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Emergency & First Assistance | Places & Sights of interest | History & Mythology Culture & Art | Population & Economy | Climate & Nature | Plants & Animals | Food & Drink Shopping & Souvenirs | Sport & Leisure Activities | Useful Advices & Information
Journey & Traffic Greece is because of its warm and sunny climate especially for citizens of North and Central Europe a very popular vacation country that is easily to reach with all possibilities of transport (airplane, car, ferry, train). Crete is to be reached fastest in approx. 2-3 hours by airplane, in addition, combined journeys by car and ferry are also possible, takes however some days. Likewise naturally also the travel with the own yacht or sailing boat over the Mediterranean is a beautiful journey, ports are existing in every Greek coast city.
Travel by Airplane From every European country are flights all over the year and nearly every day to Athens and Thessaloniki. The flight companies of each country have their destinations in Greece and the Greek airline Olympic Airways has connections to every large city in Europe. Some airports also have connections of Aegean Airlines, Greece Airways and some low-price companies are offering flights, too. Flying with domestic flights the connection flight to Crete is taken by Olympic Airways or Aegean Airlines and to any destination inside Greece are flying also smaller air-taxis of the companies Aegean Airlines, Air Business International, Air Lift, Aviator, EuroAir, Hellas Air, Interjet, Life Line Aviation and Olympic Aviation. Several times a day flights are available from Athens to Chania and Heraklion and there's also the possibility to fly from Athens to Sitia in the east part of Crete. From Thessaloniki are flights to Heraklion daily and to Chania five times a week. From Europe are existing direct connections to approximately twenty international airports in Greece. Mostly between April and October are additional possibilities from many large European cities to come directly to Crete, Santorini or any other Greek islands and cities by charter flights. These charter flights can be booked separately or included in a package tour by a travel agency or by internet.
For carrying bulky luggage like bicycles, surf boards or other sports equipment please ask the appropriate flight company for their special conditions.
If you booked your flight included in a package tour, also the transfer from the airport to the hotel is included. But if you have only an individual flight, you can take for the transfer to your accomodation the bus or a taxi. If you go by taxi arrange the final price before the ride to avoid later misunderstandings. The taxi fares are fixed by the law. Journey by Car The shortest route to Greece is the ride via chargeable Balkan highway E 70 (auto-put) across the countries Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and the Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia, which are to be driven safely since the end of the Yugoslav civil war in the 90's so far. However this route is not recommended because of the organizational and financial expenses (various visas and entry documents have to be procured first, highways must be paid in respective national currency). Except Slovenia the other countries are no European Union countries yet. For more exact information about passing through Croatia, Serbia and FYRoM please ask your travel agency, your national automobile association or the respective embassies or consulates in your country. The simplier alternative to the auto-put is the journey through Italy across likewise chargeable highways and from there further by car ferries to Greece. As well you do not have to leave the European Union with this route. For citizens of the European Union the pink-coloured EU-driving-license and the registration papers of the car are sufficent, the green international insurance card is not prescribed, but advisable to have it. Citizens of other countries should have an international driving license. Furthermore your vehicle should have the oval nationality identification symbol, if you don't have an euro registration number. If you want to leave your vehicle in Greece and to register it there, because you own a property in Greece or you want to move permanently there, then you'll need for the greek registration of your vehicle a resettle-permission of the Greek embassy of your country. More exact information you'll get at the Greek embassy or consulate. The petrol prices are a little bit cheaper than in most European countries, the traffic rules like everywhere in Europe.
For renting a car or a motorcycle the minimum age is 23 years and in Greece you only have to own a valid driving license for more than 1 year.
Ferries There are numerous ferry-connections between Italy and Greece several times weekly. Some lines also drive from Ancona directly to Heraklion. Otherwise you take the ferries from Italy to Patras or to Igoumenitsa, from there across the highway to Athens and then from the port of Piraeus different ferries are driving to Chania, Rethymno and Heraklion every night. From the Italian Adria harbours of Triest, Venice, Ancona, Bari and Brindisi drive the large car ferries of the lines ANEK, Minoan, Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, Superfast, Ventouris and Strintzis in 10 to 25 hours depending upon distance to Patras resp. Igoumenitsa. Most ships were replaced by modern and faster ferry boats in the last years and come up to the highest European safety guidelines.
The shortest connection is from the southeast end of Italy from Brindisi in Apulia to Igoumenitsa in the northwest of Epirus in Greece opposite the island of Corfu. Early reservations of the ferries are recommended.
Drivers of campers and caravans should inquire about the maximally permissible vehicle dimensions on the individual car ferries at the respective shipping company or at the operating travel agency. Further information and consultation about all possible ferry connections you can also get at the national automobile associations and in every travel agency.
Travel by Train If you want to travel by train to Greece, at present times because of the postwar-problems at some Balkan states, the train route to Athens guides via Vienna and Budapest, then across Belgrade, Skopje and Thessaloniki and takes between 40 and 60 hours. An alternative with the possibility of quite delightful intermediate stops are the routes across Italy to Ancona, Bari or Brindisi and from there with a passage to the Greek island of Corfu, farther continously to Patras. From Patras you can go again by train to Athens and from the harbour of Piraeus with the ferries to Crete or other Greek islands. On Crete and the islands is no railway system, the Greek railway network of the OSE (Organismos Sidirodromos Ellados) is only at the mainland and Peloponnissos and the connections are quite slowly except the fast and efficient intercity connections on the main routes. But however the prices of transportation are very good.
Travel by Boat Yachts and sailing boats, which would like to come from foreign countries into Greek waters, have to stop first at a main port, which is also classified as entry and departure, equipped with customs clearance. On Crete these ports are in Chania and Heraklion. Boats from the member countries of the European Union are not subject to an port-official control. Ships from countries outside of the European Union must however be contolled and need a transit log, valid for six month's traffic in Greek waters. Passport checks are accomplished with all passengers of incoming ships from foreign countries.
Smaller sailing boats, motorboats, sport boats or jet ski, which are imported by trailers with the motor vehicle, are subject to the same formalities as those from non-European Union countries. In all larger cities and coast cities there are offices of the Greek port authorities and the harbour police.
