Crete · Getting there
Crete is big enough to have three airports and several ferry ports, so choose the one closest to where you're staying. Heraklion is best for the centre and the east, and Chania for the west. If you have time, the overnight ferry from Piraeus is the old way to arrive: you sleep in a cabin and wake up to the mountains coming out of the sea.
By plane
5 km east of Heraklion
The island's main airport. Flights from Athens and Thessaloniki all year, and direct flights from most of Europe from spring to autumn.
Into town: City buses take about 20 minutes to the centre and taxis about 15. A new airport is being built at Kastelli to replace it in the coming years.
Akrotiri peninsula, 14 km from Chania
Flights from Athens all year and many direct European flights in summer. The best choice for Chania, Rethymno and the south-west.
Into town: The KTEL bus to Chania's bus station takes about 30 minutes, and a taxi about 25.
Just outside Sitia, far east
A small airport with domestic flights from Athens and a few other Greek cities. Useful for the quiet east and Vai.
Into town: A taxi takes about 10 minutes to Sitia town.
By ferry
Ferries from Piraeus, the port of Athens, about 40 minutes from the city centre by metro.
Piraeus (Athens) Heraklion
Overnight with cabins, and some daytime sailings in summer.
Piraeus (Athens) Chania (Souda)
Souda port is 7 km from Chania's old town; buses meet the boats.
Piraeus (Athens) Kissamos
Via Kythira and the Peloponnese. A slow, scenic route to the far west.
Island hopping
Heraklion Santorini
High-speed boats, which continue to Ios, Naxos, Paros and Mykonos.
Sitia Kasos, Karpathos, Rhodes
A slow island-hopping line into the Dodecanese.
Kissamos Kythira & Gythio
When you land
Hire a car
Crete is about 260 km long, and the best villages and beaches are off the bus routes. Book ahead for July and August.
Buses along the north
KTEL buses run often between Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos, and less often to the south coast.
The south by boat
Loutro, Sfakia, Agia Roumeli and Sougia have no road between them, and the south-coast ferry links them.
Times and frequencies are typical for the summer season and change every year. Check the current timetable before you book.
Rooms with a view, picked for how they feel, not for star ratings.
See where to stay