Chania to Heraklion Travel Guide: Car rental, Bus, Taxi, Airplane

Heraklion and Chania are both magnificent, scenic, and must-visit cities in Crete. Each city has a lot of each side to offer. From restaurants, hotels, tourist attractions, and people. Surely a stay in Chania and Heraklion will give you peace, and appreciate how beautiful the island of Crete is only in the eyes of Chania and Heraklion. Chania is famous around Crete and Greece for its incredible architecture. On the other hand, Heraklion is the capital of Crete. When deciding to travel from Chania to Heraklion, worry no more because travelling 102 km (64 miles) away from Chania to Heraklion has been so easy and convenient with a lot of modes of transportation options available. Getting to Heraklion from Chania has been so easy and simple.

Renting a car, taking the bus, booking a Taxi Transfer, or even booking a connecting flight and layover in Athens, are among the options you have when planning to get to Chania from Heraklion. However, please note that a plane ride is an impractical option because of how costly it is and will not directly land in Heraklion. The cheapest way to travel from Chania to Heraklion is by taking a bus ride. Consequently, the fastest way to travel from Chania to Heraklion is through a car rental. Heraklion is 102 km (64 miles) away from Chania, thus, it may take 2 to 3 hours to get to Heraklion from Chania. Travellers should expect light traffic when travelling from Chania to Heraklion. In case Chania’s scenic view does not suffice, you may also visit Chania’s neighbouring towns. Where to stay in Chania should not also be a problem. There are numerous homes, apartments, and hotels ready to accommodate you when you decide to stay in Chania. Moreover, you can also drive from Chania to Heraklion. You can do that by renting a car. Car Rental Crete should be part of your options. Surely, your journey from Chania to Heraklion is worthwhile and memorable because of the scenic view along the way.

What is Chania?

Chania is the second biggest city of Crete. Chania is located between Kissamos and Rethymno on the western side of the island. Chania’s latitude and longitude coordinates are 35.51382 and 24.0180 . The town’s history goes back to the Neolithic era. Initially called “Kydonia,” it thrived in the Minoan era and was an important city-state during the Classical period. Chania was part of the Byzantine Empire and was taken over by the Republic of Venice in the 13th century when it became known as Candia. It was under Ottoman rule in 1669 and gained freedom in the early 20th century. Chania’s rich history is reflected in its architecture, which includes a landmark mosque, the Egyptian lighthouse, and Venetian boatyards. Chania offers a delightful mix of activities. If you are not a huge fan of sightseeing, you may consider visiting the lovely beaches near Chania. Breathtaking beaches line the region’s western and southwestern coasts, including Falassarna Beach, Elafonissi beach, and Stavros beach. Visiting Chania offers a rich blend of history, natural beauty, vibrant nightlife, shopping, and cultural experiences, making it a prime destination for travellers seeking a fulfilling holiday.

How to get from Chania to Heraklion?

Chania and Heraklion are two cities located on the northern coast of Crete. Travelling to Heraklion from Chania will cover 102 km (64 miles). There are a number of options that can be considered when wanting to get to Heraklion from Chania. Travel options include car rental, plane ride, bus ride, and Taxi Transfer. However, it is best to experience the travel from Chania to Heraklion with a tour on the side. Availing the tours will get you the best historical and educational experience. Getting to Heraklion from Chania has become so simple and easy. The easiest way to get from Chania to Heraklion is by renting a car. Aside from having flexibility, convenience, comfort, and exclusivity of the journey are also achieved.

Listed below are the ways to get from Heraklion to Chania.

Car Rental: Going around Chania and travelling to Heraklion is just a breeze using a rented car. Car rental Crete is one of the prominent car rentals on the island. It is a lot more convenient and provides more flexibility. Most car rental companies offer online booking for faster transactions.
Plane Ride: A plane ride is among the fastest modes of transportation. Long-distance travellers have a wonderful transportation option in planes. There are direct (nonstop) flights between Chania and Heraklion, as well as flights with one or more stops. You can choose the number and length of layover along your route, including an overnight stay. However, there is no direct flight from Chania to Heraklion. Tourists will have to stop for a layover in Athens before coming to Heraklion.
Bus Ride: Taking the bus from Chania to Heraklion is among the most economical methods to travel. The coaches are air-conditioned, modern, and comfortable. The tickets are affordable. Heraklion is connected to the rest of Crete by regular bus lines run by two Kino Tamio Eispraxeon Leoforon (KTEL) companies for western and eastern Crete. It departs hourly from Chania Bus Station.
Taxi Transfer: Taking a Taxi Transfer from Chania to Heraklion is the quickest and most convenient option. A Taxi Transfer is typically a pre-arranged transfer. This indicates that you had already planned the transfer before travelling to Chania. When you arrive at the airport, all of your luggage will be taken care of, and you will be driven directly to your intended location. Everything has been pre-arranged, so there will be no price wrangling.

