Need to Know
Currency
Language
Visas
Money
Mobile Phones
Time
When to Go
High Season (Jul & Aug)
AQueues at big sights, heavy traffic, busy beaches.
APrices for lodgings are at their peak.
AMeltemi (dry) winds can make sandy beaches unpleasant.
AHot days, but balmy evenings and warm sea for swimming.
Shoulder (Apr–Jun & Sep–Oct)
ABest time for hiking and outdoor activities.
AModerate temperatures, smaller crowds.
AWildflowers in springtime, grape harvest in autumn.
ALower rates and wide availability for lodgings.
Low Season (Nov–Mar)
ASights, attractions and restaurants scale back their hours; beach resorts close down.
ANo crowds at major sights.
ALocals have the most time to sit and chat.
AHighest chance of rain.
Useful Websites
Visit Greece (www.visitgreece.gr) Greece’s official tourism portal.
Explore Crete (www.explorecrete.com) Good general travel site.
Interkriti (www.interkriti.org) Comprehensive guide to the island.
Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com/crete) Destination information, hotel bookings, traveller forum and more.
OpenSeas (www.openseas.gr) Ferry timetables.
Crete Region (www.crete-region.gr) Official government site.
Important Numbers
Exchange Rates
Daily Costs
Budget:
Less than €60
AHostel, camping or domatia: €10–25
APicnic or meal at basic taverna: €20
ABus from Hania to Elafonisi: €10
Midrange:
€60–150
AApartment or double room in hotel: €35–80
AMeal at nice taverna with wine: €30–40
AHire car per day: €35
Top End:
More than €150
ADouble room in boutique hotel or beach resort: from €120
AHigh-end tavernas and gourmet restaurants in prime locations: €50–100
AActivities like diving and boat hire: €80–150
Opening Hours
Opening hours vary throughout the year. The following are high-season opening hours; hours decrease significantly in the shoulder and low seasons, when many places shut completely.
Banks 8am–2.30pm Monday–Thursday, 8am–2pm Friday
Bars 8pm–late
Cafes 10am–midnight
Clubs 10pm–late
Post Offices 7.30am–2pm Monday–Friday (rural); 7.30am–8pm Monday–Friday, 7.30am–2pm Saturday (urban)
Restaurants 11am–noon and 7pm–1am
Shops 9am–2pm Monday–Saturday and 5.30–8.30pm or 9pm Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; all day in summer in resorts
Arriving in Crete
Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport (Iraklio) Bus 1 (€1.10) serves the city centre every five minutes (6.15am to midnight, in summer). Taxis cost €12 to €15. Car hire at the airport.
Hania Airport Ioannis Daskalogiannis Buses serve central Hania up to 27 times daily (€2.30, 30 minutes). Taxis cost €20 (plus €2 per bag).
Sitia Airport No airport bus; taxis cost about €6.
Iraklio Ferry Port Walkable 500m to the east of the old harbour. Taxis cost about €10. The main bus station is just opposite the main entrance to the port.
Hania Ferry Port Hania buses (€1.50) meet each boat, as do buses to Rethymno. Taxis to Hania cost about €9.
Kissamos Ferry Port In summer a bus (€1.50) to town meets ferries; taxis cost around €5.
Getting Around
Car Useful for travelling at your own pace and visiting regions and villages with minimal bus service. Cars can be hired in towns, cities and resorts. Drive on the right. Away from main highways, roads are paved but often narrow and winding; some are still unpaved and only suitable for 4WD. Locals pass boldly and straddle the shoulder of the road if they are going slow, so others can pass.
Bus Service is widespread in summer and between major towns, but it’s nonexistent to many small villages and some beaches, and much reduced in winter. Schedules: Western Crete (www.bus-service-crete-ktel.com) and Central & Eastern Crete (www.ktelherlas.gr).