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If you are a fan of Greece, then you are going to love Crete. It is a place worth exploring, but where should we start? Well, most of the visitors arrive at two of the major cities: Heraklion and Chania. Both islands offer a bundle of opportunities and places which you must explore. Crete is a land with great history and culture, which makes the island a top holiday destination. Heraklion is the capital of Crete and holds a great collection of historic places like the Knossos Palace, Heraklion Architectural Museum, Rocca a Mare Fortress, and more. At the same time, Chania is a more romantic place with beautiful beaches and exotic cafes.
If you are planning a trip to Crete, you will land at either Heraklion or Chania, and we highly suggest that you do not miss either of the cities. So, if you are wondering how you are going to move around from Heraklion to Chania and vice versa, then keep reading as in this post, we shall be exploring different means of transportation that will act as a means of transport between the two cities.
Traveling by bus is a great option if you want to stay on a budget and travel lowkey. There are many local buses that can take you from Heraklion to Chania and vice versa. But if you want to travel with comfort, then KTEL buses would be best. There are frequent buses between Chania and Heraklion. The travel route is 103km and takes about 3 hours.
There are two routes by which you can travel between both cities. You can either take the bus that will take you directly to Heraklion from Chania or take the one which goes through Rethymno. Fare for both has slightly bit different, with the direct bus costing between €10 to €15, whereas the bus that goes through Rethymno will cost around €12 to €18. You can purchase the ticket easily from the bus station or book it in advance through KTEL bus online website. Bus ride prices are per person, per ride.
Traveling by taxi or a private transfer seems like a more convenient option. If you are traveling with your family or friends, then hiring a taxi or private transfer provides you with the privacy you want. You would not need to interact with strangers, and you get to travel at your own pace. The journey between Heraklion and Chania takes about 2 hours, depending on the route and traffic.
There are many taxi companies that operate in Crete that will provide you with a private transfer, such as Crete Taxi by Cretan Bay Transfer. You can easily book online and have them wait for you at either Airport, Heraklion or Chania. The cost of a taxi or private transfer lies from €155 to €205, depending on the vehicle you choose. Taxi ride prices are per car, per ride.
Renting a car is extremely convenient if you want to travel by your own rules. It provides you with the liberty of making as many stops as you like and for however long you want. A rental car is also a good option if you like to drive between Chania and Heraklion by yourself. But for that, you must be aware of all the legal and traffic rules of Greece. Otherwise, you can get in trouble. Also, you must carry a valid driver’s license and working credit card to avoid any issues.
There are several car rental shops around Crete, outside the airport, such as the Crete car rental. They have a collection of different cars which can accommodate different numbers of people. The journey will take around 2 hours if you do not make long stops on your way. On the other hand, the cost of renting a car for 2 days can vary depending on the choice of your car, starts from €109. You can book the car in advance and it shall be delivered to you outside the their airport office when you land.
Traveling between Chania and Heraklion by plane is the worst and most expensive option. For starters, there are no direct flights between Heraklion and Chania, so you need to take a long layover to either Athens or Thessaloniki. Only a few airlines, such as Aegean Air (Olympic Air) and Sky express, fly between Heraklion - Athens and Chania - Athens.
You must also understand that an airplane costs a lot more than renting a car or traveling by bus. The fare keeps on changing depending on a number of factors, such as the airline, the time of travel, and how much in advance you are booking the flight. But to give you a rough idea, a one-way ticket between Chania to Athens and Heraklion to Athens (or vice versa) can cost from €100 to €300. The price is per person.
To sum up, flying from Heraklion to Chania (or Chania to Heraklion) through Athens is not recommended.