Information about yachting and appropriate brochures about marinas, conditions of entry and boat charter are available at the Greek National Tourist Organisation and the Greek Sailing Association.
Conditions of Entry Citizens from European Union countries and Switzerland are able to stay until 90 days in Greece and only need a valid identity card or a passport (entry-notes of North-Cyprus inside the passport can be a reason to refuse the entry to Greece) For children under 16 years an entry in the parents passport or the own child document of identification is sufficient (starting from 12 years with passport picture). If the passport was again issued, the expired passport should also be carried, if the entry is with a motor vehicle. Further documents are necessary only for the journey with vehicles across the Balkan auto-put. If the duration in Greece is more than three months a residence permit is to be requested at least 20 days before expiration of the term at the aliens registration office (ΚΕΠ) or the next police station. Holidaymakers that owns a property in Greece and maybe stay longer than three months, do not need a further residence permit, since they are announced in Greece already constantly.
Citizens from Non-European Union countries can enter even without further formalities with their passport and are able to stay as tourists up to 90 days in Greece. If entry-notes of turkish occupied North Cyprus are inside the passport, the entry to Greece could be perhaps refused. If they liked to work or study in Greece, they should inquire some months in advance their Greek consulate or embassy about visas and work permits.
Customs Regulations For citizens from the European Union countries there are no customs inspections, it is subject also to no special customs regulations and may export goods for the private use without restriction implement from Greece. There are however certain amounts, their excess, apart from other criteria, than proof can apply to commercial trade. These are with persons over 18 years: 800 cigarettes, 400 small cigars, 200 cigars, 1 kg smoke tobacco, 10 liters of liquor, 20 liters of intermediate products, 110 liters beer, 90 liters wine (of it 60 liters foam wine).
For travellers from Non-European Union countries (e.g. also Swiss citizen) the free quantity borders are attached: 200 cigarettes, 100 small cigars, 50 cigars or 250 g smoke tobacco, 1 liter of liquor with more as 22 Vol.% or 2 liters of liquor with less than 22 Vol.% alcohol content, or 2 liters wine or 2 liters foam wine, 50 g perfume and 0.25 liters of Eau de Cologne, 500 g coffee or 200 g powder coffee, 100 g tea or 40 g tea excerpt. Furthermore gift articles up to a value of 45 euro are exempt from fees (with children under 15 years up to 25 euro).
Prohibited is in principle the import of weapons, drugs, plants and radios (with exception of such with the CB-radio-marking CEPT PR 27 D and PR 27 D-FM). Travellers under 18 years may introduce neither liquor nor tobacco goods and children under 15 years also no coffee. For use prescription-only medicines medical certificates or prescription copies should be carried.
Strictly prohibited is the export of antiques, archaeological art objects and works of art, which are dated before 1830. On exceptions the culture and science Ministry decides: Ministry of Culture and Sciences, Aristidou 14, GR - 10559 Athens, Tel. 0030-210-323 16 93 The not approved export of antiques and archaeological works of art is considered as heavy offense and will be punished with high fines or prison.
Permitted is however the export of copies of antique pieces of museums, like they are sold for example also in the shops of the archaeological museum.
Travelling with Animals If you would like to carry domestic animals, as for example dogs or cats, to Crete, you'll need for these an official veterinary health certificate in English language, that must not be older than 10 days and an international inoculation passport with valid certificate of a rabies inoculation, which must have taken place at the latest 15 days before entry and not be past longer than 12 months may.
If you decide on Crete to take a native dog or a cat from friends or from the animal shelter also back to your country, please inquire about at local organizations about the appropriate inoculation and formalities early enough before your home journey. In Chania you find the German office of the Animal Friends of Crete on the Daskalogiannis Str. 35 at the Platia 1821 and in the suburb Nerokouros the German animal shelter Ark Noah Crete. There they will be able to help you in any case.
Information Further information, for example also about accommodations for handicapped people you'll get at the Greek National Tourist Organisation, which has several offices in every European country and in many countries worldwide. Also at every larger tourist place in Greece and in the capital Athens you'll get brochures and many information in English, German, French, Dutch, Italian and some other languages at the offices of EOT, the Greek National Tourist Organisation. On Crete the offices are in Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos and in all larger holiday resorts, the staff speak English and can help with maps, bus timetables and information about the objects of interest. In most offices also accommodations are obtained and nearby you can find the local office of the tourist police. At problems with accomodation, restaurants, shops or taxis also the office of EKPIZO can help you.
Greek National Tourist Organisation ( G N T O )
EKPIZO The organisation EKPIZO helps tourists at problems with their hotel, the camping site, the car- or motorbike-rental agency or with the local travel agency or tourist guides. On Crete the office of EKPIZO is in Heraklion: Milatou Str. 1, Tel.: 2810-240666
Travelling with Handicap On Crete more and more hotels, restaurants, museums, etc. are qualified for disabled persons, since there haven't been many institutions qualified for disabled persons in Greece before. Not at least for the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games 2004 in the capital Athens was done a lot for visitors and tourists with handicap. For example also in Chania on Crete at nearly all main streets at crossings the pavements were lowered in the last years, the new airport also was equipped with ramps and elevator and is suitable for wheelchairs now. New hotels, restaurants and shops also build appropriate ramps and toilets. Cretans are not only very hospitable, but also helpfully and people with handicap will be supported in the best possible way, because still few archaeological excavations and objects of interest are not suitable for wheelchairs yet. Therefore a careful planning should take place before the start of the journey, then for example the official hotel guide of the Greek Hotel Chamber, available at the Greek National Tourist Organisation, contains references to respective accommodations. Further information and advices are given by many local and national organisations and associatons of your country. Many considerable tour operators and also several institutions organize special group journeys to Crete or Greece, procure specially trained travel guides and carry out assistance with individual journeys.
