IslandGuide — Crete
🇬🇷 Greece

Car rental in Crete

Crete is Greece's largest island and stretches 250 km from east to west. The Samaria Gorge, the pink sand beach of Elafonisi, the Minoan palace of Knossos, and the wild beaches of the south coast are all spread across a vast island. Buses connect the main northern towns but leave most of Crete inaccessible without a car.

Pickup locations

HER Heraklion Nikos Kazantzakis Airport
CHQ Chania Ioannis Daskalogiannis Airport
Rent a car — DiscoverCars

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a car in Crete?
Yes, a car is essential. Crete is Greece's largest island — over 260 km long — and the distances between Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno and the remote south coast villages are significant. Many of the best gorges and beaches are impossible to reach by public transport.
What car should I rent in Crete?
A compact or mid-size car handles Crete well. Western Crete roads are particularly mountainous and the south coast tracks to beaches like Preveli can be rough. A small SUV gives more confidence on challenging sections.
When should I book a rental car in Crete?
Book at least 3 weeks ahead for July and August. Crete has three airports (Heraklion, Chania, Sitia) but summer demand is very high across all of them. Book well in advance for the best rates.
What insurance do I need in Crete?
CDW plus SCDW is strongly recommended. Crete's diverse terrain — mountain passes, rough south coast roads, busy city traffic in Heraklion — covers a wide range of driving challenges. Zero-excess cover is worth the premium.

Some links are affiliate — they help keep IslandGuide free.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a car in Crete?
Yes, a car is essential. Crete is Greece's largest island — over 260 km long — and the distances between Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno and the remote south coast villages are significant. Many of the best gorges and beaches are impossible to reach by public transport.
What car should I rent in Crete?
A compact or mid-size car handles Crete well. Western Crete roads are particularly mountainous and the south coast tracks to beaches like Preveli can be rough. A small SUV gives more confidence on challenging sections.
When should I book a rental car in Crete?
Book at least 3 weeks ahead for July and August. Crete has three airports (Heraklion, Chania, Sitia) but summer demand is very high across all of them. Book well in advance for the best rates.
What insurance do I need in Crete?
CDW plus SCDW is strongly recommended. Crete's diverse terrain — mountain passes, rough south coast roads, busy city traffic in Heraklion — covers a wide range of driving challenges. Zero-excess cover is worth the premium.