Getting Around Irakleion
Irakleion (also spelled Heraklion or Iraklion) is the largest city in Crete and the island's administrative capital. For a visitor, the good news is that the city is compact and its main sights, port and transport hubs are close together, so you can cover a lot of ground on foot and fill in the gaps with buses and taxis. This guide covers the practical options.
On Foot
Walking is the simplest way to explore the historic centre. The old city is ringed by Venetian defensive walls, bastions and other fortifications, and the port area is dominated by the Koules Fortress, the ramparts and the arsenal. Landmarks such as Lions Square, with the Saint Mark's Basilica and the Renaissance loggia beside it, sit within the historic core, so a visitor can move between the centre and the harbour on foot without much difficulty.
Note that some destinations lie outside the centre. The ruins of the palace of Knossos are located in the southern periphery of the city, within the Heraklion municipality, so you will need transport to reach them rather than a short stroll.
Rail, Metro and Tram
There is no rail, metro or tram network to speak of in Irakleion. Visitors should not expect to find one, and should plan around buses, taxis and walking instead.
Buses and Public Transport
Public buses are the main form of public transport, operated by KTEL. The city has two principal bus stations, and knowing which one you need will save you time:
- Bus Station A — opposite the sea port, near the marina. It serves Chania, Rethymno, Imbros, Sfakia, Kastelli Kissamou, and north-coast east destinations including Agia Pelagia, Hersonissos, Archanes, Sitia, Agios Nikolaos and the Lassithi Plateau. Rethymno and Chania services are now included here.
- Local city bus station / Knossos buses — adjacent to Bus Station A. This is where you catch local city services and buses to Knossos.
- Bus Station B — at Hanioporta, on the old city walls at the start of 62 Martyrs street, next to the stadium. It serves Anogia, Rogdia, Agia Gallini, Mires, Matala, Phaestos, Gortyn, Zaros and intermediate places.
For longer intercity runs along the north coast, KTEL Chanion-Rethymnou S.A. operates Heraklion–Rethymno/Chania highway buses hourly from 05:30 to 21:30. You can alight on the highway, but be aware that some resort areas are then a fair distance away — for example, Agia Pelagia is roughly 2.5 km from the highway, reachable on foot or by taxi.
As an example of how a resort service works, the KTEL Heraklion–Agia Pelagia line serves Lygaria, Made and Mononaftis. There is no bus station building in Agia Pelagia; instead, buses stop at hotels such as Athina Palace (Made beach), Panorama, Capsis Elite Resort, Seaside, Peninsula and Blue Bay (Mononaftis beach). Fares on that route have been around €3.60–€3.80 depending on the stop. Schedules change over time, so always confirm current times and fares with KTEL before you travel. KTEL Heraklion can be reached on +30 2810 246530 (fax +30 2810 246539); Bus Station A on +30 2810 245019 or 245020; the local city bus station on +30 2810 220755 or 226065; and Bus Station B on +30 2810 255965.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are a practical fallback for trips that buses do not cover conveniently, such as reaching a resort stop from the highway or covering short hops when you are carrying luggage.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Irakleion is served by its airport, and the city's transport hubs are arranged to make the onward connection straightforward. Bus Station A sits opposite the sea port near the marina, with the local city bus station and Knossos buses adjacent to it, and Bus Station B at Hanioporta on the old city walls. Once you reach the city, these stations are your starting points for both local journeys and trips further afield across Crete.
Practical Tips
- Base yourself near the historic centre or the port if you want to walk to the main sights.
- Check which bus station your destination departs from — A and B serve different regions of the island.
- Confirm schedules and fares directly with KTEL, as timetables are revised seasonally.
- For resort areas, ask whether the bus stops at your hotel or only on the highway, since some stops are a walk or taxi ride from the road.