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Port guide: compare transport from Héraklion

Héraklion, Greece 24 transport option(s) compared
75 min Recommended return before ship
Port exit : Easy

Héraklion

Port call at Héraklion (Greece). Leaving the port is straightforward and the town centre is walkable from the pier. The cheapest option, Walk to the fortress of Koules, is free, and the fastest takes around 8 min. A ship shuttle is also available, at around 20,00 €.

Terminal inside the historic port, 500m from the city centre. Close to the old Venetian town.

Port d'Héraklion
Cheapest option Free Walk to the fortress of Koules
Fastest option 8 min Taxi to Place des Lions
Simplest option Walk to the fortress of Koules Very simple
Ship shuttle 20,00 € Please contact the company for further information.

Practical tips

  • City centre on foot
  • KTEL bus to Knossos
  • Taxis available in front of the port

Warnings

  • Intense heat in summer
  • Knossos 5 km from the centre
  • Few visits outside Knossos

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Best option summary

By choosing your cruise line's official shuttle, you opt for complete peace of mind: even if it isn't the cheapest option, this transfer is treated as an excursion, which means the ship will wait for the shuttle before setting sail.

Ship shuttle 20,00 €

Please contact the company for further information.

Recommended local alternative Walk to the fortress of Koules

Free - 12 min - Free according to the ship's departure times

Emblematic site very close to the port

Filter transport options

Choose whether you want to stay near the port, reach a connection, or go on a longer excursion.

Transport options

24 option(s) shown for Héraklion

Walk to the fortress of Koules

Koules fortress

Walk Near the port
Estimated cost Free
Estimated duration 12 min
Frequency Free according to the ship's departure times
Complexity Very simple
Main advantage

Emblematic site very close to the port

Attention point

Short visit, less complete than an excursion to Knossos

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; ideal for harbour tours, photos and quick visits

Source : Heraklion Port Authority; ; Visit Heraklion

Walk to the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion

Heraklion Archaeological Museum

Walk Near the port
Estimated cost Free
Estimated duration 16 min
Frequency Free according to the ship's departure times
Complexity Very simple
Main advantage

Major museum within walking distance of the port

Attention point

Can be very busy on stopover days

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; an excellent complement or alternative to Knossos if time is limited

Source : Heraklion Port Authority; ; Ministry of Culture

Walk to town centre / Place des Lions

Place des Lions / Morosini Fountain

Walk Near the port
Estimated cost Free
Estimated duration 18 min
Frequency Free according to the ship's departure times
Complexity Very simple
Main advantage

Historic centre within walking distance of the port

Attention point

Can be hot in summer and busy streets

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; easy option to reach the heart of Heraklion from the cruise terminal

Source : Heraklion Port Authority; Association of Greek Ports;

Walk to the Venetian Loggia

Venetian loggia / historic centre

Walk Near the port
Estimated cost Free
Estimated duration 18 min
Frequency Free according to the ship's departure times
Complexity Very simple
Main advantage

Easy access to the historic centre, cafés and shopping streets

Attention point

Busy and sometimes congested streets

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; good base for visiting the centre on foot

Source : Heraklion Port Authority; ; Visit Heraklion

City bus to Place des Lions

Place des Lions / Morosini Fountain

Bus Near the port
Estimated cost 1,50 €
Estimated duration 10 min
Frequency Regular frequency according to urban lines
Complexity Very simple
Main advantage

An economical way to get to the centre without walking

Attention point

Not necessary if you walk easily

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; in practice, bus stop near the port to the city centre

Source : Heraklion Port Authority; Heraklion city buses;

Taxi to Place des Lions

Place des Lions / Morosini Fountain

Taxi Near the port
Estimated cost 8,00 €
Estimated duration 8 min
Frequency Available at the terminal or on call
Complexity Very simple
Main advantage

Quick access to the centre if you have reduced mobility or are hot

Attention point

Not necessary if you walk easily

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; ask for meter or price estimate before departure

Source : Heraklion Port Authority; ; services taxi locaux

Cruise shuttle to city centre

Place des Lions / Morosini Fountain

Public shuttle Near the port
Estimated cost 10,00 €
Estimated duration 10 min
Frequency Depending on cruise line and port of call
Complexity Very simple
Main advantage

Simple if proposed by the company

Attention point

Not necessary as the centre is within walking distance

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; check the on-board programme to see if there is a shuttle service, but the walk is generally realistic.

