Crete is much and away the biggest Greek island, greater than double the scale of the closest runner-up (under-explored Evia) and practically 100 instances the scale of Mykonos. Getting round this huge and mountainous island is like navigating a small nation.
Many individuals – even these on prolonged holidays – select to restrict their explorations to 1 portion of the island, usually choosing both the east or the west. Fortuitously, getting round Crete is straightforward, albeit typically time-consuming.
Masking 8336 sq km (3219 sq miles), Crete is laced with respectable – if twisty – roads, plied by a busy community of buses. You can even lease a automobile, motorcycle or scooter, which provides you with the liberty to discover many extra obscure – and rewarding! – corners of Crete.
There are taxis for native jaunts, and ferries connecting the idyllic seashores alongside the southwest coast, and intrepid cyclists will discover a lot to problem their expertise within the mountains inland. Listed below are our high suggestions for getting round in Crete.
Keep away from hassles (and assist the atmosphere) by taking the bus
You will get nearly anyplace in Crete by bus, and the island’s coaches are trendy and air-conditioned with frequent service on most routes. Two web sites present schedule and fare data: one is for western Crete, with companies centered on the town of Hania, whereas the opposite covers companies in central and eastern Crete, with companies centered on the island’s capital metropolis, Iraklio.
Common buses ply the foremost roads throughout Crete, stopping at villages and points of interest alongside the best way, and bus fares are low cost – the hourly service linking Hania and Iraklio prices lower than €14 and takes 2 hours and 40 minutes.
Small villages off the primary roads and distant seashores could solely see one or two buses a day, so that you would possibly have to plan on staying the evening. The unmissable seashore at Elafonisi solely has one bus a day making the two-hour run south from Hania in the summertime.
Iraklio has two bus stations, every with companies to completely different components of the island, however most massive and medium-sized cities in Crete have one bus station. These are often centrally positioned and have companies resembling bathrooms and mini-marts. In smaller cities, there’ll merely be a bus cease on or close to the central sq. or one other outstanding spot. In rural areas, you possibly can hail the bus from the roadside.
When touring on busy routes such because the journey from Hania to Iraklio, it is likely to be value shopping for a ticket on-line to have a seat reservation throughout vacation intervals. Do not count on to only flip up and get a seat within the interval instantly earlier than and after Greek Easter.
In any other case, you should buy tickets from cubicles at bus stations. In small cities, a restaurant close to the central cease could promote tickets or you possibly can merely purchase them on the bus. Fares are fastened and controlled by the federal government, and plenty of buses have free wi-fi.
A rent automobile makes for straightforward exploring in Crete
Renting a automobile (or motorcycle) in Crete is straightforward, with autos a lot in demand in the course of the touristy months from April to October. The principle airports in Hania and Iraklio each have dozens of rental companies, together with all the foremost worldwide manufacturers. Nonetheless, as is widespread throughout Greece, you possibly can usually get one of the best offers from native companies, so it pays to buy round. Away from the airports, native companies are sometimes the one sources for rental vehicles throughout the island.
You’ll be able to cut back the fee to your pockets and the atmosphere through the use of buses as your foremost supply of transport, saving renting your personal wheels for a day or two exploring gorgeous mountainous landscapes, tiny villages and remoted seashores.
The principle roads in Crete are in good condition, however permit loads of time for journeys, as you may be tempted to cease usually – to discover a village, soak up a view or go for a hike. Additionally, Crete’s mountainous panorama means plenty of curvy and typically treacherous roads. The glowing seashores at Elafonisi are solely 75km (46.6 miles) southwest of Hania, however driving right here will take not less than two hours.
Be aware that street indicators are sporadic – obtain native maps to your cellphone mapping app earlier than you set out as cell service can lower out simply once you want it most. And be ready for native drivers with a lax perspective in direction of staying of their lane, obeying velocity limits and continuing cautiously round blind curves.
Take a ferry to achieve Crete’s gorgeous seashores
On Crete’s lovely southwest coast, a community of passenger ferries hyperlinks the seashores and resort cities in summer season – just a few villages can solely be simply reached by boat. You’ll be able to catch a small boat or water taxi at many stops between Elafonisi within the west and Hora Sfakion within the east. Affirm schedules forward, particularly for smaller seashores, the place ferry companies could also be restricted. Fares are sometimes beneath €10 per particular person.
Hail a taxi for brief journeys and post-hike pickups
Taxis will be discovered within the cities and most locations vacationers congregate. Be sure that the motive force makes use of the meter – in distant areas taxis could not have a meter, so agree on a worth earlier than setting off. Central taxi stands in smaller cities usually show an inventory of native taxi fares, which can prevent any nervousness about over-charging.
There are not any ride-sharing companies on the island, so maintain the variety of an area taxi firm useful in the event you plan to name for a cab on the finish of a hike.
Hire a motorbike for native exploring – however be prepared for Crete’s hills!
You’ll be able to lease a motorbike in bigger cities and vacationer areas – count on to pay round €20 per day or much less. Nonetheless, with Crete’s winding roads, perilous drops and manic drivers, setting out by bike is just not for the faint-hearted. These as much as the problem will discover that the roads curving by means of the island’s peaks and gorges supply elegant rides.
Accessible transportation in Crete
For vacationers with mobility points, getting round Crete is hard going. Buses should not have lifts and taxis designed to accommodate disabled persons are solely out there in Hania and Iraklio. Hiring your personal automobile would be the best possibility, or prepare a visit with a specialist operator resembling Eria Travel. For extra data on accessible journey, see Lonely Planet’s Accessible Travel Resources.
Why I really like driving Crete’s buses
Immediately, Crete’s buses are trendy, protected and have comforts like air-con and wi-fi, however I am at all times taken again to a 1985 journey to the then-isolated hippie seashore city of Matala. As our rickety bus sped over the primitive roads, the motive force misjudged a flip and slammed into the nook of an historical stone home, shearing off quite a few large stones. Nonetheless, he did not miss a beat as he hit the fuel as an alternative of the brakes, whereas we passengers disregarded the glass and stone particles!
