No car? No problem for the big towns. The KTEL buses are cheap, comfortable and surprisingly reliable.
Two companies
- KTEL Chania & Rethymno covers the west: Kissamos, Chania, Rethymno, the south coast villages, Elafonisi, Omalos (for Samaria) and more.
- KTEL Heraklion & Lasithi covers the centre and east: Heraklion, Hersonissos, Malia, Agios Nikolaos, Ierapetra, Sitia, Matala and the Messara.
Both have websites with timetables in English. Timetables change between summer and winter, so always check the current one.
Main routes
The busiest line runs along the north coast: Kissamos, Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos, Sitia, with buses at least every hour between the big towns in summer. From these towns, smaller lines go to beaches, villages and gorges, often just once or twice a day.
Tickets
Buy your ticket at the bus station or from the driver or conductor on board. Some lines sell tickets online or in an app. Keep your ticket until the end of the ride, they do check.
Good to know
- Big bags go in the luggage hold under the bus
- City buses run in Heraklion and Chania, with their own tickets
- For remote beaches the last bus back can be early, so check before you go
Read next: Getting around Crete.
Updated: 2026-10-29
