Public transport in Crete works well along the main north-coast corridor from Chania to Heraklion, but is limited in the south and east of the island. KTEL buses are reliable and affordable €1.10 – €15.10 per journey; taxis are metered and available everywhere; and private transfers offer fixed-price convenience for airport arrivals. Below, you will find fares, station locations, and journey times for every option - by city and by airport.
Last updated: June 2026. All fares and timetables are approximate. Prices may vary seasonally. Verify current fares at e-ktel.com (Heraklion region) or ktelherlas.gr (Chania/Rethymno) before travel.
About this guide: Written by the team at Best Crete Transfer - a GNTO-licensed airport transfer operator (registration 1039Ε60000310701) with daily operations across all three Crete airports and 60+ island destinations. Our local knowledge comes from thousands of transfers completed each year between Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno, and Lasithi.
KTEL is Crete's island-wide public bus network, connecting all four major cities and most tourist destinations with affordable fares (€1.10–€15.10 one-way) and services running daily from 6:30am to 11:30pm.
KTEL (Koinó Tamio Eispraxeon Leoforeion) is the Greek national intercity bus network. In Crete, KTEL operates four regional companies covering Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno, and Lasithi prefectures. Tickets cannot be used across regional networks - buy the correct ticket for your departure city.
KTEL buses in Chania run air-conditioned, clean services daily - connecting the city centre to all major destinations on a fixed timetable from 6:30am to 11:30pm. The Chania Central Bus Station is located in the very centre of the city, where Kelaidi and Kydonias streets meet. A single in-city ticket costs around €1.10 to €5.00, depending on distance.
| Route | Fare | Journey Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chania → Rethymno | €6.80 | ~55 min |
| Chania → Heraklion | €15.10 | ~2h 45min |
| Chania → Elafonisi | €11.00 | ~1h 45min |
| Chania → Paleochora | €8.30 | ~1h 30min |
| Chania → Omalos | €7.50 | ~1h |
KTEL services run on schedule across the main north-coast routes; allow 15 extra minutes during peak summer hours (July–August) and reduced frequency on Sundays.
Heraklion KTEL buses depart every 30 minutes on major routes from 6:30am to 11:30pm, serving Agios Nikolaos, Agia Pelagia, and the city's two stations. Local buses in Heraklion cover routes within the city and nearby villages, while KTEL intercity buses link Heraklion with Chania, Lasithi, and Rethymno.
Heraklion has two main bus stations:
| Route | Fare | Journey Time |
|---|---|---|
| Heraklion → Rethymno | ~€9.60 | ~1h 30min |
| Heraklion → Chania | €15.10 | ~2h 45min |
In-city and local-route tickets cost around €1.10 to €5.00, depending on distance.
Rethymno KTEL buses operate from 6:30am to 10:30pm (slightly reduced hours compared to Heraklion and Chania). The Rethymno Central Bus Station is located on Leof. Emmanouil Kefalogianni, Rethymno, and covers routes to both local destinations within the city and other major regions on the island.
In-city tickets cost around €1.10 to €5.00, depending on distance; trips to the south coast cost around €4–€10. Check the Rethymno KTEL website (ktelherlas.gr) for the current timetable, as frequency is lower on weekends and in the off-season (October–April).
KTEL frequency is highest on the north-coast corridor (Chania–Rethymno–Heraklion), where buses run roughly every 30 minutes on major routes during peak season. South-coast and east Crete services are far sparser, often only a few departures per day. Frequency drops on weekends and across the off-season (October–April), so always confirm departures in advance for routes outside the main north-coast line. For destinations where KTEL services are infrequent, a car rental or private transfer may be more practical.
Sources: KTEL Heraklion official timetable (e-ktel.com); KTEL Chania–Rethymno (ktelherlas.gr); Best Crete Transfer operational data (updated June 2026).
Taxis in Crete are metered (starting from €3–3.50 plus ~€1/km), readily available in all major cities, and can be pre-booked online for a fixed price - making them predictable for airport runs.
