Getting Around in Crete

Getting around in Crete is simple! Crete is very well organised for travellers, and there are excellent coach, taxi and ferry services, as well as a good quality road system. The roads are a little smaller in the rural areas, and signage is almost non-existent, so you know you are having a real adventure. That’s fine, those experienced travellers amongst us wouldn’t have it any other way and actually look to get off the beaten track.

Well, one really can still do that in Crete, and because it is the largest Greek island with large mountain ranges and undeveloped coastlines, you will sometimes feel you are the only ones around, or you are discovering something for the first time! Of course, being one of the first inhabited locations in Europe, the odds of that are pretty small, but the feeling of freedom is still real and exhilarating!

Below we offer information on taxis, transfers, local coaches, hire cars, local ferries and maps of Crete, to ensure that getting around in Crete is smooth and enjoyable for you.

Taxis in Crete

Taxi drivers in Crete are marginally better than some parts of the world, however it is suggested that you protect yourself from overcharging by knowing the decent rate for the journey you need, and agreeing on this before the journey. Most Cretan taxi drivers are savvy enough to know that by using this method, you are an aware customer, and not ready to be ripped off today.

Generally, if in doubt, ask at the airport information desk for the reasonable rate to your destination, or better still, find out before-hand by obtaining a realiable up-to-date guidebook. Below you will find some of the most common trips and their approximate value for 2007. If you have a lot of luggage, expect to pay a little more. Tipping is also common. For journeys within towns, expect to pay no more than €2-€3.

For that all-important first day, a taxi ride from the hotel to your village, hotel or domatia is a very good way to begin your Cretan stay. You can book online for a taxi to meet your flight, put your luggage into the vehicle and get you safely to your destination. Generally this pre-booked service is more expensive than the local taxi you would hail on the kerbside, but we find it is worth it for the peace of mind.

If you are travelling as a family or large group you may need a pre-booked transfer. You may also like to pre-book your taxi or shuttle from home to your departure airport. This can all be arranged online for that extra peace of mind. Check prices and pre-book a taxi in Crete.

Local taxi prices

Coach services in Crete

Getting around in Crete with the coach services:

The local and regional bus services in Crete are run by regional collectives known as Kino Tamio Eispraxeon Leoforon or KTEL. What this boils down to is that many of the coaches you climb on board as you explore the large island of Crete are owned by the driver and his family. We have always found that this creates a real pride of ownership and excellent service from Cretan KTEL coaches. Of course match family pride with Cretan pride and you get superior results!

Seriously, the bus services are great. They make getting around in Crete so easy. It is almost one hundred percent predicable that you will get to listen to Cretan music Kritiki musiki, on the loudspeakers for the duration of your trip. This makes everyone happy and certainly adds to the memorable trip! Timetables vary between quiet and busy season, so check your route and timetable at KTEL Cretan Bus Service.

Bus Stations

Most bus stations are fairly basic and central in each town, except for Heraklion which has two regional bus stations for KTEL buses and then the town bus stops for town buses.

Heraklion Bus Stations: The station down by the port, between the old harbour, the new port and the town, is named Bus Station A and buses depart from here for destinations along the north coast of Crete including west to Rethymnon and Chania, and east to Agios Nikolaos in Lassithi.

The station located on the outskirts of town at Chanioporta (next to the buttress walls) is called Bus Station B and buses depart from here for destinations to the south in Heraklion prefecture such as Mires and Matala and towns in between. From here you will also catch buses to Anogia, Gortys and Festos.

Town buses in Heraklion. There are many convenient stops from which to catch these buses, and you can also take one of these to Knossos. The most central stops are as follows:

* Just down from the Liondaria on 25th August St, near El Greco park. From here you can catch bus #2 to Knossos.

* Outside the Capsis Astoria Hotel on the large central plateia Eleftherios Venizelos.

Hire Cars in Crete

It is really worth having a vehicle for getting around in Crete to enjoy touring and exploring. The island is 260 by 60 kms, so it is a large island. Hiring a car in Crete can be more expensive than in other European countries. The local companies offer better rates than the multi-nationals. Here are a few tips to assist in your smooth journey.

Click here for car hire in Crete...

Hire Cars are available for pickup from the airports at Iraklion and Chania, and from town centres in each capital town of Chania, Rethymnon, Iraklion and Agios Nikolaos.

Click here for a map of Crete with markers showing airports and capitals towns.

Credit Card. One must have a valid credit card with credit available to cover the deposit to pick up any rental car for getting around in Crete.

Drivers Licence. One must have a valid drivers licence for the country you are visiting. In Crete they will recognise an International Drivers Permit issued by the motoring association in your country. Make sure this is up to date and that you take your passport for identification to the agency when picking up your vehicle.

Ensure you book in advance. During busy season, especially the months of July and August, things get really full in Crete, so a booking is essential. You cannot expect to walk out of the airport and find a car available. There are many online services available for getting around in Crete by hire car.

Remember you will have luggage. Do not opt for the smallest and cheapest car unless you have packed only one suitcase. Especially for families or groups, remember you will have a number of bags, and then there is always the other ‘stuff’ that seems to appear out of nowhere. Go one size up and you will have a smoother trip.

