Transit Options from Chania Airport to City Center
The city of Chania lies 14km/8.7 miles from Ioannis Daskalogiannis Airport. Thus, travelers who want to get from Chania Airport to Chania Town don’t spend too much time reaching their destination. As far as the available modes of transit are concerned, the fastest alternatives are airport taxis and private airport transfers. In contrast, airport car rentals guarantee independent rides, and buses are the cheapest way to go.
| Options | Price (€) | Price ($) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | 30 | 32.50 | 20 min |
| Bus | 2.50 | 2.70 | 25 min |
Chania Airport to Chania Town by Taxi
Chania airport taxis are, without a doubt, one of the most convenient ways to travel from Chania Airport to the city center. The blue vehicles operate around the clock at CHQ Airport, providing reliable and fast transit services to their passengers. Although scamming incidents aren’t the norm, it is always advisable to catch your cab from the taxi rank lying right across the Arrivals B area of Ioannis Daskalogiannis Airport. Verily, all Chania airport taxis lining up at the taxi stand are official and legitimate. In any case, during the peak tourist season, the airport’s passenger traffic abruptly rises, and so does the demand for a taxi. Thus, you may have to wait in line to get your cab.
Even though taxis in Chania are metered, they offer set fares for rides from Chania Airport to Chania Town. Thus, as long as your destination is located in downtown Chania, your taxi journey will cost you 30€/32.50$, no matter the time of the day, the pieces of luggage, etc. Hence, it is evident that the traffic levels highly affect the duration of the ride but don’t impact its rate. Overall, Chania airport taxis take 20 minutes to reach the city center under normal traffic conditions, whereas if roads are congested, their traveling time might be up to 35 minutes. Moreover, tipping is optional, meaning that you can leave a small tip if you are satisfied with the provided services, but you aren’t obligated to tip the driver if the ride is unpleasant. Cash and card payments are equally accepted. That being said, it is recommended to let the driver know that you are going to pay via a bank card.
Chania Airport to Chania Town by Bus
The only mode of mass transit available at CHQ Airport (and throughout the island of Crete in general) is the KTEL Bus. The intercity KTEL Coaches are comfortable and relatively new and have designated luggage storage space. They depart from the bus station, which is located outside the Departures area, on the east side of the CHQ terminal, and run to the main Chania Bus Station, lying in the city center, 500m/0.3 mile from the Old Port. They make 3 intermediate stops on their way, calling at Pazinos, Aroni, and Pithari before getting to their terminus in Chania. The green buses operate from 06:00 am to 11:40 pm. In detail, they have available routes at 06:00 am, 08:40 am, 10:20 am, 02:30 pm, 06:00 pm, 06:30 pm, 09:00 pm, and 10:40 pm. Please note that during the summer, routes are more frequent.
The KTEL Buses travel from Chania Airport to the city center in about 25 minutes. Expectantly, during peak hours, they are more time-consuming. A one-way ticket is priced at 2.50€/2.70$, while tickets are available from the ticket kiosk next to the airport bus stop, from the driver, and online. In any case, children up to 6 years of age travel for free.
Car Rental from Chania Airport to City Center
Chania airport car rentals are highly valued by travelers who enjoy autonomous rides and/or wish to explore several Cretan destinations at their own pace. Various car hire companies are present at Chania International Airport. International agencies and local providers offer their services at CHQ Airport, with fleets consisting of all types of vehicles and prices that tend to be competitive. Thus, should you want to rent a car at the second busiest Crete Airport, all you’ll have to do is search and compare the options.
In-advance bookings almost always lead to lower fares and tempting deals and offers.
You should expect a 20-minute ride from Chania Airport to the city center if the roads aren’t congested. Still, during rush hours, airport rides get longer. As soon as you reach downtown Chania, you’ll have to park your vehicle. The first thing to do is check if your hotel offers parking services. If this isn’t the case, you can search for a parking spot on the street or park your car in one of the car parks scattered around the city center. However, you should keep in mind that street parking can be challenging, and you’ll have to pay for it as well. Verily, free street parking downtown is a long shot. Hence, in Chania city center, you can park on the street for up to 4 hours as long as you pay the parking rates. That being said, parking is free from 09:00 pm to 07:00 am, on Sundays and public holidays.
Private Airport Transfers from Chania Airport to Chania Town
If you want to travel from Chania Airport to Chania Town in comfort and style without wasting time at the airport or struggling to carry around your heavy luggage, consider booking a private airport transfer. In that way, your driver will be waiting for you at the CHQ Arrivals hall, ready to give you a hand with your baggage and lead you to the vehicle parked outside the exit doors. Your ride will be utterly tailored to your needs as you can set all the details while you’ll be given useful pieces of advice and tips for your journey in Chania during the ride to Chania city center. Truth be told, private airport transfers are somewhat costlier than airport taxis. Still, their convenience and the quality level of their services justify the additional cost.
FAQs
How far is Chania Airport from city center?
Chania International Airport is situated relatively close to the city center. Truly, CHQ Airport lies in the Akrotiri peninsula, 14km/8.7 miles away from downtown. Thus, a car ride from Chania Airport to Chania Town usually lasts about 20 minutes.
How to get from Chania Airport to Chania city center?
Airport taxis and private airport transfers are the most convenient ways to travel from Chania Airport to Chania Town, whereas KTEL Buses are the most time-consuming but also the cheapest alternative. On the other hand, airport car rentals are highly recommended to travelers who are planning to explore destinations outside Chania city’s limits.
How long does it take to transfer from Chania Airport to Chania Town?
A car ride (a ride via an airport taxi, a private airport transfer, or a rental car) lasts around 20 minutes. However, during rush hours, you may need up to 35 minutes to travel from Chania Airport to Chania Town. On the other hand, the KTEL Buses are more time-consuming, as they take 25 minutes to reach downtown Chania under normal traffic conditions.
How much is a taxi from Chania Airport to Chania?
Although taxis in Chania are metered, they offer a set fare for rides from Chania Airport to the city center. Thus, a taxi journey from CHQ Airport to downtown costs 30€/32.50$, no matter the time of the day or the traffic conditions.