How long does it take to get around Crete?

The distance between the cities in Crete Chania is 60 km from Rethymnon, 138 km from Heraklion, 204 km from Agios Nikolaos and 286 km from Sitia. It takes 30 - 45 minutes to drive from Chania to Rethymnon, 2 hours from Chania to Heraklion and 3 hours from Chania to Agios Nikolaos. Sitia is about 4.5 hours from Chania.

Beside this, is Crete easy to get around?

Buses are the only form of public transport in Crete, but in most regions a fairly extensive network makes it relatively easy to travel between major towns and villages. Travel is safe and buses are quite comfortable. Fares are government regulated and quite reasonable by European standards.

Furthermore, how many days are enough for Crete? Crete is a large island with so much to offer. You are surrounded by stunning beaches, archaeological sites, small islands, gorges & historical towns. To see all the “top sightsâ€, it will take a minimum of 10 days – 2 weeks, however, you could easily spend 4 weeks and still have more to see.

One may also ask, how long does it take to get from one end of Crete to the other?

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.

How long does it take to cross Crete?

Depending on the type of vessel, sailing time is about 5 to 8 hours. The overnight ferries arrive to their port of destination between 5:30 and 6:30 in the morning. During the summer season there are more frequent routes that serve both Heraklion and Chania.

Related Question Answers

Is Crete expensive to visit?

You should plan to spend around €81 ($94) per day on your vacation in Crete, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Also, the average hotel price in Crete for a couple is €76 ($89). So, a trip to Crete for two people for one week costs on average €1,135 ($1,316).

Do I need a car in Crete?

You have two good options to get around Crete. A moped or a rental car. Public transport is not great on the island, and you'll need something to get to all the awesome beaches and towns. Although people drove a bit crazy, a rental car is the best way to get around.

Is it difficult to drive in Crete?

Driving in Crete is… well, different. Between the road conditions, the weather and the local people behind the wheel, a drive around Crete can sometimes be a challenge. However, there is nothing wrong with a little bit of a challenge now and then and this one is certainly worth it.

What is the most beautiful part of Crete?

5 Most Picturesque Places to See in Crete

• Balos Lagoon, Crete.
• Samaria Gorge, Crete.
• View of the Island of Spinalonga, Crete.
• View of Voulisma, Crete.
• Agios Nikolaos, Crete.
• Thalassa Villa, St Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel & Villas.

How late do buses run in Crete?

The buses between Heraklion, Rethymnon and Chania run hourly from 5.30 am (first departure from Chania and Heraklion) to 8.30 pm (last departure from Chania and Heraklion) and possibly quite a bit later in the summer months. This can pose a problem for night arrivals at the airports.

Can you get around Crete without a car?

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.

Can you drive around Crete in a day?

Explore the Island: On the Road in Crete

A road trip from the extreme west to the extreme east can take you from 5 to 6 hours. Stunning coastal drives, winding mountain roads, and undiscovered beaches are worth the drive. A car lets you visit areas where buses don't usually go or arrive with limited schedules.

Is 5 days enough in Crete?

The quick answer is that to experience the whole of Crete you would need at least 2-3 weeks, this is one of the biggest islands in the Mediterranean sea. In saying that, with 5 days in Crete, if you plan well in advance, you will be amazed by how many things you can do and how many places you can visit.

Is 3 days in Crete enough?

Best Crete Itinerary – In a nutshell

With 3 days you can explore either Chania or Heraklion and the destinations nearby. My suggestion here is to stay at least one week in Crete, but obviously, everyone has their own time constraints.

What is there to do in Crete for 7 days?

The Ultimate Crete Itinerary: How to Spend 7 Days in Crete

• Beautiful boat tour to Balos Lagoon.
• Full day Samaria Gorge Trek from Chania.
• Day trip to Elafonisi Beach from Chania.
• Full day trip to Santorini from Heraklion.
• Knossos Palace Skip-the-line with a guided walking tour.

Can u see Africa from Crete?

Enchanting Villages

Mohlos Minoan antiquity meets seashore vibes and some of Crete's best tavernas. Myrthios On clear days you can spot Africa from this whitewashed village high above the Libyan Sea.

How long is the ferry from Crete to Santorini?

The slow ferry from Crete to Santorini takes approx. 3.5 hours to arrive (Superferries) – check timetables here. The quick ferry (it's actually a catamaran) from Crete to Santorini takes about 2 hours to arrive (Champion Jet 2) – check timetables here.

Is Crete or Santorini better?

Crete has more small traditional (non-touristy) villages. Santorini is more romantic and better suited to a honeymoon. Santorini has better and more unique luxury hotels. Both Santorini and Crete have a longer tourism season than most Greek islands.

Which is better Chania or Heraklion?

Chania is famous around Crete and Greece for its incredible architecture. Though Heraklion has several impressive buildings, it pales in comparison to Chania. On the other hand, Heraklion is more authentic, for lack of a better word. Both have a lively local population, but Chania is more touristy.

Where can I base myself in Crete?

• Chania, best area to stay in Crete for your first time.
• Rethymnon, good area for affordable accommodation.
• Heraklion, best area to stay in Crete for sightseeing.
• Agios Nikolaos, good place to stay in Crete.
• Sitia, windsurf and nice beaches.
• Matala, beautiful beaches lying near famous archaeological sites.

What to know before going to Crete?

6 Things You Should Know About Crete

• Crete is great for all ages and budgets.
• You don't have to break the bank to holiday in Crete.
• Raki is the answer to everything, really!
• Crete is a 365 Day Destination.
• You need a lifetime to discover Crete.
• Crete doesn't just have one beautiful village, but hundreds.

Which is the quietest part of Crete?

Lentas – a very quiet Crete village great for lovely beaches and peaceful walks.

Is Santorini worth a day trip from Crete?

Is a day trip to Santorini worth it? Generally, no. It's much better to spend that time on the island that you're currently staying on and use it to explore there.

How do people spend a week in Crete?

How to Spend One Week in Crete, Greece

1. Day 1 – Heraklion & Knossos.
2. Day 2 – Matala Beach.
3. Day 3 – Seitan Limania & Chania.
4. Day 4 – Samaria Gorge. About the guided tour. About the hike.
5. Day 5 – Elafonissi Beach.
6. Day 6 – Lake Kournas & Argyroupoli. Argyroupoli​ Lake Kournas.
7. Day 7 – Preveli Beach & Rethimno.

Are there buses in Crete?

Buses are the only form of public transport in Crete a quite extensive network makes it relatively easy to travel around the island. There is an hourly service along the main northern coastal road and less-frequent buses to the inland villages and towns on the south coast.

Does Crete have an airport?

Heraklion International Airport is the main hub for flights to and from Crete. You can also use Heraklion as a hub to book flights to the other main airport on the island, Chania International Airport, or the smaller Sitia Airport.

How do you get from Crete to Greece?

Traveling to Crete from Athens is easily feasible, either by plane or by ferry. The 3 airports of Crete, in Heraklion, Chania and Sitia are connected to the Athens International Airport with direct flights, all year long.

How many miles around is Crete?

Crete is the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean and the largest of the islands forming part of modern Greece. It is relatively long and narrow, stretching for 160 miles (260 km) on its east-west axis and varying in width from 7.5 to 37 miles (12 to 60 km).

How long is ferry from Crete to Athens?

When traveling with standard vessels, it usually takes 8.5 to 17 hours to reach the ports of Crete from Athens. But no worries if you're short on time! There is also a high-speed ferry from Athens to Crete that takes you to the beautiful island of Greece in no time!