Need some engine power? Again, don’t just choose the smallest and cheapest vehicle if you will be exploring the island, you may want to climb mountains or small country roads and need some grunt, also if you have a few passengers you will notice the engine capacity when touring, it will make getting around in Crete that much easier.

Relaxed pick up and drop off. Sometimes it is a good idea to take a taxi to a hotel on your first night, and pick up the car in a relatively relaxed state the next morning. Most car rental companies will accommodate you at your hotel. Coming on a long plane flight or journey and then driving a car on a different side of the road isn’t always a great start to your visit.

Opening Hours. Always check the opening hours of the car rental agency. These may not be the same as in your home country, and make sure you agree on the valid return time for the vehicle.

Extras. Again, book ahead for baby seats or roof racks, these can also be booked online.

Weather. Check our Weather page for the 10 day forecast in Crete.

Kiddies in the car. Make sure the kids have some toys and distractions for the back seat. This will make getting around Crete much more pleasant for the family.

Unsure of your route? See our section below about maps, but when in doubt…get out of the car and ask a local. Even if you don’t speak much Greek, its amazing what you can achieve with sign language, and you may save yourself a lot of time and energy, even make a new friend! Getting around in Crete is an adventure!

Bring your own car. Cars can be brought into Crete for up to six months. You can journey to Crete on the car ferries departing both Gythion in Peloponnese and Pireaus in Athens. So you could just drive off the ferry onto the dockside and enjoy getting around in Crete!

Getting around in Crete will be easy and enjoyable if you take note of these tips when booking your hire car and making your travel plans.

Pre-book your car hire in Crete...or just check rates...

Ferries within Crete

Minoan Lines, Anek Lines, Lane Lines and other large Greek ferry companies have itineraries that include multiple stops within Crete. See our page about getting to and from Crete.

There are also many smaller ferry services, especially on the south coast, that are convenient for getting around in Crete for daytrips or to explore the beautiful inaccessible little coastal villages of Kriti.

When getting around in Crete by ferry, remember that the sea has the final word on all ferry and boat departures and scheduled departures may be cancelled due to weather conditions.

From the small town of Sfakia, also known as Chora Sfakion, in the south of Chania prefecture, ferries link to the beautiful coastal villages of Loutro, Agia Roumeli, Sougia, and Paleohora and the beach at Elafonisi. Sfakia can be reached by bus from Chania. See the KTEL Bus timetables for times and routes.

Anendyk Maritime S.A. runs three ferries on the south coast of Chania and bookings are generally not required, but for groups or in the very busy season it would be safe to purchase your ticket ahead of time, which you can do from ticket offices in Agia Roumeli, Loutro and Sfakia. Bookings can also be made on the phone or by email. Tickets are between €3-€15 with discounts for children and pensioners. Getting around in Crete by ferry is quite easy on the south coast.

Getting to and from Loutro by ferry. This whitewashed village is a 15 minute ferry ride from Sfakia, on the south coast of Crete. Its charm is that it may only be accessed by foot or by boat. Ferries cross between the Sfakia and Paleohora regularly in busy season. Taxi ferries can also take you from Sfakia to Loutro.

Getting to and from Sougia by ferry. It is possible to get the bus between Chania and Sougia, and to walk the beautiful Agia Irini Gorge from the north, and ferries pass here to both Paleohora in the west and to Agia Roumeli, Loutro and Sfakia to the east. Ferries also leave Sougia less frequently for Gavdos Island.

Getting to and from Paleohora by ferry. It is possible to reach Paleohora by bus, however if you want to include it in your ferry-hopping on the south coast, it is a great idea. Ferry connections are available from Sfakia, Loutro, Agia Roumeli, Sougia and Gavdos Island.

Getting to and from Elafonisi by boat. In busy season boats run daily between Paleohora and Elafonisi.

Getting to and from Chrissi Island by boat. From the southern coastal town of Ierapetra in eastern Crete, boats leave for the island of Chrissi Island also called Donkey Island 12 km to the south. Known for its white sand and patches of pine and cyprus, this uninabited island is a protected area and you can only visit during the day. Boats do travel there for a day visit, and tavernas are open in peak season. Private boat charters are also available.

Getting to and from Spinalonga Island by boat. From both Agios Nikolaos and Elounda, boats take day trips to Spinalonga to explore the ruins and the ex-leper colony. These cruises take in the views of the beautiful Mirabello Bay.

These are just some of the ferries for getting around in Crete.

Maps of Crete

If you wish to purchase a detailed map before you get to Crete, check out the Road Editions Map of Western Crete or Map of Eastern Crete.

If you would like to purchase a map or guide whilst in Athens en route to Crete, visit Road Bookstore at 71 Solonos Street in Athens for a wide range of maps, guides and publications about Greece.

Travel Agent in Crete. Looking for assistance with getting around in Crete? To make your travel arrangements, a reliable travel agent is Vai Travel in Heraklion at 10, Chandakos Street (just walk through the trees behind the Liondaria).