Europe > Greece > Heraklion (HER)
The Car or no Car advice for Heraklion can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Heraklion ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Heraklion ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Heraklion?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
Getting around Heraklion without a car 🚶♂️🚌
Heraklion city is compact and surprisingly walkable. The old town, the Venetian walls, the harbour, and the Archaeological Museum are all close together. As a result, if you are staying centrally, you can easily explore on foot. Cafés, shops, and historical sites cluster tightly, so short distances work in your favour.
Local buses are also reliable within the city. They connect neighbourhoods, the port, and the airport, and they are inexpensive. If your plan is to spend a day or two in Heraklion before moving on, there is little need for a rental car during that time.
Airport, ferries, and long-distance buses ✈️⛴️
Heraklion Airport sits very close to the city, which makes transfers quick by bus or taxi. In addition, the port is a major hub for ferries to Athens and other islands. Long-distance KTEL buses radiate out from Heraklion to destinations across Crete, including Chania, Rethymno, Agios Nikolaos, and Sitia.
For many visitors, these buses are good enough. They are modern, air-conditioned, and frequent on main routes. However, they mainly serve towns rather than remote beaches or mountain villages.
When a rental car becomes useful 🚗
Crete is large, mountainous, and slow to cross. Roads are winding, and distances take longer than they look on a map. If you want to visit places like Knossos, southern beaches, Lassithi Plateau, or isolated coves, a rental car offers far more flexibility.
Public transport rarely reaches trailheads, rural tavernas, or quiet swimming spots. In contrast, driving allows you to stop wherever you like and adjust plans around weather and crowds. Rental prices in Crete are usually reasonable, especially outside peak summer weeks.
Conclusion: should you rent a car in Heraklion?
If you are staying in the city or travelling onward by ferry or intercity bus, you do not need a car. Heraklion itself works very well without one. However, if your goal is to truly explore Crete beyond the main towns, renting a car in Heraklion is often the most practical and rewarding choice.