Travelling with Children Children are very popular in Greece and everywhere very welcome, also Crete is perfect for families, because Cretan people like children very much and they don't have any problems with playing children. The most large hotels and holiday resorts also have babysitter service with competent staff and they take care for your children. Special programs and a lot of equipments for children, like also special kid clubs are available in most of all big hotels. Please ask your travel agency before your holidays or check the internet pages of the selected hotels. Very popular not only with adults but of course with children are the big Aqua-Fun-Parks with water-slides, Lazy River and many more attractions and of course the innumerable sandy beaches on Crete. The most beaches at the north-coast are shallow and therefore perfect for children. They can build sand-castles or play and swim inside the shallow sea, also when the sea is calm you can drive with a pedal-boat at nearly every beach. Small snacks, ice-cream and drinks you can get at the beach-bars and cafés, and of course in the supermarkets nearby, that are also opened on Sundays. Especially children should drink a lot during the hot days, the best for them is water or fresh juices. Also water melons, honey melons, peaches, nectarines, grapes and other local fruits are a fresh and healthy snack at the beach. Nevertheless, you should remember that it becomes very hot during the summer months and the sensitive child skin is inside the unusual intensive sun rays, especially from 11 in the mornings until 5 in the afternoon. The best for the children then is a shady place under the umbrella or under trees and water resistant sun lotion with a high protection factor should be absolutely used, so the children can really enjoy their bath and the vacation becomes a lighthearted pleasure for the little ones. During the summer in the towns of Crete are often a luna-park or a circus for some weeks, that offers a lot of fun especially for children. If you like to go with children for dinner in a tavern in the evenings, you are pretty welcome and you will get a very good service. It can happen that you are also immediately taken with your children in the kitchen and you are introduced to the whole family of the owner. Without any big language problems the little ones can become soon friends with the Greek children and soon you are treated like old friends. Greek children are respected like small adults, they get the same meals and also stay as long as their parents in the evenings, because they mostly sleep during the midday. In excavation sites, museums, cinemas and public transportation children (mostly till 10 or 12 years) often receive considerable reductions.
Accommodation on Crete and in Greece Because Greece is one of the most popular and most-visited holiday countries, it offers a large variety of different kinds of accommodation, on the mainland as well as on the islands. There is also an extensive offer of lodgings on Crete. The range of articles is fanned out by easy private rooms about youth hostels and camping places up to holiday apartments and five-star hotels broadly. On the north coast of Crete one finds increasingly comfortable and luxurious hotel arrangements, while on the south coast the offer concentrates upon smaller pensions and private room renting.
The lodging prices are higher during the main holiday season of middle of June till the beginning of September accordingly, in the low-season, nevertheless, considerably more favourably. The price-achievement relation is surely weighed out in contrast to other holiday countries. Some inexpensive all-inclusive offers can be found at different tour operators. Hotels The hotels in Greece are officially categorized in six categories by EOT. The classification starts on top with five-stars luxury hotel resorts ( L ) followed by very comfortable four-stars hotels ( A ) and comfortable middle-class hotels with three stars and two stars ( B and C ) and simple accomodations ( D and E ), but hotels of the lowest E-category are normally not existing anymore. All luxury hotels as all other modern Hotels of the 3 and 4-star-category offers you rooms with air-condition. Pensions on Crete are good, private owned hotels that offers you cheaper rooms with breakfast. Unlike other resorts that can be found at holiday destinations around the Mediterranean Sea, on Crete and the Greek islands are none of the large concrete hotel blocks, since the few old hotel buildings were in the seventies almost all torn off from the beginnings of tourism and increased hotel facilities are being built since the eighties, the very imaginative adapt to the environment and near the beach have no more than three floors. Many hotel facilities consist of several building units, which together with sizeable gardens and green spaces between swimming pools and terraces looks like village-style. Sufficient sports and leisure facilities, and child care are available almost everywhere. Friendly and well-trained staff offers a first class service to make your holiday to an unforgettable experience. An exclusive variety of selected hotels can be found at our hotel guide "CRETAdeluxe" HOTELS. Information about hotels, prices, facilities, service and opening times you can get inside the "Guide to Hotels" in every office of EOT and at the "Hellenic Chamber of Hotels": Stadiou 24, GR - 10562 Athens, phone.: 0030-210-331 00 22, e-mail: grhotels@otenet.gr
Holiday homes In Crete also more and more fully equipped holiday homes and luxury villas, mostly offered with private swimming pool. In certain desired appointment booking early is especially recommended for high season. Directories on available objects is obtained at the Greek tourist offices.
Private rooms Comfortable apartments and studios, but also easy-equipped private rooms you can rent local directly in almost all coastal towns and in many villages in the countryside. The signs are usually in English: "Rooms for Rent" or "Rooms to Let". During the Easter period and the summer high season a room reservation is recommended.
Youth hostels Greek youth hostels offer especially for the young travellers cheap accomodations and - if there is enough space - everybody can stay the night there, also without international youth hostel membership card, but has to pay a little extra fee. However, it is also worth it to look for cheap private rooms, sometimes not much more expensive for two people, but more comfortable. Greek Hostel Association, Dragatsaniou St. 4, GR-10559 Athens, phone: +30 210 3,234,107 Most hostels are open all year, but it is recommended to make a reservation especially in the summer months. Reservations, especially for tour groups are made only with advance payment. Individual persons can stay in the same hostel only for limited time.
Youth Hostels on Crete: CHANIA: Drakonianou St. 33, GR - 73100 Chania, Tel.: 0030-28210-53565 RETHYMNO: Pavlou Vlastou St., GR-74100 Rethymno, Tel.: 0030-28310-22848 IRAKLION: Chandakos, GR-71000 Iraklion, Tel.: 0030-2810-280858 Vironos 5, GR-71000 Iraklion, Tel.: 0030-2810-286281 AGIOS NIKOLAOS: Stratigou Koraka St. 3, GR-72100 Agios Nikolaos, Tel.: 0030-28410-22823
Camping Most Greek campsites are situated in a picturesque location by the sea and are also suitable for caravans or motorhomes. They have large trees with shady areas, toilets and washrooms with solar-powered hot showers, a cafeteria or snack bar and an additional charge you can also get current connection. The most luxurious campsites are already small holiday village with swimming pool, tennis courts, postal and bank branch and partly bungalows or small houses can be rented, if not your own tent is available. Most of our campsites are subject to the supervision of the Tourist Board EOT, which they classified into three categories: A = upscale amenities, B = good quality, C = satisfactory facilities. Solonos 102, GR - 10680 Athen, Tel.: 0030-210-362 15 60
Crete has 18 campsites that are open from April to October, in Chania, for example, at Agios Apostolos, in Kissamos in Nopigia, Mythimna and Kastelli and Paleochora at the south coast.
