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Travelling from Heraklion Airport to Rethymno covers approximately 82 kilometres and takes 3 forms: bus, taxi or private transfer, and car rental. The bus station sits directly outside the airport terminal, with departures through the day. The options are listed below with the fare each one carries.
Take a KTEL bus from the station directly outside the airport terminal, where buses leave for Rethymno through the day. Buy tickets at the station before boarding, or book ahead on the KTEL website. KTEL runs daily routes from Heraklion to Rethymno on clean, air-conditioned buses at the lowest fare of any option. The route crosses the Cretan countryside, so keep a camera to hand. The distance between Heraklion Airport and Rethymno is approximately 82 kilometres, and the bus journey takes 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic and the route the bus takes.
Buses depart from Heraklion to Rethymno at the following times: 05:30, 06:30, 07:30, 08:30, 09:30, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30, 16:30, 17:30, 18:30, 19:30, 20:30, and 21:30. The service therefore runs all day at hourly intervals. KTEL's green buses cover the whole island, not only the Heraklion–Rethymno corridor, so a stop is within reach from most places in Crete.
A bus ticket from Heraklion Airport to Rethymno costs approximately €7.6. Book it on the KTEL bus service website, or buy it at the bus stop.
Board at the bus station directly outside the airport terminal, where the Rethymno services depart. For the return leg, use the main station in Rethymno at the entrance of the town near the Port of Rethymno, known as "Rethymno KTEL" or "Rethymno Intercity Bus Station", where buses depart for Heraklion. KTEL stops are spread across the island, so you can board from the town centre or from most other areas.
The bus takes 1.5 to 2 hours to reach Rethymno from Heraklion airport, over a route of approximately 82km, depending on traffic. A taxi covers the same route in about 1 hour 5 minutes, since it makes no intermediate stops. Comfort varies between operators and vehicle types. KTEL buses carry spacious seats, and some carry Wi-Fi for the journey.
The route starts at the airport terminal and runs through Heraklion city centre, stopping at Heraklion Bus Station. From there the bus continues west through the village of Gazi and stops at the seaside village of Bali. Panormo, a coastal village with beaches, is another possible stop. The bus finishes at Rethymno's main bus station near the Port of Rethymno.
Yes. KTEL buses carry a luggage compartment in the lower section, accessed from the side of the bus and large enough for most luggage. Stow bags before boarding, which keeps the bus balanced and leaves passengers room to sit.
Taxi and shuttle services both run between Heraklion Airport and Rethymno, and travellers use them often. A taxi or shuttle suits those travelling with family or friends who want the vehicle to themselves rather than a public bus. A taxi takes around one hour from Heraklion Airport to Rethymno.
A taxi from Heraklion to Rethymno, approximately 82 kilometres, costs €105 to €225, depending on the vehicle. A taxi puts the pace under your control, so you can make as many stops as you want and choose where. Cretan Bay Transfer runs the route at those rates, with the fare set against the vehicle you pick.
Book a Heraklion airport taxi through Cretan Bay Transfer's airport transfer service. Their drivers run the route directly, and the service operates 24/7, which covers late and early arrivals. The journey from Heraklion Airport to Rethymno takes around one hour and costs €105 to €225, depending on the vehicle.
Book a Crete hotel transfer on the Cretan Bay Transfer website and supply your hotel details, and a car is assigned to you. They run transfers to and from airports, hotels, and other destinations in the region. Contact them directly for specific pricing and availability. The transfer costs around €105 to €225.
Yes, shared shuttles run in Heraklion, usually between airports, hotels, and other key destinations. A shuttle costs less than a taxi, and it carries 2 drawbacks on a route this long: the seating is not built for the distance, and there is no luggage compartment, so bags stay with you. A private transfer is worth the difference on the Rethymno run.
Heraklion offers private taxis, private car services, VIP transfers, private shuttle services, and airport transfers. Each carries only your party directly to the address you name. You can also request extras when booking, such as a baby car seat when travelling with an infant. A private transfer stops where you ask, where a shuttle keeps to its designated route.
Yes. Cretan Bay Transfer runs minivans so a group of friends travels together rather than splitting across cars. The minivans carry up to 8 people with luggage. A minivan transfer costs around €160 to €225.
Taxis wait at designated posts across Heraklion, including the airport, the bus stations, and the city centre, so finding one takes little time. Taxis run door to door, dropping you at the address you name. The meters give pricing based on distance travelled. Reaching Rethymno from Heraklion Airport takes about an hour by taxi without extra stops.
Renting a car puts the schedule and the route in your hands, which suits travellers who want to stop where the timetable does not. Book a Rethymno car rental through Rental Center Crete, who keep their fleet maintained for the drive. Once you book, a driver brings the car to the airport on the day you arrive and hands it over there. A rental costs €130 to €910 for 2 days, depending on the model, which is more than the bus or a single taxi run.
Book a taxi through the Cretan Bay Transfer website or contact them directly to move around Rethymno. They arrange a car to collect you from your location and take you to your destination in Rethymno or elsewhere in Crete. Their drivers know the area and the routes through the city.
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