The third largest and third most populous island in the Mediterranean, Cyprus, is located south of Turkey and southeast of Greece.

Although geographically in Asia, Cyprus is politically a European country and a member of the European Union (EU). As such, EU nationals can travel to Cyprus without a passport or visa. For everyone else, a passport is required to enter (for visa information, kindly check with the embassy of Cyprus in your country).

Its subtropical Mediterranean climate make it an ideal vacation destination year-round.

Famous for its cuisine, beaches and charming cities, Cyprus is a popular destination to combine with a trip to Greece. Many travelers who visit Crete also choose to make a stop in Cyprus.

Quick summary

The quickest way to get from Crete to Cyprus is by plane. Fly directly between Heraklion and Larnaca or look for connections between Chania and Larnaca via Athens.

As of summer of 2022, there’s an option to travel by ferry to Cyprus from Athens. For 2023, the sailings are due to start in June and stop in September, but details are not yet available.

And another option, if you don’t mind hoping between three ferries and a bus, is to travel by land by way of Turkey. The journey is long and not the easiest to plan (because of the ferries’ schedules).

Flights from Crete to Cyprus

There are three airports you can fly from Crete to Cyprus: Heraklion (HER), Chania (CHQ), and Sitia (JSH)
Most flights from Crete arrive on Larnaca International Airport (LCA). Although Paphos International Airport (PFO) also serves the country.

Nonstop flights

You can fly nonstop from Heraklion to Larnca (1.5 hours flight time), as well as from Chania to Paphos (the flight time is the same).

Indirect flights

From Sitia and Chania, the flight to Larnaca is with a stop along the way, typically in Athens.

From Heraklion into Paphos, you’d also make a stop along the way, but this time most likely in Thessaloniki.

>>read more about Airfare to Greece

Ferries from Crete to Cyprus

Unfortunately, there isn’t a direct ferry from Crete to Cyprus.
If you don’t mind making a stop in Athens, the new Piraeus – Limassol ferry line, which has opened in June 2022, makes the journey by land easier than the previous option via Turkey.

Crete to Athens by ferry

Crete is served by four ports and there are sales from all of them to Athens’ Piraeus port.

You can find the details about the schedule and prices on this article about ferries from Athens to Crete (and return).

In 2023, expect to pay the following prices (one way for an adult):

• From Herakio: 36 euros
• From Chania: 48 euros
• From Kissamos: 23 euros
• From Sitia: 44 euros

Athens to Limassol (Cyprus) by ferry

The Greece – Cyprus ferry link is set to resume in 2023 but the prices, availability, and schedule are not yet available.
Also, in August and September, Larnaca will also become part of the Greece -Cyprus ferry service and will share the timetable with Limassol, which will host the sailings in June and July.

Ferries and bus from Crete to Cyprus

The longest by land option to get between the two islands is via Turkey, as follows:

• Crete to Rhodes by ferry
• Rhodes to Fethiye, Turkey, by ferry
• Fethiye to Tasucu or Alanya, by bus
• Tasucu to Kyrenia (Northern Cyprus) by ferry

While it can be done, it’s inconvenient, to say the least. And quite a challenge to plan it.

Note: the article was first published in August 2011 and has been updated as of March 2023.
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