Getting to Rethymno and up to the Fortezza
Which airport
Chania (CHQ) is about 60 kilometres west of Rethymno. Heraklion (HER) is about 80 kilometres east. Neither is far and neither is close: allow an hour to an hour and a half by road from either, and more in August when the north-coast road carries the whole island. If you are choosing flights, take whichever is cheaper. Sitting between the two is one of the practical arguments for basing yourself here rather than further west, which I set out on the Rethymno or Chania page.
The KTEL bus
The public buses are the reliable, cheap way along the coast, and the timetables are wide enough that you rarely wait long.
| Route | Journey time | Fare | Daily service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rethymno to Chania town | Up to 1 hr 15 min | Up to €7.10 | 06:00–22:00 |
| Rethymno to Chania airport, via Souda | Up to 1 hr 30 min | Up to €8 | 04:00–21:45 |
| Rethymno to Heraklion | Up to 1 hr 25 min | Up to €9 | 06:30–21:45 |
Those figures are the upper end of what you pay and how long it takes. The Chania airport bus runs via Souda, which is why it takes longer than the town service.
Taxis and transfers
I am not going to print a taxi fare on this page, because I would be guessing and you would be quoting me at a driver. What I will tell you is that a taxi costs many times the bus fare for the same run. If you take one, agree the price before you get in, or book a fixed-price transfer in advance so the number is settled while you are still at your desk.
Is there a boat?
No. There is no scheduled passenger ferry between Rethymno and Chania. The road is the route, in both directions, for everyone.
Coming from the Heraklion resorts
If you are staying in Hersonissos, Malia, Stalis, Gouves, Bali, Agia Pelagia, Ammoudara or Analipsi, the usual way to reach Rethymno is an organised coach day, picking up between 07:00 and 09:30. Understand the trade before you book: the Chania, Lake Kournas and Rethymno trip covers 340 kilometres and leaves you 1 hour 15 minutes in Rethymno, which is not enough to go inside the Fortezza. The Preveli day gives Rethymno a 45-minute guided walk plus an hour and a half free, which is more town for the same kind of day. Both are compared on the all-tours page.
Up to the Fortezza
From the Venetian harbour it is about a ten-minute climb on foot. The main gate is on the east side of the hill, between the St Nicolas and St Paul bastions, behind the ravelin that houses the Archaeological Museum. There is parking near the entrance and it fills up by mid-morning in July and August. If you are driving, come at opening time. Precise directions are on where the entrance is.
The name is said REH-thim-no. Stress the first syllable and keep the "th" soft, as in "thin". Rethymno, Rethymnon and Rethimno are all the same town; you will see all three on signs, tickets and timetables.
Most bookedCrete: Chania, Lake Kournas and Rethymno Tour
Beach & townDay Trip to Preveli & Damnoni Beach & Rethymno City Tour
Old town classicRethymno: Guided Walking Tour in the Old Town Area
Frequently asked questions
What is the closest airport to Rethymno?
Chania (CHQ), about 60 kilometres west. Heraklion (HER) is about 80 kilometres east. Both are roughly an hour to an hour and a half by road, so book whichever flight suits you.
How much is the bus from Rethymno to Chania?
Up to €7.10 for the town service, taking up to 1 hour 15 minutes, daily between 06:00 and 22:00. The airport bus via Souda costs up to €8 and takes up to 1 hour 30 minutes.
Can you get a boat from Rethymno to Chania?
No. There is no scheduled passenger ferry on this stretch of coast. Take the KTEL bus or drive.
How do you pronounce Rethymnon?
REH-thim-no, with the stress on the first syllable and a soft "th". Once you are here, "yassas" is hello and "efharisto" is thank you. More on the town itself is in the complete guide.