Local Transport
Rental Car — The Best Option
A rental car is almost indispensable on Crete — the island is 260 km long, the most beautiful beaches and villages are off the main roads, and public transport only covers the major routes. The joy of driving is immense: winding mountain roads, spectacular coastal roads, and the freedom to stop at any time.
Prices: From 25€/day (small car, off-season) to 60€/day (SUV, high season). Comprehensive insurance is highly recommended — Cretan roads are sometimes narrow, rocky, and full of potholes, especially off the main routes. Note: Many cheap offers have a high deductible (800–1,200€) — either add comprehensive insurance with the rental company or take out independent rental car insurance.
Driving style in Crete: Cretans drive considerably faster than in Germany — but not aggressively, more pragmatically. It is common to pull over onto the shoulder on the main road to let faster drivers pass. Honking is a greeting, not an insult. On mountain roads, always honk before curves — oncoming traffic! Goat herd on the road? Wait. It's part of the experience.
KTEL Buses
The KTEL (Kino Tamio Eispraxeon Leoforion) operates a decent bus network along the northern coastal highway (Kissamos–Chania–Rethymno–Heraklion–Agios Nikolaos–Sitia) with hourly connections. Prices are affordable:
| Route | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Heraklion → Chania | 2.5h | 15€ |
| Heraklion → Rethymno | 1.5h | 9€ |
| Heraklion → Agios Nikolaos | 1.5h | 8€ |
| Chania → Rethymno | 1h | 7€ |
| Heraklion → Knossos | 20 Min. | 1.70€ |
| Chania → Omalos (Samaria) | 1h | 8€ |
Website: e-ktel.com (schedules and online tickets). Tickets also available at the bus station. The southern connections (Plakias, Matala, Sfakia) run much less frequently — check schedules in advance!
Ferries (South Coast)
Along the south coast, ferries operate in summer (May–October) between Paleochora, Sougia, Agia Roumeli, Loutro, and Chora Sfakion — the only way to reach some of these places (Loutro has no road!). The journey along the wild southwest coast is an experience in itself. Operator: ANENDYK. Prices: 6–12€ per route.
Taxi
Taxis are relatively inexpensive on Crete (base fee 3.50€, then about 1€/km). For longer distances (e.g., airport–hotel), agree on the price beforehand. Taxis are always available at airports and bus stations. Apps like "Beat" (Greek equivalent of Uber) work in Heraklion and Chania.
