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Car hire in Crete – Pearl of the Mediterranean
With its wonderful beaches, centuries-old treasures and striking sea and landscapes, Crete is one of the most appealing, multi-faceted tourist destinations in Europe. The largest of all the Greek islands, it is a place where the local people still cling on to many of the customs handed down to them by previous generations, including a rich culinary tradition based on a fusion of locally-produced ingredients.
Crete's natural beauty is equalled only by its long and chequered history. Ruled by the Minoans over four millennia ago, the island has many to preserve many important archaeological sites from that period which form the core of Crete's unique tourism portfolio today. The most notable of these is the Palace of Knossos (once the home of King Monis) located near the island's capital, Heraklion.
The whole of the island becomes accessible with a car hire in Crete, including the best of its beaches, such as Elafonissi (famous for its pink and white sands) and the beautiful Balos Lagoon, both of which are situated in close proximity to the enchanting city of Chania. Other island highlights include the Samaria Gorge (contained within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve) and the 17th-century Preveli Monastery affording head-spinning views over the Libyan Sea.
Founded in 1954, Auto Europe is a leading international car rental company with over 28,000 convenient pick-up and drop-off locations in more than 180 popular destinations worldwide, including Crete and many other top destinations in Greece. We work with all the most prestigious and reliable vehicle suppliers to offer our customers the right car at the right price. Book online now or ask our rental specialists for assistance.
For more information on renting a vehicle in Crete, click on the car hire related topics listed below:
| Suppliers | Car Hire FAQs | Travel Guide |
Where to pick up a car hire in Crete
Auto Europe offers the best choice of locations in Crete, thus giving travellers the chance to pick up their vehicle in city centres or at the island's airports. Furthermore, we can help them make the right choice through our high-tech booking engine which allows them to do an extensive search to find the best vehicle and the most suitable pick-up point for your trip. Once you've keyed in your dates, an interactive map will come up with all the available car hire locations in Crete, which besides the airports at Heraklion and Chania include Sitia Airport, Souda Port and Heraklion Port.
Heraklion Airport
Conveniently located just 5 kilometres (3 miles) to the east of the city centre, Heraklion Airport is the second-largest air transportation facility in Greece after the country's main airport in Athens. Handling around eight million passengers a year, it caters mostly for seasonal a number of UK airports, including Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cardiff, Doncaster/Sheffield, East Midlands, Exeter, Glasgow, London–Gatwick, London–Luton, London–Stansted, Manchester, Newcastle and Norwich. Plans for a new airport to replace the current one in Heraklion that is due to open by 2025. To collect your vehicle, just head for the Arrivals Hall in the main area of the terminal building.
Heraklion Airport (HER)
Website: heraklion-airport.gr
Address: Ikarou Street, Heraklion 716 01, Greece
Telephone: +30 281 0397 129
Chania Airport
Located in close proximity to Chania's city centre, Chania Airport is a mid-sized international airport with a wide selection of on-site facilities available to the many passengers passing through each year. From Chania Airport, travellers can reach almost anywhere in the world via the Greek capital, Athens, along with a large number of domestic flights through Thessaloniki and the many other Greek islands throughout the year. The car hire desks are located in the Arrivals Hall just after the baggage-reclaim section and passengers are asked to have their documents ready before they arriver to collect their vehicle in order to make the pick-up process as quick as possible.
Chania Airport (CHQ)
Website: chq-airport.gr
Address: National Road, EO Aerodromiou Soudas, Chania 73100, Crete, Greece
Telephone: +30 2821 083 800
Book with the best car hire suppliers in Crete
Auto Europe is a leading international car hire company currently offering a vast selection of convenient pick-up and drop-off locations in over 180 key destinations all over the globe. Thanks to our many years of experience dealing with all the global and local car rental companies, we can offer you the best standard of service and cheapest prices on the market.
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Should you require additional information about the car hire companies we work with or their policies, for example out of office pick up or questions regarding age restrictions, our car rental specialists are just a phone call or e-mail away and happy to assist you.
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Crete
This section features the most frequent questions asked by people booking a car hire in Crete. Scroll down for important tips relating to a wide range of essential car hire topics, such as credit cards, coverage, tolls, traffic and much more. If you need any more information, please contact our reservations team for assistance and they will be happy to help you with your reservation and assist you with your travel itinerary.
