Bus Heraklion → Knossos: line 2, price, where to board

In short

Yes, very easy. City line 2 (Port terminus) reaches Knossos in ~20 min for €1.30 pre-bought, every 15-20 min in the daytime. It goes via the centre (Plateia Eleftherias) — no need to walk up to the port — and drops under 100 m from the site entrance.

Where this route sits

The « The north-east backbone » corridor, within the whole network. The other axes stay visible, in the background.

The north-west axisThe north-east backboneThe MessaraChania to the south and westThe south coastMount Ida from Chanioporta

Drag the map sideways.

high frequencyregular lineseasonal service, or no timetable of its own publishedbus stationstop named by the operator, no timetable published✕no line at all

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

OperatorHeraklion city bus (astiko)

Line / crossingLine 2 (Port – Knossos – Skalani)

Frequency~every 15-20 min daytime (reduced Sundays)

Duration~20 min

Indicative price€1.30 pre-bought · €2.30 on board (zone A)

SeasonYear-round, ~05:50 → 23:15

Where to boardPort terminus (next to Bus Station A) or Plateia Eleftherias

ArrivalUnder 100 m from the site entrance

How to do it, step by step

1
Catch line 2 at the Port terminus (next to Bus Station A) or, more simply, at Plateia Eleftherias in the centre.
2
Buy the ticket pre-bought (€1.30) at a kiosk, not on board (€2.30).
3
In ~20 min, get off at the Knossos stop: the site entrance is under 100 m away.

⚠️ The traps to know

On the way back, the bus is sometimes shown as « 20 » (Knossos → Port), not « 2 » — it's the same line.
Some services continue to Skalani beyond Knossos: make sure you get off at the right stop.
In practice, allow 20-30 min real wait in summer despite the stated frequency, and a reduced Sunday service.

Plan B

A taxi from central Heraklion → Knossos is cheap (short distance) and saves the wait; handy in a group. If you're pairing Knossos with the south (Phaistos, Gortyn) in one day, a rental car quickly makes more sense.

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:

Line 2 PDF (Knossos) ↗Heraklion city bus (routes) ↗

Frequently asked questions

Which bus goes to Knossos from Heraklion?

City line 2 (Port – Knossos – Skalani), every 15-20 min in daytime, ~20 min ride, €1.30 pre-bought. Drops under 100 m from the entrance.

Where do I catch bus 2 to Knossos?

At the Port terminus (next to Bus Station A) or, more central, at Plateia Eleftherias. No need to walk back up to the port if you're already in town.

Do I buy the Knossos ticket separately?

Yes: the bus (€1.30) and the archaeological site entry are two separate tickets. Consider a skip-the-line ticket in advance in high season.

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 →