How To Get From Chania To Heraklion Crete (& Heraklion To Chania )

This detailed transportation guide tells you how to get from Heraklion to Chania and travel from Chania to Heraklion.

Crete is one of Greece’s most beautiful islands and the largest of them all. It’s no wonder – when you see the sights and the beaches, you’ll be desperate to jet off yourself! During the summer months, the entire island is bustling.

Most people fly into Heraklion Airport when arriving in Crete, and this is a beautiful port city to enjoy in itself. The beaches here are stunning, and there are some fantastic restaurants and a winery to check out. You’ll also find the huge Palace of Knossos, a large archaeological spot dating back to the Minoan civilization.

However, Heraklion isn’t your only must-visit spot on the island. Chania is another very popular town, and it’s located on the northern coastline of the island, just as Heraklion is.

The city is famous for the harbor, dating back to the 14th century, and some beautiful narrow, winding streets to explore. Again, you’ll find some of the best restaurants and another great winery on the island.

Both cities are located on the same coastline, so many people want to visit both during their stay – and that’s a great choice. There is only around 142km between them, and any journey, regardless of how you take it, should not take longer than 3 hours, even during peak traffic in the summer.

So, if you’re in Chania and want to get to Heraklion, how do you do it? And how do you make the same journey in reverse?

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Chania To Heraklion – Heraklion To Chania 

Crete might be the largest of the Greek islands, but it still abides by the chilled-out island lifestyle these islands are famous for! That means you won’t find mass transit options, such as trains and local airports. Instead, you have two options – bus or drive yourself.

Handily, these are both very easy.

Chania To Heraklion By Car

You can drive from Chania to Heraklion and back again in around 2-3 hours. The distance from Chania to Heraklion is 142km, and the drive is very scenic. You take the E75 road and don’t need to make any changes to your route.

It’s advisable to set off early and take your time if you can; some beautiful villages along the way and the north coast is known for its picturesque views. Be sure to stop off at Rethymno, with some historical spots to check out. There are also some great beaches for a dip if you fancy a cool down during your journey!

The drive is safe for international drivers; however, remember to have all your paperwork on hand – your passport, any visa you need, insurance, all parts of your driving license, and an international driving permit, if applicable.

Bus Chania To Heraklion 

The easiest option is to take the bus from Heraklion to Chania (or take the bus from Chania to Heraklion). This is a very cheap option too and takes around 2 hours 40 minutes, depending upon traffic.

The bus drives along the scenic northern coastline, which means you can snap pictures. Buses run hourly, so if you miss one, you’ll easily be able to get the next.

To take the bus to Heraklion, head to Chania’s central bus station, just a few minutes from the Old Town. The service is run by KTEL, Greece’s largest bus provider, and you can purchase your tickets online or head to the bus station to buy your ticket in person. Tickets cost around 14 Euros, but this may be subject to change, so do check just before you plan to travel.

When you arrive at Heraklion’s central bus station, you can easily walk to the city’s center, including the port, where you may want to island hop a little!

Heraklion To Chania

Hey, guess what? If you want to know how to get from Heraklion to Chania, it is easy; you reverse any of the information above! Buses from Heraklion to Chania depart hourly, and you head to the central bus station to purchase your ticket or head to the KTEL site to book online.