Getting there & Getting around

Getting there

Most visitors fly first to Athens on the mainland, which is well served by international flights, and then travel to Crete by air or boat. It's also possible to fly directly to Crete from Europe, although most direct flights are summer charter flights. Olympic Airlines and Aegean Airlines have regular flights from Athens and Thessaloniki to Iraklio and Hania.

Most overlanders currently arrive in Greece by ferry from Brindisi (free for Eurail pass holders), Ancona, Bari or Venice in Italy. Most ferries to Crete depart from Piraeus harbour, just to the south of Athens, but there are also departures from Thessaloniki, Rhodes, Kalamata and Glythio, plus Santorini and some of the Cyclades islands and Kythira. Some of these routes are painfully long - check before buying a ticket. Be aware that services in the off season (November to April) are considerably curtailed.

Getting around

Crete is easy to travel around due to its comprehensive bus system. There are frequent buses travelling along the length of the north coast. Less frequent services link north coast towns and resorts with places of interest on the south coast, via the interior mountain villages. Ferries link towns along the south coast and islands; some towns can only be accessed by sea. Many ferries operate only during the summer months, though. Those planning to bring their own car to Crete (or rent a car) should be aware that Greece has one of the highest road fatality rates in Europe. Roads in Crete have improved in recent years, but there are still many unpaved and rough roads in the south and country road signs are often only in Greek.