Source : Compagnies de croisière; Heraklion Port Authority;

Taxi to Heraklion airport

Heraklion Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport

Taxi Station / airport
Estimated cost 15,00 €
Estimated duration 10 min
Frequency Available at the terminal or by reservation
Complexity Very simple
Main advantage

Direct and convenient after disembarking with luggage

Attention point

More expensive than bus for short distances

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; the airport is very close to the port, but allow a margin depending on traffic.

Source : Heraklion Airport; Heraklion Port Authority; services taxi locaux

Shuttle excursion to Knossos

Knossos Palace

Public shuttle Distant excursion
Estimated cost 20,00 €
Estimated duration 30 min
Frequency Depending on cruise line or local excursion
Complexity Very simple
Main advantage

A simple, organised way to visit Knossos

Attention point

No guarantee outside excursion; timetable imposed

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; check the excursions or shuttles offered on board or at the terminal

Source : Compagnies de croisière; Knossos official site; Heraklion Port Authority

Taxi to Knossos Palace

Knossos Palace

Taxi Distant excursion
Estimated cost 25,00 €
Estimated duration 20 min
Frequency Available at the terminal or by reservation
Complexity Very simple
Main advantage

The most direct and practical way to reach Knossos

Attention point

More expensive than a city bus

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; very good choice if stopover time limited, confirm price and return before departure

Source : Knossos official site; Heraklion Port Authority; services taxi locaux

City bus to Heraklion airport

Heraklion Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport

Bus Station / airport
Estimated cost 2,00 €
Estimated duration 20 min
Frequency Regular frequency according to urban timetable
Complexity Simple
Main advantage

An economical option for getting to the airport close to the port

Attention point

Less comfortable with large luggage than a taxi

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; use the city buses to the airport from the port/centre area

Source : Heraklion Airport; Heraklion city buses;

City bus to Knossos Palace

Knossos Palace

Bus Distant excursion
Estimated cost 2,00 €
Estimated duration 35 min
Frequency Regular daytime frequencies on urban routes
Complexity Simple
Main advantage

Low-cost option to reach the main Minoan site

Attention point

May be loaded on busy days; return times to be checked

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; in practice, reach the city bus stop to Knossos from the port area / Bus Station A

Source : Heraklion city buses; Knossos official site;

VTC / private transfer to Heraklion airport

Heraklion Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport

Private car (VTC) Station / airport
Estimated cost 20,00 €
Estimated duration 10 min
Frequency By private reservation or application, subject to availability
Complexity Simple
Main advantage

Direct transfer with price fixed in advance

Attention point

May be less available than a taxi at the port

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; check the authorised pick-up point at the terminal exit

Source : Heraklion Airport; opérateurs VTC locaux;

VTC / private transfer to Knossos Palace

Knossos Palace

Private car (VTC) Distant excursion
Estimated cost 30,00 €
Estimated duration 20 min
Frequency By private reservation or application, subject to availability
Complexity Simple
Main advantage

Price known in advance and direct route

Attention point

More expensive than the bus and variable availability

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; book the return if the stopover is short

Source : Knossos official site; opérateurs transferts privés;

Taxi to Cretaquarium

Cretaquarium / Thalassocosmos

Taxi Near the port
Estimated cost 35,00 €
Estimated duration 25 min
Frequency Available at the terminal or by reservation
Complexity Simple
Main advantage

Direct for an easy family visit from Heraklion

Attention point

More expensive than the bus; return journey to be organised

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; good choice with children if you want to avoid connections

