CreteImmersion

Getting around by bus

Bus from Chania airport to town

Doable by bus

The cheapest way into the old town from CHQ airport — as long as you know it's the KTEL, not the city bus, and where to get off.

In short

Yes. The KTEL bus (not the city bus) links the airport to Kydonias station in 25-30 min for ~€2.50, roughly every 30-60 min, timed to flight arrivals. The station is a 10-min walk from the old town. There are also direct links to Souda and Rethymno.

An articulated KTEL Chania-Rethymno bus at the stand, destination « 43 CHANIA »
KTEL Chania-Rethymno — the company covering the west of the island. Tickets are bought at the station desk or from the driver depending on the hour; bring cash.

Where this route sits

Real city positions, schematic line routing. It also shows what the network does not serve.

The north-west axisThe north-east backboneThe MessaraChania to the south and westThe south coastMount Ida from Chanioporta
The network mapSix corridors, two stations in Heraklion, three roadless terminals on the south coast, and two flagged absences: the Lasithi plateau and the suspended Preveli line.SEA OF CRETELIBYAN SEAEXPRESS · 4×/day · ≈2 h · non-stopline 20 · every 30 minChaniaSoudaKissamosFalassarnaElafonissiPaleochoraSougiaOmalosAgia RoumeliLoutroChora SfakionGavdosGeorgioupoliRethymnoPanormoPreveliPlakiasAgia GaliniTympakiMatalaPhaistosMoiresLentasKamaresAnogiaKrousonaAsitesRogdiaFodeleAg. PelagiaHeraklion ABKnossosArchanesArkalochoriKastelliViannosGournesChersonisosMaliaSisiLasithi · Zeus cave — no line at allNeapoliAgios NikolaosEloundaIerapetraMyrtosMakrigialosMochlosSitiaVai

Drag the map sideways.

high frequencyregular lineseasonal service, or no timetable of its own publishedferry servicebus stationroadless terminalstop named by the operator, no timetable published✕no line at all⊘line suspended
Schematic map. City positions are real; the routing of the lines is not.Every underlined name opens the page for that place or route.Verified on 3 September 2026 · ktelherlas.gr

At a glance

OperatorKTEL Chania-Rethymno
Frequency~every 30-60 min, timed to flights
Duration25-30 min
Indicative price~€2.50 (Souda ~€1.80 · Rethymno ~€7.30-8)
SeasonYear-round
Where to boardOpposite Departures, east side of the terminal
ArrivalKTEL station, Kydonias (10-min walk from the old town)

How to do it, step by step

  1. 1

    Leaving the terminal, head to the stop opposite the Departures area, on the east side.

  2. 2

    Buy the ticket at the kiosk by the stop, or on board.

  3. 3

    Allow 25-30 min (up to 40 at summer peak) to the KTEL station on Kydonias.

  4. 4

    From the station, the old town and Venetian harbour are ~10 min on foot.

⚠️ The traps to know

  • The city bus (blue) does NOT serve the airport: only the KTEL does. Don't look for a city line.
  • The last airport→town bus runs until ~23:45 in high season; after that, it's taxi only.
  • The airport-line timetable PDFs change up to twice a month — trust only the official source for the day.

Plan B

Metered taxi: ~€25-35 to the old town, ~20 min, 10-20% surcharge at night and on Sundays. A prepaid fixed-price private transfer is the calmest option if you arrive late, with children or heavy luggage. And if you're heading east across the island, picking up a rental car at the airport saves the double trip.

Compare private transfers
Taxis & transfers in CreteRent a car in Crete

🕑 Today's official timetable

Timetables often change mid-season. Check the day before on the official source:

Frequently asked questions

How much is the bus from Chania airport to town?

About €2.50 to Chania (reckon on €2.30-3 depending on the route and season). Souda ~€1.80, Rethymno ~€7.30-8. Ticket at the kiosk or on board.

Is there a direct bus from the airport to Rethymno?

Yes, about 4 a day, in ~70 min, with a stop at Souda port. Indicative times: check the day before on the official KTEL page.

Is the bus timed to flights?

Largely yes: departures broadly follow arrivals, roughly every 30-60 min. But it's not a guaranteed shuttle; for a very late or very early flight, keep the taxi as backup.

Where does the bus drop me in Chania?

At the KTEL station, Kydonias 73-77, 250-300 m from Plateia 1866 and ~10 min on foot from the Venetian harbour.

Network structure checked in August 2026. Times and fares are indicative and change mid-season — always check the official source the day before you travel.

Bus or car? The honest call

The KTEL bus covers the main routes cheaply. But for remote beaches, early starts and stringing stops together, a car changes everything. Here's what's genuinely doable by bus — and how to rent without getting caught out.

What's doable without a car🚗 Rent a car: guide + live compare →
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