Transfers in Heraklion

Heraklion is the main transport hub of Crete. The Kazantzakis airport stands five kilometres from the centre, the cruise terminal sits right by the old harbour, and the bus station links the city with the whole coast. From here it is 25 kilometres to Hersonissos, 34 to Malia, 65 to Agios Nikolaos, 80 to Rethymno and about 140 to Chania. The road along the northern shore is fast, while the south demands a mountain pass and twice the time.

Most journeys are therefore sold as a tour with a driver: a minivan collects you from the hotel or the gangway, runs the route and brings you back at the agreed hour. That is how people travel to Spinalonga by way of Elounda, to the Lassithi plateau, to Knossos with a stop at an olive mill, to the palm beach of Preveli and to Matala. There is a reverse format too — transfers from the coastal villages of Kokkini Hani and Malia to the Cretaquarium and back.

Practical notes: cruise passengers get the route fitted to the ship's call, so the departure time is given when booking. A minivan takes up to eight people and luggage counts separately. In summer the run from the airport to the centre takes twice as long at peak hours — allow a margin.