Wild camping outside the official courts and stay in caravan on streets and parking lots, as well as in open areas is prohibited. On deserted beaches but may be camped for a night or two sometimes also, if no uncontrolled fire is made and the grounds in each case is left clean! As long as nature is not destroyed and no plastic waste, other wastes and feces are left behind, no one will call the police. At best, however, to ask for permission previously at the owner of a property or a tavern near the beach.
Campingsites in Chania: CHANIA: M. & Sofia Tsismenakis, Agii Apostoli, Kato Daratso, GR - 73100 Chania, Tel.: 0030-28210-31138 (open from 1.4. bis 31.10.) Fax : 0030-28210-33371 MYTHIMNA: M. Voulgarakis, Drapanias, GR-73400 Kissamos, Tel.: 0030-28220-31444 und 31445 Fax : 0030-28220-31000 KASTELI: El. Xirouchakis Bros. (S.A.), Kasteli, GR-73400 Kissamos, Tel.: 0030-28220-23444 und 22322 Fax : 0030-28220-23464 NOPIGIA: G. Makrakis, Nopigia, GR-73400 Kissamos, Tel.: 0030-28220-31111 und 31331 (open from 1.4. bis 31.10.) Fax : 0030-28220-31700 PALEOCHORA: Emm. Loupassis, GR-73001 Paleochora, Tel.: 0030-28230-41120 (open from 1.4. until 31.10.) Fax : 0030-28230-41744 Winter Tel. & Fax : 0030-28230-41225
Other Sites on Crete are in Rethymno Prefecture in Dramia, Perivolia, Platanias and on the south coast near Plakias and Agia Galini, in the district of Heraklion in Amoudara, Gournes, Hersonissos and in Matala on the south coast, in the district of Lassithi in Sisi, Pahia Ammos and the south coast near two of Ierapetra.
On the way on Crete and in Greece Greece has a well developed road network, motorway connections between the major cities and a very well organized nationwide network of buses of KTEL. On the mainland there are also some intercity routes of the Greek railway OSE and the metropolitan area of Athens has a dense network of bus, tram and train services, and a modern underground network of the Athens Metro. The islands are accessible by ferry and partly next direct charter flights and scheduled flights of Athens and Thessaloniki. Roads on Crete In Crete meanwhile all important roads are asphalt roads, except some private roads, and all main connecting roads are well developed. At the north coast between Kastelli Kissamos in the west and Sitia in the east. there is also a highway, the "New National Road", which is even extended to a real freeway at some parts. In the mountainous interior and at the south coast, the roads are often winding and sometimes also leading very narrow through romantic mountain villages and gorges. Traffic rules As everywhere in Greece also on Crete the international traffic rules are valid and traffic signs are equal to European standards. As elsewhere on the European continent in Greece they drive on the right-hand side. Most important traffic signs:
STOP ! Do NOT Do NOT Do NOT enter! Forbidden Forbidden Attention Attention ! turn LEFT turn RIGHT One Way Parking Parking many bends
Die STOP-Schilder sollten besonders im Stadtverkehr unbedingt beachtet werden, da die kreuzende Strasse eine Vorfahrtsstrasse ist. Andererseits sollte man sich auf der Vorfahrtsstrasse nicht unbedingt darauf verlassen, dass alle Autos und Motorräder an der Stop-Strasse auch halten, es ist also mit erhöhter Aufmerksamkeit zu fahren. Wenn eine kreuzende Strasse eine Einbahnstrasse ist, wird dies in Griechenland durch die "Abbiegen verboten"-Zeichen dargestellt (nicht wie in Deutschland durch blaue Schilder mit weissem Pfeil der vorgeschriebenen Fahrtrichtung). Die Einbahnstrasse selbst hat in der entgegengesetzten Richtung das entsprechende "Einfahrt verboten"-Schild wie in Deutschland. In griechischen Städten sind die meisten Strassen abwechselnd Einbahnstrassen nach links und nach rechts. "Links abbiegen verboten" heisst also, dass Fahrzeuge an der Kreuzung of links kommen können und man selbst nur rechts herum fahren darf, "Rechts abiegen verboten" entsprechend, dass Fahrzeuge of rechts kommen können und man nur nach links abbiegen darf. Es kann aber auch vorkommen, dass zweirädrige Verkehrsteilnehmer schon mal gegen die Einbahnstrassen fahren, deshalb vor allem im Stadtverkehr vorsichtig fahren. Ebenso, wenn Motorräder, Mopeds und Motorroller im dichten Stadtverkehr an Ampeln und im Stau auch schon mal links und rechts überholen. Parkverbotsschilder mit einer römischen Ziffer I oder II bedeuten ein eingeschränktes Parkverbot, bei der täglich die Strassenseite wechselt, so dass bei einem Parkverbot an ungeraden Tagen des Monats auf dieser Strassenseite an geraden Tagen geparkt werden darf und entsprechend umgekehrt. Meistens stehen diese Schilder in Einbahnstrassen an linker und rechter Strassenseite. Dreieckige Gefahrenschilder haben in Griechenland das Symbol auf gelbem Grund, so beispielsweise das Zeichen der Haarnadelkurve für kurvenreiche Strecken, das vielfach auf den Serpentinenstrassen im Gebirge und den kurvigen Strassen an der Küste zu finden ist.