1. Car Rental

If you are planning to explore Crete rather than just see the highlights, you will find that public transport is not always the best solution. In this case, your best bet would be to rent a car. Car rental Crete is one of the prominent car rentals on the island. Going around Chania and travelling to Heraklion is just a breeze using a rented car. It is a lot more convenient and provides more flexibility. Most car rental companies offer online booking for faster transactions. Car Rental Crete offers an easy way of renting a vehicle. One just needs to check out their website and follow the procedures. When renting a car in Crete, it is advisable to note the important factors. In order to rent a vehicle in Crete, a valid driving licence must be presented. To hire a car in Crete, the driver must be at least 21 years old. A credit or debit card with the driver’s name is an essential requirement. Choosing an appropriate car depends on the number of passengers. Visiting Chania and Heraklion using a rented vehicle makes travelling around more convenient and practical. Crete car hire for a week can cost around €250. Day trips and night trips in Crete will cost about €30 to €40. It can be used for a week with unlimited mileage and four-seaters. The rental cars are manual transmission, air-conditioned, and have four doors. The hired car should be returned to the company with the same amount of fuel as at the start of the trip to avoid charges.

Car Rental Advantages	Car Rental Disadvantages
Convenience for international travellers	Early rent termination fees
Easy booking and payment	Generally higher insurance premiums
Budget travel	Requires driving licence

Find below an image with Pros and cons of travelling from Chania to Heraklion with a car rental.

2. Plane Ride

One of the fastest travels is via a plane ride. A plane ride is good alternative transport for long-distance travellers. Travelling between Chania and Heraklion, you can choose between flights with one or more stops. You can select the number of stops on your journey, including an overnight stopover, and the duration of the stopover. What’s more, you can also select where you want to have your stopover. However, in the case of travelling to Heraklion from Chania, there is no available direct flight that can take you from Chania to Heraklion. Tourists that wish to visit Chania by plane ride have to book a connecting flight. A plane ride from Chania to Heraklion has a layover in Athens or Thessaloniki. Currently, tourists can fly between Chania and Heraklion with Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air, Sky Express or Volotea. A flight from Chania to Heraklion airport will cost you around €141 or could be higher depending on the time, date, and season of travel. The choice of the airline company to fly with from Chania to Heraklion could also affect the cost. Airlines adjust prices for flights from Heraklion to Chania based on the date and time of your booking. However, it is observed that the lowest flight prices are usually on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.

Plane Ride Advantages	Plane Ride Disadvantages
Fast travel	Long Layover
Efficient	Costly
Convenience	May experience delayed or cancelled flight

Find below an image with Pros and cons of travelling from Chania to Heraklion via a plane ride.

3. Bus Ride

If you don’t mind taking the bus, it’s a quick and affordable way to travel from Chania to Heraklion. Regular bus services run by the Kino Tamio Eispraxeon Leoforion (KTEL) firms for western and eastern Crete connect Heraklion with the rest of the island. Taking the bus from Chania to Heraklion is among the most economical methods to travel. The coaches are air-conditioned, modern, and comfortable. The tickets are also affordable. Heraklion and Chania are two cities situated on the northern coast of Crete, 102 km (64 miles) apart. It departs from Chania Bus Station every hour. The overland journey can take 2 to 3 hours to accomplish due to curvy mountain routes. One of the least expensive methods is to take a bus from Chania to Heraklion, which typically costs between €10 and €15. Every hour, beginning at 5:30 in the morning, buses depart from Chania for Heraklion. Every night, the last bus leaves around 9 o’clock. However, depending on the demand, the number of journeys from Chania to Heraklion may rise during the busy season. Bus transportation is dependable and reasonably priced. The city of Rethymnon is the most significant of the bus stops along the route. You may easily get off and explore for a few hours before boarding a later bus to Heraklion.

Bus Ride Advantages	Bus Ride Disadvantages
Cost-effective	Buses are often overcrowded
Service is reliable	Make frequent stops

Find below an image with Pros and cons of travelling from Chania to Heraklion by bus.

4. Taxi Transfer

For those who want to make travel arrangements in advance or who are travelling with a large group of friends or family, a Taxi Transfer is a great choice. Taking a Taxi Transfer from Chania to Heraklion is the quickest and most convenient option. A Taxi Transfer typically involves making a reservation. This implies that you have to arrange the transfer before arriving at Chania. This means that when you arrive at the airport, all of your bags will be handled, and you will be driven to a certain location, all of which have been pre-arranged and are free of price haggling. For four people, a Taxi Transfer from Chania to Heraklion costs less than €155. On the other hand, prices differ based on the company and the number of passengers. A Taxi Transfer will make your trip from Chania to Heraklion convenient, comfortable, and hassle-free.

