'Chania Sunset' - Attribution: Crete is a large island with many fascinating places spread across its four prefectures (Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, and Lasithi). Figuring out transport in Crete is key to making the most of your visit. The good news is, despite its size, Crete has a variety of transport options – from rental cars for road trips to reliable public buses that reach most towns. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to navigate the island efficiently:
By Car (Rental Cars)
Hiring a car is one of the most popular ways to get around Crete, and for good reason. A car gives you ultimate freedom to explore remote beaches, mountain villages, and archaeological sites at your own pace. All the major towns (and airports in Heraklion and Chania) have plenty of car rental agencies, including international companies and local firms. Prices are usually reasonable, especially outside the peak summer months.
Driving in Crete is relatively straightforward.
Roads:
The island has a main highway (VOAK/E75) running along the north coast connecting Chania–Rethymno–Heraklion–Agios Nikolaos. This “National Road” is mostly single-lane each way, with some divided highway sections. Inland and south coast areas are accessed by smaller provincial roads, which can be winding and narrow but boast stunning views. Drive on the right-hand side in Greece (steering wheel on the left), which is important for visitors from the UK or other left-driving countries to remember. Traffic in cities can be a bit chaotic, and Cretan drivers are known to sometimes straddle lanes or overtake energetically. Stay alert and drive defensively, especially at night when lighting can be poor on rural roads.
Parking:
In city centres like Heraklion or Chania, finding parking can be challenging, especially in summer. Look for blue-lined spaces (paid municipal parking) or private parking lots. Many hotels in the countryside offer free parking. When visiting popular sights like Knossos Palace or busy beaches, arriving early helps secure a spot.
Pros of driving:
You can reach off-the-beaten-path gems (a hidden cove, a tiny hilltop monastery) that buses might not serve. For example, having a car lets you venture to the Lasithi Plateau's windmills or do an early morning drive to Elafonisi Beach before the crowds arrive. The scenery along the routes – say, the twisty road through the Imbros Gorge or the coastal road to Balos Gramvousa – can be a highlight in itself.
Cons:
You'll need a confident driver for mountain roads (they often have hairpin bends and steep drops with limited guardrails). Also, petrol (gasoline) costs can add up, fuel in Greece is priced per litre, and remote petrol stations may have higher prices. As of recent years, expect to pay around €1.7 – €2 per litre for petrol, depending on world fuel prices. Automatic transmission cars are less common than manual, so reserve in advance if you need an automatic. An International Driving Permit is recommended (and required by some rental companies) if your licence is not in English or Greek.
By Bus (Public Transport)
Crete has a surprisingly extensive bus network operated by KTEL, a cooperative running comfortable coach buses across the island. If you're travelling on a budget or prefer not to drive, buses are your best friend. They connect all major cities and many villages, and they're affordable and fairly frequent. For instance, you can hop on a bus from Heraklion to Chania (or vice versa) roughly every hour during the day in summer. A one-way ticket for that cross-island trip costs about €15 and takes around 2.5–3 hours (for ~140 km distance). Buses are modern, usually air-conditioned coaches with luggage storage underneath – quite comfortable for longer rides.
Main bus hubs:
Crete has two regional KTEL companies: one based in Chania for the west, and one in Heraklion for central/east. Heraklion's main bus station (Station A, near the port) handles routes east to Agios Nikolaos/Sitia and west to Rethymno/Chania. Chania's main bus station is in the city centre and serves west Crete and routes to Heraklion (via Rethymno). Rethymno and Agios Nikolaos also have central stations where multiple routes intersect.
Buying tickets:
You can purchase your ticket at the station booth or sometimes on the bus (from the conductor) for local routes. It's wise to arrive a few minutes early in summer as lines can form. You can also check schedules online on the KTEL websites, which have English versions.
Where buses go:
Almost everywhere a tourist might want. Key routes include: Heraklion ↔ Chania (with a stop in Rethymno), Heraklion ↔ Agios Nikolaos ↔ Sitia, Heraklion ↔ Matala (south Heraklion prefecture), Chania ↔ Kissamos (for Balos boat trips), Chania ↔ Omalos (for Samaria Gorge, early morning bus), Rethymno ↔ Plakias, etc.
In summer, additional routes run to popular beach spots (like Elafonisi Beach from Chania or Hersonissos from Heraklion). In winter, schedules are slightly reduced, but main towns still have regular service. Local city buses also operate within cities (for example, from Heraklion centre to Knossos Palace there is a city bus every 20 minutes or so).
Advantages:
No stress of driving or parking, very cost-effective. You can also enjoy the scenery from your window – like the gorgeous coastal ride between Rethymno and Chania. Buses are family-friendly and solo-traveller-friendly, and you might even strike up a conversation with locals or fellow travellers on the journey.
A few tips: Buses generally run on time, but occasionally can be a few minutes late due to traffic. In peak season they can fill up, if you're boarding at an intermediate stop, wave the bus down as it approaches. Drivers are used to tourists and will often announce stops for major attractions in English. Hold on to your ticket during the ride – there may be an inspector checking. Also, note that smaller villages might have only 2 buses a day (one early morning, one midday), so plan accordingly to avoid being stranded until the next day! Always double-check the return schedule when heading to a remote location.
