Heraklion and Lasithi — east and south Crete Intercity coaches towards Agios Nikolaos, Ierapetra, Sitia, Malia, Matala and the south coast. Check KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi
Independent Crete bus guide
Crete's buses, explained for real journeys.
Intercity coaches are run by two KTEL companies — one for the east and south, one for the west — and Heraklion and Chania each have separate urban networks. Start with where you are travelling, then open the responsible operator for current routes, times and fares.
Crete Bus — app coming soon
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- One island, both KTEL networks The planned app will orient east- and west-Crete journeys in one view while keeping each KTEL company's responsibility clear.
- Built for offline mountain roads Planned saved journeys and source links are intended to stay usable without a signal in the gorges and upland villages.
- Every claim traced to its source The planned app will link each service claim back to the operator publication it came from, with the date it was checked.
Independent app. No ticket sales or live vehicle tracking.
About the Crete bus appGuide checked 13 August 2026
Crete Bus
App previewChoose the right official source Operator responsibility checked against operator and municipal pages
Chania and Rethymno — west Crete Intercity coaches for Chania, Rethymno, Kissamos and the west, plus the Heraklion trunk corridor. Check KTEL Chania–Rethymno
Heraklion city and suburbs Urban routes, tickets and telematics from the city's own operator. Check Heraklion Urban Buses
Chania city and suburbs Urban route and ticket information from the Chania city operator. Check Chania Urban Buses
Data shown comes from official operator publications; official sources win if anything here differs. See the source ledger.
Two KTEL companies split the island
KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi publishes the east and south; KTEL Chania–Rethymno publishes the west. Rethymno sits where the two networks meet, so a cross-island journey can involve both companies' publications.
Source: KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for east and south CreteKTEL Chania–Rethymno S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for west Crete
Use the responsible operator for current details
Routes, times, fares and seasonal service levels change — summer and winter timetables differ substantially. Follow the official operator link for your journey and confirm the current publication before travel.
Source: KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for east and south CreteKTEL Chania–Rethymno S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for west CreteHeraklion Urban BusesOfficial urban itineraries, tickets and telematicsChania Urban BusesOfficial urban routes and announcements
KTEL intercity companies
KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi covers the east and south; KTEL Chania–Rethymno covers the west. Each publishes its own routes, times and fares.
KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for east and south CreteKTEL Chania–Rethymno S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for west Crete
Urban networks are separate
Heraklion and Chania each run their own urban bus operator with separate tickets and route pages, distinct from the intercity KTEL coaches.
Heraklion Urban BusesOfficial urban itineraries, tickets and telematicsChania Urban BusesOfficial urban routes and announcementsMunicipality of HeraklionVisitor guidance: local transportation
Summer and winter differ
Operators publish different service levels across the year, especially for beach and gorge corridors. Always check the current timetable for your travel date.
KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for east and south CreteKTEL Chania–Rethymno S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for west Crete
Times and fares stay with operators
Each operator maintains its own current route, timetable and fare pages; this guide links out instead of freezing volatile details.
KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for east and south CreteKTEL Chania–Rethymno S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for west CreteHeraklion Urban BusesOfficial urban itineraries, tickets and telematicsChania Urban BusesOfficial urban routes and announcements
Start with the journey type
Different Crete journeys need different checks
The useful first question is not a route number. It is whether the trip stays inside a city network, follows the north-coast trunk road, or heads into the south and the mountains.
RESIDENT + VISITOR Open the city's own operator first
A journey inside Heraklion or Chania
Urban routes, tickets and stops are published by the city operator, not by the intercity KTEL companies.
- Heraklion: use Heraklion Urban Buses for city routes and tickets.
- Chania: use Chania Urban Buses for city routes and announcements.
- Save the operator page rather than a copied timetable.
Heraklion Urban BusesOfficial urban itineraries, tickets and telematicsChania Urban BusesOfficial urban routes and announcementsMunicipality of HeraklionVisitor guidance: local transportation
RESIDENT + VISITOR Heraklion ↔ Rethymno ↔ Chania
Along the north coast
The north-coast trunk corridor is Crete's most frequent intercity link. KTEL Chania–Rethymno publishes the western legs; KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi publishes eastward from Heraklion.
- Check which KTEL company publishes your leg before relying on a timetable.
- For a journey crossing Rethymno, treat each company's publication separately.
- Confirm the current seasonal timetable for your travel date.
KTEL Chania–Rethymno S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for west CreteKTEL Heraklio–Lasithi S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for east and south Crete
VISITOR Agios Nikolaos, Sitia, Ierapetra, Matala
East and south Crete
Journeys east of Heraklion and to the south coast are published by KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi, with service levels that vary strongly by season.
