Rethymno sits almost exactly halfway between Crete’s two international airports, which makes it one of the easiest places on the island to reach. Whichever airport you land at, you can be having dinner in the old town about an hour and a half later.
We get asked about this every week, so this guide has the same answers we give our own guests: every option, how long it takes, and the one thing most visitors get wrong (trying to drive into the old town).
Which airport should you fly into?
Both work. Chania airport (CHQ) is 66 km from our suites and Heraklion airport (HER) is 71 km. On the road the difference is a few minutes.
| Chania airport (CHQ) | Heraklion airport (HER) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance to Rethymno old town | 66 km | 71 km |
| By car or taxi | about 1 hour | about 1 hour 10 min |
| Direct bus to Rethymno | Yes, a few times a day | No, change in Heraklion |
| Flights | Fewer, mostly seasonal | More flights, all year |
In practice, pick the airport with the better flight times or price. Heraklion has more connections, especially outside summer. Chania is a little more relaxed and has a direct bus to Rethymno.
1. Private transfer: the stress-free option
After a long day of travel, this is what we recommend to most guests. A driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a name sign, the price is fixed in advance and you go straight to the old town without changes or waiting.
We can arrange a private transfer from either airport for you at an extra charge. Just send us your flight details after you book and we will take care of it. Your driver will bring you as close to the suites as the lanes allow, and we will tell you exactly where to meet us.
2. Taxi
Taxis wait outside arrivals at both airports, day and night, and the drive to Rethymno takes about an hour.
- Agree the price before you load the luggage, or ask for the meter to be switched on.
- In July and August the queue at the rank can be long, especially when several flights land together. If you arrive in peak season, booking ahead is safer.
3. KTEL bus: the budget option
Crete’s intercity buses (KTEL) are clean, air-conditioned and reliable. They arrive at Rethymno bus station, 850 m from our suites: about a 10–15 minute walk, or a short taxi ride if you have heavy bags.
From Chania airport
There is a direct bus from Chania airport to Rethymno, about 1 hour 30 minutes. It only runs a few times a day, so check the timetable against your landing time.
If the times do not suit you, take the airport bus into Chania bus station and change there. Buses from Chania to Rethymno run regularly through the day.
From Heraklion airport
There is no direct bus from Heraklion airport to Rethymno, so the trip has two parts:
- City bus to the centre. Blue city buses leave from outside the terminal for Heraklion bus station (about 20 minutes). The ticket is cheaper from the kiosk than from the driver.
- KTEL to Rethymno. At the bus station, buy a ticket for Rethymno. Buses run roughly every hour from early morning to late evening and take about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Tip from your hosts: some express buses between Heraklion and Chania do not stop in Rethymno. When you buy your ticket, say “Rethymno” and check that your bus stops there.
Timetables change between summer and winter. Check the latest times on the KTEL website (e-ktel.com) before you travel.
4. Rental car
A car is worth it if you plan day trips: the palm beach at Preveli, the Arkadi Monastery, the villages in the mountains. Both airports have plenty of rental desks, and we can also arrange car or bike rental in Rethymno so you only pay for the days you actually need it.
From either airport, follow the national road (VOAK) along the north coast to Rethymno. It is about an hour of easy driving.
Parking in Rethymno old town
This is where most visitors go wrong. Do not try to drive to the door. Many of the old town’s lanes are narrow, one-way or pedestrian, and visitors’ cars are restricted for much of the year. Satnavs do not know this and will happily lead you into a lane you cannot turn out of.
What to do instead:
- Ask us for our private parking. We have a private parking space next to the suites, available on request. Book it when you book your stay.
- Otherwise, park at the edge of the old town and walk the last few minutes. There are paid car parks near the Venetian harbour and the marina, and some free spaces below the walls of the Fortezza.
- Blue lines mean paid parking, white lines mean free. Free spaces are easiest to find in the morning.
- Ask us before you arrive. We will send you the parking spot we recommend and walking directions from there.
Tip from your hosts: drop your luggage off first. One of you stays with the bags near the old town while the other parks. It saves dragging suitcases over cobblestones.
5. Arriving by ferry
If you are coming from Athens with your own car, the overnight ferry from Piraeus is a classic way to arrive. Ferries sail to two ports near Rethymno:
- Heraklion port (80 km): the city’s KTEL bus station is right next to the passenger port, so it is easy to continue by bus.
- Souda port, Chania (58 km): about 50 minutes by car or taxi to Rethymno.
The crossing takes around 8–9 hours, usually overnight. You arrive early in the morning, before check-in time, so see below for what to do with your luggage.
Arriving early or leaving late?
Check-in is from 14:00 and check-out is until 11:00. Flights rarely match those times, so:
- We can store your luggage, so you can drop your bags and go straight out for a coffee by the Rimondi Fountain.
- Early check-in or late check-out is possible whenever the suite is free. Ask us a few days before.
- The suites are on the first floor and reached by stairs (there is no lift). If you have a heavy suitcase, tell us and we will help.
Getting around once you are here
You will barely need transport in town. The Fortezza is 300 m from the suites, the Venetian harbour a few minutes’ walk and the long town beach about 600 m away. For the beaches further east, local buses run along the coast road, and for anything further we can arrange a car, a bike or an excursion.
Once you have arrived, follow our plan for 2 days in Rethymno, pick a spot from the best beaches near Rethymno and read where to eat for your first dinner.
Our tip
Send us your arrival time a few days before your trip. We will be ready to welcome you, send you a map pin of exactly where to park or where your driver will drop you, and recommend somewhere good for your first dinner in Rethymno.
Ready to plan your stay? See our suites and book directly for the best rate, or ask us anything.
Questions & answers
Which airport is closer to Rethymno, Chania or Heraklion?
They are about the same. Chania airport is 66 km from Rethymno old town and Heraklion airport is 71 km, and both are roughly an hour away by car on the national road. Choose the airport with the better flight times or price.
Is there a direct bus from Heraklion airport to Rethymno?
No. Take a city bus from the airport to Heraklion bus station (about 20 minutes), then a KTEL intercity bus to Rethymno. Buses run roughly every hour and the trip takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. Allow around 2 hours 30 minutes in total.
How long does it take from the airport to Rethymno?
About an hour by taxi, private transfer or car from either airport. The direct bus from Chania airport takes about 1 hour 30 minutes, and the bus route from Heraklion airport about 2 hours 30 minutes in total, including the change.
Can I drive to my hotel in Rethymno old town?
Usually not to the door. Many lanes in the old town are narrow, one-way or pedestrian, and access for visitors’ cars is restricted for much of the year. Park at the edge of the old town and walk in.
Do I need a car in Rethymno?
Not in town. The Fortezza, the Venetian harbour, museums, tavernas and the town beach are all within walking distance of the old town. A car is useful for day trips and the beaches of the south coast.
