Heraklion Crete Travel Answers

Heraklion to Karpathos Ferry

by Janet, UK


Hi there,

I am looking for details of ferry times from Heraklion to Sitia, Kasos, Karpathos May next year, but am drawing a blank.

Can you help?

Ferry from Heraklion to Karpathos

Yiasas Janet,

Yes, it is a continual issue as ferry companies do not publish their schedules for a long time ahead. It makes it hard to plan a long way ahead.

Generally May is the beginning of the season so ferry frequencies increase. July and August are high season with the highest frequencies.

Here is our page about travel from Crete to Karpathos.

You can see that the schedule on Direct Ferries goes to the end of February only.

The company that has ferries on this route is ANEK lines. Again, on their website no sailings are showing in May next year yet. So the best thing to do is to write to them and ask about frequencies in May next year.

anek at anek.gr

Kalo Taxidi

Getting from Heraklion Airport to Plaka and Spinalonga

by Rose
(UK)

Hello,

I'm looking to travel from London to Heraklion airport (as I believe this is the closest airport to travel visit Spinalonga). I just need some advice about where to go from the airport, as I will be travelling alone.

So far, I'm thinking to catch a bus from Heraklion airport to Plaka and to stay at a hotel there for the first night. Then the next day, to catch a boat to Spinalonga from Plaka.

I then wish to travel to Santorini and wondering what's the cheapest/easiest way to do this?

Thanks!

Rose

Visit to Spinalonga

Yiasas Rose,

Yes, Heraklion would be the closest airport to Spinalonga, that accepts direct flights from London. Or you could fly London to Athens to Heraklion.

We are not sure what month of the year you are planning for your trip, or what price accommodation you would prefer, so we have kept these options open for you. In summer, there are direct flights from London to Heraklion, but in the other seasons you could fly via Athens.

The airport is 4.5 km to the east of Heraklion, so it is already on the same side of the city from where you can travel to Plaka and Spinalonga, without having to go into Heraklion town.

If you did want to go into Heraklion town, the taxi or bus is quite cheap and you could easily stay the night there. That would make sense if you arrive after 5pm.

That is because the bus trip to Plaka will take you some time, so you want to leave a good window of time, about half a day at least.

Arriving into Heraklion airport before 2 pm, you could make the trip on the same day.

Arriving into Heraklion between 2pm and 5pm, you could make the trip for part of the way. I will give you the trip details below and travel times and so you can best decide which flight to book.

Transport

From Heraklion airport take the local bus called KTEL to Agios Nikolaos. The travel time is 1 and a half hours and costs less than €15. This is a journey of 60 km. The bus stop is 2 minutes from the arrivals hall, the bus will be travelling east and marked ‘Agios Nikolaos’. If in doubt, ask about this at the info desk in the arrivals hall. Check bus timetables below.

At Agios Nikolaos bus station, change buses and take the local bus to Elounda or Plaka. In low season you may not be able to travel to Plaka, only as far as Elounda, which is 11 km. Travel time is 30 minutes and cost less than €5. It is most likely that the buses to Plaka only run between May to October.

If the bus does take you from Agios Nikolaos to Plaka, it is 15 km, travel time is 40 minutes and cost is less than €5.

From Elounda to Plaka is a journey of 5 km. If the bus does not operate in the month you are planning, take a local taxi there. This should cost approx. €10.

Total travel time is 2 hours 10 minutes (this excludes waiting for connections). Total cost buses less than €20 Total cost with buses and taxi less than €30.

Of course, you have the option to arrange a pre-booked transfer, a taxi to pick you up, take your luggage and take you all the way to Plaka, when you are checking this price, choose 'Plaka Elounda', depending on your specific date and time of day the cost is less than €100.

Pre-booked transfer in Crete...


Accommodation Options

Depending on the time of day of your arrival, you can choose your accommodation in Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda or Plaka. You cannot stay overnight on Spinalonga. Below we suggest budget and mid-range characteristic accommodation in each location.

