Rethymno sits between Crete's two airports, about 80 km from each. Collect your car for free at Heraklion Airport β or at Chania Airport β and drive to Rethymno on the national road. No deposit, no credit card, insurance and unlimited kilometres included.
Both work, so fly into whichever has the better flight. From Heraklion Airport it is 82 km and about an hour and twenty minutes west on the national road (VOAK); from Chania Airport it is 79 km and about an hour and a half east. Pickup at Heraklion Airport is free; at Chania Airport it costs β¬80 each way. You can collect at one airport and return at the other β the booking form shows the fee before you type anything.
We meet you in the arrivals hall with the keys, check your licence and ID, and you drive away β about ten minutes. Give us your flight number when you book: we follow the flight and wait if it is late. Would you rather have the car brought to your hotel in Rethymno? Message us on WhatsApp (+30 695 923 3080) before you book and we will tell you whether we can and what it costs.
| Place | Distance | Driving time |
|---|---|---|
| Arkadi Monastery | 22 km | 30 min |
| Argyroupoli springs | 26 km | 35 min |
| Bali | 32 km | 35 min |
| Lake Kournas | 31 km | 40 min |
| Plakias | 32 km | 45 min |
| Margarites (potters' village) | 27 km | 50 min |
| Preveli Beach (car park) | 32 km | 50 min |
| Chania (old harbour) | 70 km | 1 h 20 min |
| Knossos | 83 km | 1 h 25 min |
| Kaliviani β start of the Balos trackthen 8 km of unpaved track β not covered by insurance | 105 km | 1 h 50 min |
| Omalos (top of the Samaria Gorge) | 109 km | 2 h |
| Elafonisithe last stretch is a narrow mountain road | 139 km | 2Β½β3 h |
Rethymno is the best base on the island for the south coast and the west. Arkadi is half an hour inland, Plakias and Preveli are under an hour over the mountains, Chania is an easy day β and Balos and Elafonisi, a long haul from Heraklion, become day trips. The last 8 km to Balos are an unpaved track that no rental insurance covers; take the boat from Kissamos instead. Crete by car: all the day trips and driving times.
The old town inside the Venetian walls is a maze of narrow, mostly pedestrian lanes: park outside it β there are paid car parks around its edge β and walk in. The hotels along the long beach east of town, towards Platanes and Adelianos Kampos, mostly have their own parking. The national road runs above the town, so getting in and out is quick.
82 km, about an hour and twenty minutes on the national road without stops. Chania Airport is 79 km away, about an hour and a half.
Our free delivery covers Heraklion Airport, Heraklion Port and hotels in and around Heraklion; the resorts on the coast from Agia Pelagia to Malia are β¬10ββ¬40. Guests staying in Rethymno usually collect the car at the airport when they land. If you would rather have it at your hotel, message us on WhatsApp before you book and we will tell you whether we can and what it costs.
Cars start at β¬30 a day with insurance and unlimited kilometres included β full cover with zero excess from age 27 β and pickup at Heraklion Airport is free. Child seats and a second driver are free too. The booking form shows the whole total before you type anything.
Neither. We take no deposit and do not ask for a credit card β you pay when you collect the car, in cash or by card.
Yes. Returning at Chania Airport costs β¬80; returning at Heraklion Airport is free.
For the west and the south coast, the best there is: Arkadi in half an hour, Plakias and Preveli in under an hour, Chania in about an hour and twenty minutes. For Knossos and the east, Heraklion is closer β Knossos is about an hour and a half from Rethymno.
See prices and book β