Transport in Crete: buses, car rental, taxis and others. Bus service in Greece
Chania on the map of Crete.
Chania is a city that many tourists recognize as the most beautiful in Crete. People come here to stroll along the Venetian streets, visit museums with rich collections, and at the same time go to the Samaria Gorge, Balos Lagoon and Elafonisi Beach. There are many resorts near the city, among which every tourist will find a suitable place to relax. How to get to Chania? Here are some basic ways.
By plane to Chania
In Chania, there is the Ioannis Daskalogiannis Airport, located 10 km from the city - near Souda Bay. It is the second largest and busiest airport in Crete with one two-story terminal. Harbour Air accepts regular flights from Athens, Thessaloniki (Aegean Airlines, Ryanair), Munich (Aegean Airlines), charters from Larnaca (Blueair), Tel Aviv, Oslo, Stockholm, Vilnius, Bucharest (Aegean Airlines), Belgrade (Air Serbia).
There are no direct regular flights from Russian cities, but sometimes charter flights are launched during the summer season. It is much easier to fly to Heraklion first. One of the largest international airports in Greece is located here, which receives flights from Moscow and many other regions of Russia. From the airport you need to get to the Heraklion bus station (bus number 78), and from there change to a regular bus to Chania. Travel time is about 3 hours.
However, if you are going to vacation in the west of Crete, then, of course, it is better to fly to Chania.
Flights to Chania:
From the airport to Chania
As for transport links between Ioannis Daskalogiannis Airport and the city of Chania, getting to your destination will not be difficult. Buses depart from the terminal to the city daily according to the following schedule: first bus at 7:15, then at 9:15, 10:40, 14:15, 16:50 and 18:50. The last one departs at 21:15. Travel time is 30 minutes.
For those who do not want to wait for the bus, there are taxi counters to Chania near the terminal. But it's better to reserve convenient time and a suitable car before arrival.
Ferry to Chania
You can get to Chania by sea from mainland Greece. The room is home to the large modern port of Souda. It receives ferries and cruise ships. Most often, tourists arrive here from the Athens port of Piraeus. The journey from the capital of Greece lasts approximately 10 hours. And luxury liners, which inevitably attract the attention of Cretans and tourists, make a stop during Mediterranean cruises from Israel and Southern Europe.
Another port of Chania is located in Kissamos. It is 43 km away from the city and connects Chania by ferry with Corfu, Gythio and Kalamata. Ferries from Athens (Piraeus) operate three times a week. On the way to Chania, they make stops on other Greek islands.
Souda Port is located 6.5 km from Chania (15 minutes drive). The easiest way to cover such a short distance is by taxi. Also, buses run between the two points from 6:00 to 23:00 every 20 minutes. They depart from the port terminal and stop at the central market of Chania. From the port of Kissamos you can reach Chania in 60 minutes. The final stop is KTEL Chanion.
How to get to Chania from other regions of Crete
Crete has excellent intercity transport links. Therefore, you can get to Chania for at least a couple of days from the major settlements of the island.
From Rethymno, intercity transport departs from the bus station. The distance to Chania is 55 km, approximately 50 minutes on the road. KTEL buses operate daily and go through Kavros, Georgioupolis and Vrisses. The first bus leaves at 6:00 (on weekends - at 7:00) and then every hour until 23:00. The trip will cost 6.7 euros.
From Heraklion bus station, the distance to Chania is 103 km (3 hours travel time). Buses run daily, every hour from 5:30 to 21:30, and also at 12:00 along the old road (except weekends). The route Heraklion - Chania runs through the village of Bali, then through Rethymnon and Georgioupolis. The trip will cost approximately 15 euros. There are no buses from Agios Nikolaos to Chania. First you need to get to Heraklion.
All buses in Crete are comfortable, air-conditioned and much safer and cheaper to travel than rented cars. But in some cases, tourists prefer to call a taxi. A trip from the center of Rethymnon to Chania can cost between 75 and 90 euros. You can get from the center of Heraklion to Chania by taxi for 170-190 euros. From Agios Nikolaos, Elounda - for 240-280 euros, and from Ierapetra - for 310 euros.
To Chania - by rented car
Numerous rental offices offer their services to tourists arriving in Crete. You can rent a car at the representative offices of Avis, Sixt, Hertz, Suropcar, Firefly. During peak season (from the beginning of July) the price per day will be approximately 45 euros, per week - 192 euros. IN low season(in spring or with the arrival of autumn) - from 33 euros per day and from 110 euros per week. It is worth remembering that rental companies have the right to increase the price if the client is under 25 years old.