Heraklion

Budget – Lena Hotel

Mid range - Lato Hotel

Agios Nikolaos

Budget – El Greco Hotel

Mid range - Hotel du Lac

Elounda


Mid range – Akti Olous Hotel

Plaka

Mid range – The Island Sea View Apartment


Santorini from Crete

The cheapest and easiest way to get from Crete to Santorini is by ferry from Heraklion. Between May and October there are super fast ferries daily that do this trip in around two hours, and the cost is less than €90

Information pages for this journey:
Heraklion airport
Heraklion town
Getting Around in Crete
Local buses

Agios Nikolaos
Elounda
Spinalonga
History of Crete
Crete to Santorini

Kalo Taxidi! Bon Voyage!

Best Places to Stay Near Heraklion, Crete

by Maggie
(Australia)

Hi, my husband and I have booked to go to Greece next year in May.

We will travel to Athens and then take a flight to Crete, arriving in Heraklion airport.

We have one week to spend and I would like to know the best places to stay. We will be arriving about 5.30 pm in the evening.

Maggie

Guesthouses and Hotels Near Iraklio

Yiasas Maggie, yes there are lots of places to stay, either in town or by the beach, which are close to the airport.

About Heraklion
The airport of Heraklion is only 4.5 km from the town. Heraklion town has many good hotels.

Our pick would be the Lato Boutique Hotel because it is central and stylish, with views over the old port. We have always found the service there to be excellent. Heraklion is a modern town with some remnants of Venetian architecture dotted about town. There is a lively street market and great shopping, especially along the pedestrian street 'Daedalou'. The area of Koraii has a plethora of cafes, bars and restaurants, with a lively, upbeat vibe. The historical collection of Crete is exhibited at the Archaeological Museum, one of the most visited attractions on Crete. Although it is not the most attractive town on the island, we love it and it is well worth exploring its nooks and crannies and getting to know its lane ways.

See more about Heraklion town hotels here.

Countryside Accommodation
A beautiful rural village only 16 km from the airport is Archanes Village.

Here we suggest the Villa Archanes as they are beautifully restored traditional buildings full of the local flavour. By staying in this village you will have a peaceful, relaxing location rather than the city buzz. Also you will be located only 7 km from Knossos Palace, one of the most interesting archaeological sites on the island, said to be the centre of Minoan culture which dates back at least 4000 years, to 2000 BC

Beachside Accommodation
A lovely seaside village just 23 km from the airport is Agia Pelagia. In this beautiful seaside location are many guesthouses, pensions and apartments, and good cafes, bars and tavernas.

We suggest the luxury Out of the Blue Resort on the point overlooking the crystal clear waters. This is a world class resort, in private gardens, surrounded by classic Greek blue bays with crystalline waters.

Each of these destinations is very easy to access with a quick taxi ride from the airport. For more information or to pre-book your taxi before you leave home, see our page about Getting Around in Crete.

Kalo Taxidi! Bon Voyage!

Best way to travel from Heraklion Airport to Ierapetra?

by Katzie
(Calgary, Alberta, Canada)

Would it be better for me to take a bus from Heraklion Airport - or fly to Sitia instead? On the map it appears Sitia is closer. Any help would be appreciated.

Yiasas Katzie,

Yes, Sitia is closer but it is a small regional airport with not as many flights in and out every day as Heraklion.

It would be cheaper and more convenient to go via Heraklion, but just as viable to go via Sitia.

Buses travel from each place to Ierapetra.

For example there are 8 flights with Aegean Air fromo ATH to HER tomorrow.

There is 1 flight with Aegean Air from ATH to Sitia JSH.

In summer there are more flights to both airports.

Kalo Taxidi Bon Voyage

How Can I get from Heraklion Port to Bali?

by Ruth
(London)

Hi, I've been told that ferries can sometimes be delayed and because we are going to arrive from Santorini quite late, I was a bit worried about how could we get to our hotel in Bali.