- Open the current KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi timetable for the corridor.
- Plan the return leg before setting out — some corridors thin out in the afternoon.
- Leave margin at connections; separately published services are not synchronized.
KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for east and south Crete
VISITOR Kissamos, the gorges and the west coast
West of Chania
KTEL Chania–Rethymno publishes the western corridors, including seasonal services used by gorge walkers and beach visitors.
- Check the current KTEL Chania–Rethymno publication for your corridor.
- Seasonal services can start and stop with the season — verify the date range.
- For a same-day return, confirm the last published departure before travelling.
KTEL Chania–Rethymno S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for west Crete
Intercity coaches
Two KTEL company sources
Crete's intercity network is split between two long-established KTEL companies, each publishing its own routes, timetables and fares.
EAST + SOUTH verified
KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi
Publishes intercity routes from Heraklion towards the east and south — including Agios Nikolaos, Ierapetra, Sitia and the resort corridor through Hersonissos and Malia.
KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for east and south Crete
Open KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi WEST verified
KTEL Chania–Rethymno
Publishes intercity routes for western Crete — Chania, Rethymno and Kissamos — including the north-coast trunk corridor towards Heraklion.
KTEL Chania–Rethymno S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for west Crete
Open KTEL Chania–RethymnoCity networks
Separate urban operators in the two big cities
Heraklion and Chania each run their own urban bus network with separate tickets and publications, distinct from the intercity KTEL coaches.
HERAKLION CITY verified
Heraklion Urban Buses
The city operator publishes urban itineraries, ticket information and a telematics service for Heraklion and its suburbs.
Heraklion Urban BusesOfficial urban itineraries, tickets and telematicsMunicipality of HeraklionVisitor guidance: local transportation
Open Heraklion Urban Buses CHANIA CITY verified
Chania Urban Buses
The Chania city operator publishes urban route information and service announcements for the city and nearby communities.
Chania Urban BusesOfficial urban routes and announcements
Open Chania Urban BusesA source-safe planning method
Three checks before you leave
This sequence works for a routine city trip and a cross-island itinerary because it keeps operator responsibility and current service information separate.
-
Identify the service area
Decide whether the journey stays inside Heraklion or Chania city, runs along the north-coast trunk, or heads east, south or west into a KTEL intercity corridor.
KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for east and south CreteKTEL Chania–Rethymno S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for west CreteMunicipality of HeraklionVisitor guidance: local transportation
-
Open the responsible official source
Use KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi for the east and south, KTEL Chania–Rethymno for the west, and the city operators inside Heraklion and Chania. Follow their current pages rather than a saved copy.
KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for east and south CreteKTEL Chania–Rethymno S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for west CreteHeraklion Urban BusesOfficial urban itineraries, tickets and telematicsChania Urban BusesOfficial urban routes and announcements
-
Check every connection separately
When a journey combines city, intercity or cross-company legs, confirm each leg and leave practical margin between independently published services.
KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for east and south CreteKTEL Chania–Rethymno S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for west CreteHeraklion Urban BusesOfficial urban itineraries, tickets and telematicsChania Urban BusesOfficial urban routes and announcements
Tickets and fares
Check the operator before paying
Fare products and sales channels belong to the service operator. This guide deliberately avoids copying amounts that may change.
Intercity coaches
Use the responsible KTEL company's ticket and fare pages for the selected corridor, and check how tickets are sold for your departure.
KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for east and south CreteKTEL Chania–Rethymno S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for west Crete
City buses
Heraklion and Chania publish their own urban ticket information. Do not assume a city ticket is valid on an intercity coach or vice versa.
Heraklion Urban BusesOfficial urban itineraries, tickets and telematicsChania Urban BusesOfficial urban routes and announcements
Seasonal corridors
Beach and gorge services can carry their own current arrangements. Confirm the operator's published details for the travel date before relying on them.
KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for east and south CreteKTEL Chania–Rethymno S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for west Crete
Connections
Treat each operator leg as its own plan
A route shown by one operator does not establish a protected connection to a service published by another.
City to intercity
Check the city operator for the first leg and the responsible KTEL company for the trunk journey, including the current stop each source publishes.
Heraklion Urban BusesOfficial urban itineraries, tickets and telematicsChania Urban BusesOfficial urban routes and announcementsKTEL Heraklio–Lasithi S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for east and south CreteKTEL Chania–Rethymno S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for west Crete
Crossing between the two KTEL networks
A journey across Rethymno can involve both companies' publications. Confirm each company's current timetable instead of inferring a through service.
KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for east and south CreteKTEL Chania–Rethymno S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for west Crete
Airport arrivals
Heraklion and Chania airports are served by different operators' publications. Confirm the current airport connection and the onward leg independently.
KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for east and south CreteKTEL Chania–Rethymno S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for west CreteHeraklion Urban BusesOfficial urban itineraries, tickets and telematicsChania Urban BusesOfficial urban routes and announcements
Worth the ride
Places the buses can take you
Each guide pairs one place with what the official sources actually publish about reaching it — no invented stops, times, or connections.
Island capital Heraklion Use Heraklion Urban Buses inside the city, and KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi when the journey leaves it eastward or south. Plan the ride Western hub Chania Use Chania Urban Buses inside the city, and KTEL Chania–Rethymno for the west's intercity corridors. Plan the ride Where the networks meet Rethymno Rethymno sits between the two KTEL companies — check which one publishes your leg. Plan the ride Gateway to Lasithi Agios Nikolaos KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi publishes the corridors serving Agios Nikolaos and the east. Plan the ride Minoan palace site Knossos Knossos sits just south of Heraklion — check the city operator's current itineraries for the route serving it. Plan the ride
Optional experiences
Experiences that solve more than a bus ride
These curated options help with dispersed sights, guided context or awkward meeting points. Official bus information remains separate.
Marked GetYourGuide links are affiliate links. If you book after following one, this independent guide may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
History and culture Knossos, near Heraklion
Palace of Knossos entrance ticket
Pre-book entry to the Minoan palace site just south of Heraklion and explore at your own pace.
Getting there: Knossos is reached from Heraklion; check Heraklion Urban Buses for the current city route before booking a time slot.
Check availability on GetYourGuide City and culture Heraklion
Explore Heraklion experiences
Browse current museum, food and guided-experience choices in and around Heraklion.
Getting there: Plan the city or intercity journey first, then confirm the experience meeting point and current booking details on GetYourGuide.
Browse on GetYourGuideSources
Timetable and fare details are checked against the operators’ own publications. Open the original before travel if plans depend on it.
Crete Bus is an independent guide to scheduled buses on Crete. It is not operated by or affiliated with the KTEL companies, the urban bus operators, or any Greek public authority. Operators remain the final source for routes, times, fares and disruptions.
See every source and when it was checked
KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi S.A.
Official routes, timetables and fares for east and south Crete
Intercity corridors from Heraklion towards Agios Nikolaos, Ierapetra, Sitia, the resort coast and the south, with current timetable and fare pages.KTEL Chania–Rethymno S.A.
Official routes, timetables and fares for west Crete
Intercity corridors for Chania, Rethymno, Kissamos and the west, including the north-coast trunk towards Heraklion and seasonal services.Heraklion Urban Buses
Official urban itineraries, tickets and telematics
Urban route itineraries, ticket information and the operator's telematics service for Heraklion city and suburbs.Chania Urban Buses
Official urban routes and announcements
Urban route information and service announcements for Chania city and nearby communities.Municipality of Heraklion
Visitor guidance: local transportation
Municipal visitor orientation to local bus transport in Heraklion, pointing to the responsible operators.Good to know
Questions before you board
Short, scoped answers drawn from the source ledger above.
Which KTEL company should I check?
KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi publishes the east and south of the island; KTEL Chania–Rethymno publishes the west. Rethymno is where the two networks meet, and the north-coast trunk involves each company for its own legs.
Source: KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for east and south CreteKTEL Chania–Rethymno S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for west Crete
Are city buses and KTEL coaches the same system?
No. Heraklion and Chania each run separate urban operators with their own tickets and route pages. Intercity KTEL coaches are published separately.
Source: Heraklion Urban BusesOfficial urban itineraries, tickets and telematicsChania Urban BusesOfficial urban routes and announcementsKTEL Heraklio–Lasithi S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for east and south CreteKTEL Chania–Rethymno S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for west Crete
Does Crete Bus show live departures?
No. The Crete Bus app is in pre-launch validation and does not offer live departures. Use the operators' current tools for live or changing service information.
Source: Heraklion Urban BusesOfficial urban itineraries, tickets and telematicsKTEL Heraklio–Lasithi S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for east and south CreteKTEL Chania–Rethymno S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for west Crete
Why are there no exact fares or times on these pages?
Those details change seasonally and are published by several separate operators. The guide directs you to the responsible current source rather than presenting a copied value as permanent.
Source: KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for east and south CreteKTEL Chania–Rethymno S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for west CreteHeraklion Urban BusesOfficial urban itineraries, tickets and telematicsChania Urban BusesOfficial urban routes and announcements
Before you leave
Take Crete bus times with you.
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Crete Bus — app coming soon
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