Auf ausgebauten zweispurigen Schnellstrassen mit Mehrzweckstreifen, zum Beispiel auf Kreta auf der Ost-West-Verbindung of Agios Nikolaos nach Kastelli Kissamos, wird dieser - soweit es möglich ist - als zweite Fahrbahn benutzt, so dass die Strasse in beide Richtungen insgesamt vierspurig wird. Langsamer fahrende Verkehrsteilnehmer sollten dabei rechts auf dem Mehrzweckstreifen fahren, um schnelleren Fahrzeugen die Möglichkeit zum Überholen zu geben. Der Überholvorgang wird oftmals durch ein kurzes Hupen angedeutet, damit das vorherfahrende Fahrzeug möglichst rechts fährt.
Auf keinen Fall sollten Sie Ihren Müll, insbesondere Glas- oder Plastikflaschen, die bei Sonneneinstrahlung wie ein Brennglas wirken können, sowie Zigarettenkippen in die Natur werfen, denn die kretische Vegetation ist besonders in den Sommermonaten strohtrocken und es besteht höchste Brandgefahr! Bußgelder für Verkehrsverstösse: (since 2007)
Bus traffic Eine preiswerte und praktische Möglichkeit die Insel Kreta zu erkunden, sind die überregionalen, grünen KTEL-Busse, die auch zu den meisten Sehenswürdigkeiten und Stränden fahren. Ein flächendeckendes Netz der modernen und klimatisierten KTEL-Busse Chania-Rethymno und Iraklion-Lassithi verbindet halbstündlich bis stündlich alle Orte der Nordküste und mehrmals täglich auch die Orte der Südküste. Ausserdem besteht jeden Abend die Möglichkeit mit dem Bus über Nacht per ANEK-Fähre via Athen nach Thessaloniki und fünfmal die Woche nach Ioannina in Nordgriechenland zu reisen. Das griechische Netz der KTEL erstreckt sich über alle Gebiete des Landes. Busfahrkarten kauft man am Busbahnhof am besten schon im Voraus oder kurz vor dem Einsteigen. Die Busse fahren in der Regel sehr pünktlich ab! Wenn man an Bushaltestellen ohne Ticketverkaufsstelle auf der Strecke zusteigt, an denen der Bus auf Zuwinken hält, kann man die Fahrkarten auch im Bus lösen. Die Ticketpreise sind im Gegensatz zu beispielsweise deutschen Fahrpreisen sehr preiswert. Busfahrpläne sind auch in englischer Sprache an allen Busbahnhöfen, sowie in den Büros der EOT- Touristeninformation erhältlich.
Der Busbahnhof of Chania befindet sich im Stadtzentrum an der Kydonias Str. neben den Hotels "Omalos" und "Samaria". Von dort fahren die Busse in alle Richtungen ab, beispielsweise nach Kastelli Kissamos, Elafonissi, Paleochora, Omalos Samaria, Chora Sfakion, Akrotiri, Georgioupoli, Rethymno, Iraklion, etc. und während der Hauptsaison jetzt auch im 15-Minuten-Takt zu den Stränden of Stalos, Agia Marinas, Platanias und Gerani, wo sich auch die meisten Hotels befinden. KTEL - Chania Tel.: 28210 - 93052 und 93306
In Rethymno ist der Busbahnhof am Stadtrand an der Periferiaki Leoforos of der Hauptstrasse in Richtung der Festung. KTEL - Rethymno Tel.: 28310 22212
Iraklion hat direkt am Hafen an der Koundourioti Str. zwei KTEL-Busbahnhöfe nebeneinander, und zwar of KTEL - Chania-Rethymno und KTEL - Iraklion-Lassithi, möchte man also zum Beispiel of Chania nach Agios Nikolaos fahren, muss man dort in Iraklion umsteigen. KTEL - Iraklion Tel.: 2810 221765
Der Busbahnhof Lassithi liegt am Stadtrand of Agios Nikolaos an der Mesologiou Str., die of der Lasithiou Str. aus Richtung Iraklion abzweigt. KTEL - Agios Nikolaos Tel.: 28410 22234
Innerhalb der vier Städte auf Kreta gibt es ausserdem ein dichtes Streckennetz der Stadtbusse mit verschiedenen Haupthaltestellen, die alle Stadtteile verbinden und meistens im viertel- bis halbstündlichem Rhythmus verkehren. Die Haupthaltestellen der blauen Stadtbusse of Chania sind je nach Fahrtziel vor der Nationalbank, vor der Market hall und am Platia 1866, sie fahren halbstündlich in Richtung Stalos bis nach Kalamaki zum Hotel Panorama, in Richtung der Berge bis Mournies und Nerokouros, in Richtung Akrotiri bis nach Profitis Ilias und Korakies, sowie bis nach Souda. Für weiter entfernte Ziele müssen die KTEL-Busse genommen werden.