Taxi Transfer Advantages	Taxi Transfer Disadvantage
Quick and easy	Pricey if not many people in your party
Hassle-free
Exclusive travel
Premium cars

Find below an image with Pros and cons of travelling from Chania to Heraklion with a taxi transfer.

How far is Heraklion to Chania?

Chania is about 102 km (64 miles) away from Heraklion. Chania and Heraklion are two cities on the northern coast of Crete. Car rental, plane ride, bus ride, and a Taxi Transfer are among the ways of transportation options available when wanting to travel from Heraklion to Chania. It is worth noting that the best way to get to Chania from Heraklion is by car rental. Going around Heraklion and travelling to Chania is just a breeze using a rented car. It is a lot more convenient and provides more flexibility. Car rental Crete is one of the prominent car rentals on the island. The greatest advantage that a car rental could give to a tourist wanting to get to Chania from Heraklion is flexibility and time control. Surely, every euro spent will be compensated by the comfort, convenience, and flexibility of renting a car to get to Chania from Heraklion.

How long will it take to get from Heraklion to Chania?

The distance between Heraklion and Chania is 102 km (64 miles). Depending on how you travel, it will take between 2 and 3 hours to get to Heraklion. When taking public transport, the bus that will bring you to Chania from Heraklion leaves every hour. The first bus departs at 5:30 in the morning while the last departs at 9 P.M. When travelling via a rented car, it will also take 2 to 3 hours, but the best thing about travelling via a rented car is you own your time. Thus, allowing you to take stops, and letting you appreciate the beauty of Crete. When travelling via Taxi Transfer, it will also take at most 2 hours. A Taxi Transfer is pre-arranged, thus it will take you directly to Heraklion from Chania. Moreover, taking a plane ride to Heraklion from Chania will take almost 4 hours, including the flight time of your layover in Athens. Therefore, making it impractical to travel via plane. Tourists may expect light traffic when travelling to Heraklion from Chania.

What is the cheapest way to get from Chania to Heraklion?

The cheapest way to get from Chania to Heraklion is to take a bus ride. The bus ride cost between €13 and €15. Compared to other modes of transportation, a bus ride is highly inexpensive, regular, and reliable across Crete. Buses are operated by Kino Tamio Eispraxeon Leoforon, also known as KTEL, which is a regional and local bus company that departs almost every hour during the busiest travel times. Underneath each bus are storage areas for luggage. Before and after your trip, the driver will load and unload your stuff. All buses have air conditioning, making travel comfortable even during the sweltering summers of Greece. Bus schedules from Chania to Heraklion will change drastically after the peak travel period, so be sure to check online to make sure you can get where you are going.

What is the fastest way to get from Chania to Heraklion?

The fastest way to get from Chania to Heraklion is through a rented car. Renting a car will take you to Heraklion from Chania the fastest. The best thing about travelling using a rented car is you own your time. When renting a car, you have the freedom of your time. You may make stops at places and enjoy the scenic view along the way. Visiting Chania and Heraklion using a rented vehicle makes travelling around more convenient and practical. Crete Car Rental for a week can cost around €250. Day trips and night trips in Crete will cost about €30 to €40. It can be used for a week with unlimited mileage and four-seaters. The rental cars are manual transmission, air-conditioned, and have four doors. The rented car should be returned to the company with the same amount of fuel as at the start of the trip to avoid charges. Going around Chania and travelling to Heraklion is just a breeze using a rented car. It is a lot more convenient and provides more flexibility.

What is the nearest town to travel to from Chania?

On the Greek island of Crete’s northwest coast is the city of Chania. It has been renowned for its seaside eateries, winding lanes, and Venetian harbour since the 14th century. A 16th-century lighthouse with Venetian, Egyptian, and Ottoman elements is located at the entrance of the harbour. In the Nautical Museum across the street are model ships, military relics, and pictures. The Chania Archaeological Museum is housed in the old St. Francis monastery. You’ll get a lot to do in Chania. And except getting to know How to get from Heraklion to Chania, your visit and stay will be worth it and memorable by checking out some of the nearest towns to travel from Chania.

Listed below are the nearest towns to travel to from Chania.

