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Rethymno is the third largest city on the island of Crete, Greece, after Heraklion and Chania. Rethymno sits on the north coast between those two cities, approximately 82km from Heraklion, a 1 hour 5 minute drive, and 60km from Chania, a 52-minute drive.
Rethymno is one of the 4 regional units of Crete, in the north-central part of the island, with a population of about 79,000 people. The city holds historical and archaeological sites including the Venetian fortress of Rethymno, the Minoan palace of Phaistos, and the Samaria Gorge.
Greek, Venetian, and Turkish rule each shaped Rethymno over the centuries, and that heritage shows in the city's architecture, food, and culture. The old town carries it most directly, through narrow streets, small shops, and cafes. Its landmarks include the Venetian Loggia, the Rimondi Fountain, and the Neratzia Fortress.
Rethymno is known for its beaches, historic sites, and nightlife, with Preveli Beach and Plakias Beach among the most visited. The Fortezza, a Venetian fortress, and the ancient city of Eleutherna cover the archaeological side.
A taxi service covers the city and the sites around it. Crete taxi drivers know the local area and can point passengers towards landmarks, historical sites, and beaches in Rethymno.
Rethymno runs 4 bus types covering travel in the city and beyond it, at the lowest cost of any option. The 4 are listed below with what each one covers.
KTEL Rethymnou operates the buses in the city. Several lines serve Rethymno and its surrounding area from early morning until late at night. A single journey ticket costs €1.50, with day tickets and weekly passes available for frequent travel. Buy tickets from the driver or at the KTEL ticket office. Designated stops are spread through the city.
Route maps are available at the KTEL ticket office or online. Line 1 connects the city centre, the beach, and the airport. Line 2 links the city centre with the Venetian harbour and the Old Town. Line 3 serves the city centre, the suburbs, and the archaeological museum. Line 4 reaches the city centre, the beaches, and the national park.
The KTEL station provides luggage storage and free Wi-Fi during peak season, and shops, restaurants, and cafes sit within a short walk of it.
Rethymno's local bus service covers the city and the nearby villages. The buses are recognisable by their blue colour, and each route carries a number displayed on the bus screen. The service runs from early morning until late at night. Fares range from €1.20 to €2.5 for a single journey. Buy tickets at the bus station or from the driver. The buses carry padded seating and air conditioning, and some carry Wi-Fi.
KTEL is the collective name for Greece's long-distance public bus services, covering mainland Greece and its islands, Crete included. KTEL buses run a wide network connecting towns and cities across the country, and Rethymno is a key hub on the island.
The 2 main KTEL routes from Rethymno run to Heraklion and Chania. The journey to Heraklion takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, with tickets at around €10. The trip to Chania takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes, with tickets at roughly €12. Prices vary by route and time of year, rising during peak season from June to August.
Hop-on hop-off buses in Rethymno circle the city's tourist destinations, letting passengers get off and board again as they choose. Departures run frequently through the day, which keeps the major attractions accessible at your own pace.
Rethymno offers one hop-on hop-off tour. The Rethymno City Tour makes 12 stops and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete the loop, calling at the Venetian harbour, the old town, the Rimondi Fountain, the Neoria Fortress, and the Municipal Garden. Adult tickets cost €12 and children's tickets €6. The buses carry multilingual commentary and air conditioning, and they run from early morning to late evening with unlimited boarding.
Shuttle buses run between Rethymno and the nearest airports, Heraklion Airport and Chania Airport. They cost less than private transport, and they carry 3 drawbacks. First, they follow a fixed schedule, which may not match flight times or your own plans. Second, they stop at several locations to pick up and drop off, which stretches the journey against a direct transfer. Third, they fill up during peak season, which costs comfort on a long run. Taxis, car rentals, and private transfers are worth comparing before booking one.
Rethymno offers 3 private transfer options, listed below with what each one covers.
Yes, book a taxi in advance to reach Rethymno, particularly during peak season or for early morning and late-night transfers. Booking ahead secures a ride at a specific time, so you avoid hailing a taxi or finding none available.
Pre-book taxis from hotels, restaurants, and taxi stands across Rethymno. Many Crete taxi services in the city, such as Cretan Bay Transfer, take bookings online or by phone and operate around the clock.
