Heraklion Airport to Rethymno: Bus Change and Old Town Arrival
Company-authored guide. Sources and their check date appear below; no independent or first-hand review is claimed.
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To reach Rethymno by bus from Heraklion Airport (HER), first take a city bus to Heraklion’s central intercity station, then the Rethymno coach. With the fares checked below, budget €11.20 per full-fare adult if you buy the city ticket before boarding, plus any final ride to the hotel. An Old Town stay may finish on foot.
Step 1: airport bus to the central station
Route 6, AIRPORT → AMOUDARA, serves stop 0110, CENTRAL STATION YPERASTIKON LEOFOREION. Find it on the operator’s stop map, then show the name to the driver. Get off at the intercity station, before the bus continues to Amoudara.
At the airport, buy a Zone A ticket for this city leg before boarding if possible. The operator’s zone and fare page lists €1.30 in advance or €2.30 on the bus. Zone A covers this journey from the airport to the station.
The current weekday timetable has airport departures about every 20 minutes for much of the day. Early, late and weekend services differ; choose your day under route 6 on the timetable page. If you cannot identify the bus, airport bus information is +30 2810 220795. Allow for the wait, the city journey and finding the coach at the station.
Step 2: the coach to Rethymno
The intercity operator lists Heraklion Central Bus Station at Ikarou Avenue 9. In its booking search, choose HERAKLION → RETHYMNO and your travel date. Check the station on the result; our search named HERAKLION CENTRAL BUS STATION (Athina).
On 31 October 2026, the 17:30 service showed arrival at 19:00 and a full adult fare of €9.90: 90 minutes for the intercity ride. Select your own date to see the available departures and fare, and enter any children’s ages before paying.
What two or four adults pay
| Tickets for one adult | One person | Two people | Four people |
|---|---|---|---|
| €1.30 city ticket bought in advance + €9.90 coach | €11.20 | €22.40 | €44.80 |
| €2.30 city ticket bought on board + €9.90 coach | €12.20 | €24.40 | €48.80 |
These totals cover both buses. Add a ride from Rethymno station if you need one. If you take a taxi from the airport to the Heraklion station, use its price instead of the city-bus tickets.
Choose a connection that leaves breathing room
Check the dated Rethymno/Chania timetable notices as well as the booking result. The timetable checked runs to 6 November, with a new one from 7 November 2026. A saved summer departure list is not a winter plan.
Work from the time you expect to leave airport arrivals, not the scheduled landing. Add the city-bus wait, road journey and time to find and board the coach. If that leaves a tight connection, choose a later service. After a delay, check the next coach before setting off for the station; if none is realistically reachable, compare a direct ride with an overnight stay in Heraklion.
Step 3: arrive at the right Old Town entrance
Ask your host for the walk from Rethymno station to the correct entrance. Sea Front Old Town, for example, estimates about 10 minutes on foot to its rooms and gives directions to its Arkadiou Street and waterfront entrances. That estimate is for this property; check the route to your own hotel, especially with suitcases.
Send the host your arrival time and luggage: “Can a car reach reception then? If not, please send the nearest drop-off, walking route and any steps.” Save the answer offline. Even with a direct car, you may need help with bags for the final walk.
For the return, reverse all three stages and choose them around your airline’s required airport-arrival time. Reaching Heraklion city is not yet reaching HER.
GetTransfer Editorial · Company-authored guide. Sources checked on 31 October 2026. Use the linked operators and your accommodation’s arrival instructions for your travel date.