North coast · Between towns
Heraklion to Rethymno and Chania along the north coast.
- Road distance
- 149.4 km
- Drive time, no traffic
- 2 h 31 min
- Public bus
- KTEL Heraklion–Lasithi
- Checked
Photo: Tamara Damascan / Pexels
Quick answer
Rethymno is about 79 km west of Heraklion, roughly 80 minutes by road, and Chania is about 149 km, around two and a half hours, all on the A90 north-coast highway. The KTEL Heraklion–Rethymno–Chania bus from the Heraklion Port station is the easy budget choice, with 5 weekday departures in the November 2026 timetable. Flying into Heraklion Airport? Our airport guides for Rethymno and Chania list private transfers we checked.
Key points
- Road distance: 78.7 km to Rethymno and 149.4 km to Chania from Heraklion city (OSRM, free-flow).
- KTEL Heraklion–Rethymno–Chania buses leave from the Heraklion Port station; 5 weekday departures in November 2026.
- The A90 north-coast highway covers the whole route, with Rethymno roughly halfway.
- Chania’s KTEL station is at the corner of Kydonias and Partheniou Kelaidi streets, in the centre.
West on the A90 north-coast highway
This is the main east-west road of Crete, and you stay on it from Heraklion all the way to Chania. Heading west, the highway follows the north coast with the sea on your right for long stretches and the mountains rising inland on the left. Rethymno is the natural break, roughly halfway, before the road carries on west to Chania.
OpenStreetMap routing gives 78.7 km and about 79 minutes from Heraklion to Rethymno, 71.2 km and about 77 minutes from Rethymno to Chania, and 149.4 km and about 151 minutes for the whole run. Those figures assume an empty road with no stops, so add time in summer, for a coffee break and for finding your accommodation at the far end.
Arriving in Rethymno’s old town or central Chania
Rethymno is built around a Venetian old town, watched over by the Fortezza fortress. Many rooms and small hotels are in or near the old town, where the lanes are narrow, so a taxi or private car may drop you at the edge and you walk the last part. If you come by bus, check the walk from the bus station to your accommodation before you arrive.
In Chania, KTEL buses arrive at the station on the corner of Kydonias and Partheniou Kelaidi streets, in the centre and within walking distance of the old town. If you are staying out on the Akrotiri peninsula or near Souda, plan an onward taxi. Chania Airport is on Akrotiri east of the city, and Souda port, with daily ANEK sailings to Piraeus, is on Souda Bay.
Luggage, children and crossing Crete one way
On the bus each passenger may put two pieces of luggage in the hold free, with extras charged; hand luggage goes on the racks. On a two-and-a-half-hour run to Chania that two-bag rule matters for families, and a long-distance taxi or private driver is the alternative with more room. Ask for child seats when you book any car, and mention bulky items.
You can also do this route one way: land at Heraklion, work your way west, then fly home from Chania Airport. That suits the bus, or a one-way rental if your company allows a different drop-off. If you are starting at the airport rather than the city, our Heraklion Airport to Rethymno and Heraklion Airport to Chania guides list private transfers we checked.
Heraklion to Rethymno and Chania
Pickup and drop-off points
Heraklion Port KTEL station
Across from the commercial port. The municipality lists the Chania–Rethymno buses here alongside the eastern services, so start your westbound trip at this station.
Heraklion Airport (HER)
By road it is 84.0 km to Rethymno and 154.7 km to Chania. See our airport guides for both towns for checked private transfers.
Rethymno
The midway stop. The Chania–Rethymno line also links the two towns directly if you break the journey for a night or two.
Chania KTEL station
At the corner of Kydonias and Partheniou Kelaidi streets in central Chania, the end of the line for westbound buses from Heraklion.
Compare your options
Ways to make this trip
KTEL Heraklion–Rethymno–Chania
The straightforward budget choice, from the Heraklion Port station along the A90. The November 2026 timetable shows 5 weekday departures; summer timetables differ, so check your date. Two hold bags each travel free.
Rental car on the A90
Ideal if you want to stop in Rethymno or at beaches and villages along the way. A one-way hire from Heraklion to Chania avoids driving back, if your company offers it.
Long-distance taxi
Licensed taxis will do the run to Rethymno or Chania, door to door and with room for luggage. Fix the fare before you set off on a trip this long, and ask for child seats in advance.
Private driver booked ahead
For airport arrivals, see our Heraklion Airport to Rethymno and Heraklion Airport to Chania guides, which list private transfers we checked. From the city, book a licensed driver in advance.
Heraklion to Rethymno and Chania
Local tips
Break the trip in Rethymno. A few hours around the old town and the Fortezza turns a long transfer into a proper day out.
Flying home from Chania? The airport is on the Akrotiri peninsula, and KTEL Chania–Rethymno runs buses between the airport and the city.
Heading west, sit on the right-hand side of the bus for sea views along much of the A90.
Arriving by ferry? The KTEL station is across from the commercial port, so you can walk straight to the westbound bus.
FAQ
Questions about this route.
How far is Chania from Heraklion?
About 149 km by road. OpenStreetMap routing gives 149.4 km and roughly 151 minutes from Heraklion city to Chania on the A90, without traffic or stops. From Heraklion Airport it is 154.7 km and about 156 minutes.Is there a bus from Heraklion to Rethymno and Chania?
Yes. KTEL buses run Heraklion–Rethymno–Chania from the Heraklion Port station, with 5 weekday departures in the November 2026 timetable. A separate Chania–Rethymno line links the two western towns. Summer timetables differ, so check the operator for your date.How long is the drive from Heraklion to Rethymno?
Around 80 minutes. OpenStreetMap routing gives 78.7 km and about 79 minutes on the A90 from Heraklion city, free-flow. From Heraklion Airport it is 84.0 km and roughly 84 minutes. Add time in summer and for stops on the way.Can I get a private transfer from Heraklion Airport to Chania or Rethymno?
Yes, through our dedicated guides. The Heraklion Airport to Rethymno and Heraklion Airport to Chania pages list private transfers we checked for those routes. This page has no listing of its own, so use those guides or book a licensed driver in advance.Where does the bus arrive in Chania?
At the KTEL station on the corner of Kydonias and Partheniou Kelaidi streets in central Chania. From there the old town is a walk away, and taxis can take you on to Akrotiri, Souda or the airport.Is it worth stopping in Rethymno on the way to Chania?
If you have time, yes. Rethymno has a Venetian old town and the Fortezza fortress, and it sits roughly halfway along the A90. With a car you can stop for a few hours; by bus, the Chania–Rethymno line makes it easy to continue later.