We traveled around exclusively by public bus in Crete. Although you'll find many other guides to Crete promoting day trips and tours, if you stick to the Western part of Crete with staying in the major cities, you'll manage perfectly well to get around by public bus between attractions.
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Crete is easy to explore by bus - they are reliable, cheap, comfortable and have aircon in most cases. The main north coast towns of Chania, Rethymno, Iraklion and Agios Nikolaos all have bus stations where you can then access many rural areas of the island.
Ferries connect Chania and Heraklion with the majority of the island's major cities. The ferries are an excellent method to get about the island and are also extremely inexpensive. The bus is another way to get around Crete. All of the major towns on the island have buses that run between them.
The best way to get around Crete is via car. There are public buses that connect visitors to the major cities of Heraklion, Rethymnon, Chania and Agios Nikolaos.
Crete is Greece's largest island—just driving from one end to the other makes for a five-hour journey, and there's much to do and see in between. If you want to experience all Crete has to offer, plan to spend a full week exploring its monasteries, olive groves, towns, and coast.
Most people get around via car rental, which offers the freedom to do what you want and when you want. Public buses also connect travelers through and within all the major cities.
Inexpensive and Reliable: Traveling by Bus is affordable by any European standard. Most trips will only cost you a few Euros, while the long multi-hour trips will run you between 10 to 15 Euros. Multiple Buses Per Day: Buses run often down the coast, and you can catch one about every hour.
The island is known for its friendly locals and laid-back atmosphere, and the crime rate is low. However, as with any destination, it is important to take the usual safety precautions such as avoiding walking alone at night, being aware of your surroundings, and not leaving your belongings unattended.
While Crete is a beautiful and charming destination with plenty of incredible places to stay, there are certain areas that you should avoid. Unless you're looking for a party atmosphere, staying away from Malia and perhaps Hersonissos is advisable, as they are quite busy and noisy.
Crete is a large island and you would definitely benefit from hiring a car there to explore some of the fantastic scenery, ruins, etc - you won't have time to see it all. You'll find plenty of local car hire companies when you get there, if you do want to hire one.
Price per km (Tariff 2) – €1.25To give you an idea of how much a taxi ride will cost, a taxi from Chania Airport to Chania Town costs approximately €25, and from Heraklion Airport to Heraklion city centre, you'll pay around €20.
Is there an Uber in Crete? Uber is not available in Crete, despite the island's popularity as a tourist destination. Travellers or locals don't have access to this convenient Ride-hailing and ride-sharing application, which can make getting around a bit more challenging for those visiting Crete.
Tickets are bought at kiosks before boarding on the bus and the price varies from €1.10 or €1.50 and €5.00 for a day. You can get around Chania by the city buses with the 13 bus routes. The city is divided into two zones.
Hydra is a vehicle-free island, so there are no roads, no cars and no motorbikes! The only 4-wheel vehicle you will see in Hydra is the garbage truck. The best way to explore the island is on foot, as there are many trails and paths.
Chania Town is probably the most beautiful town in Crete. The Old Town of Chania, with the evident Medieval style, is a wonderful place to walk around, lined up with elegant Venetian mansions.
Tipping in Crete, particularly taxi drivers, is not mandatory. Unlike in the USA where tips are customary, in Crete, taxi drivers don't often expect to be given tips since the local tip culture on the island isn't that strong. Tipping in restaurants is more common than tipping taxi drivers.