Compare Chania Airport car hire

Crete's second-largest city is a stunner, with a lovely waterfront and a backdrop of mountains. It's also the gateway to the west of the island, so hire a car from Chania Airport and discover some of Crete's quieter resorts and hidden beaches – as well as the stunning Samaria Gorge.

Language: Greek | Currency: Euros (€) | Avg. Flight time: 3hrs 45mins

You’ll find several big name car hire companies in Chania International Airport (CHQ), including Avis, Hertz and Sixt. Chania itself is an easy 20-minute drive west from the airport. Stalos is around 35 minutes away, and the far western resort of Kissamos is just less than an hour away.

Many car rental desks are in the arrivals hall at Chania Airport, though pick-up points and some offices are on the road out of the airport. Europcar, for instance, is around 500m from the terminal.

Car hire companies with desks in Chania Airport include:

• Avis and Budget (Tel: +30 28210 63080)
• Advance Trust (Tel: +30 28210 63035)
• Europcar (Tel: +30 28210 63160)
• Hertz and Thrifty (Tel: +30 28210 63385)
• Sixt (Tel: +30 28210 20905)

If you’re looking to hire a car for just a few days in Crete, it might be easier to find a rental location in or near Chania itself. There are usually cheap deals to be found here. There are a cluster of international brands – such as Europcar and Sixt – in nearby resorts such as Kato Stalos, and a handful of local companies with offices in Chania city centre.

Chania is not a huge city and is easy to drive through, though the centre has some narrow and one-way streets, as well as the inevitable traffic at commuter times and in peak tourist season.

Signposts in Chania and the rest of the island are usually in both Greek and English, although you might find that some are covered up by vegetation or in need of replacement in more rural areas. As with any unfamiliar place, it’s a good idea to map out where you want to go beforehand or use a sat-nav.

There is a reasonable amount of on-street parking in Chania, with some larger car parks on and around Kidonias street. From there it’s a short walk into the centre.

Rethymnon

Driving time: One hour 10 minutes

Coastal Rethymnon sits half way between Chania and Heraklion, with a stunning Venetian harbour – a good spot for a taverna lunch – and a long golden beach. Other points of interest include its majestic 16th-century fort and its Historical and Folklore Museum, which showcases traditional Greek arts and crafts.

Balos Lagoon

Driving time: One hour 20 minutes

If you're in Crete for beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters, Balos Lagoon is an essential stop. Ridiculously photogenic, it’s on the far west coast, connecting the mainland to the small Tigani peninsula. Shallow, warm water and fine golden sand make the centre of the lagoon perfect for a day of relaxation, while deeper water around its rocky edges offers opportunities for snorkelling. If you've got a hire car you can (and should) arrive early, before the crowds on boat trips from Kissamos.

Samaria Gorge

Driving time: One hour 30 minutes

One of Crete's (if not Europe's) greatest hikes, this 16km (10-mile) trail runs through a tree-lined ravine, accompanied by a stream that alternates between clear pools and rushing rapids. It ends at the coastal village of Agia Roumeli, where your feet will be glad of a cooling dip in the waves. To do it with a car, park at the Xyloskalo entrance, hike down to Agia Roumeli, then hop on the ferry to Sougia and get a bus back to Xyloskalo. Note that the terrain is often rough, and the gorge is closed in winter.

1. If you’re driving inland from Chania, bear in mind that Crete's interior gets hilly fast. Be ready for hairpin bends and poorly maintained rural roads.
   
2. Keep an eye out for pedestrians. In many Cretan cities and towns, there are not always proper pavements for those travelling on foot.
   
3. PEO Kissamou Chanion is the main coastal road heading west from Chania, but on long journeys you'll get around faster on the E65 highway, which tracks a similar route a little way inland.

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.