Bus Chania ↔ Rethymno ↔ Heraklion: price, time, the EXPRESS

In short

Easy and frequent. Chania ↔ Rethymno ~1h (€6.20-7.80), Rethymno ↔ Heraklion ~1h30 (~€9), roughly hourly. Chania ↔ Heraklion: 3h by omnibus (€15-16) or exactly 2h with the EXPRESS (4/day: 09:30, 12:30, 15:30, 18:30, non-stop). The EXPRESS skips Rethymno.

At a glance

OperatorKTEL Chania-Rethymno & KTEL Heraklion-Lasithi (joint EXPRESS)

Line / crossingNorth-coast axis + EXPRESS Chania ↔ Heraklion

FrequencyOmnibus 18-20/day (05:30-22:30) · EXPRESS 4/day

DurationChania↔Heraklion: 3h omnibus / 2h EXPRESS

Indicative priceChania↔Rethymno €6.20-7.80 · Rethymno↔Heraklion ~€9 · Chania↔Heraklion €15-16

SeasonYear-round (EXPRESS reduced in winter, full from 1 April)

Where to boardHeraklion: Bus Station A · Rethymno: Kefalogianni St · Chania: Kydonias

How to do it, step by step

1
Pick your bus: omnibus (many stops, serves Rethymno) or EXPRESS (non-stop, 2h, skips Rethymno).
2
In Heraklion, leave from Bus Station A (Leof. Ikarou, near the port); in Chania, from Kydonias station; in Rethymno, from Kefalogianni Street.
3
Buy at the counter before boarding; in high season, get the ticket the day before on long routes.
4
For the EXPRESS, aim for 09:30, 12:30, 15:30 or 18:30 (both directions).

⚠️ The traps to know

The EXPRESS does NOT serve Rethymno: it links Bus Station A (Heraklion) and Chania station directly. For Rethymno, take an omnibus.
In Heraklion, the north axis leaves from Bus Station A (near the port), not Station B. Remember: A for « coastal Axis ».
The EXPRESS is reduced in winter; it returns to full frequency from 1 April. Check the period.

Plan B

On this axis, the bus really is the right call: frequent, comfortable (air-conditioned coaches, WiFi, 2 free hold bags) and cheap. A car only makes sense if you want to stop along the way (Georgioupoli, Bali, beaches). Long-distance taxi on this axis is expensive — keep it for short connections.

Taxis & transfers in Crete Rent a car in Crete

🕑 Today's official timetable

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

EXPRESS Heraklion-Chania announcement ↗KTEL Heraklion-Lasithi timetables ↗KTEL Chania-Rethymno timetables ↗

Frequently asked questions

How long is the bus from Chania to Heraklion?

3h to 3h15 by omnibus (18-20 a day), or exactly 2h with the EXPRESS, non-stop (4 departures: 09:30, 12:30, 15:30, 18:30). Similar price, ~€15-16.

Does the EXPRESS stop at Rethymno?

No. The EXPRESS links Chania and Heraklion directly, non-stop. For Rethymno (in the middle), take an omnibus, roughly hourly.

Which station do I leave from in Heraklion?

From Bus Station A (Leof. Ikarou, near the port), serving the whole north coast and east. Don't confuse it with Station B (south and mountains). A for « coastal Axis ».

Are the coaches comfortable?

Yes: air-conditioned, often with onboard WiFi, and two free hold bags (KTEL Heraklion-Lasithi). Cancellation up to 8h before: 50% refund.

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 →

Chania ↔ Rethymno ↔ Heraklion by bus (and the EXPRESS)

Where this route sits