Crete is big and mountainous, and many of its best beaches and villages are far from the main towns. How you get around shapes your whole trip.
Rental car: the most freedom
For most visitors a rental car is the best option, at least for part of the stay. It lets you reach remote beaches, mountain villages and gorge trailheads on your own schedule. Book early for July and August, choose a small car for narrow village streets, and read the insurance terms: many contracts exclude damage on unpaved roads, such as the track to Balos.
KTEL buses: cheap and reliable between towns
The regional bus companies (KTEL) connect the main towns along the north coast (Kissamos, Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos, Sitia) with frequent departures, and run lines to popular places such as Elafonisi, Omalos (Samaria gorge), Matala and the south coast. Buses are comfortable and inexpensive, but services to remote spots can be once or twice a day, mainly in summer. Heraklion and Chania also have city buses.
Taxis and private transfers
Licensed taxis wait at airports, ports and town ranks. Within towns they use the meter; for longer trips fixed fares are common, so agree the price before you set off. A pre-booked transfer is the stress-free choice after a late flight: fixed price, a driver waiting with your name, child seats on request.
Boats
Some places are easiest by boat: day cruises run from Kissamos to Gramvousa and Balos, from Elounda and Plaka to Spinalonga, and in summer a coastal ferry links the south-west villages (Paleochora, Sougia, Agia Roumeli, Loutro, Chora Sfakion), which is how most walkers return from Samaria.
Lagoons · Kissamos
Balos Lagoon
Forts & castles · Agios Nikolaos
Spinalonga Island
Gorges & hikes · Sfakia
Samaria Gorge
How long does it take?
Driving times are longer than the map suggests. As a rough guide on the main northern road: Chania–Rethymno about 1 hour, Rethymno–Heraklion about 1 hour, Heraklion–Agios Nikolaos about 1 hour. Crossing to the south coast through the mountains usually takes 1–1.5 hours.
Read next: Driving in Crete.
Updated: 2026-10-29
