Car Hire Crete 2026: Heraklion & Chania Airports, Roads & Tips

Heraklion or Chania: which airport to pick up from?

Crete is Greece's largest island and most visitors arrive at one of its two main airports. Heraklion (HER, Nikos Kazantzakis) is about 5 kilometres east of the city and handled about 10 million passengers in 2025. Chania (CHQ) serves the west of the island. Lonely Planet says both airports have many rental firms.

Distances look short on a map, but winding roads are slow. Explore Crete gives an example: Paleochora to Sougia is about 30 kilometres but takes almost 45 minutes.

Picking up at Heraklion Airport (HER)

Some companies have desks inside the terminal, others are in the outdoor area or off-site:

Many smaller local firms meet you in arrivals or run a shuttle. Your voucher says where; read it before you land and give the company your flight number so they know if you are delayed. Enterprise charges 40 euros plus VAT and airport fee for returns outside opening hours, and only if you request it in advance.

Picking up at Chania Airport (CHQ)

At Chania, Enterprise's office is off-airport: a representative meets you outside Exit 1 and takes you on a free shuttle, about a 5-minute ride. It is open daily from 08:00 to 21:00 and offers after-hours returns for 40 euros plus VAT and airport fee, if requested at booking.

Other firms work in similar ways, from desks, meeting points or shuttles. If you land late, check the opening hours before you book, not at the baggage belt.

Driving on Crete: the BOAK and mountain roads

The main road along the north coast is the BOAK (Northern Road Axis of Crete), linking Kissamos, Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos. Proto Thema reports that it has barely changed since the 1970s and that more than 110 people have died on it in the last decade. The road is being rebuilt section by section (Hersonissos–Neapoli, Neapoli–Agios Nikolaos and the main Chania–Heraklion concession), so expect roadworks and changing layouts for several years.

• Hard shoulder: local drivers often expect slower cars to move onto the hard shoulder so they can pass. Explore Crete warns that the shoulder is narrow, can end suddenly and may be blocked by fallen rocks. Move over only if it is clear and safe.
• Overtaking: Explore Crete says lane markings are unreliable and drivers often cross double white lines. Do not copy them; the new Greek Highway Code brought much higher fines.
• Goats: they graze next to roads all over the island, including main roads.
• Mountain roads: some are only suitable for 4x4 vehicles, signs can be missing and maps are unreliable in remote areas, according to Explore Crete. Lonely Planet also notes sparse road signs and recommends offline maps.
• Speed cameras: Greece planned around 1,000 new traffic cameras in Attica, Thessaloniki and Crete during 2026, To Vima reports.

Default speed limits under the Greek Highway Code (Law 5209/2025), unless signs say otherwise:

• Phone: using a phone without hands-free costs 350 euros, 3 penalty points and a 30-day licence withdrawal.
• Red light: 700 euros and a 60-day licence suspension. There is no right turn on red.
• Emergency number: 112.

Dirt roads, Balos and your insurance

Some of Crete's famous beaches are reached by unpaved roads. The best known is Balos: from the village of Kaliviani a dirt road of about 8 kilometres runs to the car park, then it is about 30 minutes on foot to the lagoon. Gomega, the Greek travel guide, describes the road as quite dangerous, with steep drops, and says that for rental cars it counts as off-road and is not covered by insurance.

• Europcar's Greek conditions forbid driving off asphalt roads.
• Enterprise's roadside assistance does not cover a car that gets stuck after leaving asphalt roads; you pay for the towing.
• Hertz Greece says damage to the underside and wheels is not covered by any of its insurance products.

For Balos, the boat from Kissamos is the stress-free alternative. For other dirt tracks, read your contract first and turn back if the road gets worse.

Licence and International Driving Permit

Article 98 of the Greek Highway Code (Law 5209/2025) lets visitors drive with a valid licence from the EU, the UK, the US, Canada or Australia during their stay, as long as they meet the Greek minimum age. Rental companies apply their own contracts:

Most firms want the licence held for at least one year. Minimum ages are company rules: Sixt at Heraklion Airport says 21, with a higher age for some car groups; Enterprise says 23, or 21 to 22 with a young driver fee of 12.40 euros a day plus airport surcharges for compact cars and above. Bring your passport or ID card as well as your licence.

Deposit, credit card and fuel

1. Bring a credit card in the main driver's name. Enterprise at Heraklion and Chania pre-authorises 290 euros for mini to intermediate cars, 390 euros for standard to van and 1,000 euros for premium, luxury and electric cars. Europcar Greece does not accept debit or prepaid cards for the deposit.
2. Check the excess and what the waiver excludes (underside, wheels, tyres and glass are common exclusions) before you buy extra cover at the desk.
3. Photograph the car at pick-up and return, including wheels, windscreen and the fuel gauge, and make sure every scratch is on the report.

Ferries and parking

Arriving by ferry from Piraeus or another island? It is usually easier to rent on Crete than to bring a hire car. Hertz Greece allows ferry trips only with prior written approval and its Ferry Boat Cover (20 euros a day, up to 60 euros per rental); Europcar Greece requires written authorisation and charges 25 euros plus VAT per direction, and without it the car is not covered on board.

• Parking in towns: street parking is allowed on most streets but free spaces are hard to find; in some areas you buy a parking card at a kiosk (periptero), and some streets allow parking on one side in odd months and the other side in even months, says Explore Crete.
• Old towns of Chania and Rethymno: it is usually easiest to park on the edge of the historic centre and walk in.
• Fines reach you through the rental company, which adds a fee: Hertz Greece charges 30 euros per fine.

Frequently asked questions