Do I need a credit card to rent a car in Crete?
Yes. It's obligatory to present a valid credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Diners, American Express, etc.) at the time of collecting your car rental in Crete. The reason for this is that the local car hire supplier will need to hold a deposit on it which will be promptly released back to you once the vehicle has been returned undamaged at the end of the rental period. It is essential that you make sure the supplier checks the vehicle and signs it off before you leave the drop-off point. Please note that the credit card must be in the name of the main driver and corresponde with the name on the rental agreement. For a standard hire, only one credit card is required but for a luxury car hire the supplier will very often require two credit cards, also in the name of the main driver. To check all the conditions regarding credit cards and types, just click on the blue and white info icon 'i' under the car details after making a quick search in the Auto Europe booking engine. For more details, please consult the guide on credit cards on our website.
What insurance do I need for my car rental in Crete?
Whenever you make a search for car rental in Crete through the Auto Europe booking engine, all the rates quoted include the minimum amout of legally-required car hire coverage, including Liability Insurance, Theft Protection (TP) and Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) – which may or may not require an excess. One thing to keep in mind is the fact that CDW does not cover damage all parts of the vehicle, in which case we strongly recommend spending a little bit more purchase Auto Europe's very popular Full Damage & Theft Protection policy. This will give you extra peace of mind while you driving around the beautiful island of Crete. You can find out all about the coverage fees, CDW and TP deductibles, Liability Insurance, etc. in the search results of our booking engine just by clicking on the blue and white info icon 'i' in the car details. can all be consulted on the Auto Europe website under “Additional Information” contained in “Info Icon”, this information will also be contained within the terms and conditions.
Another thing to take into account is the fact that the local car rental suppliers on the island of Crete may try to offer you additional insurance when you arrive to collect your vehicle. This is optional and probably won't be required if you have already purchased Auto Europe's excellent Full Damage & Theft Protection cover. Auto Europe is unable to refund the cost of any insurance you sign up to directly with the local supplier regardless of situation, including Personal Accident Insurance, Personal Effects Coverage, Super CDW, Seguro Relax, Roadside Assistance, etc. which are normally charged on a daily basis and are always optional.
How is the traffic in Crete?
Crete's traffic tends to build up quite a bit during the peak summer months when there are more visitors touring the island and in many cases heading for the best beaches. Most road signs are in English, which are preceded by the same road sign in Greek a few metres ahead. Note that the local names for places are different in Greek (ie Xania for Chania, Rethymno for Rethimnon, Iraklio for Heraklion, etc.). Be aware that Crete is quite a mountainous place so you should expect to encounter numerous hairpin bends when touring the island. Generally speaking, the local speed limits are 50kph in built-up areas and 90kph on the island's motorways. Cars will often flash their lights at you from behind to signal their intention to overtake. Watch out for moped riders who typically will often try to overtake you on the right, which can be very dangerous if you don't see them. In the more rural parts of the island, please be careful of animals such as pigs, sheep, chickens and goats who tend to feed along the side of the roads and might occasionally wander out in front of you! Dial 112 to get in touch with the emergency services (in English and other languages) to request an ambulance or police. Speed traps are common on the island, especially during the high season. On the Kissamos-Sitia national road there are radars and cameras which are indicated well in advance, so pay close attention to the signs and you should be ok. Please visit our Greece Driving Guide for lots of useful information relating to getting around the island by car.
Where can I park my car hire in Crete?
You'll find that parking your car rental in Crete only becomes an issue at the most popular beaches in summer and in the larger towns and cities. Try to avoid parking in the heart of the town centre if you can avoid it. It's sometimes best to opt for the outskirts and walk into the Old Town for a more stress-free experience. If the distance is too far, you'll normally find that there are car parks located just off centre in the bigger cities. Chania, for instance, has two large car parks located close to the fortress and the main waterfront area. Parking your car in Heraklion, the capital, is often easier in hotel car parks (expect to pay a fee) or in one of the municipal car parks. Fines are hefty if you park your car illegally in Heraklion and other busy places on the island, so you should always look for a ticket machine or nearby kiosk to pay and then display your parking ticket on top of the dashboard.
Can I pick up my car hire in Crete and travel with it to other islands?
