Are you planning to travel to Crete? This page gathers all the essential resources you need to plan a hassle-free trip to Crete, enjoy your holidays free of any worry, and have the time of your life on the island! These are the resources I usually use myself and recommend to family and friends that come to visit me on the island!
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Travel to Crete: Basic Resources to Plan a Trip to Crete
Let’s face it, the planning phase of your trip can be an exciting moment. You’re getting ready to travel to Crete, either because you want to discover a new destination… or because you’re going back to the island you love! Whatever your case is, there’s always a lot to take care of and it can sometimes be overwhelming.
For that reason, here I’ve gathered all the useful resources that you can use to plan the adventure. It’s a handy guide that puts together all the resources you need. From all the necessary information and details to booking your flight, choosing the hotel of your dreams, renting a car, and even packing your bags!
I haven’t forgotten about alternative ways to travel, such as by bike or getting a transfer! And I’ve also included different options for travel insurance as well as to get your money back in case your flight is delayed or even canceled. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you want customized suggestions!
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Let’s Start Planning…
A trip to Crete can be the journey of a lifetime with the right resources. There are tons of great books and travel guides that will help you decide how long to stay, where to stay, and what to do. I’ve even written a couple myself!
If you’re looking for online info, then head directly to my Crete Page, with links to every useful guide and article about the island. I’ve also written a bunch of Practical guides with things to do in Crete as well as Guides to Crete’s beaches divided by region and interests. If you’re looking for specific things to do in each region, then check these:
Useful Maps, Books, and Digital Guides to Travel to Crete
Moving to Chania 5 years ago has deepened my knowledge and experience in the region. But of course, a blog cannot include every single detail and village I’ve discovered so far.
That’s why I’ve created this guide, thought especially for those touring West Crete.
You’ll find details to decide where to go, what to see, where to eat, and more! It’s always updated with the latest information!
If you are looking for the best beaches and would like to have all the information in just one place, then this guide is all you need.
It has been specially created for those who, like me, cannot skip a trip to Crete’s most stunning beaches or those who simply love to discover small hidden shores that regular travel guides don’t even mention.
You’ll find details such as:
– GPS coordinates to get to each of them,
– discover if it is a sandy or pebbled beach,
– if you need to take your own umbrella, and more!
To discover the rest of the island, always bring with you a good travel guide to Crete! The best Crete Travel Guide I’ve found so far is the one published by Lonely Planet. It has all the information you need without being overwhelming. There’s a Kindle version too.
However, if you’re after even more information, The Rough Guide to Crete is a good resource to read at home before your trip. If still want to travel with it, but you find it’s too heavy for your backpack, consider getting the Kindle version, usually cheaper and equally practical.
Top 10 Crete is a pocket travel guide that covers all the island’s major sights and attractions in easy-to-use “top 10” lists. It’s somewhat limited but it’s definitely the one I suggest for a short trip to the island.
I love maps and despite having a GPS device, I often pack my old, treasured Michelin Map of Crete. There’s absolutely no better map of Crete to carry with you. It’s super easy to read, complete, and inexpensive. A must for old school drivers, just like me!
You might also want to read: How to Travel to Crete: Best Air and Sea Routes to Reach the Greek Island.
Booking your Flight to Crete
Airfares to Crete can vary immensely from one airline to the other. The best way to get a fair deal is to compare, compare, compare… and then book!
Not clear yet? Make sure you always compare ticket prices with a powerful search engine.
Traveling by Sea? Check Ferries
Getting to Crete can be really comfortable with an airplane, but nothing beats the romantic experience of traveling by sea. However, booking a ferry ticket can be a nightmare! Search engines are usually not clear and it’s hard to find the routes you’re looking for.
I always choose Ferry Hopper to visit other Greek islands or to travel directly to Crete from Athens. It has a powerful search engine that’s also very clear, and easy to use. It’s the best solution to get the right ticket you need!
You might also want to read: Insanely Practical Tips to Plan a Trip to Crete.
Book a Hotel
Booking the right accommodation can make the difference between a great experience and a holiday from hell. Choose wisely! I always suggest reading as many reviews as possible before booking a place to stay! Read the small print, find the right deals, and always check the no-show & refund policy in case you need to cancel your trip.
