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Heraklion is the capital of Crete and the largest city on the island. Heraklion sits on the northern coast and holds the island's largest population, at 140,000 people. The city represents much of the history and culture of Greece, and it works as a vital economic centre for Crete that draws visitors from around the world.
Heraklion holds a large collection of historic and cultural landmarks, such as Knossos Palace, the Venetian Fortress of Koules, the Historical Museum of Crete, and the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion. Knossos Palace dates back to the Minoan civilisation and is the largest archaeological site on the island.
Heraklion is known for its food and drink as well as its history. The city has restaurants serving traditional Cretan cuisine, and it holds the island's largest and busiest markets and stores.
Transport in Heraklion covers 6 main options, which are listed below with the fare range and the traveller each one suits.
Heraklion's public bus network is run by KTEL (Common Fund of Bus Receipts), which carries locals and visitors around the city and to nearby places all year. KTEL buses cover the city centre and the surrounding coast, which makes them the cheapest way to reach most destinations. The main bus station in Heraklion is on 1866 Street, near the city centre, where you buy a ticket at the counter and board directly.
Bus fares range from €1.20 to €2.5, the lowest of any transport option in Heraklion. The bus service also sells daily and weekly passes, which cost less per trip if you travel often. Buses have padded seats and some carry Wi-Fi. During peak season the buses fill up, so plan your journey with extra time if you travel in summer.
Local buses, such as the AST Heraklion service, cover the city and its suburbs, where KTEL covers the city and the wider region. The routes are numbered, so you can tell from the number whether a bus is heading to your destination. The vehicles are painted bright green and white, which makes them easy to spot at a stop.
Local bus fares start at €1.1 and reach €2, and an all-day ticket costs around €5. The service runs from early morning until late at night. Buy the ticket at the counter at the bus stop. Every bus has air conditioning, and some carry free Wi-Fi.
Hop-on hop-off tours run in Heraklion under several operators and let you see the main landmarks at your own pace. These buses follow set routes on a fixed daily schedule. Get off at any designated stop, explore the area, then board the next bus to continue the route.
The double-decker, open-top buses carry audio commentary in several languages describing the landmarks along the way. Buy tickets at the stop or book them online for the following day. A complete city tour costs around €28.5 and the ticket stays valid for 48 hours, while shorter tours cost less.
Heraklion transfers are private services that carry you from one part of the city to another at a fixed fare agreed before the journey. Transfers cost more than public buses, and they suit travellers who want a set price and no waiting. The 2 transfer types available in Heraklion are described below, with the fare each one carries.
A taxi suits visitors travelling with family or friends, and equally those who prefer to travel alone. Taxis give you privacy and the freedom to move around the island at your own pace. Several taxi firms operate around Heraklion, among them Cretan Bay Transfer.
Cretan Bay Transfer runs cars carrying 4 to 8 people with luggage, so the vehicle is matched to your group size. Fares depend on distance and time of year. A taxi from Heraklion airport to Heraklion port costs €20 to €45. Every taxi comes with a local driver who knows the shortest routes and the places worth stopping at around Heraklion, so you spend less of your trip finding your way. Book a Crete taxi to reach the capital directly from where you land.
Heraklion airport transfers carry you between the airport and your accommodation on a pre-booked fixed fare, whether you arrive early in the morning or late at night. Your hotel can arrange a transfer, and you can also book a Heraklion Airport Transfer online in advance. The drivers at Cretan Bay Transfer are Cretan locals who know the routes, so arriving in an unfamiliar city does not mean getting lost.
Cretan Bay Transfer runs a background check on each driver before hiring them, which covers the safety of every passenger. The drivers also know places worth visiting around Heraklion, so ask them for suggestions during the journey. Once you book, a driver meets you at the airport holding a name card. Fares depend on the destination and the number of passengers. A ride from Heraklion to Heraklion airport costs €18.
Heraklion has no metro, and neither does anywhere else in Crete. Travel around the city therefore relies on buses, taxis, transfers, rental cars, and bikes.
Uber and Lyft do not operate in Heraklion or anywhere in Crete. Booking a taxi or an airport transfer replaces them, and you can arrange either here.
Renting a car lets you drive around Heraklion and stop wherever you choose, for as long as you choose. A rental suits travellers who want to cover the wider island rather than the city alone. Driving in Greece requires a valid international driving licence and a working credit card, so check both before you book. A Heraklion car rental covers trips beyond the bus network.
Rental offices are spread through the city and around the airport. Book the car on the company's website and a driver delivers it to the airport for you. Rates depend on the model and the time of year. A rental car in Heraklion costs around €25 per day.
Renting a motorbike or bicycle turns a holiday in Heraklion into a different kind of trip. The weather around Crete is mostly hot with strong winds, which makes an open ride across the island a distinctive way to see it. Rental companies stock city bikes, children's bikes, and mountain bikes, and they also rent locks, helmets, and the other accessories a safe ride needs. Rates depend on the type of bike and the number of days. A basic bike costs €10 to €30-40 per day.
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