Ferrys Run in Mid Sept.?

When you have a question like this, you can answer it yourself by using this website: http://www.gtp.gr/RoutesForm.asp Just put in the 2 ports (Santorini) and Heraklion , leave the "Day" slot at any and the "Month" slot on 9. YOu will see the ferry schedule. Two ferry lines, 7 days a week, until early October are shown. Check it yourself.

We took a Flying Cat from Santorini to Heraklion on October 20, 2014. I think you may also be able to ferry to Chania.

The schedule checking method already suggested will show what you need to know for 2015. The number of sailings are fewer in general, but they do exist. If the weather is rough, the boat may take longer than advertised. Ours definitely did. If it's really bad, it won't go at all.

Depending on exactly where you want to go and when, the schedules may not be finalized until later than you may find comfortable, and the boats may be more crowded than you might expect, especially on that Santorini to Heraklion route. In fact, my husband and I ended up sitting in the same seat on separate rows.

After 2 nights in Heraklion and going to the Palace of Knossos and the museum the day between, we took the bus to Chania. We took an overnight car ferry to Piraeus from Chania on October 25. Even with a private room, it was cheaper for the two of us than flying back to Athens. Most people on the boat didn't get rooms. They just slept on the sofas or floor. Big families would claim sections and stay there.

We flew from Athens to Santorini. I managed to get us tickets at a very good price that included luggage fees. There are cheaper flights, but I discovered that once you paid for luggage, the prices were almost the same.

To fly to Crete from Santorini you have to fly back to Athens and then take a flight from there to Heraklion or Chania. That takes a lot longer than the Flying Cats and costs more. The weather caveat also applies with flights.

The Sea Jets Megajet will run between Santorini and Heraklion on Crete until October 25. There is NO ferry between Santorini and Chania.

Thank you each for your suggestions. I'm always willing to help others when I can also.