Source : Cretaquarium; ; services taxi locaux

VTC / private transfer to Cretaquarium

Cretaquarium / Thalassocosmos

Private car (VTC) Near the port
Estimated cost 40,00 €
Estimated duration 25 min
Frequency By private reservation
Complexity Simple
Main advantage

Comfortable for a family outing at a known price

Attention point

Cost more than the bus and return journey to be planned

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; book round trip if stopover time limited

Source : Cretaquarium; opérateurs transferts privés;

Taxi to Hersonissos

Hersonissos

Taxi Near the port
Estimated cost 45,00 €
Estimated duration 30 min
Frequency Available at the terminal or by reservation
Complexity Simple
Main advantage

Direct to beaches and seaside resorts

Attention point

More expensive than the KTEL bus

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; confirm price, any waiting time and return to ship before departure

Source : ; services taxi locaux; KTEL Crete

KTEL bus to Hersonissos

Hersonissos

Bus Near the port
Estimated cost 4,00 €
Estimated duration 45 min
Frequency Regular frequency according to KTEL timetable
Complexity Intermediate
Main advantage

Budget option to a nearby seaside resort

Attention point

Return timetable to be checked if short stopover

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; in practice, join Bus Station A then the KTEL bus to Hersonissos

Source : KTEL Crete;

KTEL bus to Malia

Malia

Bus Near the port
Estimated cost 5,00 €
Estimated duration 60 min
Frequency Regular frequency according to KTEL timetable
Complexity Intermediate
Main advantage

Low-cost access to Malia and its beaches

Attention point

Less interesting if the main objective is Heraklion or Knossos

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; in practice, join Bus Station A then KTEL to Malia

Source : KTEL Crete;

Taxi to Agios Nikolaos

Agios Nikolaos

Taxi Near the port
Estimated cost 100,00 €
Estimated duration 60 min
Frequency By reservation or long-distance taxi
Complexity Intermediate
Main advantage

Direct to eastern Crete and the Gulf of Mirabello

Attention point

High cost and return to be organised

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; allow a large margin for the return to the ship

Source : ; services taxi locaux; KTEL Crete

Taxi to Rethymno

Rethymno

Taxi Distant excursion
Estimated cost 110,00 €
Estimated duration 75 min
Frequency By reservation or long-distance taxi
Complexity Intermediate
Main advantage

Direct to Rethymnon without a bus

Attention point

High cost and long journey for a short stopover

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; book round trip with waiting time or confirmed return timetable

Source : ; services taxi locaux; KTEL Crete

VTC / private transfer to Rethymno

Rethymno

Private car (VTC) Distant excursion
Estimated cost 120,00 €
Estimated duration 75 min
Frequency By private reservation
Complexity Intermediate
Main advantage

Price fixed in advance for an excursion or long-distance transfer

Attention point

High cost; return must be organised

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; book round trip with safety margin for ship

Source : ; opérateurs transferts privés; KTEL Crete

KTEL bus to Rethymno

Rethymno Bus Station

Bus Station / airport
Estimated cost 9,00 €
Estimated duration 100 min
Frequency Regular frequency according to KTEL timetable
Complexity Plan ahead
Main advantage

For an excursion or transfer to Rethymnon without a car

Attention point

Long route for a short stopover; return to be secured

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; in practice, join Bus Station A then KTEL to Rethymno

Source : KTEL Crete; Heraklion Port Authority;

KTEL bus to Agios Nikolaos

Agios Nikolaos

Bus Distant excursion
Estimated cost 9,00 €
Estimated duration 100 min
Frequency Regular frequency according to KTEL timetable
Complexity Plan ahead
Main advantage

Public option to reach eastern Crete

Attention point

Long route, less suitable for a short stopover

Accessibility : Good

Practical tip : Direct A-B route; in practice, join Bus Station A then KTEL to Agios Nikolaos

Source : KTEL Crete;

Indicative data based on local sources and field estimates.