From landing at the airport to ordering your first raki — the practical guide that saves you from every rookie mistake
By CretaHub · 12 min read · Chania, Crete
Chania doesn't require much preparation to enjoy — but a little knowledge goes a long way. Know when to arrive, how to get around, what to expect and what to avoid, and you'll spend far less time figuring things out and far more time actually living it.
✈️ Airport Chania CHQ 🕐 Time Zone GMT+2 (GMT+3 summer) 💶 Currency Euro (€) 🌡️ Peak Season July & August 🚗 Drive Side Right-hand 🗣️ Language Greek (English widely spoken)Chania has its own international airport, located 14 km northeast of the city centre. In summer, direct flights operate from across Europe — London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Paris, Vienna and many more. Year-round, there are daily connections from Athens and Thessaloniki.
Airport code: CHQ (Ioannis Daskalogiannis Airport). Not to be confused with Heraklion (HER), Crete's main airport, which is 2.5 hours east by road. If you're visiting Chania, always book CHQ.
| Option | Time | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Transfer | ~20 min | €20–30 | Comfort, groups, late arrivals |
| Taxi | ~20 min | ~€30 (flat rate) | Solo or couple |
| Car Rental | ~20 min | From €25/day | Exploring the region independently |
| Public Bus | ~45 min | €2.50 | Budget travellers, light bags |
Pro tip: Book your airport transfer in advance through CretaHub — you'll have a driver waiting at arrivals with your name, no taxi queue, no meter anxiety. Especially worth it if you're arriving late at night.
An overnight ferry from Piraeus (Athens) docks at Souda Bay, just 7 km from Chania town. The journey takes 8–9 hours and is a popular option for travellers bringing their own vehicle. ANEK Lines and Minoan Lines operate the route year-round.
Chania is technically a year-round destination, but the experience varies dramatically by season. Here's what to expect.
🌸 Spring April – May 18–24°C The best-kept secret. Wildflowers everywhere, gorges running with water, uncrowded beaches, perfect hiking weather. Hotels 30–40% cheaper than summer. ☀️ Summer June – August 28–35°C Peak season. Hot, busy, and expensive — but everything is open, the sea is warm, and the energy is electric. Book everything weeks in advance. 🍂 Autumn Sept – October 22–28°C The locals' favourite. Sea still warm from summer, crowds gone, prices drop, olive harvest begins. Arguably the finest month to visit is September. ❄️ Winter Nov – March 10–16°C Quiet, green, and authentic. Many tourist businesses close, but the Old Town comes alive with locals. Best for cultural immersion on a budget.Honest recommendation: If you can be flexible, visit in late May or September. You get almost all the benefits of summer — warm sea, long days, everything open — without the July/August heat and crowds. Prices are also significantly lower.
If you want to see more than just Chania town, renting a car is not optional — it's essential. Elafonisi, Balos, Falasarna, Samaria, the mountain villages — none of these are accessible without your own transport. Crete's road network is excellent outside of town centres, traffic is manageable even in peak season, and the freedom to stop wherever you want is transformative.
Important: Book your rental car well in advance for July and August — cars genuinely sell out. Smaller local companies often offer better rates than the international chains. Always check whether basic insurance is included and whether the excess is covered.
The Old Town, the Venetian Harbour, the markets and most of the best restaurants are all within a 20–30 minute walk of each other. Wear comfortable shoes, because the cobblestones are beautiful but uneven. Taxis are readily available for further distances.
Buses connect Chania to Heraklion, Rethymno and some larger villages. Useful for day trips along the north coast, but limited for reaching beaches and mountains. The main bus station is on Kydonias Street. A bus from Heraklion to Chania takes about 3 hours and costs around €16.
Greece uses the Euro. Here's what to budget for a typical day in Chania:
Coffee (Greek) €2–3 Taverna meal (per person) €12–20 Harbour restaurant meal €25–40 Bougatsa (breakfast) €2.50 Car rental (per day) €25–50 Airport taxi (flat rate) ~€30 Museum entry €4–6 Samaria Gorge entry €10Cash is king: Carry some cash at all times — many remote beaches, village tavernas and market stalls are cash-only. ATMs are plentiful in Chania town. Avoid the EuroMart ATMs which charge high fees; use regular bank ATMs instead.
Book airport transfers, car rentals, tours and experiences across Chania — all in one place, with trusted local providers.
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