CreteForYou.com
Travel to Crete
Dedicated to travel between the UK and Crete
The government is determined to improve the country's road accident statistics. They are particularly intent on reducing speeding, drink/driving and increasing the use of seat belts and crash helmets.
Tourists are not exempt from large fines for traffic offences.
Greece is often at, or near, the top of European accident statistics. It is only in the last twenty years or so that many people have owned modern vehicles and some, particularly older drivers, have yet to come to terms with the speed and power available.
Young drivers, particularly men, are no different in Greece from anywhere else; they take risks in trying to show off their driving prowess. Add a general approach to life that tends towards the fatalistic and it’s hardly surprising that accidents happen.
That said, driving in Crete is safer than figures suggest but it is advisable to drive defensively and to be aware of local driving customs that don't necessarily comply with the law. You'll find some tips for staying safe here.
Whilst not essential in many places renting a car will enable you to make the most
of your holiday in Crete. You’ll be able to take in so much more of the many things
the island has to offer -
Even when you have a rental car there are times when other transport may be appropriate.
If you want to enjoy a few drinks it’s safer to use a local taxi than to risk an accident. Penalties for drink/drive offences are severe; a big fine and possibly a night in jail. Visitors are not exempt.
Parking in the centre of major towns can be a nightmare and many places have installed meters or “pay and display” systems. A bus or taxi avoids the problems.
If you walk Samaria or one of the smaller gorges you’ll need to use buses or taxis or have one of your party take your car from the head of the gorge to the end.
We have heard of people experiencing difficulty in getting a taxi to return to a village from a city centre but most local taxi drivers are happy to arrange to collect you.
City buses can be the rattletraps found anywhere but they’re cheap. Those serving outlying villages are usually luxury coaches. Bus travel in Crete is cheap and often a fun experience, especially in rural areas.
Taxi fares, subject to government control, are relatively cheap in Greece.
Throughout Greece the meter must be used in cities and large towns but, in smaller
towns and villages (i.e. most of Crete) the meter is not used and fares are charged
on a fixed, distance-
There are two meter tariffs:
Tariff 1: Applies between 5 a.m. and midnight within the limits of the city or town where the taxi is registered.
Tariff 2: Applies between midnight and 5 a.m. and beyond the taxi's town or city of registration at any time.
At airports fares to popular destinations are displayed on a large board in the arrivals area or by the taxi rank. Even so, if you are travelling very far from an airport or port ask the driver, before you get into the taxi, how much he expects the journey to cost.
Taxi ranks are common in cities, popular resorts and large villages. You can hire a cab from one of these, by phoning a local cab company (a small surcharge will apply) or by hailing one in the street. If a cab flashes its headlights it's for hire.
It is common in Greece for taxis to be shared. If there is a spare seat in your cab don’t be too surprised if the driver stops to pick up another passenger. This does not mean the fare is shared. You will be charged for your journey and the other passenger[s] will be charged for theirs.
There are many fewer flights to Chania than to Heraklion so many people staying in western Crete arrive in Heraklion. In 2010 the taxi fare from the airport to, say, Almyrida [a popular resort in W. Crete] cost around €140; add a return journey and you’ve spent enough to cover the cost for a week’s rental of a Peugeot 307 [local price around €245] and a tankful of fuel.
The fare from Chania airport to Almyrida is about €45.
LOCAL TRAVEL
Book a car in advance and be met at the airport or ferry port. In a few minutes you’ll be on your way. Remember you’ll need room for luggage as well as people. Most companies will provide a roof rack [ask in advance], either free or for a nominal charge; all will provide child safety seats and crash helmets for hirers of scooters, motor bikes and quad bikes.
At the end of a tiring journey, the idea of driving in an unfamiliar environment may not appeal, especially at night. Consider taking a taxi or bus to your accommodation and renting a car at your destination.
You’ll almost certainly get the best deals from local companies [and out of peak season may be able to negotiate a discount from list price]. Airlines operating between the UK and Crete offer car hire on their web sites, usually with one of the major rental companies with worldwide franchises. These are generally more expensive than local rental companies. Booking agency rentals often fall between airline and local prices.
In Crete buses, NOT routes, are numbered. This is OK from, or between, villages -
At the bus station announcements stating destination, bus number and route are made five to ten minutes before departure, usually in Greek and English.
City buses are often somewhat scruffy, well used vehicles but fares are low and you’ll only ride on one for a few minutes. On most routes they’re frequent and reliable.
For travel between main towns and routes serving villages, even quite remote ones,
the buses are modern, air-
