Transfer from Plakias to Heraklion

[JeanW]

Just about the longest transfer time ever - over 4hours to get from Plakias to airport yesterday with Olympic with at least 10 pickups en route.  Worst ever and at the moment can't imagine wanting to do that journey ever again.  One couple decided to get a taxi which took 1hr 20 mins, however it did cost 110 euros!!!!

[ostraco]

My worst was 5½ hours Heraklion to Plakias. This was many years ago, and if I remember correctly it was with Thompson. Yes, there used to be a choice of tour operator. At one time there were seven different UK companies offering holidays in Plakias.

These days, you don't always get a transfer with Olympic, but we don't use them if they are offered.
Taxis are a faster and more convenient option - or get someone from Plakias to pop out and pick you up.

Our normal solution is to hire a car at the airport. If you deduct the cost of taxis each way then it costs little extra to have transport available - to go for dinner in Sellia, or seek out a sheltered beach if it's windy in Plakias.

[Noopsy]

Or, of course, you could go by public transport: very cheap, and not as bad as you think. 

[Bertie]

I visit Plakias (and Paleochora) every year and take the public bus services both ways every time. It's efficient, comfortable, reliable and cheap.

[kokkinos vrachos]

Or, of course, you could go by public transport: very cheap, and not as bad as you think.

Kalimera, yes the transfer with the KTEL bus from Heraklion via Rethymnon to Plakias is also very easy and comfortable and cheap. They are modern buses.

The journey time from Heraklion to Rethymnon is 1.5 hours and the bus runs every hour from Heraklion to Rethymnon. Price 9? (2024).

From Rethymnon to Plakias the journey time is 45 minutes. Price 5? (2024).

If you arrive in Heraklion in the late afternoon/early evening, you often won't get the last bus in Rethymnon to Plakias - you must check this beforehand. I then often stay overnight in Heraklion or Rethymnon.

If you still have time in Rethymnon, it is worth taking a look at the Fortezza or visiting the farmers' market. The Venetian Rimondi Fountain from 1626 and the two mosques, Nerantze Mosque and Kara Musa Pasha Mosque, are also worth a visit.

The Fortezza is also definitely worth a visit (?5 per person, April 2024): https://www.cretanbeaches.com/en/history-of-crete/forts-and-castles-on-crete/fortress-fortezza-in-rethymnon

The weekly markets on Saturday at the bus station, on Thursday in the large car park on Dimitrakaki Street (next to Dimotik?s K?pos Park) and on Monday in the car park on Kosti Palama/Xilouri Street are also nice.

Best regards from Pakias, kv

[kokkinos vrachos]

Kalimera, from my own experience I can say that there is often a cheaper option than taking a taxi directly from the airport.

Ask your landlord if there is a reliable local taxi driver from your destination who will pick you up at the airport. The prices charged by taxi drivers in small towns are often far lower than those in big cities. If the taxi driver is also a relative of the landlord, you can get extra good deals. Then you call the taxi driver (or let the landlord do it) and simply arrange to be picked up.

This also has two other charming effects: The taxi driver will give you good tips on the best places to eat, beaches and hikes that await you on the way and you are guaranteed not to be ripped off.

https://www.taxi4you.gr/overall.asp?lang=uk
http://www.plakias-transfers.com/
https://www.taxi-plakias.gr/
https://motoautoplakias.com/

The taxi companies in Plakias are all reliable and friendly.

Best regards from Pakias, kv