Standard 4-seater taxis are common in Rethymno. Request a larger taxi or a minivan at the time of booking for bigger groups or extra luggage.
Rethymno offers 3 taxi types: sedans, minivans, and minibuses, matched to different group sizes. Sedans are the standard type and seat up to 4 passengers, which suits individuals, couples, and small families.
Minivans suit larger groups and families, seating up to seven or eight people with extra luggage room.
Minibuses cover larger groups travelling together, carrying up to 15 to 20 passengers, which suits big families or event groups.
A taxi from Rethymno to Heraklion Airport or Chania Airport costs around €90. Sitia Airport costs approximately €250, reflecting the greater distance.
A journey to Agios Nikolaos Port costs around €170. These fares are indicative and shift with the route taken, the time of travel, and traffic. Rethymno taxis wait at designated stands, can be hailed on the street, or booked ahead through a taxi company.
No international or local ride-hailing services operate in Rethymno. Ride-hailing apps are digital platforms connecting passengers with drivers, among them Uber, Lyft, FreeNow, and Bolt, letting users book a ride from a smartphone and have a driver arrive within minutes.
Ride-hailing has a complex history in Greece. Uber launched in Greece in 2015 and suspended operations in 2018, after regulatory hurdles and protests from local taxi drivers. That withdrawal left a gap, and no major international ride-hailing app currently operates in the country.
Yes, book an airport transfer to Rethymno in advance. An airport transfer is a pre-arranged service carrying passengers between the airport and their destination, such as a hotel or the city centre. For Rethymno this covers transfers to and from Heraklion Airport and Chania Airport.
Booking ahead carries 3 benefits. First, it removes the need to work out public transport or search for a taxi on arrival, and a driver waits at the airport to help with luggage. Second, it settles the arrangement before you travel, which matters when you do not know the area or land at an awkward hour. Third, it gives a direct connection between the airport and Rethymno with no intermediate stops.
Research and book a Heraklion airport taxi from an established provider such as Cretan Bay Transfer well in advance. These services run a range of vehicles to match group size and travel preferences.
No metro system exists in Rethymno. The city has no underground or subway network. Rethymno is a relatively small city, and its transport runs on buses, taxis, and private vehicles.
Local buses cover the city on designated routes and stops, and taxis are readily available for direct journeys.
Rethymno's compact size also makes it walkable. Many of the attractions and points of interest sit within walking distance, so the city centre and its streets can be covered on foot.
Renting a car in Rethymno is straightforward. The city holds numerous rental agencies and offices covering a range of car models across budgets. A Rethymno car rental gives you the freedom to cover the city and its surrounding areas at your own pace.
A rental car puts your itinerary under your own control, which lets you reach places off the main routes and see the landscapes of Crete on your own schedule. It also saves waiting on public transport timetables or for taxis, and it makes several destinations in one day workable.
Driving in Rethymno requires following local traffic laws, so read up on the driving rules, road conditions, and parking before you set off. Book the rental car in advance during peak season to secure both availability and the lower rates.
Car rental prices in Crete range from €18 to €79 per day, depending on the car type, the rental duration, and the company. Economy and compact models such as the Fiat Panda start from around €20 per day. The Volkswagen Polo starts from €24 per day. The Volkswagen Golf and the Kia Stonic start from approximately €31 per day.
The Toyota Yaris Hybrid starts from around €41 per day for an automatic or hybrid. SUV models such as the Nissan Qashqai start from around €56 per day for more space or outdoor trips. A van with larger seating, such as the Fiat Scudo 9 Seater, is also available.
Yes, treat bike rentals in Rethymno as a last option, on cost and on safety. Scooter rental rates start from around €20 to €30 per day for a basic 50cc scooter, rising with the model, the rental duration, and any accessories included, which adds up over a longer hire.
Safety is the larger concern. Riding a bike in a city setting and sharing the road with cars carries real risk for anyone not used to it, and navigating traffic demands extra caution.
#Also interesting to read
ᐅ Transportation Guide for Heraklion
ᐅ Transportation Guide for Chania
ᐅ Transportation Guide for Hersonissos
ᐅ Transportation Guide for Sitia
ᐅ Transportation Guide for Agios Nikolaos
ᐅ Heraklion Airport to Rethymno: Bus, Taxi, Airport Transfer, and Car Rental