Getting around · Crete · Greece
Getting around Crete
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Crete is large and mountainous, so travel times are longer than distances suggest. KTEL buses connect the north-coast towns and main sights, but a hire car is the practical way to reach the south coast, villages and remote beaches. Yes, for most visitors.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Car
- Airports
- HER, CHQ, JSH
- Need a car?
- Sometimes
Ways to get around
Car
The national road along the north coast links Kissamos, Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos; Chania to Heraklion is about 140 km, roughly two hours. Mountain roads to the south coast are slow and winding.
Allow extra time for mountain roads and watch for goats and slow farm vehicles.
Bus
KTEL buses run frequently along the north coast and to major sights such as Knossos, Samaria, Elafonisi in summer and the south-coast villages.
Buy tickets at bus stations or online; some summer services fill up.
Ferry
On the southwest coast, ferries link Chora Sfakion, Loutro, Agia Roumeli, Sougia and Paleochora, which have no road connections between them. Overnight and day ferries also connect Heraklion and Chania's port at Souda with Piraeus.
Boat
Day boats run from Kissamos to Balos and Gramvousa, from Plaka and Elounda to Spinalonga, and from Ierapetra to Chrissi island in summer.
Taxi
Taxis are available in towns and at airports; for long journeys, agree the fare before setting off.
From the airport
Heraklion airport is about 5 km east of the city, with buses and taxis to the centre in about 15–25 minutes. Chania airport is on the Akrotiri peninsula about 15 km from the old town, linked by bus and taxi. Sitia airport in the east has a small number of flights.
Do you need a car?
Yes, for most visitors. Buses cover the north-coast towns and main sights, but a car makes the south coast, mountain villages, gorges and remote beaches far easier to reach.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Santorini | About 2 hours each way by high-speed ferry | High-speed ferry from Heraklion |
| Chrissi island | About 1 hour by boat from Ierapetra | Summer day boats from Ierapetra |
| Archanes | About 25 minutes by car from Heraklion | Car or local bus from Heraklion |
| Lake Kournas | About 50 minutes by car from Chania | Car, or bus to Georgioupoli then taxi |
| Kritsa and Lato | About 20 minutes by car from Agios Nikolaos | Car or local bus |
| Zakros and the Gorge of the Dead | About 1 hour by car from Sitia | Car |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Crete?
Yes, for most visitors. Buses cover the north-coast towns and main sights, but a car makes the south coast, mountain villages, gorges and remote beaches far easier to reach.
+How do you get from the airport to Crete?
Heraklion airport is about 5 km east of the city, with buses and taxis to the centre in about 15–25 minutes. Chania airport is on the Akrotiri peninsula about 15 km from the old town, linked by bus and taxi. Sitia airport in the east has a small number of flights.
+What is the best way to get around Crete?
Car: The national road along the north coast links Kissamos, Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos; Chania to Heraklion is about 140 km, roughly two hours. Mountain roads to the south coast are slow and winding.