Not with all the local car hire suppliers on the island. For instance, travel by ferry is not permitted with Green Motion and Budget, although the other companies will allow travel by ferry subject to written authorisation being granted at the time of pick-up, along with the purchase of additional insurance for the trip. Please make sure that you clearly state your intention to take the vehicle on the ferry at the time of confirming your booking.
Crete Travel Guide
With its wonderful beaches, translucent waters, fantastic food, superb weather and ancient history, Crete is a place that be visited and enjoyed at any time of the year. Its towns and cities are vibrant and cosmopolitan with the majority hugging the island's long sandy coastline. It's also very rural and mountainous with several wine routes to explore, so you'll always find there's a good reason to go back time and time again.
Best day trips with my car rental in Crete
Despite the many advancements the island has made in recent years, Crete remains an island rooted in its lush, green countryside. When you rent a car in Crete you'll be drawn into the interior to spend time in some of its old villages, each blessed with its own traditions and character where you'll be able to shop for hand-made gifts and souvenirs for family and friends back home. For drivers looking to go further than big cities, it is also possible to begin an extended road-trip in one place and drop the vehicle off somewhere else with a one-way car hire to allow for extra freedom and flexibility. Furthermore, you can also share the driving by taking advantage of Auto Europe's Free Additional Driver offers throughout the year.
Heraklion Wine Region
There's no better day-trip with your car hire in Crete than a tour of the vineyards surrounding the island's capital, Heraklion (known locally as Iraklio). This well-respected wine region produces an array of wines known throughout the world for their eminence and distinction, such as Titakis and Domaine Paterianakis. Many of the local wineries offer tastings and tours of the premises.
Preveli Beach
Located in the sheltered waters of southern Crete in a stretch of the Mediterranean known as the Libyan Sea, Preveli Beach is one of the most pristine places to relax and swim on the island. Backed by palm trees, its white sands are overlooked by an old monastery featuring courtyards, terraces, a cool mountain spring and an on-site museum exhibiting many rare religious artifacts.
Rethymnon
Located midway beween Heraklion and Chania on the north coast of Crete, Rethymnon has much to interest the passing tourist, particularly its Old Town with its rich mix of architectural styles. Don't miss the chance to wine and dine alfresco in Rethymnon's world-famous Venetian Harbour which is lined with tavernas open late into the night.
Chania
Nestling beside the sea on Crete's fabulous north-western shoreline, Chania is not only the island's second city but one of the most beautiful places in the whole of Greece. A leisurely stroll though its ancient, cobbled streets gives visitors the chance to drop in on some of its old family-run boutiques selling clothes, ceramics, and locally-made handicrafts.
What to do in Crete
Crete is absolutely bursting with tourist interest, particularly in and around the larger cities. In Heraklion, the capital, you won't want to miss the archaeological museum (one of the best in Greece) followed by a visit to the Minoan Palace of Knossos a few kilometres away. And some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean are accessible with a low-cost car rental in Crete, both on the north and south coasts.
- Palace of Knossos: Headquarters of the Minoans some 4,000 years ago, and today one of the most important archaeological sites in Europe, the extraordinary Palace of Knossos is home to many of the jewels in the island's crown. Located just to south-east of Heraklion near Crete's idyllic north coast, the palace is a must for visitors who can tour the premises to see the many sculptures, jewellery items and frescoes unearthed during a long period of excavation work.
- Heraklion Archaeological Museum: Boasting a vast collection spanning seveal millennia, the excellent Heraklion Archaeological Museum offers visitors a unique view of the island's ancient history. Highlights include a series of 3,500-year-old frescoes from the Palace of Knossos, a glazed ceramic Snake Goddess dating from 1600 BC and the Phaistos Disc dating from 100 BC.
- Diktaion Cave: Considered one of the most interesting attractions of its kind in Greece, Diktaion Cave is a great place to spend a few hours, especially during the summer heat. The tour includes a journey to the bottom of the cave to a peaceful lake surrounded by large stalagmites and stalactites, as well as a small chamber where Zeus, the god of thunder and the sky is said to have been born.
- Fortezza: Perched atop a hill, Fortezza is a huge fortress built by the Venetians in the 16th century to protect themselves against the Otooman Turks. Covering a total length of over 1,300 metres, its views over the ancient city of Rethymnon and beyond are absolutely breathtaking. Visitors are free to roam the complex and visit some of the main buildings including the Mosque of Sultan Ibrahim and the churches of St Theodore and St Catherine.
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