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Chania is the second largest city after Heraklion in Crete, Greece. It is located on the northern coast of Crete Island, and is also the capital of the Chania regional unit. The city has a rich history which goes back to the Minoan civilization. Chania city has been ruled by a number of different civilizations in the past such as the Ottomans, Greeks, and the Venetians, which has provided the city with a versatile culture.
These different civilizations have also blessed Chania with a mix of Ottoman, Greek, and Venetian architecture. Chania is also home to numerous shops, narrow streets, awesome cafes and restaurants, and picturesque harbour. There are also a number of museums in the city like the Maritime Museum of Crete and the Archaeological Museum of Chania.
Chania city is also surrounded with some of the most exotic and stunning beaches in all of Crete such as the famous Balos Beach and Elafonisi Beach. There are some beautiful historic sites and archaeological attractions as well which the people from the world visit to experience such as the Samaria Gorge and the ancient city of Aptera.
Chania overall is a blend of beauty and stunning view. So, if you are planning to visit the city then you must need some means of transportation to go around the island, and if it is your first visit then there is a high chance that you have no idea how the transportation system works in Chania. But never to worry, as we are going to discuss a complete transportation guide in this blog, so you can pick the best means of transportation according to your likings.
Chania has a well-organized transportation system in the city that is used by the visitors and the locals to go around the city and its nearby interesting, beautiful, and picturesque spots throughout the year. These public buses are also known as the KTEL buses and they are a great way to go around the city and its surrounding villages and other areas while not overspending on travel. The main bus station in Chania, also known as KTEL Chania, is located in the eastern part of the city at Kydonias 73. One can easily buy the ticket from here and set off on their journey to explore the city.
To talk about the fare, commuting with a bus is the cheapest with the fare starting from €1.20 to €2.5. These buses can also take you to other nearby places as well, without costing a fortune. The bus service also offers daily and weekly packages, which can come handy if you plan to frequently travel. The services run throughout the day, and the buses are equipped with comfortable seats, friendly staff, and some even have Wi-Fi. During peak tourism season, the buses can get crowded so, if you do not want to travel with a lot of people and be easy on the bus then we would advise you to plan the trip accordingly.
In Chania city, public bus services like the KTEL buses provide easy commute within the city and its nearby villages as well. But there are some local bus services as well which go around the city providing a broad network. The local routes are numbered and these numbers are displayed on the screen of the bus so people can easily know which bus is heading where.
These local buses are also painted in bright green and white color so they are easily recognizable from a distance. The service functions from early morning till late night and has a very affordable fare. For example, if you take a regular bus and get off anywhere around the city, it will cost you from €1.20 to €2.5. You can also buy an all-day-ticket for €5 and roam around the beautiful city of Chania. The tickets are easily available at the bus station. The buses come with air condition, comfortable seat, and some even have Wi-Fi in them
Chania is a beautiful city and it has a great collection of some of the best archeological and historic sites in all of Crete, and one of the most fun ways to explore the city is by taking a hop-on hop-off bus tour. There are many companies around the city that offer these city tours of Chania, covering some of the most attractive and interesting places in the city.
Some of the places that are covered in the hop-on hop-off tour are the Venetian Harbor, the Old Town, the Archaeological Museum, the Municipal Market of Chania, and the Maritime Museum. The double decker bus also goes to some of the nearby beaches so, you can also head to the beach on them.
The hop-on hop-off tour is basically a loop system, where the buses move around a certain route constantly and you can get on and off the bus anytime and anywhere you like. It gives you the freedom to spend as much time in one location as you want and completely explore it. You can then get on to another bus and be on your way to the next destination.
The bus tour basically operates for 24 to 48 hours, and the cost for a hop-on hop-off bus tour of Chania depends on the length of the tour and the company you pick. But a standard bus tour would cost you somewhere around €15 to €20. The ticket is also valid for 24 to 48 hours depending on the company.
When in Chania, if you want to travel more privately and not in the public buses, there are many private transfer services that will take you around the city and its nearby villages and towns easily. However, these private transfers cost you a lot more than what a bus would do, but if you are a group of friends or family, and want some privacy and independence during your trip then these private transfers are a good pick. There are many means of transport around Chania, so let us discuss some of the most running ones:
If you want comfort, privacy and convenience during your trip to Chania, or if you do not wish to travel with people and like more private commutes then hiring a taxi is a good option. A private taxi gives you the liberty to move around the city on your own terms, and there are a number of Crete taxi services that understand how important it is for you to freely explore Chania.
You can simply give them a call, book your taxi and be on your way to explore the great Greek city. Cretan Bay Transfer has a different variety of vehicles available which can easily accommodate 4 to 8 people with luggage. However, the fare for these taxi services depend on a few things like the ride, the time of the year, and the distance. For example, if you book a taxi from Chania airport to Chania port, it will cost you somewhere from €31 to €56.
The best catch of hiring your transfer from Cretan Bay Transfer is that they hire the best local drivers in all Crete. The ones with complete knowledge of every route of the island. So, you can reach your destination in no time without any inconvenience.
Cretan Bay Transfer is here to serve you all day long. Be it you are arriving late at night or you have an early morning flight to catch, Cretan Bay Transfer makes sure that you are never late. There are many other ways to arrange an Chania airport transfer like you can ask the hotel to book you a taxi, but if you wish to handle your transfer yourself, then you can do so by booking your ride through Cretan Bay Transfer’s website. Also, you do not have to worry about taking the wrong route or getting lost around the city as the drivers at Cretan Bay are all locals and they are well-aware with every turn and street of the city.
Also, to ensure that the customers are safe and secure, Cretan Bay runs a thorough background check on every driver before getting them on board so you feel around them. The staff is extremely friendly, and you can also ask them for suggestions on stuff like, where to get the best souvlaki, or what is the most fun beach in the area, and more. However, the fare completely depends on the vehicle selection. For example, booking a ride from Chania to Chania Airport (or vice versa) will cost around €32 to €80.
There is no Metro in Chania, or anywhere in Crete, so Metro is not a transportation option in Chania or Crete.
Uber or Lyft are not available in Chania or Crete. Alternative transportation options like a taxi booking or airport transfers can be found here.
If you are one of those people who like to drive around on their own, and explore the places they are visiting at their own pace, then you should get a rental car. It provides you with the liberty to go wherever you want and whenever you want with zero dependency on anyone. Renting a car is a good option if you wish to drive around Crete and explore it, but for that you must know everything about the traffic and driving rules of Greece. Also you must have a valid international driver’s license and a working credit card to avoid any unwanted trouble.
To talk about how to rent a car, there are several Chania car rental depots from where you can easily pick the ride of your choice. These shops are near the airport and in the city as well. They provide their customers with the top quality cars in all Chania. The fare, however, can vary for each car, and it also depends on the number of people and the number of days you will need the car. For example, renting a car for seven days will cost you around €189 to €1499, depending the car group you will choose.
#Also interesting to read
ᐅ Transportation Guide for Heraklion
ᐅ Transportation Guide for Hersonissos
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ᐅ Transportation Guide for Agios Nikolaos
ᐅ Transportation Guide for Rethymno