Réthymnon is located on the north coast of Crete, halfway between Chania and Heraklion. A former Venetian city with an imposing fortress and a maze of cobbled streets, it combines historical heritage with the seaside. It’s an ideal base for exploring both the western and central parts of the island.
Here we present all the options for getting to Rethymnon, whether you arrive by plane via one of Crete’s two airports, by ferry or by excursion from another Cretan town.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Summary: How to get to Rethymnon
If you don’t want to read the whole article:
- On the north coast of Crete, between Chania (west) and Heraklion (east)
- No airport in Rethymnon – two airports nearby: Heraklion (HER, ~1h15 drive) and Chania (CHQ, ~1h drive)
- Port of Rethymnon: crossings from Piraeus (Athens), approx. 9am-10am. See ferry timetables.
- 1h10 drive from Heraklion, 1h from Chania via the A90 coastal freeway
- Day trips available from Chania or Heraklion
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Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
Where is Réthymnon and Map
Rethymnon lies on the north coast of Crete, roughly equidistant from Chania (approx. 60km to the west) and Heraklion (approx. 80km to the east). The town overlooks the Cretan Sea and backs onto the foothills of the Psiloritis (Mount Ida) massif, whose summit rises to 2,456m. We appreciate this central location, which makes it easy to reach both ends of the island.
Crete stretches some 260km from east to west. Rethymnon is in the central third, linked to the other towns by the A90 coastal freeway. Here’s a map to help you find your way around and estimate journey times:
Good to know: the A90 (or E75) freeway runs along the north coast from Kissamos (west) to Sitia (east). The journey times given correspond to normal traffic conditions. In summer, allow a little more time, especially on the stretch between Rethymnon and Heraklion, which is often busy.
Day trips from other towns in Crete
If you are planning to stay in Rethymnon (by plane or ferry), please see the following sections.
On the other hand, if you’re already staying in Crete and want to discover Rethymnon for the day, here’s our advice:
From Chania
Rethymnon is about 1 hour’s drive from Chania on the A90 freeway. It’s a quick drive along the coastline. You can also opt for a guided tour, which often includes stops along the way.
From Heraklion
Allow around 1h10 on the coastal highway. The road is well maintained and offers beautiful views of the northern coastline. We find that this trip can easily be combined with a stopover in Rethymnon in the morning and a return to Heraklion at the end of the day.
- Guided tour of Rethymnon and Lake Kournas from Heraklion: see program and availability
From Agios Nikolaos or eastern Crete
From Agios Nikolaos, the drive to Rethymnon takes around 2 hours. The route passes through Heraklion and continues westwards on the freeway. The day trip is still feasible, but we recommend an early start to get the most out of the town.
From southern Crete
The southern villages of the Rethymnon region (Plakias, Agia Galini) are linked by winding mountain roads. Allow around 45min from Plakias and 1h from Agia Galini. These roads offer spectacular scenery, but require careful driving due to the sharp bends. We recommend an early start.
RENT YOUR CAR IN Crete
- Our preferred agency is Rental Center Crete
everything is included in the price and the service is excellent. No stress! - Choose a car with a decent engine for greater comfort on the few mountain roads.
- Book early for choice.
- If you prefer more choice, compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars
By air via Heraklion – Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport (HER)
Rethymnon has no airport. Heraklion International Airport (HER) is the most frequent option for travelers wishing to fly here. Named after the Cretan writer Nikos Kazantzakis (author of Zorba the Greek), it is around 80km from Rethymnon, a 1h15-minute drive via the coastal freeway.
This airport is the largest in Crete and one of the busiest in Greece. It operates year-round with daily flights from Athens (Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air, Ryanair). In high season (April to October), direct flights connect Heraklion to many European cities. We consider this to be the best choice for access to Rethymnon, as the range of flights is extensive and fares often competitive.
Main air routes to HER
- From Greece: Athens (Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air, Ryanair) – several flights a day, all year round
- From France: Paris (Transavia, easyJet), Lyon, Nantes, Bordeaux, Marseille, Toulouse (seasonal flights – Transavia, Volotea, easyJet)
- From Switzerland: Geneva and Zurich (Edelweiss, easyJet)
- From Belgium: Brussels-Charleroi (Ryanair), Brussels-Zaventem (TUI fly, Brussels Airlines)
- From Germany: Munich, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg (Eurowings, Condor, Ryanair)
- From the UK: London (Gatwick, Luton, Stansted), Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh (easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, TUI)
- From Scandinavia: Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo (SAS, Norwegian)
Tip: in the low season (November to March), direct flights from Europe are scarce. Transiting via Athens remains the most reliable option during this period.
Access options to Rethymnon from Heraklion Airport (HER)
From Heraklion airport, Réthymnon is about 80km to the west. The route takes the A90/E75 coastal freeway, a road in good condition that runs along Crete’s northern coastline.
By rental car
Several international (Hertz, Avis, Sixt, Europcar) and local agencies have counters just outside the Heraklion terminal. The journey to Rethymnon takes around 1h15 on the freeway. The road is well signposted and presents no difficulties. We recommend booking in advance between June and September, as demand is high and prices rise quickly.
See Our tips for renting a car in Crete and Driving in Crete.
By public transport
The KTEL intercity bus network provides regular connections between Heraklion and Rethymnon. Buses depart from Heraklion Bus Station A, which can be reached from the airport by local bus or short cab ride.
In high season, there’s about one bus an hour. The journey takes between 1h30 and 1h45 depending on the stop. Buses are air-conditioned and equipped with luggage compartments.
