http://travel.creteforyou.com
In Crete buses, NOT routes, are numbered. This is OK from, or between, villages - there's only one bus. For the return it's easiest to depart from the central bus station.
Destinations and the bus number for that route are announced five to ten minutes before departure.
Announcements are in Greek and English.
The Greek government is determined to improve the country's appalling road accident statistics. In June 2007 they introduced higher penalties for traffic offences
They are cracking down particularly on speeding, drink/driving and the use of seat belts and crash helmets.
The number of police checks has increased dramatically and tourists are not exempt from the heavy fines.
Driving standards in Crete are not the highest and Greece as a whole has usually proved to have the worst accident statistics in Europe.
Driving in Crete is safer than the 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.
On 01 June 2007 the Greek government introduced a new scale of penalties for bad driving. Currently the focus is on incidents of speeding, drink/driving and the use of seat belts and crash helmets.
Most visitors to the island rent a car or scooter. All airlines operating between the UK and Crete offer car hire on their web site, usually with one of the major rental companies. Many people use this option.
It is normally cheaper to rent directly either through an Internet search or locally on arrival. Many companies, mostly the 'majors', have offices in the airport arrivals area.
Most popular resorts have at least one smaller, local rental company and these are frequently cheapest of all - especially if you are prepared to negotiate.
Even when you have a rental car there are times when other transport may be appropriate.
Penalties for drink/drive offences are severe and visitors are not exempt. If you want to enjoy a few drinks it’s safer to use a local taxi than to risk a big fine, a night in jail or, more importantly, an accident.
Parking in the centre of major towns can be a nightmare; a bus or taxi avoids the problem. City buses can be the rattletraps found anywhere but those serving outlying villages are usually luxury coaches. Bus travel in Crete is cheap and often a fun experience.
We've heard of people having trouble getting a taxi to return to a village from a city centre but most local taxi drivers are happy to arrange to collect you.
If you want to walk Samaria Gorge or one of the smaller gorges you’ll need to use a bus or taxi or have one of your party take your car from the head of the gorge to the end.
Buses based in the main towns serve most of the island including quite remote villages. Vehicles on routes outside city centres are mostly modern, comfortable, air-conditioned coaches. Fares are low. For example, Hania to Rethymno is €6.00; Rethymno to Heraklion €6.50.
Taxis are cheap in Greece with fares subject to government control. Throughout Greece
the meter must be used in cities and large towns. In smaller towns and villages (i.e.
most of Crete) the meter is not used and fares are charged on a fixed, distance-based
scale.
There are two meter tariffs:
Tariff 1: Day rate applies between 5 a.m. and midnight within the limits of the city
or town where the taxi is registered.
Tariff 2: Night rate 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.
