Compare car hire in Crete

Stretching to 160 miles long and 38 miles wide, Crete feels more like an entire country than an island. Two and a half times the size of Majorca, it’s a whopper.

While public buses might be great for short-haul pootles, you’ll need to opt for car hire in Crete if you’re hoping to cover some serious ground.

A twisty maze of mountains, vineyards, gorges, forests, beaches and remote rocky headlands, driving in Crete is an extraordinary experience in itself. The journey is just as important as the destination, so hop in a hire car and hit the open road. You won’t regret it.

Language: Greek | Currency: Euros (€) | Avg. Flight time: 4.00 hrs

Car hire in Crete couldn’t be easier and the nitty gritty will cause you no trouble at all.

You’ll find major companies offering car rental in Crete at both Heraklion (HER) and Chania airports (CHQ), including global players such as Hertz, Avis, Budget and Europcar. In terms of distances, Malia is around 30 minutes’ drive from Heraklion. Rethymnon, meanwhile, is just over an hour away from Chania.

For the best deals on car rental in Crete in 2024, be sure to book online in advance. That way, you can scrutinise the small print and choose your perfect set of wheels without pushy sales reps peering over your shoulder.

Car hire companies at Heraklion airport include:

• Avis (Tel: +30 281 039 0373)
• Sixt (Tel: +30 281 028 0915)
• Hertz (Tel: +30 281 033 0452)

Car hire companies at Chania airport include:

• Goldcar (Tel: +30 2821 066466)
• Europcar (Tel: +30 2821 063160)
• Hertz (Tel: +30 2821 063385)

If you would prefer to settle into island life before strapping into the driving seat, organise a transfer from the airport and arrange to collect your hire car near your hotel.

Most rental-car companies offer pick-up points in all of Crete’s major resorts and cities, including Rethymnon, Chania Town, Malia and Aghios Nikolaos. Wherever you choose to stay on the island, you’ll never be far from your own set of keys.

Spend a couple of days de-stressing in the sunshine and pick up your rental car when you’re rested enough to take on an adventure. It’s a canny compromise.

The freedom of having your own four wheels will allow you to leave sunbathing on crowded beaches far behind you. With over 600 miles of coast, Crete’s edges are just begging to be explored.

Following the coastal road, you’ll find all kinds of hidden coves and wave-battered bays as well as friendly fishing villages and hilltop tavernas. Rent a car in Crete in 2024 for access to the remote pockets of the island that other tourists just can’t reach, taking your summer holiday to a whole new level.

1. In Crete’s towns and villages, it is forbidden to use your horn, except in cases of extreme and immediate danger. Save honking for the hillsides to avoid on-the-spot fines. In the mountains, locals toot their horns very liberally to warn other drivers of their speedy approach and shunt herds of sheep off the road, so don’t be ruffled by the racket.
   
   
2. Paved roads are notoriously slippery in Crete, even when dry. The island is woefully behind with its resurfacing schedule and many road surfaces have been polished by use, making them practically grip-less. Stay firmly in control by allowing plenty of braking distance and taking corners slowly.
   
   
3. Be strategic with your fuel stops. Many smaller gas stations shut up shop at 7pm, so put plenty in the tank to avoid getting caught short on your way home. Attendants will always be on hand to top up your fuel tank, so simply stay in your hire car and hand over your euros. To be polite, throw in a tip for good measure.

Want to ditch the car keys for the day? Discover other ways to travel on our getting around Crete page.

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.