katapola (Amorgos) to Rethymno ferry?
Some information about the reverse Rethymno to Amorgos route notes that Seajets operates a car ferry twice a week with ticket prices that depend on vehicle type, which suggests that vehicles can be carried. However, Ferryscanner clearly states that cars are not allowed on ferries operating between Katapola and Rethymno and that this route is exclusively for foot passengers. Because of this conflicting information, you should always check the booking engine for your chosen date, but many travellers simply rent a car separately in Rethymno and do the crossing as foot passengers.