Getting to Crete,
 advice and links

Scheduled flights

Almost all scheduled international flights transit through Athens where you must take a scheduled domestic flights to either Chania or Heraklion. These are quite frequent (around 10 a day to Chania and more to Heraklion) and run by several companies Below are links to international and local flights.

Check flights here

 

Transiting through Athens

Athens is a very large congested city with a high level of air pollution in summer. It also offers some superb museums and renowned archaeological sites and is worth a stopover, at least once. You can continue your journey from Athens to Crete by plane or ferryboat from Piraeus.

 

Ferryboat from Piraeus

There is a regular ferryboat service from the port of Piraeus to Heraklion, Rethymnon and Chania. Ships depart every evening around 8.00 or 8.30 (times vary a little depending on the season) and arrive very early morning (5.00 or 6.00 am). The ships are quite modern, cheaper than flying and can be quite romantic (if they are not too crowded). Avoid weekends and especially the beginning and end of holidays! If you want a cabin it is often safer to book in advance.
The main company is Anek lines (www.anek.gr/) (you can book on-line from there web-site) a company created in the 60s by Cretans who wanted better and safer service to and from the mainland of Greece. Another company, Minoan Lines (www.festivetravel.com/minoan.htm) sails every day to Heraklion and some days to Chania. Rethymnon Lines runs ferries to Rethymnon. 

A word of caution: In winter (but at other times too) the sea is often stormy and it is not unusual for the ferries to be delayed, sometimes for days, until the storm passes. If you must return by a specific date go by air - planes will fly in worse weather and are only grounded when winds reach gale forces

 

Ferryboat from the Peloponnese and the Cyclades

Miras Ferries runs a service connecting the South Peloponnese (Gythion, Neapolis or Kalamata) to Kastelli (45 km west of Chania). Timetables are rather erratic but it is an option if you want to spend time on the Peloponnese.

From April to October you can also get boats from Santorini (and other Cyclades islands) to Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos.

Online ferry booking for Europe

 

Overland to Greece

Travelling to Greece overland has virtually stopped since the disintegration of former Yugoslavia. The alternative through Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria takes so long that it is not worth thinking about unless you want to visit these countries. The only option if you want to come by car or bike is by ferry from Italy, see above.

 

Arrival in Crete

 

Chania airport

The airport of Chania is situated on the peninsula of Akrotiri, 13 km from the town centre. Taxis to Chania cost around Euro 10 (inc. a small airport surcharge). Check-in time is about 45 min. for domestic flights and 90 min. for charters.

 

Heraklion airport

The airport of Heraklion is situated about 4 km from the city centre. There is now a regular bus service to the city centre as well as taxis (insist on the drivers turning the meter on).
If you arrive in Heraklion and wish to proceed immediately to Chania or Rethymnon you must go to the KTEL bus stop in the city. Heraklion has several terminals so make sure that you tell the taxi driver where you are planning to take the bus to. Busses leave every hour during the day and the trip to Chania takes about 2½ hours. There are no busses after 8.30 pm and your only alternative is a taxi, costing about Euro 140. It seems expensive but it is a 140 km journey. 

 

Arriving by ferry

Souda harbour is situated 7 km east of Chania. There is a regular city bus service. If you arrive very early by ferry from Piraeus you will need to take a taxi or go have a coffee in one of the cafes situated just outside the harbour enclosure to wait for the day to start.

If you arrive by ferry in Heraklion or Rethymnon you will arrive in the centre of town.