By Taxi
Taxis are plentiful in Crete's cities and tourist resorts. They are more expensive than buses but can be convenient for short hops or when you have heavy luggage. All official taxis are metered and are usually silver or dark in colour with a “TAXI” sign. For example, a taxi ride within Chania city might cost €5–7, while a longer ride from Heraklion Airport to Hersonissos (about 25 km) might be ~€40. It's a good idea to confirm the fare or an estimate before you set off, especially for inter-city trips. Many taxi drivers also offer fixed rates for popular routes and day tours – you'll see rate boards at airports or taxi stands (e.g., “Heraklion Airport to Agios Nikolaos – €80”)
When to use taxis:
If you arrive late at night when buses have stopped, a taxi might be the only option to reach your hotel. They're also useful if you're in a small group and can split the cost, or if you want to reach a place not served by bus and don't have a car. Taxis can be hailed on the street in towns, found at designated ranks (such as outside ferry ports, bus stations, and central squares), or called by phone. In Heraklion and Chania, you can also use taxi apps like “FreeNow” to summon a taxi – this can be easier if there's a language barrier, as you input your destination in the app and get a price estimate.
For longer distances, taxis are pricey. For example, a taxi from Chania to Heraklion could run over €150 (whereas the bus is under €20). In those cases, consider private shuttle companies or shared transfers if you're not up for the bus. Hotels can often arrange transfers too. Always ensure the taxi driver uses the metre (it should start at the base fare, around €1.30 daytime, higher at night) unless you've agreed on a flat fare. Tips aren't mandatory but rounding up to the next euro or a small tip for good service is appreciated.
By Ferry and Boat
While you won't use ferries within Crete (since it's one island with no internal ferry routes needed), boats are still part of getting around. There are a few scenarios where you might take a boat during your Crete travels:
To/from mainland Greece or other islands:
Crete is connected by ferry to Piraeus (Athens' port) and other Aegean islands. For example, overnight ferries run from Heraklion to Piraeus daily, which can be a scenic way to travel and save a night's hotel cost (with a cabin). Chania's port (Souda Bay) also has ferries to Piraeus. If you plan to combine Crete with Santorini or Mykonos, seasonal high-speed ferries operate from Heraklion and Rethymno to those Cycladic islands. This isn't exactly “getting around Crete”, but it's good to know for multi-destination trips.
Boat excursions within Crete:
Certain attractions are best accessed by boat. For instance, the stunning Balos Gramvousa on the Gramvousa peninsula can be reached by a daily excursion boat from Kissamos port (if you don't want to drive the rough road there). Similarly, the idyllic Chrissi Island (with golden sands and cedar trees, off Crete's southeast) is reached by a small ferry from Ierapetra. In the southwest, some coastal villages like Loutro or Agia Roumeli (the exit point for Samaria Gorge) have no road access and are connected by ferry boats along the Sfakia coast. These small ferries act like a coastal bus, linking places such as Sfakia, Loutro, Sougia, and Paleochora. So if you hike Samaria Gorge one-way, you'll likely take a ferry from Agia Roumeli to Sfakia to meet the bus back.
If you plan to use those ferries, check the schedules in advance – they often run once in the morning and once in late afternoon. Sea conditions can occasionally cause cancellations, especially in fall or spring if winds are high.
Additional Tips for Navigating Crete
Distances and time: Don't underestimate travel times. Roads are curvy once you leave the main highway. A 60 km journey might take 2 hours if it's through mountains. Also, East-West travel (e.g., from Chania to Sitia) can easily take 5–6 hours by car nonstop. If you plan to explore the whole island, consider breaking your stay into two bases (one in the west, one in the east) to avoid too much backtracking.
Fuel stations: If driving, note that petrol stations are common on the north coast and near towns, but in rural areas they can be sparse. Many close by 9 or 10 PM (and may not have self-service), so fill up before late-night drives. In mountain areas, always start with a near-full tank.
Language: Bus destination signs are usually in Greek and English. Announcements might not always be in English, so keep track of where you are. Many bus drivers speak basic English or will at least call out the stop names (e.g., “Plakias!”).
Renting scooters/ATVs: In resort areas, you'll see scooters, quad bikes, and bicycles for rent. These can be fun for very short trips (like exploring a coastal strip), but be cautious – wear helmets, and know that main roads are not ideal for slow ATVs. We don't recommend an ATV for long drives as they're slow and you may hold up traffic on busy routes.
Domestic flights: Crete has two international airports (Heraklion and Chania) and a smaller domestic airport in Sitia. There are daily flights between Athens and Crete (to Heraklion or Chania), and even some seasonal inter-island flights (e.g. from Crete to Rhodes). However, there are no internal flights within Crete – it's not necessary given the other transport means. If you're in Heraklion and need to catch a flight from Chania (or vice versa), it's usually easiest to take a direct bus or taxi to the other airport (about 2 hours apart by road) because flying via Athens would be too much hassle.
Getting around Crete might seem daunting given its size, but once you're there, you'll find it's quite manageable with a bit of planning. Mix and match transport to suit your itinerary – perhaps rent a car for a few days of countryside exploring, and use the bus for point-to-point city hops. Many travellers do exactly that. No matter how you choose to travel, you're bound to enjoy spectacular views on every journey and discover something new along the way. Safe travels (Καλό ταξίδι)!