Für Touristen werden of den einheimischen Reiseveranstaltern in Zusammenarbeit mit den örtlichen Reisebüros auch Busausflüge wie Stadtrundfahrten und Fahrten zu den Sehenswürdigkeiten der Insel angeboten. Erkundigen Sie sich am besten vor der Reise in ihrem Reisebüro, den Katalogen oder vor Ort bei Ihren Reisebetreuern oder dem Personal an der Hotelrezeption. Ausserdem können Sie sich individuell bei lokalen Reisebüros nach entsprechenden Angeboten erkundigen. KTEL-Chania - Bus time table: (Date: June 2015) daily
CHANIA - STALOS - AGIA MARINA - PLATANIAS - GERANI - MALEME - TAVRONITIS - KAMISIANA - SKOUTELONAS - KOLYMBARI: 06:30, 07:15, 08:00, 08:30, 09:00, 09:30, 10:00, 11:00, 11:30 until 15:30 every 30 min., 16:30, 17:30 until 22:30 every 30 min. KOLYMBARI - SKOUTELONAS - KAMISIANA - TAVRONITIS - MALEME - GERANI - PLATANIAS - AGIA MARINA - STALOS - CHANIA: 06:20, 07:20, 07:40, 08:00, 08:20, 08:50, 09:15, 09:30, 09:45, 10:10, 10:30, 10:45, 11:45 until 16:15 every 30 min., 16:55, 17:20, 17:50, 18:45, 19:20, 19:45, 20:10, 20:45, 21:15, 21:40, 22:10, 22:40, 23:00 CHANIA - ELAFONISSI: 09:00 ELAFONISSI - CHANIA: 16:00 CHANIA - FALASSARNA: 08:30, 11:00, 15:30 FALASSARNA - CHANIA: 10:05, 12:30, 16:40 CHANIA - BALOS - GRAMVOUSA: 08:30 GRAMVOUSA - BALOS - CHANIA: 18:00 CHANIA - AGIA IRINI-Gorge - SOUGIA: 05:00, 13:45 ( Sunday: 07:30, 14:00 ) SOUGIA - CHANIA: 07:00, 18:00 ( Sunday: 12:00, 18:15 ) CHANIA - PALEOCHORA: 05:00, 08:30, 12:15, 16:00 PALEOCHORA - CHANIA: 07:00, 12:00, 15:30, 18:15 CHANIA - OMALOS (SAMARIA): 06:15, 07:30, 08:30, 14:00 (Bus stops at entry " Xyloskala" of the gorge ) OMALOS (SAMARIA) - CHANIA: 07:15, 08:30, 09:30, 15:00 PALEOCHORA - OMALOS (SAMARIA): 06:15* SOUGIA - OMALOS (SAMARIA): 07:00* ( * only Tue., Thu., Sat. ) CHANIA - CHORA SFAKION: 08:30, 11:00, 14:00 CHORA SFAKION - CHANIA: 07:00, 11:00, 17:30, 19:15 (Bus drives after arrival of ferry from Agia.Roumeli ) CHANIA - FRANGOKASTELLO (SKALOTI): 14:00 * FRANGOKASTELLO (SKALOTI) - CHANIA: 06:30 *, 16:30 * ( * except Sunday ) CHANIA - THERISSO: 06:45 *, 14:00 * THERISSO - CHANIA: 07:15 *, 14:30 * ( * except Sunday ) CHANIA - KALIVES: 07:00, 11:00, 11:45, 14:30, 20:00 Saturday: 08:00, 13:30, 14:30 Sunday: 08:00, 15:30 KALIVES - CHANIA: 07:15, 09:00, 09:55, 13:50, 16:45 Saturday: 07:15, 09:45, 16:45 Sunday: 09:45, 16:45 CHANIA - ALMYRIDA: 11:00, 14:30 Saturday: 08:00, 14:30 Sunday: 08:00, 15:30 ALMYRIDA - CHANIA: 07:10, 09:40, 15:15 Saturday: 09:40, 15:15 Sunday: 09:40, 16:00 CHANIA - GAVALOCHORI: 11:00, 14:30 Saturday: 14:30 Sunday: 08:00, 15:30 GAVALOCHORI - KALIVES - CHANIA: 06:50, 09:40 Saturday: 09:40, 15:15 Sunday: 09:40, 16:00 CHANIA - VAMOS: 07:00, 11:00, 11:45, 14:30, 20:00 Saturday: 08:00, 14:30 Sunday: 08:00, 15:30 VAMOS - CHANIA: 07:10, 08:30, 09:30, 13:30, 16:30 Saturday: 07:15, 09:30, 16:30 Sunday: 09:30, 16:30 CHANIA - STAVROS: 06:50, 10:00, 14:15, 17:00 STAVROS - CHANIA: 07:20, 10:30, 14:45, 17:30 CHANIA - AGIA TRIADA (CHORDAKI): 06:30 *, 14:15 * Saturday: 13:00 ( * except Sunday) AGIA TRIADA (CHORDAKI) - CHANIA: 07:00 *, 14:30 * Saturday: 13:15 ( * except Sunday) CHANIA - STERNES: 06:50 *, 10:15 *, 13:00 *, 14:15 *, 16:30 *, 20:15 * Saturday: 07:00, 10:15, 14:15 ( * except Sunday ) STERNES - CHANIA: 07:15 *, 10:45 *, 13:30 *, 14:45 *, 17:00 *, 20:45 * Saturday: 07:30, 10:45, 14:45 ( * except Sunday ) CHANIA - LIMNOUPOLIS Water Park: 10:45, 11:45, 15:30, 18:00 LIMNOUPOLIS Water Park - CHANIA: 11:00, 12:00, 15:45, 18:15 CHANIA - Piraeus - THESSALONIKI: 18:45 THESSALONIKI - Piraeus - CHANIA: 11:30 CHANIA - Piraeus - Patras - IOANNINA: 18:45 ( except Tuesday & Thursday ) IOANNINA - Piraeus - Patras - CHANIA: 11:30 ( except Thursday & Saturday ) CHANIA - AIRPORT: 06:00, 09:00, 18:30 AIRPORT - CHANIA: 07:15, 10:30, 19:30 For more destination, routes and possible time changes please ask at the bus-station of KTEL.
KTEL-Chania - Ticket prices: (Date: June 2015) e.g. from CHANIA to ...
from PALEOCHORA to OMALOS 6,00 € More information about destinations and prices you can get at the main bus stations of KTEL. Taxis In Greece Taxi vehicles have different colors depending on the region, so they are, for example, in Athens yellow, in the city of Chania dark blue, in the prefecture of Chania silver and in Rethymnon white, in Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos grey / silver. On the roof is fixed the international sign "TAXI" or "ΡΑΔΙΟ ΤΑΞΙ" ("radio taxi" in Greek) and all taxis have yellow license plates.
TAXI - Chania - prices: (date: June 2015) e.g.. from CHANIA to ...
from KOMITADES to IMBROS 34,00 € from CHORA SFAKION to ANOPOLIS 32,00 €
TAXI - Chania - phone numbers: Taxi " ERMIS " 28210-98700 and 28210-94144 and 18300 Taxi " KYDON " 28210-94300 and 28210-87700 and 28210-99766
"Little Train" Driving a relaxed alternative within a town or between individual resorts on the coast is the so-called "Little Train", "Fun Train" or "Road Train", where a small car tractor in the design of a locomotive was rebuilt and attracts more people trailer behind .
