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Rent From Locals

Car Rental Crete (Heraklion airport) - Rent From Locals

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110 cars available

110 cars

110 cars

How you pick up your car

Nikos Kazantzakis airport is on the coast about 5 km east of the centre: 10-15 minutes by car, up to 30 in August. The supplier meets you as you come out of arrivals, sends you directions to their office, or sends a shuttle to take you there, and confirms which after booking. Add your flight number when you book so the supplier can follow any delay.

The public car park opposite the terminal is run by DEPANAL, the City of Heraklion's company. It has 722 spaces, which is not enough in summer. The first few minutes are free; after that it charges €1.20 up to 30 minutes and €2.40 up to an hour. If the supplier meets you there, agree beforehand which of you pays the parking.

The new airport at Kastelli is not open. It was about two-thirds built in January 2026, with opening planned for 2028, so at the time of writing every flight to Heraklion still lands here.

Distances from the airport

  • Heraklion port6 km, 5-10 min
  • Heraklion centre7 km, 10-15 min
  • Knossos9 km, 10-15 min
  • Hersonissos23 km, 25-30 min
  • Malia30 km, 30-40 min
  • Agios Nikolaos58 km, 55-75 min
  • Matala67 km, 1-1.5 h
  • Rethymno84 km, 1.5-2 h

By road, without stops. Allow more time in summer.

Practical tips

  • A longer hand-over: use the DEPANAL car park opposite the terminal, on Leoforos Ikarou, rather than the kerb outside arrivals.
  • The entrance in summer: the airport entrance is a known bottleneck for cars picking up and dropping off, so allow extra time before your flight.
  • Fuel for a night return: the Shell on the northern road at Karteros, about 2 km from the terminal, is open 24 hours.

Driving rules in Greece

  • Speed limits: in towns the limit has been 30 km/h since 1 January 2026, and 50 km/h on roads with two or more lanes in each direction, on one-way roads with two or more lanes and on roads with a central divider. Outside towns it is 90 km/h, 110 km/h on expressways and 130 km/h on motorways. Signs can set other limits.
  • Alcohol: the limit is 0.5 g/l. It is 0.2 g/l for new drivers, and for motorcycle and moped riders.
  • Phones: hands-free only. Since the new traffic code of 2025, a first offence costs €350 and a 30-day licence suspension.
  • Helmets: compulsory on mopeds, motorcycles and quads, for the rider and the passenger.
  • In the car: a warning triangle, a first-aid kit and a fire extinguisher are compulsory. Check they're in the boot at pick-up.
  • Emergencies: call 112.

Places to visit by car

Distances from Crete.

  • Knossos

    Knossos

    6 km, 10-15 minutes south of the centre. Open 08:00-20:00 from April to October and 08:00-15:00 from November to March. Arrive at 08:00: tour buses come from about 10:30, and in July and August 11:00-14:00 is the worst time. Parking is next to the entrance.
  • Gortyna, Phaistos and Matala

    Gortyna, Phaistos and Matala

    across the island to the Messara plain. Gortyna is 46 km (45 minutes), Phaistos 55 km (55 minutes), and Matala 62 km (about 1 hour 10), 9 km past Phaistos. Matala's caves are a ticketed site, open 10:00-19:00 from April to September and shorter hours in winter. Beach parking in Matala is paid.
  • Kommos and the south coast

    Kommos and the south coast

    Kommos, one of the largest beaches in Crete, runs from Kalamaki almost to Matala; drive through Pitsidia to the end of the road (60 km, about 1 hour 5). Agia Galini (71 km) and Lentas (68 km) are each about 1 hour 20.
  • Agiofarago

    Agiofarago

    a pebble beach at the mouth of a gorge. Drive to Odigitria monastery (62 km, about 1 hour 5), then about 4 km of rough dirt track to a parking area, and 20-30 minutes on foot. See Practical on unpaved roads.

    Photo: Scharova, cropped, CC BY-SA 4.0

  • Lasithi plateau

    Lasithi plateau

    leave the VOAK at Hersonisos and climb past Krasi and the Seli Ampelou pass, with its old windmills. Tzermiado is 54 km (55 minutes) and Psychro 59 km (about 1 hour). The Dikteon cave (Cave of Zeus) above Psychro was still closed for works in May 2026, so check before you go.
  • Malia palace

    Malia palace

    38 km, 35 minutes. The Minoan palace is 2-3 km east of Malia town, and the road carries on to the sea, so you can swim afterwards.

    Photo: Simon L Kozhin, cropped, CC BY-SA 3.0

  • Agios Nikolaos

    Agios Nikolaos

    63 km, about 1 hour east on the VOAK.
  • Elounda and Spinalonga

    Elounda and Spinalonga

    Elounda is 68 km (1 hour 10) and Plaka, the closest point to Spinalonga, 68 km (1 hour 15). From Plaka, boats cross in about 5 minutes, roughly every half hour from 09:30 to 17:00, April to October. Parking in Plaka is limited, so arrive early in summer.
  • Rethymno

    Rethymno

    80 km west on the VOAK, about 1 hour 25: a day for the old town and the Venetian fortress.

Questions and answers

Is Heraklion airport open at night?

Yes, it operates 24 hours a day all year, so the supplier can meet late and very early flights. Agree the exact time when you book.

Where can I refuel before returning the car?

There are several stations within 1 to 2 km, on Leoforos Ikarou and the old road east. For a night return, the Shell at Karteros on the northern road, about 2 km away, is open 24 hours.

How long is the drive to Hersonissos or Malia?

Hersonissos is 23 km east, 25 to 30 minutes, and Malia 30 km, 30 to 40 minutes, on the northern road. Allow more on summer afternoons.

Are there tolls on Crete?

No, the island has no toll roads today. Tolls are planned on the rebuilt northern road only once its new sections open.

Driving and parking in the city: Car Rental in Heraklion