Buses seem to finish around 9pm or 10pm. Is there any other option apart from taxis? Any idea how much could this ride cost?

Thank you!

From Santorini to Bali Beaches in Rethymnon Crete

Hi Ruth,

There is a pre-booked transfer service available which will give good peace of mind. The service can meet your ferry and will be informed if the ferry is delayed. The transfer can then take you to your hotel in Bali.

You have a few choices of transport on this route...Of course, the sea always has the last word with ferry crossings, and for safety reasons the trip may be delayed.

The fast ferries from Santorini (Thira) to Heraklion in Crete run May to October and depart 5.30 pm arriving 7.15 pm. This is Hellenic Seaways service.

From June to October, the TeraJet leaves Santorini at 5.20 pm and arrives to Heraklion at 6.55 pm, this is run by SeaJet service.

From April to October, the MegaJet leaves Santorini at 5.30 pm and gets to Rethymnon at 8.00 pm, this is also run by SeaJet ferries.

See our page about Santorini to Crete (and return) here...

More information for Getting Around in Crete including taxis and pre-arranged transfers.

See info for pre-booked transfers here at Taxi Reservations...

For up to 4 people from Heraklion to Bali, shows a cost of around 60 Euro if pickup is around 7.15 pm.

For up to 4 people from Rethymnon to Bali, shows a cost of around 66 Euro if pickup is around 8.00 pm.

You can put in your Port and your destination area (Bali) or hotel name to see exactly how much it will be for your relevant date and time of day.

The coves of Bali are five beautiful beaches on the north coast of Crete, 34 km from Rethymnon town, with clear waters perfect for snorkelling or diving. Protected by the peninsula, these calm waters are great for families or just relaxing, inland are mountains to explore. A popular hiking area is Mount Kouloukonas.

Hire a car or take the local bus to visit Rethymnon town, explore its old town with narrow lane ways and beautiful Venetian architecture. There are the old port, the lighthouse and the fortezza to visit, and the atmospheric plazas and museums.

Bon Voyage! Kalo Taxidi!

Hiking Mount Giouchtas

by Marina
(Toronto, Canada)

Hello,

You have a wonderful website with a lot of interesting and useful info.

I am a solo traveler from Canada and it's my third time in Greece and first one to Crete. I will be in Crete from about Oct 10 (ferry from another island, probably Naxos or Ios) to Oct 19. I arrive to Heraklion port and leave Heraklion airport. I intend to rent a car. I will be staying in Heraklion and area and want to explore east side of the island.

I am very interested in hiking (especially Mt. Yuktas) but would like to join an established group. On your website I found your recommendation of this club www.eos-her.gr. Do you have any other recommendations?

Thanks in advance,
Marina

Hiking Mount Giouchtas

Yiasas Marina,

Yes, this is a sacred mountain and a beautiful walk, not too long. There are various different ways to spell this name, which may help you find what you are looking for:

Giouchtas, Jiouchtas, Yuktas, Juktas etc. The closest to the Greek Giouchtas is because it is complicated to translate: Γιούχτας

Another tour company offering trips to hike on Mount Jiouchtas is Green Tour

You could also find a trip with Tours by Locals

You could also enlist the services of a private guide – here is a professional guide on our website: https://www.we-love-crete.com/private-tour-guide-in-crete.html

Would you some other tips for your trip and an itinerary from October 10-19?

Naste kala
The We Love Crete team

Hiking Mount Giouchtas & Minoan Crete

Dear We Love Crete team,

Thank you very much for the information you provided. I have contacted the Green Tour company to check if they have any tours to Mt. Giouchtas during my stay. If not, I will continue with my search. The private tours, considering I travel alone, are a bit pricey for me. :)

My interests lie in the area of Greek Mythology and Minoan Crete, hence my desire for Mt. Giouchtas hike. Obviously, there are many other places in Crete to satisfy my interests.

Your website provides a trove of information and very helpful. I am glad I discovered it.

Thanks again,
Marina