I will be arriving in Heraklion by ferry at 7:30pm in mid May. Having only 2 days, my plan is to go directly to Chania to explore the town, a beach, and the gorge. What is the best way to get from Heraklion to Chania? I'll be flying to Athens from Chania. If renting a car, is safety (3 females) and finding my way at night an issue and should I keep car for duration of stay on Crete?
Thanks. Pam
Pam, your plan is too ambitious if you have only 2 days... do NOT attempt to do the Samaria Gorge; it's a full 10-12 hour expedition door to door (BTW there are over 20 Gorges in Greece, do not call it The Gorge; that's like saying I'm going to New York to see The Skyscraper). You can easily fill a full day exploring Chania... and on day 2, why not go to Vamos? (google it); great village to explore & they offer shorter walks from there.You can rent a car MOrning of day 2, and drop it at airport on departure.
RE Arrival: you get there 7:30... It will be light until about 9 pm, so you could get half-way there, maybe Rethymnon before it gets dark & the highway is modern, but it can be stressful if new to you. Why not relax? there is a bus at 20:00 (8 pm) and 21:00 (9 pm). The bus station is right next to your pier. You can make the 8pm one if you make sure to Be first in line to disembark and run Right OVer to the bus terminal. There are 3 of you, 2 can retrieve the luggage. 1 can run ahead to ticket window. Then u can enjoy sunset & view out of the bus window (seats are numbered; get seats on RH side).
Safety for women is not an issue in Crete, or really, in Greece; lowest crime rate in Europe.
Pam,
Why not just take the ferry directly to Chania? It's a 2 1/2 hr. drive from Heraklion. From what I understand, Chania is much more scenic.
Greg, the 7:30pm arrival time at Heraklion suggests that Pam is coming from Santorini, and there is no ferry from Santorini to Chania.
There are buses at 8pm and 9pm from Heraklion to Chania that take 2.5 hours. You can try, but you probably won't make the 8pm departure. A one-way car rental would be faster if you don't mind driving at night on an unfamiliar road. Mid-May sunset is around 8:30. If you think you might try driving be sure to bring an International Driving Permit from your local AAA office, no test required. I think that with only 2 days, it's really not worth it to rent a car if you're going to walk the gorge. By the time you get back to Chania almost one whole day will be gone.
http://www.bus-service-crete-ktel.com/timetabledet.php?line=1&lg=2
I spent 5 days on Crete last summer and walked Samaria Gorge. Your plan is doable if you have the two full days after you get there. Take the bus directly to Chania upon arrival that evening. Once there, make a reservation for a local taxi to take you to the Samaria entrance (~ E70) so you arrive when it first opens the next morning. You better be in shape since you will have little rest before you start your walk. You can catch the evening ferry at the end of the Samaria Gorge which will take you to the village where you can then catch a bus or share a cab back to Chania. This will take one full and hard day -- we spent two nights in Chania, then walked Samaia and spent the weekend there, then left for Heraklio on a Monday afternoon. Good luck. Villa Venezia in old town Chania (Mrs. Nadia) is an excellent location to stay. Pack light, very light. /Steve
