Photo by Marina Gr via PexelsHeraklion Airport (HER) to Rethymno
Heraklion is the busier of the two Cretan airports and the one most Rethymno arrivals land at.
Photo by Marina Gr via PexelsTransfers
Private airport and port transfers
Rethymno has no airport of its own. Everyone arrives through Heraklion or Chania, or by ferry — and then has a drive along the north coast.
Routes we run
Each route has its own page because the practical detail differs — where the driver waits, how delays are handled, and what the drop-off actually looks like at the other end.
Photo by Marina Gr via PexelsPhoto by Marina Gr via PexelsChania Airport (CHQ) to Rethymno
Chania is the smaller of the two airports and, for Rethymno, usually the shorter drive.
Photo by Marina Gr via PexelsHeraklion Port to Rethymno
The overnight ferry from Piraeus docks early, and stepping off it into a port at that hour with luggage is not the moment to start negotiating.
Photo by Marina Gr via PexelsSouda Port to Rethymno
Chania’s ferry port is at Souda, a few kilometres east of the town and on the right side for Rethymno.
Photo by Marina Gr via PexelsRethymno to Plakias
Plakias is on the other coast, and getting there means crossing the island rather than following it.
Photo by Marina Gr via PexelsRethymno to Agia Galini
Agia Galini sits where the south coast turns towards the Messara plain, a steep little harbour town with the road dropping into it.
Transfer, taxi, bus or hire car?
All four work. Which is right depends on your luggage, your arrival time and whether you want a car sitting in a hotel car park all week.
| Option | Booked in advance? | Door to door? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer | Yes, price fixed | Yes | Families, late arrivals, heavy luggage |
| Taxi from the rank | No | Yes | Solo travellers arriving in daylight |
| Public bus | No | No — town station | Light luggage, flexible schedule |
| Hire car | Yes | Yes | Trips where you want the car every day |
Why there is no price table on this pageTransfer pricing moves with season, vehicle, route and time of day. A figure written once and left online is how visitors end up quoting a number nobody honours. Every transfer is quoted against your actual flight, party size and address, in writing, before you commit.
Questions people actually ask
Which airport should we fly into for Rethymno?
Chania is generally the shorter drive; Heraklion has more routes and often cheaper fares. Both use the same north coast road, so the difference is smaller than the map suggests. If the fare gap is meaningful, take it.
How much does a transfer to Rethymno cost?
We do not publish a price list, because transfer pricing moves with season, vehicle, route and time of day. Send your flight, party size and address and you get a fixed quote in writing with the vehicle and meeting point confirmed.
Is a private transfer better than a taxi?
It is more predictable. The price is agreed before you fly, someone is waiting when you land, and the vehicle is sized for your group and luggage. A taxi is perfectly reasonable for one or two people arriving in daylight with little to carry.
What happens if our flight or ferry is delayed?
Delays are normal and the policy is confirmed in writing before you travel — including how the arrival is monitored and how long the driver waits. Always send your flight number or sailing when you book.
Can you do transfers between resorts as well as from the airport?
Yes. The cross-island routes to Plakias and Agia Galini are the ones people ask for most, because public transport handles them poorly. Any other route is a matter of asking.