Driving in Crete: Enjoy the Fun Roads and Beaches

In Crete, drivers drive to the right side of the road, as in most European countries, following the continental system. Thus, the driver’s seat is on the left side of the car.

So, regarding the roundabouts for driving in Crete, you enter the square from the right, going counterclockwise.

Driving in Crete is generally safe, as in most places in Greece, but there are some challenges. The good news is that there is English signage everywhere and that there are highways connecting Chania to Rethymno, Rethymno to Heraklion and Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos, making it easy to drive from one side of the island to the other.

However, there are some things you should consider:

• Mountainous roads and roads to remote beaches are narrow with sharp turns.
• In and around the mountainous villages, there is a high possibility of meeting livestock on the road.
• Driving in Crete at night may be dangerous, as the local roads do not have adequate lighting.
• As alcohol consumption is common in Crete, you should be prepared for drunk drivers even during the day.

The roads to major beaches that are popular tourist resorts, such as Plakias, Platanias, Agia Marina, Stalos, Falassarna, Elounda, Hersonissos and Elafonissi, are in good condition and you can go easily there.

On the other hand, there are other well-known beaches, which are remote and have difficult access due to unpaved paths, such as Balos Lagoon, Seitan Limania, Glyka Nera, Tripiti and Agiofarago. To go to these beaches, you need to rent a 4X4, as driving on unpaved roads with car rental in Crete is not allowed.

What is the alcohol limit for driving in Crete? 

In Crete, the alcohol limit for driving is 0.05% for private drivers. However, a lower limit of 0.02% applies to young drivers with less than two years of experience, motorcycle riders and professional drivers. For safety reasons and to avoid strict penalties, we recommend you avoid alcohol at all before driving. Unfortunately, there are many drunk drivers in Crete, as raki is a popular drink on the entire island, so you should be cautious even during the day.

Other driving laws in Crete you should be aware of are:

• The use of seat belts is mandatory for all passengers.
• Children under 12 years old must use appropriate seats for children.
• Speed limits are 50/70 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h outside cities and 120 km/h in highways.
• The use of mobile phone is allowed only with handsfree / bluetooth devices.

We recommend you remember the following tips for driving in Crete:

• Use headlights during the day on shaded roads and tunnels to improve visibility.
• Drive at low speed (even lower than the speed limit) on narrow mountainous roads and unpaved paths.
• Don’t drive at night if you are not familiar with steep roads and sharp turns.
• Rent a 4X4 in Crete if you want to go to remote beaches.
• Rent an SUV or family car if you want to travel large distances from one major resort to the other (for example from Chania to Rethymno or to Heraklion).

These are the largest cities and regions in Crete, with numerous hotels and well-organized beaches. It is very common for travelers in Crete to choose one of these regions for their vacations and stay there, without making long routes to go from one place to another. Besides, each region offers you numerous historical sites, amazing beaches, traditional villages and at least one large city with everything you may need.

What you should know about driving in Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno or Agios Nikolaos?

Driving in these large cities may be challenging due to high traffic during the touristic season. In July and August, avoid driving in Chania and the other cities during rush hours, especially in the city center.

Another difficulty is the parking. The wisest option is to park your car at your hotel and go on foot to the city center. However, if your hotel is located away from city center, there are many public and private parking spots to park safely your car.

The required documents for driving in Crete, Greece are:

• Driving license
• Vehicle registration certificate (V5C or equivalent) that proves the vehicle is legally registered in your country.
• Valid Green Card (International Motor Insurance Card) with coverage in Greece
• Passport or ID for identification purposes

The required documentation for car rental in Crete is: 

• Driving license (International Driving Permit for foreign, non-EU drivers)
• Passport or ID
• Credit card under your name (the main driver’s name).

Please take into serious consideration the requirement for IDP if you are a non-EU traveler. Travelers coming from an EU state, can hire a car in Crete with their national driving license. But travelers outside the EU, should have an IDP, as driving in Crete with UK license or USA license is not allowed.

Start now planning your unforgettable trip to Crete and rent a car in Chania or rent a car in Heraklion and book the most convenient car with Abbycar at the lowest prices among a large variety of cars according to your needs!