Search engines help you find the best fees and compare what other travelers have to say. There are plenty of alternatives on the market and different programs you can go for.
Get a Car to Move Around
Road trips in Crete are the most authentic way to explore the island. Find the cheapest rental car using a good car rental search engine. There are hundreds of them and it can sometimes be hard to understand which one is more convenient. These are the ones I trust:
By far, my favorite, and the one I recommend throughout most of my posts. Why? Because Discover Cars searches over 500 trusted rental companies for you to find the best deal.
The world’s biggest online car rental service. It’s part of Booking.com and offers over 900 car rental companies across 160 countries to find the right car in the right place at the right price.
Looking for a transfer service or a taxi? Check these services if you don’t really feel like driving on Crete.
This international online transfer booking system is present airport transfers in 100 countries with various vehicle classes and English-speaking drivers. Compare fares here.
Check Organized Tours and Activities
Sometimes, the best way to get to know a place better and make the most of your time on Crete is to join an organized tour, especially when you have limited time available and a long list of things you want to see!
I personally host my tours independently, and you can check them out here. But there are many other options for you to book great tours on the island. Both Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide have a great selection of proposals that help you save time and money. From cooking lessons to archaeological site tours, skip-the-line attractions, and even airport transfers!
Other services you should not forget to bookmark:
- Compensair takes care of all the paperwork, submits the claim with the airline, and takes care of any further communication to settle a case.
It only charges a success fee of 25% if the airline pays the client. No up-front payment is required. - The first universal SIM card and app for travelers that is operational in 229 countries and allows for roaming-free travel.
Drimsim is a real sim card and it also includes a free app for travelers.
More Essentials… (that you already know I love!)
I never move around the island with any of these… my Osprey backpack has been the most loyal travel partner over the last 5 years. It’s sturdy, light, roomy, and super comfortable! I just love it. To visit the old town, archaeological sites, and museums, this little crossbody bag is always around.
When driving around Crete, I always carry my Nikon D7200, I’m lost without any of them. In summer I also have with me a good sunscreen lotion, the sun on the island can be pretty aggressive.
More Info to Travel to Crete
For detailed info, head to my post with helpful tips to plan a trip to Crete, which goes over every detail you need to know, from when it’s best to travel to what documents you need, or how to get a SIM card. You can also check my post to plan a Crete trip with kids!
Probably, you’re also planning to spend some time at the beach on the island. Check my guide to the best beaches in Crete to choose the one you like the most. Read this article to decide what area suits you best to stay in Crete, or check this post if you still don’t know all the things you can do in Crete.
Finally, to have updated information about the island, join my private group on Facebook about Crete and download a copy of my West Crete Travel Guide to have it always with you on the island.
When shall we see you in Crete?
Let me know in the comments below!
You might also want to read these articles:
- Great things to do in Rethymnon at night – A guide to nightlife in Rethymnon.
- Amazing things to do in Chania – A guide to the best things to do in Chania town.
- Top Things to do in Agios Nikolaos – A guide to the best things to do in the town of Agios Nikolaos
- Comfortable Airbnbs in Heraklion – A guide to finding the best vacation homes in Heraklion.
- Stunning Beaches in East Crete – A guide to visiting the best beaches in the Lasithi region.
RESOURCES TO BOOK YOUR TRIP TO CRETE:
FLIGHTS: Use Skyscanner to compare prices before booking a plane ticket.
FERRIES: Check out Ferryhopper for convenient ferry tickets.
ACCOMMODATION: Look for hotels and rental homes on Booking.com.
PRIVATE TRANSFER: Welcome Pickups offers local English-speaking drivers, flight monitoring, and a very convenient (flat) pre-paid fee
CAR RENTAL: Use Discover Cars to find an affordable car to rent.
TOURS: Live unforgettable adventures and cultural experiences with Get Your Guide.
INSURANCE: If things go wrong, you’ll get coverage against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I recommend Safety Wing for peace of mind.
Pin these Resources to Travel to Crete for your Next Island Adventure!
About the author of this blog:
Gabi has been living in Crete for the last six years. On the island, she juggles being a solo mom, hosting culinary tours in summer, translating, and freelance writing for several travel blogs.
She’s written for Greek Reporter, published several travel guides about Greece, and had more glasses of frappe than any regular person could ever handle.