Why rent a car in Chania?
Chania is widely regarded as the most beautiful city in Crete, known for its Venetian harbour, colourful old town and excellent restaurants. A rental car opens up the western part of the island, with easy access to the Samaria Gorge, the pink sand beach of Elafonisi, the scenic Apokoronas region and the rugged Akrotiri peninsula, all of which are difficult to reach without your own transport.
Pick up your car in the city or directly at Chania Airport and start exploring western Crete immediately after arrival. For more destinations across the island, see car rental in Crete.
Exploring Chania and western Crete by car
Routes and highlights from Chania
Chania is the ideal base for exploring the western half of Crete, which contains some of the island’s most dramatic and unspoilt scenery. The Samaria Gorge, one of the longest gorges in Europe at 16 km, begins at the Omalos plateau approximately 45 km south of Chania via the winding mountain road through Lakki. The pink sand beach of Elafonisi in the far southwest is about 75 km from Chania via the south coast road and is one of the most celebrated beaches in Greece. The scenic Apokoronas region east of Chania, with its olive groves and traditional villages, is an easy half-day circuit. The Akrotiri peninsula northeast of the city contains three important monasteries and ends at the lighthouse at Stavros, the beach where the final scene of Zorba the Greek was filmed. Heraklion is approximately 140 km east along the E75 coastal road. For more destinations, see car rental in Crete and car rental in Greece.
Driving and parking in Chania
Chania old town is largely pedestrianised and parking near the Venetian harbour is very limited in summer. The most practical approach is to park in the paid car parks in the newer part of the city and walk into the old town. Chania Airport (IATA: CHQ), officially named Daskalogiannis Airport, is located approximately 14 km east of the city near Souda, and serves a good range of direct European connections. The E75 coastal road connects the airport to the city in about 20 minutes.
Best time to rent a car in Chania
May and June are the best months for driving in western Crete. The Samaria Gorge is open from May to October and is at its most rewarding in spring when water still flows in the lower sections. July and August bring intense heat on the south coast road to Elafonisi and heavy traffic near the most popular beaches. September and October offer warm conditions with noticeably fewer visitors and very pleasant driving on the mountain roads and coastal routes.
Car rental price in Chania
The table below shows the lowest all-inclusive weekly rate for renting a car in Chania, with full insurance and zero excess included. What you actually pay depends on the supplier, availability and how far ahead you book. Check the current price in the search above.
| Car type | From, 7 days |
|---|---|
| Small car (economy) | from €150 |
| Mid-size car | from €479 |
| Large car / SUV | from €519 |
Measured at 23 airports in September 2026, for a 7-day rental starting 10–17 October 2026. All-inclusive, zero excess, no credit card required. Prices vary by supplier, availability and how far ahead you book.
These prices typically include full insurance and zero excess when booking an all-inclusive rental. Prices can vary significantly between providers. If you want to avoid hidden costs, it’s worth taking a moment to compare car rental companies and rental conditions before booking. At MarSoleil, you can also find options without a credit card and no deposit.