Rental Cars The individual best but more expensive solution to explore Crete is to rent a car. In every city, at the airports and in all bigger holiday villages, are many Rent-A-Car offices, that offers you a large variety of cars from small city cars to limousines and convertibles and also all-terrain vehicles. The local rental companies usually are cheaper than the international companies such as AVIS, Hertz, Rent-Inter EuropCar or Sixt budget and also have all exclusively new vehicles on offer.
Motorbikes & Scooters In all tourist centers also motorcycles, mopeds and scooters can be rented ("Rent A Bike"). Mopeds and scooters are ideal for short trips on flat terrain and in the city. Up to 50 cc is sufficient to drive the normal car license.
Petrol Stations On Crete there is a sufficient network of filling stations of the international oil companies BP, EKO, Shell and Greek companies such SilkOil, AVIN, JetOil, Cyclon and some free operators. Alone in the municipality of Chania there are over 50 gas stations that are open all day every day of 7 to 21 clock. Sundays and at night there is always who alternately opened some gas stations, the corresponding plan hangs on the front door or in the closed gas stations window. In the mountains, however, can ever be that not every mountain village has a petrol station.
Petrol Prices per litre: Chania / Crete (Date: Nov. 2015)
Some petrol stations with Autogas LPG you can find in Galatas near Chania, and also in Rethymnon and Heraklion.
Distances Some distances in street kilometres of some selected cities and bigger villages on Crete:
Please remember when planning your trips about the speed limits of the corresponding roads and the fact that you can partially along the winding roads in the mountains to the south coast no faster than 40 to 50 km / h.
Bicycles If you do not bring your own bicycle, you can rent on Crete in many resorts bicycles and mountain bikes. Some rental companies perform on request: guided cycling tours through the Cretan countryside away from the tourist centers by ..
Hitchhiking Hitchhiking is the most favorable opportunity to get to know the country, the Cretans sometimes use this opportunity very much. Away from the busy streets but often you have to wait longer for a ride on the highways and also keep most cars.
Sailing & Boat Charter Wer mit dem eigenen Segelboot einreisen und in griechischen Gewässern fahren möchte, benötigt wie in jedem EU-Land einen Segelschein und bekommt nähere Informationen über Einreisebestimmungen beim Griechischen Segelverband und der Griechischen Zentrale für Fremdenverkehr. Möchte man ein Boot oder eine grössere Yacht innerhalb der griechischen Hoheitszone chartern, müssen diese für Charter amtlich zugelassen sein und unter griechischer Flagge laufen. Für das Chartern eines Bootes ohne Besatzung ist Voraussetzung, dass der Mieter und eine zweite Person an Bord den entsprechenden Bootsführerschein besitzen.
Schiffsverkehr & Fährverbindungen In zahlreichen Küstenorten gibt es Bootsausflüge zu einigen vorgelagerten Inseln und insbesondere an der Südküste Kretas auch zu einigen schönen, einsameren Stränden. Einige Orte an den Küsten im Südwesten sind nur vom Meer aus zu erreichen und deshalb auf den Schiffsverkehr angewiesen, der aber auch stark vom Wetter abhängig ist und deshalb bei starkem Wellengang und Sturm auch mal einige Tage eingeschränkt werden kann. Nach der Wanderung durch die Samaria-Gorge benötigt man die Fährverbindung of Agia Roumeli nach Chora Sfakion, wenn man nicht die 17 Kilometer wieder nach Omalos hinaufsteigen möchte. Wer die Einsamkeit liebt, kann mit der Fähre of Chora Sfakion oder Paleochora nach Gavdos, der südlichsten Insel Europas, übersetzen und dort einige Tage an den dortigen Stränden verbringen. Neben kleineren Tages- und Halbtagestouren mit Bademöglichkeiten, die of Chania aus in der Bucht of Chania durchgeführt werden, kann man auch of Kastelli einen Tagesausflug per Schiff zur wildromantischen Insel Gramvoussa im Nordwesten unternehmen. Neben den täglichen Fährverbindungen der grossen Autofähren zwischen Piräus/Athen jeweils nach Chania, Rethymno, Iraklion, Agios Nikolaos und Sitia gibt es auch eine tägliche Verbindung mit einer Highspeed-Personenfähre of Iraklion nach Santorini und den Kykladen-Inseln bis nach Mykonos und mehrmals wöchentlich mit Autofähren of Iraklion über Santorini und die Kykladen-Inseln bis nach Thessaloniki. Ebenso fahren mehrmals wöchentlich Autofähren im Westen of Kastelli Kissamos über Kythira nach Neapolis und Gythio auf dem Peloponnes und im Osten of Agios Nikolaos und Sitia über Kassos und Karpathos nach Rhodos. Fahrzeiten der Fähren der Südküste Chanias: (Stand: August 2013) täglich ( 01.06. - 30.09. ) CHORA SFAKION - LOUTRO - AGIA ROUMELI: 10:30, 13:00, 16:50, ( Dienstag bis Sonntag auch 19:00 ) AGIA ROUMELI - LOUTRO - CHORA SFAKION: 11:40, 15:45, 18:00, ( Mittwoch bis Montag auch 09:00 ) PALEOCHORA - SOUGIA - AGIA ROUMELI - LOUTRO - CHORA SFAKION: 09:30 (ab Sougia: ca. 10:00 ) CHORA SFAKION - LOUTRO - AGIA ROUMELI - SOUGIA - PALEOCHORA: 13:00 (ab Agia Roumeli: ca. 17:15 ) (ab Sougia: ca. 17:45 ) CHORA SFAKION - GAVDOS: 10:30 ( nur Dienstag, Donnerstag & Samstag ) GAVDOS - CHORA SFAKION: 17:00 ( nur Dienstag, Donnerstag & Samstag ) SOUGIA - GAVDOS: 08:30 ( nur Dienstag, Donnerstag & Samstag ) GAVDOS - SOUGIA: 17:00 ( nur Dienstag, Donnerstag & Samstag ) PALEOCHORA - GAVDOS: 08:30 ( nur Montag & Donnerstag ) GAVDOS - PALEOCHORA: 13:00 ( nur Montag & Donnerstag ) PALEOCHORA - ELAFONISSI: 10:00 ELAFONISSI - PALEOCHORA: 16:00 SOUGIA - ELAFONISSI: 09:00 ( nur Mittwoch ) ELAFONISSI - SOUGIA: 17:45 ( nur Mittwoch ) Die Fahrten sind wetterabhängig. Für genauere Informationen und eventuelle Fahrplan-Änderungen erkundigen Sie sich bitte vor Ort bei der EOT- Information oder bei ANENDYK-Lines Tel.: 0030-28210-95511.