We advise you to check the updated timetables on the official KTEL website, as frequencies decrease out of season.
By cab
A cab from Heraklion airport to Rethymnon costs between €100 and €140, depending on the time and traffic. The journey takes around 1h15. A surcharge applies at night and on public holidays. This option is ideal if you’re travelling in a small group and want to share the fare.
Private transfer
Booking a private transfer in advance means you’ll have a driver ready to take you straight from the terminal to your accommodation in Rethymnon. We appreciate the convenience of this option after a flight, especially with a family or group, as the price is set per vehicle and not per person.
WHERE TO STAY IN Rethymnon
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
In the historic center
Hotel Palazzino Di Corina – Check photos and availability
Downtown
Boutique-Hotel Pepi – Check photos and availability
By the sea
Nautilux Hotel – Check photos and availability
By air via Chania International Airport – Ioannis Daskalogiannis (CHQ)
Chania International Airport (CHQ) is the second option for reaching Rethymnon by air. Located on the Akrotiri peninsula, it’s around 60km from Rethymnon, a 1-hour drive by freeway.
This airport mainly serves seasonal flights (April to October) from many European cities. The Athens-Chania route (Olympic Air, Aegean Airlines) operates year-round, with 2 to 5 daily flights. Out of season, the European offer is much reduced. We recommend comparing fares between Heraklion and Chania airports: depending on the season, one may be considerably cheaper than the other.
Main flight connections to CHQ
- From France: Paris, Lyon, Nantes, Bordeaux, Marseille (Transavia, easyJet, Volotea) – seasonal flights
- From Switzerland: Geneva and Zurich (Edelweiss, easyJet)
- From Belgium: Brussels-Charleroi (Ryanair), Brussels-Zaventem (TUI fly)
- From Germany: Munich, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Berlin (Eurowings, Condor, Ryanair)
- From the UK: London (Gatwick, Luton, Stansted), Manchester, Birmingham (easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2)
- From Greece: Athens (Olympic Air, Aegean Airlines) – all year round, approx. 50min flight time
Access options to Rethymnon from Chania Airport (CHQ)
From Chania airport, Rethymnon is about 60km to the east. The journey follows the A90/E75 coastal freeway and takes about 1 hour.
By rental car
The main rental agencies (Hertz, Avis, Sixt, as well as local rental companies) are located in the arrivals hall in Chania. The journey to Rethymnon takes about 1 hour on the freeway, an easy, well-marked road. We suggest booking in advance in high season to benefit from the best rates.
See Our tips for renting a car in Crete and Driving in Crete.
By public transport
From Chania airport, take the KTEL Chanion bus to the center of Chania (~30min, approx. €2.50). From there, KTEL intercity buses connect Chania to Rethymnon several times a day. The journey takes about 1 hour.
Cost: approx. €7-8 per person for the Chania-Rethymnon trip
By cab or private transfer
A cab from Chania airport to Rethymnon costs between €80 and €120, depending on the time of day. The journey takes about 1 hour. For a private transfer booked in advance, a driver will meet you at the terminal exit and drop you off directly at your accommodation.
A LITTLE MORE patience
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By ferry via the Port of Rethymnon
Rethymnon has its own ferry port, which is an advantage over other Cretan towns of comparable size. The port is located on the eastern outskirts of the town, around 3km from the historic center.
Crossings from Piraeus (Athens)
Anek Lines operates regular crossings between Piraeus and Rethymnon. Departures are in the evening and arrivals early in the morning, saving one night’s accommodation. We find this option particularly suitable if you wish to take your vehicle from mainland Greece.
Duration: approx. 9-10 a.m.
Frequency: daily crossings in high season, reduced crossings in low season
Ferries often sell out in high season, especially if you’re traveling by car. Book your tickets in advance.
Good to know: the night ferry from Piraeus is an economical option. You embark in the evening and arrive in Rethymnon in the early morning. Cabin comfort is decent. If you opt for a seat or the deck, bring a cushion and something to cover up, as the air-conditioning can be cold on board.
From the port to downtown
The port of Rethymnon is about 3km from the historic center. Cabs are available from the port exit. A cab ride takes 5 to 10 minutes and costs around €8-12. Alternatively, you can walk along the coast to the center in about 30 minutes.
By ferry via the ports of Heraklion or La Souda
If the direct ferry to Rethymnon doesn’t suit you, there are two other Cretan ports where you can reach the city by road:
- Port of Heraklion: daily crossings from Piraeus (7h-9h on classic ferries, 5h30 on seasonal fast ferries), then about 1h15 drive to Rethymnon.
- Port of La Souda (near Chania): daily crossings from Piraeus (8:30am-9am), then about 1h drive to Rethymnon
These alternatives offer more choice in terms of companies and frequencies, especially in low season. We recommend them if you can’t find a direct crossing to Rethymnon on your desired date.
Compare all crossings to Crete.
And once in Rethymnon…
Rethymnon offers a mix of heritage, beaches and local life that deserves several days’ visit. The old town, dominated by the Venetian fortress of Fortezza, is a pleasant place to explore on foot.
- The Fortezza fortress and its panoramic view of the city
- The old Venetian town and its narrow streets
- The Venetian port and lighthouse
- The long sandy beach running east along the city’s edge
- Excursions to the Samaria Gorge, Lake Kournas or Arkadi Monastery
- …
See our article on the best attractions in Rethymnon.
DISCOVER Rethymnon
