Travel information

Getting to Crete
Arriving in Crete by plane
Crete is served by 2 airports
In October there are some direct international flights to both Heraklion and Chania.
If you are flying from a Greek city to either Heraklion or Chania Airport, there are three airlines with (several) daily flights.
Arriving in Crete by ferryboat
From Athens you have the option to reach Crete (Heraklion or Chania) by ferryboat. The ferries to Crete leave from the port of Piraeus. To get to Piraeus from the airport of Athens, you have the option to:
  • a) use the direct Airport Bus No. 96.
    • Bus ticket: 6€. The bus ride takes about 1.30 hr (more depending on the traffic).
  • b) use the underground (Metro). Take the blue Metro Line 3 to Monastiraki station and change to (green) Line 1 to Piraeus.
    • Ticket 10€. Ride duration approx. 70-80 min.
  • c) get a taxi (costs approx. 60-70€ daytime fare).
Ferry routes
  • From Piraeus to Heraklion: for schedules & ticket prices see Anek Superfast, Blue Star Ferries, Minoan Lines
    When you arrive in the port of Heraklion, the bus station (KTEL) is on Sofokli Venizelou Ave. (this is the avenue in front the port and it is within walking distance from the KTEL).
  • From Piraeus to Chania: for schedules & ticket prices see Anek Superfast, Blue Star Ferries.
    When you arrive in the port of Chania (Souda), the bus stop to Rethymnon is just outside the port area.
Getting to Rethymnon from the Heraklion or Chania airports
From Heraklion airport: distance to Rethymnon about 82 km
  • BY BUS: You need to go to the Heraklion central bus station (KTEL) near the harbor. You can get there by either taking the local shuttle buses (bus stop located outside the Arrivals building) or by taxi.
    • Local shuttle buses to KTEL run every 10 minutes (from 6:00am to 11:00pm). [ATTENTION! Bus No.5 does not go to KTEL].
      The trip duration is approximately 20 minutes. Local bus phone number: (+30) 2810 245020
    • A taxi from the airport to KTEL costs approx. 10-12€.
    Once you arrive at KTEL, you take the intercity bus (also called supraregional bus) to Rethymnon (trip duration: approx. 90 min. Bus ticket: 8.30€ usually every hour, if not more often - check the timetable
  • BY TAXI: Getting directly from Heraklion airport to Rethymnon by taxi will cost approximately 100-120€ (trip duration: 60-70 min).
From Chania airport: distance to Rethymnon about 68 km
  • BY DIRECT BUS: There is a direct bus route from Chania Airport to Rethymnon (via Souda) and vice versa. (Trip duration: approx. 60-70 min. Bus ticket: 8€ - see the timetable)
  • BY non-direct BUS: You need to take a bus to Chania central bus station (KTEL). You can get there by either taking the local shuttle buses (bus stop located outside the Arrivals building on your right hand) or by taxi.
    • Local shuttle buses to KTEL run almost every half hour (starting at 6:30am to 23:45pm). Trip duration: approx. 30 minutes. Ticket cost 2.50€. For more information please see the timetable.
    • A taxi from the airport to KTEL costs approximately 22-25€
    Once you arrive at KTEL, you take the intercity bus (trip duration: approx. 60-70 min. Bus ticket: 6.80€ - see the timetable).
  • BY TAXI: Getting directly from Chania airport to Rethymnon by taxi will cost approximately 90-100€ (trip duration: 1 h).
PLEASE NOTE that the last intercity buses from the Heraklion and Chania central bus stations (KTEL) to the Rethymnon bus station leave at 22:45 and 00:00 respectively.

Useful maps

Essential Travel Info
Electricity
Greek sockets are standard European sockets (voltage of AC/230 V/50Hz). Participants should bring their own adapters if their devices/appliances/plugs are incompatible with such sockets and voltage.
Weather
October is not usually hot and dry in Crete. You can find the weather forecast for Rethymnon HERE.
Receiving and making international calls
International dialing code for Greece: +30. Area dialing code for Rethymnon: 28310.
To call from a Greek line abroad please check HERE
Note that when you use your home country cell phone, you need to use the international codes that apply in your own country.

Useful phone numbers & addresses
Emergency phone numbers (from anywhere in Greece)
  • First aid - Emergencies: 166
  • European emergency: 112 - free of charge from most mobile phones for emergency services (ambulance, fire and rescue, police).
  • Police emergency: 100
  • Fire emergency: 199
  • Poison center: 210 7793777 (operates 24 hours for advice)
  • Tourist police: 171 (24 hour-line. Information and instructions in Greek, English, French and German).
Emergency phone numbers in Rethymnon (city map)
  • General Hospital: 28310 87100, 2831 342100
    • 17, Trandalidou St. south side of The Municipal Garden (city map no. 21)
  • Police station: 28310 88154, 28310 8815526
    • Iroon Politechniou St. (city map no. 23)
  • Traffic Police: 28310 88163, 28310 8816626
    • Iroon Politechniou St. (city map no. 23)
  • Tourist police: 28310 28156
    • S. Venizelou St, next to Marina (city map no. 16)
Useful phone numbers in Rethymnon (city map)
  • TAXI services: 28310 24000, 28310 25000 or 28310 22316 🚕
    • for people with disabilities: 28310 56678
  • Tourist Info Office (EOT): 28310 83127
    • S. Venizelou St, next to Marina (city map no. 16)
  • Bus station (KTEL - Intercity & City Buses) - Info: 28310 22212, 28310 22785 (city map no. 13)
  • Chania Airport (IATA code: CHQ): 28210 83800
  • Heraklion Airport (IATA code: HER): 2810 397129 / 2810 397136