Crete
Travel Information
FLY TO ATHENS
The Eleftherios Venizelos Athens International airport is one of the most modern in Europe with excellent facilities. The website includes an interactive map of the terminal facilities. Arrowheads at each end of the map scroll left/right. Clicking on the tabs around the edges shows different areas, highlighting services and shops.
If you have a long stopover between flights leave luggage at the airport and visit the city centre or spend some time in the airport museum.
If your onward journey to Crete is by ferry the Express bus and Metro trains go to Piraeus port.
There are year-round flights to Athens from several UK airports, principally London
Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, and Manchester. British Airways flies from several other
airports via Heathrow or Gatwick. See the scheduled flights page for details.
From Athens travel to the city's ferry port, Piraeus, using one of the several forms of transport.
AIRPORT TO CENTRAL ATHENS & FERRIES
The entrance to the station for both the Metro and suburban railway is across the road opposite Arrivals. From the entrance to the ticket office is about 200 metres [with rolling walkways]. Route and ticket information is displayed at the station and posted on the Metro web site.
The Metro is modern, quiet and clean with clear route maps and on-
We do not recommend using the suburban railway as it is necessary to transfer to the metro after only five stops and then change again on to the metro.
The stops for all Express bus routes to central Athens and the ferry at Piraeus are
immediately outside the exit from Arrivals. Journey time varies from about 60 to
90 minutes depending on traffic conditions. The fare to Karaiskaki Square (outside
port gate 8) is €3.20 and includes transfer to any other Athens public transport.
The Express bus web site is here.
Athens taxis are relatively cheap. The taxi rank is by Exit 3 of the arrivals area. The indicative fares table here will vary slightly according to traffic conditions, amount and weight of luggage but it is a guide. Note that fares are increased between midnight and 05:00.
On the Metro, over 65s and under 18s qualify for reduced fares on the airport route. Proof of age may be required.
On the Metro and buses do remember to validate your ticket. The fine for not doing so is 60 [sixty] times the fare.
Check that the correct taxi tariff is shown on the meter [Day rate 1; Night rate
2]. Don't try to negotiate a flat, fixed fare -
The ferry companies are notorious [but improving] for not releasing their schedules until the last minute but sailing times are generally the same from year to year. Finding current fares can be problematic at the start of summer or winter schedules but if you start the booking process fares should be shown.
FERRIES
Anek Lines:
Chania [Souda]
Heraklion daily.
Minoan Lines:
Heraklion daily.
Superfast/Blue Star
Heraklion daily
Click logos to visit company sites.
The shipping lines have extra sailings around major holidays, e.g. Easter [Greek], and the main holiday period from late July until early September.
CRETE BY AIR AND SEA