Taxis in Crete charge approximately €1 per kilometre (Tariff 1, daytime). The meter starts at €3.00 in Chania and €3.50 in Heraklion. A surcharge (Tariff 2) applies between midnight and 05:00 and for journeys outside city limits. Typical ranges: Chania city runs €3–29; Heraklion city runs €3.50–47.50 (far villages). In Rethymno, taxis are likewise metered and widely available in the centre and nearby areas. Pre-booking online locks a fixed price for longer transfers.
You can find a taxi almost anywhere in the major cities. Because Crete taxis run on a regulated meter, the driver cannot set a price - so you do not have to haggle.
A metered taxi is available at every Crete airport from the rank outside arrivals. Typical fares:
Pre-booking online locks the price; hailing a taxi at the rank uses the meter.
All three Crete airports (Heraklion, Chania, Sitia) offer taxis, KTEL buses, and private transfers - the right choice depends on your group size, luggage, and arrival time.
There are 3 airports in Crete: Heraklion Airport, Chania Airport, and Sitia Airport. Local and international flights arrive and depart from these airports daily.
From Heraklion Airport (HER), 4.83 kilometers from city centre:
From Chania Airport (CHQ), 14 kilometers from Chania city:
From Sitia Airport (JSH), about 1 kilometer from Sitia city:
Because Sitia handles only local flights and sits in the more sparsely served east of the island, public transport options are fewer here than at Heraklion or Chania.
Beyond buses and taxis, car rental (from €25/day), scooter rental (from €15/day), and coastal ferries give you flexibility for destinations where KTEL services are infrequent.
Renting a car is the best way to explore Crete at your own pace, especially for reaching south-coast beaches and mountain villages where bus frequency is low. EU and EEA driving licences are accepted; visitors from many non-EU countries should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence. Rental rates start from around €25 per day, with higher prices in peak summer.
Scooter and moped rental (from around €15 per day) is a popular, economical way to cover shorter distances and reach beaches near the main towns. A valid motorcycle licence is required for larger machines; always wear a helmet, as it is mandatory.
On the south coast, the Anendyk ferry network links villages such as Paleochora, Sougia, Agia Roumeli, Loutro, and Chora Sfakion - several of which have no road access. These coastal ferries are an essential way to reach remote south-west settlements and run more frequently in summer.
For solo budget travel, KTEL buses are the most affordable; for airport arrivals with luggage or families, a private transfer from Best Crete Transfer offers door-to-door service at a fixed, pre-agreed price with no queuing.
| Factor | KTEL Bus | Metered Taxi | BCT Private Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost (airport to city) | ~€1.20–€2 | €15–35 | Fixed price (varies by route) |
| Journey time | +15–30 min (wait) | On demand | On demand |
| Luggage | Limited space | 1–2 bags | Ample - minibus available |
| Groups | Any | 1–4 passengers | Up to 8+ |
| Night arrival | Limited service | Available | 24/7 available |
| Booking required | No | No | Yes (online) |
| Best for | Budget solo travellers | City hops | Airport arrivals, families, groups |
Best Crete Transfer operates transfers from all three Crete airports 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our fixed-price transfers are particularly popular for families with young children, late-night arrivals, and groups with excess luggage where KTEL buses or metered taxis would be impractical.
Taxis in Crete are metered and reasonably priced for short distances but can add up on long routes - pre-booking locks a fixed price and eliminates haggling. Taxis in Crete operate on a regulated meter - the driver cannot set a price; the meter starts at €3.00 (Chania) or €3.50 (Heraklion) and adds approximately €1 per kilometre (Tariff 1, daytime). A surcharge applies between midnight and 05:00 and for journeys outside city limits.
In the city of Chania, a taxi ride runs from about €3 up to €29, depending on distance. In Heraklion, fares start at about €3.50 and can reach €47.50 for trips to far villages. Pre-booking online locks a fixed price for longer transfers.
Request a real time price quote for a shuttle transfer in Crete. We serve more than 60 locations all around Crete Island.
Best Crete Transfer is fully licensed and accredited by the GNTO (Greek National Tourism Organisation), registered number 1039Ε60000310701
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