Fahrpreise der Fähren der Südküste Chanias und ungefähre Dauer der Fahrten: (Stand: August 2006)
Fahrzeiten der Fähren der Nordwestküste Chanias: (Stand: August 2006) täglich ( 15.06. - 15.09. ) KASTELLI KISSAMOS - GRAMVOUSSA - BALOS: 10:00, 10:15, 13:00 BALOS - KASTELLI KISSAMOS: 17:45, 18:30, 20:00 Die Fahrzeit of Kastelli zur Insel Gramvoussa beträgt knapp eine Stunde, of Gramvoussa zum Strand der Lagune of Balos ca. 15 Minuten. Die Fahrten der Ausflugsboote sind wetterabhängig. Für genauere Informationen und eventuelle Fahrplan-Änderungen erkundigen Sie sich bitte vor Ort bei Gramvousa Balos Cruises am Hafen of Kastelli Kissamos oder bei der EOT- Information in Chania. Der Fahrpreis für einen Ausflug zur Insel Gramvoussa mit Bademöglichkeit am Strand of Balos beträgt: 20 €, für Kinder bis 12 Jahren 10 €.
Ebenso verkehren grosse Personen- und Autofähren der ANEN-Lines mehrmals wöchentlich zwischen Kastelli Kissamos über Antikythira und Kythira nach Neapolis und Gythio auf dem Peloponnes.
Fahrzeiten der Fähren of CHANIA-Souda nach ATHEN-Piräus: (Stand: August 2006) täglich ( 01.06. - 30.09. ) SOUDA - PIRÄUS: 21:00 ANEK - Lines CHANIA: Platia Sophia Venizelos Tel.: 28210-27500 PIRÄUS - SOUDA: 21:00 ANEK - Lines ATHEN-PIRÄUS: Limani Piräus Tel.: 210-4197430 SOUDA - PIRÄUS: 21:00 Hellenic Seaways "Highspeed 5" CHANIA: Platia 1866 14 Tel.: 28210-75444 PIRÄUS - SOUDA: 15:45 Hellenic Seaways "Highspeed 5" ATHEN-PIRÄUS: Limani Tel.: 210-8919800
Täglich verkehren zwischen Chania und Athen die Fährschiffe der ANEK -Reederei aus Chania, die vom Hafen in Souda über Nacht in ca. 9 Stunden sehr günstig nach Piräus fahren. Etwas teurer, aber dafür mit nur viereinhalb Stunden doppelt so schnell ist die Verbindung der Hellenic Seaways Highspeed-Fähre aus Athen, die ebenfalls täglich of Souda nach Piräus fährt. Da die modernen und sicheren Fähren beider Gesellschaften sehr stark genutzt werden, sollten die Tickets für die Passage rechtzeitig in den entsprechenden Agenturen der Reedereien oder den Reisebüros vor Ort gebucht werden, insbesondere wenn man Fahrzeuge mitnehmen oder eine Kabine haben möchte. Weitere Möglichkeiten mit Fähren of Kreta nach Athen zu fahren gibt es ebenfalls täglich of Rethymno (ANEK) und Iraklion ( ANEK , Minoan ).
Flugverbindungen Die schnellste, aber auch teuerste Verbindung of Kreta zum griechischen Festland ist per Flugzeug. Mehrmals täglich fliegen Maschinen der Fluggesellschaften Olympic Airways und Aegean Airlines of Chania, Iraklion und auch of Sitia im Osten Kretas nach Athen und mehrmals wöchentlich of Chania auch nach Thessaloniki und of Iraklion aus auch zu anderen griechischen Zielen.
Flugzeiten of CHANIA nach ATHEN: (Stand: August 2006) täglich OLYMPIC Airways CHANIA: Tzanakaki 88 Tel.: 28210-53760, 53761, 53762, 57701, 57702, 57703 Hotline: 80111-44444 Airport Chania Tel.: 28210-66088 CHANIA - ATHEN: 07:15, 10:25, 15:10 *, 19:40, 22:50 ( * ausser Dienstag ) OA 531 / 533 / 535 / 537 / 539 16:25 ( nur Dienstag ) OA 535 ATHEN - CHANIA: 05:45, 09:00, 12:40 *, 18:10, 21:25 ( * ausser Dienstag ) OA 530 / 532 / 534 / 536 / 538 15:00 ( nur Dienstag ) OA 534 CHANIA - THESSALONIKI: 12:45 ( ausser Dienstag & Samstag ) OA 881 THESSALONIKI - CHANIA: 10:45 ( ausser Dienstag & Samstag ) OA 880 Für genaue Preise, Angebote und eventuelle Flugplan-Änderungen erkundigen Sie sich bitte im Reisebüro, am Flughafen oder direkt bei OLYMPIC Airways.
AEGEAN Airlines CHANIA: El. Venizelos 12 Tel.: 28210-51100 Hotline: 80111-20000 Airport Chania Tel.: 28210-63366 CHANIA - ATHEN: 06:50, 10:40, 16:35 ( täglich vom 26.03. - 29.10. ) 22:15 ( nur Freitag & Sonntag ) ATHEN - CHANIA: 09:15, 15:10, 20:50 05:25 ( nur Montag & Samstag ) Für genaue Preise, Angebote und eventuelle Flugplan-Änderungen erkundigen Sie sich bitte im Reisebüro, am Flughafen oder direkt bei AEGEAN Airlines.
Flughafen "Daskalogiannis" Chania Auskunft Tel.: 28210-63171 und 63264
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