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Self Drive in Crete

Self Drive in Crete - reasons to hire a vehicle:

• Crete is a large island, measuring 260 by 60 km
• hundreds of beaches
• four major towns
• three mountain ranges
• centuries of history to discover

...not to mention great cafes and tavernas with fresh local food, wide open spaces and endless fresh new expanses to lose yourself in, or find yourself, so it is perfect for a self-drive road trip experience.

That is where your cheap car rental Crete comes in - allowing your budget to stretch further, so you can see more of the island, stay a little longer, and see what is around that next bend.

When you book with our car rental partners - Rental Centre Crete - you are supporting a local company with excellent service, competitive prices, transparent up-front prices and an easy online booking procedure. We are sure you will be well looked after by Harry and his team.

Cheap Car Rental Crete - search for your ideal vehicle below.

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Self-Drive Trip Around West Crete

Self Drive in Crete - a question from one of our visitors who would like to know about experiencing Crete.

Hi,

I have been enjoying your site and have downloaded your 5-day guide to western Crete - thank you for making both available!  My husband and I are going to be traveling with another couple to Crete in May.  We will arrive on the ferry from Santorini and have 10 days on Crete. 

We will expand your 5-day itinerary to a 10-day itinerary and would like your advice.  These are our thoughts at the moment, but we are flexible.

We will pick up car in Heraklion and drive to the wine country, stopping at Palace of Knossos along the way.  We would like to spend 2 nights in wine country; what would you suggest?

Then, we would drive south to Matala with a possible overnight in this area or continue to Agia Galini area.  What would you suggest here?  

Then, we are struggling with whether to go north from Agia Galini through the Amari valley to Rethymno and then on to Omalos…or skip Rethymno and head more north west to Spili and Argyroupoli and on to Omalos.  

We plan to spend two nights in Omalos and hike the Samaria Gorge.  From there we will drive to Elafonsi area and spend 2 nights. We are then thinking of two nights in Chania before driving back to Heraklion, in time to get our late afternoon flight to Athens. 

Your guidance on our itinerary and things to see and places to stay will be greatly appreciated! 

Thank you!

Rachel

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A Personalised Itinerary for a Driving Holiday in Crete

Self Drive in Crete - here is our answer for Rachel and all the tips and pointers for her car trip around Crete.

Yiasas Rachel,

Your trip sounds wonderful, we have put together some ideas for you below.

Thank you for purchasing our mini trip guide booklet and we are glad you have found it helpful.

For your cheap car rental Crete we suggest Rental Centre Crete, because the team will look after you.

The timing of the ferries from Santorini to Crete will not allow you to visit Knossos on your first day, as you will arrive in the evening, around 7pm or 10pm, depending on which ferry you choose. Due to the late hour, you may want to take a taxi to a comfortable city hotel and then pick up your hire car in the morning, so as not to drive late at night. Or you could pick it up from the port, your choice. A good city hotel close to the port is the Hotel Lato.

We suggest Matala or that area instead of Agia Galini, as Matala's scenery is just so special.

There is not a lot to do at Omalos, we would not recommend staying two nights there, unless you are using it as a base for walking or other mountain activities. Because of the one-way route of the Samaria Gorge walk and the lay of the land, it makes logistics tricky therefore it is much easier to do this walk with a tour rather than independently, unless you have at least 3 days to enjoy the south coast. We have put in an alternative for you below, basing yourselves in Chania.

We are not sure what type of accommodation you are seeking, budget, mid-range or luxury. In each place there are many options available. We have mentioned some of our preferred characteristic guesthouses or homes.

Day One
Arrive Heraklion in the evening from Santorini
Stay at the Hotel Lato
Or pick up your hire car
Drive 14 km to Archanes Village
Stay at Archontiko Studios
Or other accommodation options here

Day Two
Drive 7 km down country roads to Knossos Archaeological Site
Or pick up your cheap car rental Crete and drive 5 km from town
Arrive early, allow 2 hours for your visit
Visit wineries around Archanes, Pesa, Siva, Dafnes
Visit Koronekes olive farm near Archanes
Lunch at one of the wineries or taverna in one of those villages
Stay at Archontiko Studios

Day Three
Drive south via Gortyna and Phaistos ancient sites to Matala Beach 76 km
Stay at Matala Beach or inland at Kamilari Village
Stay at Koronio House near Kamilari

Day Four
Drive from Matala area to Meronas village via Amari Valley 60 km
Stay in Meronas Village
Stay at Meronas Eco House

Day Five
Drive from Meronas via Arkadi Monastery to Rethymnon Town 34 km
Enjoy the Old Town
Stay within the walls of the Old Town
Stay at Casa Moazzo

Day Six
Drive from Rethymnon to Chania via Georgioupolis Beach, Lake Kournas and Argyroupolis 100 km
Lunch in Argyroupolis
Explore the Old Town of Rethymnon
Stay within the walls of the Old Town
Stay at Casa Leone

Day Seven
Leave luggage at hotel – take a day pack or small overnight pack
Take a day tour to Samaria Gorge or take a local bus to Omalos
Walk the gorge
Arrive at Agia Roumeli village
If on the day tour – depart on the ferry and coach back to Chania
Stay at Casa Leone
If staying, relax on the beach and enjoy Agia Roumeli, stay at the Gigilos Hotel

Day Eight
Take the morning ferry to Chora Sfakion and bus back to Chania
Pick up remaining luggage and hire car
Drive to Palaiochora 70 km
Enjoy the beaches
Stay in Palaiochora
Stay at Aris Boutique Hotel

Day Nine
Take a ferry to Elafonisi beach - Captain Manos
Enjoy the beaches
Stay in Palaiochora
Stay at Aris Boutique Hotel

Day Ten
Drive from Palaiochora to Chania port or airport 90 km
Allow at least 2 hours for the drive
Depart

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Self Drive in Crete
Information Pages for this Trip

Self Drive in Crete - our website info will get you on your holiday around Crete:

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Your Self-Drive Vacation in Pictures

Self Drive in Crete - your itinerary takes you through some of the most beautiful countryside on the island.

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Getting Here

Take a 1 hour flight from Athens to Heraklion with Aegean Airlines or Olympic Air, with many flights available per day.

Or take a 9.5 hour overnight ferry from Pireaus port of Athens to Heraklion port.

More on flights and ferries below.

Car hire in Crete is a really good idea as it is a large island 60 km by 260 km. There is so much to explore.

When you book with our car rental partners - Rental Centre Crete - you are supporting a local company with excellent service and easy online booking. We are sure you will be well looked after by the team. Choose from hybrid, electric or regular vehicles.

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About the Team

Yiásas!
Anastasi, Apostoli & Katia are the
We Love Crete team
We just love sharing our passion for Crete, Greece and travel
About us