Public Transport
Public transport in Crete is surprisingly efficient but unfortunately only during the summer months, usually from May to September. The main bus company, KTEL is based in Heraklion (check their web site) with further main bus stations in Agios Nikolaos, Rethymno and Chania (west Crete).
This buses run frequently along the north of the island through all of the main resorts from approximately 6am through until 11pm.
There is hourly service along the main northern coastal road but much less frequent buses to the inland villages and town on the south coast especially out of season. Always call them before planning any trip as they change their routes without notice. This make it difficult to join some of our trips as we need to start a time that occasionally there isn’t any bus service.
Many of the larger resorts have bus ticket offices but if not, or if you join the bus last minute, there will be a conductor on board to take your fare.
There is plenty of room in the under-floor lockers for luggage and the conductor will place your bags in there for you. Bear in mind that on busy routes, you will have to stand and the buses become quite crowded. Also bear in mind that buses rarely connect, so if you intend taking a main service to one of the bus stations, and then catching a rural service that only runs a couple of times per day, you may well be in for a considerable wait. There is no train service on Crete.
Bus Station Details & Phones
Heraklion:
There are three operating bus stations. Rethymno and Chania station is now included within bus station A below.
Bus station A (tel: + 30 2810-245019, 245020) is across the road from the port, near the marina.
For: Chania, Rethymno and connections to Imbros, Sfakia, Kastelli and other places in west and south-west Crete, and destinations on the north coast east of Heraklion (including Hersonissos, Archanes, Sitia, Agios Nikolaos, Lassithi Plateau). Next to it is the bus station for local, city and Knossos buses (tel: + 30 2810-220755, 226065).
Bus station B (tel: + 30 2810-255965) at Hanioporta (part of the old city walls, at the beginning of 62 Martyrs street).
For all other destinations – this means Anogia, Rogdia, Agia Gallini, Mires, Matala, Phaestos, Gortyn, Zaros and places in between.
Chania (Western Crete):
Bus station – walk to the top of Halidon Street, across the square and turn right – it’s about a hundred metres on the left. Tel: +30 28210-93306, 93305, 93052. Buses to Souda – in front of the main market.
Local buses tel: + 30 28210-27044.
Rethymno:
Bus station is on the coast west of the fortress. Tel: + 30 28310-22212, 22659 (same for local buses)
Lassithi (Eastern Crete):
Bus station Agios Nikolaos (Near the hospital, on the way into Agios Nikolaos if you are coming from the direction of Heraklion): Tel: + 30 28410-22234.
Bus station Ierapetra: Tel: +30 28420-86760, 28237.
Bus station Sitia (Off Venizelou on the way out of Sitia, on your left – short walk from sea front): Tel: +30 28430-22272.