It is best to rent a car at the airport, for example at Heraklion airport, and use this car to get to Chania.
Please note that it is better to book a car in advance - in the middle of summer there are not enough cars.
Getting to Chania by car from other regions of Crete is very easy. A national highway runs along the entire northern coast of the island, connecting all the main cities of Crete. She also passes by Chania. You just need to not miss the right turn. But the road signs in Crete are fine, and there are several turns in the city area.
To Chania by taxi
If you don’t want to burden yourself with renting a car and feel more free, then the best option- get to Chania by taxi. You can order a car from anywhere in Crete, the main thing is to do it in advance. Use the order form at the beginning of the article.
All articles about Chania and Western Crete. Complete encyclopedia: beaches, hotels, resorts, attractions, tourist routes, museums, transport and much more.
The bus service in Crete runs like clockwork.
Many tourists prefer to explore the island in a rented car, but if you do not have a license or desire to drive on unfamiliar roads, then on regular buses you can easily travel around the whole of Crete, crossing it length and breadth.
Many of those who love and know this Greek island consider it the ideal starting point for all trips to Crete.
From here you can find a convenient route to literally any point on the map of this small, but very picturesque piece of land.
Red bus
Perhaps, the most unusual bus in the city - a red double-decker without a roof– runs through the streets of Rethymno every day.
This is a tour bus Rethymno City Tour.
From 10 am to 7 pm every day, this bus starts its journey every hour from the Square of the Unknown Soldier in the very center of the city.
His route runs through the most interesting sights of Rethymno - the Venetian fortress of Fortezza and Old city, the center for the protection of sea turtles Carriage Carriage, the abandoned village of Panagia Halevi and many others.
The tour lasts 90 minutes.
Ticket prices: 6 euros for children and 12 euros for adults.
From the airport to Rethymnon and back
Rethymno is located almost in the middle between the airports and Chania - each of them is about 40 km away.
But you can’t get directly from the Rethymno bus station (address: intersection of Π. Πρεβελάκή and Σ. Βλαστοΰ streets, on the coastal highway Ε. Κεφαλογιάυυη) to the airports by bus: first you need to get to the Heraklion bus station or Chania, and From there, take the same regular bus to the airport.
Buses Rethymno – Heraklion(arrival at bus station A) depart from Rethymno bus station every hour from 6.30 am to 22.15.
The travel time will be about an hour and a half, the trip price will be 7.6 euros.
From the bus station of the Greek capital, buses to the airport leave every half hour, travel time is 30 minutes, ticket price is 3 euros.
Buses Rethymnon – Chania They also depart every hour from 6.00 to 22.30 from Rethymno.
Travel time is about an hour, ticket price is 6.2 euros.
From the Chania bus station you can take a bus to the airport in half an hour; the flight schedule must be checked by day of the week; on average, buses run every hour and a half from 5 am.
The ticket price is 2.3 euros, the journey to the airport is 30 minutes.
Suburban routes around the city
Suburban buses run in all directions of the Rethymnon prefecture, even to the smallest towns: Metohia, Valsamonero, Chromonastiri, Maroulas, Messi, Loutra, Argioupolis and others.
The cost of a ticket, depending on the distance, ranges from 1.2 to 1.9 euros.
The maximum travel time is 45 minutes.
Flights depart to larger villages 8-10 times a day (Metohia, Valsamonero), to small villages - 2 times a day (Kastellakia, Argioupolis).
You can pick up a schedule of commuter routes in brochure form at the bus station or at your hotel.
You can travel from Rethymnon by comfortable regular bus to more remote places in southwestern Crete.
For example, to a place Agia Galini, where are located good hotels(travel time - 90 minutes, ticket - 6.5 euros), or to a remote one with its picturesque beaches at the foot of the mountains (travel time - 2 hours, ticket - 7.2 euros).
Trips around Crete
As already mentioned, Rethymnon is located between two major cities Crete (detailed information about the island) - Heraklion and Chania.
It is through these prefectural centers and the largest points on the main Cretan highway that the route from Rethymnon throughout the island lies.
Therefore, if you want to visit Agios Nikolaos (information about the city) or Sitia to see local attractions, you will first have to go to the capital of Crete, and then choose the right bus station, because different bus stations serve different areas of the island.