Sfakia: Sfakia is a little town and serves as the seat of the isolated and mountainous Sfakia region. It is located about 46 miles (74.03 km) south of Chania on the south coast, close to the mouth of the Imbros Gorge. Hora Sfakon or Sfakia is on the Greek island of Crete’s southern shore.
Paleochora: Paleochora is a small village in Greece’s Chania region. Paleochora is situated on a small peninsula that is 400 metres broad and 700 metres long, about 43 miles (69.2 km) south of Chania on the southwest coast of Crete. The town is situated along a 7 miles (11.27 km) stretch of the Libyan Sea coastline.
Kissamos: Kissamos is part of both the former Kissamos Province, which included the northwest portion of the island, and the Chania regional unit. Kissamos is a town and a municipality in the west of the island of Crete.
Frangokastello: Frangokastello is located in the Chania prefecture, and about 7 miles (11.27 km) east of Chora Sfakion on the south coast of Crete, Greece. A castle and sporadic settlement may be found in Frangokastello.
Anopolis: Southwest of the island of Crete, amid the Lefka Ori mountains, is a settlement called Anopolis. Numerous hikes via gorges to the sea or the mountains depart from Anopolis. The area serves as the gathering point for the Sfakiotes, the proud citizens of the historically significant region of Sfakia.
Akrotiri: Akrotiri is a peninsula situated in the north of Souda Bay and northeast of Chania. With an exception to a mountain range along the north shore, with Skloka as its highest point at 528 metres, Akrotiri, also referred to locally as Chania’s Acropolis, is primarily an undulating plateau. There are caverns in a number of mountains that include fascinatingly shaped rocks, stalagmites, and stalactites that can be found in Akrotiri.
Alikianos: The administrative centre of the Mousouroi Municipal Unit is Alikianos. Alikianos is situated about 8 miles (12.87 km) southwest of Chania in the Chania Regional Unit of Crete.
Deres: Deres is a small, picturesque town located about 15 miles (24.14 km) south of Chania Town. Deres is a charming village in southern Crete that can be found on the route to Sougia. Deres is surrounded by little rivers, thick foliage from plane trees, and untamed mountains.
Elos: Elos is about 37 miles (59.55 km) to the southwest of Chania Town. The majority of the residents of Elos, a small community with a few stone homes, work in agriculture and cattle raising. Olive groves, plane trees, and lush greenery surround the town.
Epanochori: Epanochori is a charming village situated 600 metres above sea level, about 28 miles (45.06 km) southwest of Chania Town. Beautiful mountains are around Epanochori. Epanochori is extremely close to the Agia Irini Gorge, where you can visit Agios Georgios and the Jesus Church from the 13th century.

Where should I stay in Chania?

Just like any region and tourist destination in Crete, you should not worry about where to stay upon visiting Chania. Chania is not just a home to beaches and mountains, as well as outdoor adventures, but is also a home to great accommodations of homes, apartments, suites, and hotels to sum up your perfect visit. East Seafront Suite, Steps from the Beach, and Chania Old Town Apartment could be your answer to, Where to Stay in Chania. East Seafront Suite is entirely on the water and situated in the centre of Chania. There are numerous cafés and restaurants around. From the terrace, guests may take in the unending view and the stunning sunrise. Swimming is safe at the beach. Within 5 minutes on foot, you will reach Chania’s Venetian port. The majority of the attractions, including the old town of Chania and the municipal market, are accessible on foot from the East Seafront Suite. Steps from the Beach is a one-bedroom apartment with a private bathroom, a kitchen, and a small patio that is recently constructed and exudes positivity. It is situated in a peaceful neighbourhood, 50 metres from Nea Chora, a sandy beach, and less than a mile from the city’s centre and the Old Harbour by foot. All the amenities you possibly need for a nice stay are provided in the flat. Lastly, Chania Old Town Apartment is a wonderful location in the centre of Chania’s Old Town. The bus station, nightlife, dining options, Chania Central Market, the park, and the zoo are all practically nearby. Chania Old Town Apartment has two big Venetian stone arcs which divide it into three rooms. With a lot more options to choose from, even check online accommodation platforms, surely you’ll have a nice and cosy place to stay in Chania.

Can I drive from Chania to Heraklion?

Yes, you can drive from Chania to Heraklion. The driving distance between Chania and Heraklion is 102 km (64 miles). Driving from Chania to Heraklion could take approximately 2 hours. To drive from Chania to Heraklion, the best option for you is to rent a car. Renting a car will take you to Heraklion from Chania the fastest. The best thing about travelling using a rented car is you own your time. When renting a car, you have the freedom of your time. You may make stops at places and enjoy the scenic view along the way. Visiting Chania and Heraklion using a rented vehicle makes travelling around more convenient and practical. Crete Car Rental for a week can cost around €250. Day trips and night trips in Crete will cost about €30 to €40. It can be used for a week with unlimited mileage and four-seaters. The rental cars are manual transmission, air-conditioned, and have four doors. The rented car should be returned to the company with the same amount of fuel as at the start of the trip to avoid charges. Going around Chania and travelling to Heraklion is just a breeze using a rented car. It is a lot more convenient and provides more flexibility.

Last updated on October 22nd, 2024