There are a few ferry services that travel between Chania and Heraklion with a layover station in Pireus Port. Both cities are on the same island, Crete, so this doesn't really makes sense. The ferry goes on a trip though Aegean sea, where you get to enjoy the beautiful views and clear water surrounding many Greek Islands like Santorini, Milos, Paros, Naxos. The cost of a ferry ride depends on the operator, like Anek, Superfast ferries, Minoan Lines or Seajets. An average ferry ticket from Heraklion or Chania to Pireus will cost you around €42 for deck only visit and around €90 if you choose to have a bed in a 4-bedded cabin. This price is per route, per person. So the actual is double. In addition, both routes are running through the night, so you need to spend approximately 18 hours in Pireus Port, or do some sight seeing in Athens, like visit the Acropolis.
To sum up, like flying, also ferrying from Heraklion to Chania is both expensive and time consuming and should be avoided.
If you land at Heraklion Airport and you wish to travel to Chania, then you have many options, from traveling by bus to hiring a taxi or renting a car. All of these options come with a set of advantages and disadvantages. For example, a bus is the most convenient and pocket-friendly way of traveling, but it takes a lot of time, and also there is no privacy.
Whereas a Crete taxi comes with a driver who takes you around the island, but then it is also not completely private. On the other hand, renting a car provides you with complete privacy and freedom, but it is very high on the pocket and is also risky if you are not aware of the routes. So, we would suggest that you look at the set of pros and cons of each ride and then pick the best option for you.
Chania is a beautiful city with a set of romantic beaches, tavernas, and delicious cuisine, and we would suggest that you must visit the city during your trip to Crete. But if you are in Chania already and want to get to Heraklion airport directly, then hiring a Crete Airport Taxi from Cretan Bay Transfer would be the most convenient option.
A Crete Airport taxi will not make any unwanted stops, and our experienced drivers are aware of all the shortest routes to Heraklion Airport. The journey will take approximately 2 hours. However, the price of a taxi will completely depend upon a few things, like the type of car, the time of the year, and the route. For example, a direct taxi from Chania City to Heraklion Airport will cost you from €155 to €205. You can either book the taxi by calling Cretan Bay Transfer, or you can also visit their website and book the car of your choice.
If you are in Chania city and you have to get to Heraklion airport, then the most convenient way would be to book a taxi and reach the airport on time, as the local drivers are aware of the shortest routes, and you do not have to look for proper parking either. You can easily find a taxi on the road, or you can also ask the hotel to arrange a transfer for you. Alternatively, you can book a Crete hotel transfer from us. The fare of the transfer will completely depend upon how far your hotel is from the airport. Our prices start from as low as €18 per ride.
Heraklion is the capital of Crete, and the city holds a great collection of historic landmarks which are there to remind people of all the civilizations that have been to Crete in the past. So, if you have traveled to Heraklion and have a flight to catch at Chania airport, then the most convenient way would be to hire a private transfer as it comes with a local driver who is well aware of the shortest routes. A taxi also saves a lot of time, as you can avoid making any unwanted stops on the way as well. So, if you are staying in Heraklion area and you flight departs from Chania airport, we would be happy to help. The ride will take approximately 2 hours and the cost will be €155 per ride for the economy category. It comes with free cancellation and you can book it online here.
If you have to travel from Heraklion to Chania airport, then we would suggest that you get a taxi. There are several taxi services available in Crete, like Cretan Bay Transfer, that will provide you with the quickest taxi ride. For example, if you hire a taxi from Cretan Bay Transfer, they will ensure that you get to your destination on time. We also prioritize our client’s security, which is why we run background checks before hiring someone. The ride, however, will take around 2 hours, and the fare will be €155 for the cheapest, economy category. If you travel with more than 4 people, a minivan is required for this ride. The price for a minivan transfer from Heraklion to Chania will be €170.
If you are staying in a hotel in Heraklion and you have to get to Chania airport for your departure, then hiring a taxi would be the most convenient way to reach the airport on time, as the local drivers know the quickest route around the island, and you do not have to look for proper parking either. There are many local taxis available but it is always suggested to book one online as it is cheaper and you can vet each company by reading online reviews beforehand.
#Also interesting to read
ᐅ Best Ways to Get from Heraklion to Chania and Vice Versa
ᐅ Transportation Guide for Chania
ᐅ Transportation Guide for Heraklion