Regular buses from the airport to Heraklion, like regular city and intercity KTEL buses, are the only type of available public transport on Crete. A fairly extensive network of roads and the widespread development of bus transport makes it relatively easy to travel around the island, including everyone arriving in Crete has the opportunity to travel from Heraklion airport by bus to the capital of the island and the main bus station of Crete - bus station A.
Please note that fares are regulated by the Greek government and, relative to other European countries and standards, bus fares in Crete are quite inexpensive.
Bus stop at Heraklion airport
The location of the bus station at Heraklion Airport is quite good - the bus stop is just a few minutes walk from the exit from the arrivals area of the Heraklion Airport terminal. This is the most economical bus transport both from and to the airport.
Bus schedule from Heraklion airport in 2019
Heraklion Nikos Kazandakis International Airport is very busy between March and November, while in the winter months the number of departures and arrivals is significantly reduced. This seasonality also affects the operation of public transport: the bus schedule from Heraklion airport changes in accordance with the season.
However, there is general rules Schedule: local bus 78 from Heraklion airport to station A departs every 10-15 minutes from early morning to late evening from Monday to Saturday; on Sundays the flight frequency may be slightly reduced.
Bus route 78 from Heraklion airport
The Heraklion Airport - Heraklion bus is number 78 and runs from the bus stop next to the airport terminal to the Heraklion bus station and station A. To get from Heraklion airport to any popular resort or city in Crete, for example, Agia Pelagia, Bali, Ierapetra, Kokkini Hani, Malia, Rethymnon, Chania or Hersonissos, you need to get exactly to station A, where you can change to the flight that suits you. For some time now, bus station A has combined almost all flights to the west and southwest of the island of Crete, as well as its northeastern regions.
If your holiday will take place in the southern regions of the island, for example in the resorts of Agia Galini, Anoia, Zaros, Matala or Miros, you need to get to bus station B, which is located on the western side at football stadium just outside the walls of the old city of Heraklion.
Remember, blue KTEL buses are city routes, while green buses are intercity and regional.
From the airport to Heraklion you can take bus 78 only to station A, where you need to change to a suitable bus. The estimated travel time from the airport to the central bus station A of Heraklion is about 20 minutes. Tickets can be purchased from the bus driver upon boarding; the fare in 2019 is €2.00 per person.
Please note that in International airport Heraklion Nikos Kazantzakis service has been available for many years - those arriving on the island have the opportunity to pre-order and pay for a suitable transfer, be it a small car for one or two travelers, a comfortable sedan for a family with children or a minibus for big company, and comfortably get to any place you need on the island ().
We will try to compensate for the brevity of today’s post with its content. On Grekoblog, bus schedules in Crete from various cities of the largest Greek island. However, most of these links are somewhat outdated. Therefore, in the 2018 season, the first thing I did was try to find the latest bus schedule.
For a tourist, understanding the bus schedule in Greece is not an easy task. The fact is that there is no single bus operator here. Instead, there are many transportation companies in the country. As a rule, their name consists of two words: KTEL and the name of the city/region.
The current schedule was collected bit by bit from around the Internet in April 2018. At the same time, the Greeks share the concepts of schedules and ticket prices. Therefore, in this sample, the schedule is not always accompanied by prices.
Buses from Heraklion
There are two large bus stations in Heraklion, which serve different destinations on the island. More details about them and how to get to the bus stations from Heraklion airport Grekoblog. You can find the latest schedule for the 2018 season on this page.
Location of Heraklion bus stations on the map.
From Agios Nikolaos
With regular bus routes you can reach Heraklion, Ierapetra, Sitia, Elounda and other main settlements in the eastern part of the island. The cost of tickets for the trip depends on the length of the route and ranges from 1.6 to 7.1 euros.
From Sitia
The main city in the eastern part of the island - Sitia - is connected by regular bus service not only to Heraklion, but also to other key points in the east: Agios Nikolaos, Ierapetra, Palekastro, etc.
The most expensive tickets from Sitia are for buses to Heraklion. A one-way trip will cost about 15 Euros. For shorter routes, tickets are cheaper.
Download the bus schedule from Sitia.
From Ierapetra
The center of Lasithi, Ierapetra, is connected by regular routes to the island's capital, Sitia, Agios Nikolaos and other key towns and villages in the southeast. Pick up the bus schedule from Ierapetra.
The most expensive tickets from Ierapetra are for buses to Heraklion. Ticket prices start from 11 Euro one way.
Bus schedule from Chania
Being the second most important city in Crete, Chania is connected by regular routes to both Heraklion and other main cities in the region.