Ferry from Santorini to Agios Nikolaos

At the moment there is no direct ferry operating from Santorini (Athinios Port) to Agios Nikolaos in Crete, even though some older listings and third party tools still show or imply this route. Current ferry information sites and specialist guides state clearly that to travel between Santorini and Agios Nikolaos you need to route via Heraklion, combining the Santorini to Heraklion ferry with a road transfer or local bus from Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos. In practice this still makes the journey relatively easy: high speed ferries connect Santorini and Heraklion in about 1 hour 35 minutes, and the onward road journey from Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos usually takes about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes by bus or car. Ticket prices for the Santorini to Heraklion stretch vary roughly from about €15 to €90 for a foot passenger depending on the ferry type and season, with extra cost for the bus or taxi onward to Agios Nikolaos. For now, travellers planning this route should think of it as a combined sea and road trip rather than a single direct ferry crossing.

Key Information

Ferry duration

Since there is no direct Santorini to Agios Nikolaos ferry, you should plan on around 1 hour 35 minutes to 2 hours at sea between Santorini and Heraklion, plus about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes by road from Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos. In total, the typical travel time from Santorini to Agios Nikolaos using this combination is about 3 to 4 hours door to door, depending on your connections and waiting time in Heraklion.

Ferry companies

The sea leg from Santorini to Heraklion is mainly served by Seajets high speed ferries and conventional ferries from Anek Superfast and Blue Star Ferries, which together offer daily connections in the main season. From Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos you continue by KTEL bus or taxi, as there is no ferry between these two Cretan ports.

Fast vs slow ferry

On the Santorini to Heraklion stretch you can choose fast high speed catamarans, which take about 1 hour 35 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes, or slower conventional ferries that may take up to around 3 hours 50 minutes. Faster ferries cost more but keep the total Santorini to Agios Nikolaos journey closer to 3 hours, while slower boats can be cheaper and more stable in rough seas but extend the overall travel time.

Best time to travel

The best time to travel from Santorini to Agios Nikolaos via Heraklion is between late March and October, when there are daily ferries between Santorini and Heraklion and frequent buses along the north coast of Crete. In the winter months the ferry schedule is reduced and you may have fewer connections, so it is important to check both ferry and bus timetables in advance.

Sea conditions/wind

The sea between Santorini and Crete can be windy and choppy when the meltemi blows, which can make high speed ferries feel bumpy even though the crossing is short. If you are sensitive to motion, guides often suggest choosing a larger conventional ferry for this leg, sitting near the centre of the vessel and travelling earlier in the day when conditions can be calmer.

Port guide

In Santorini, ferries depart from Athinios Port, the main harbour at the base of the cliffs, which is served by buses, taxis and hotel transfers from the island’s resorts. In Crete, ferries arrive at Heraklion Port close to the city centre, and from there you can take a KTEL bus or taxi east along the coast to Agios Nikolaos, where the port lies a short walk from the town centre and harbourfront.

Car rental advice

You can take a car on most Santorini to Heraklion ferries, with vehicle fares adding significantly to the ticket price. However, many travellers find it easier to return any hire car in Santorini and collect a new rental in Heraklion or Agios Nikolaos, since Crete is large and you may want a different rental contract and vehicle type for exploring the island.

Foot passenger tips

As a foot passenger, plan to arrive at Athinios Port at least 1 hour before your Santorini ferry departure, especially in summer when the port is busy. In Heraklion, check the KTEL bus timetable in advance and allow time to walk or transfer from the ferry terminal to the bus station for your onward journey to Agios Nikolaos.

“Is this route worth it?”

Even without a direct ferry, the Santorini to Agios Nikolaos route is still worth doing if you want to combine Santorini with the eastern side of Crete, including Elounda and Spinalonga. The combination of a short ferry crossing to Heraklion and a scenic coastal drive to Agios Nikolaos gives you access to a different, less crowded part of Crete while keeping travel time manageable.

Alternative route if canceled

If your Santorini to Heraklion ferry is cancelled, you will not be able to reach Agios Nikolaos the same way, because there is no ferry directly from Santorini to Agios Nikolaos. In that case, your options are to wait for the next available Santorini–Heraklion ferry, fly via another Greek airport, or adjust your itinerary to spend more time on Santorini or around Heraklion before continuing to Agios Nikolaos.

Reverse route internal links

For the reverse direction, travelling from Agios Nikolaos to Santorini also involves a road leg to Heraklion followed by a ferry to Santorini, as there are no direct sailings from Agios Nikolaos. Seajets and other companies run frequent Heraklion to Santorini high speed ferries in summer, taking about 1 hour 35 minutes to 2 hours, so you can choose a departure that fits your onward island hopping or flight schedule.

FAQs about the Santorini to Agios Nikolaos route