Why rent a car in Heraklion?
Heraklion is the capital of Crete and the island’s main gateway, home to the renowned Archaeological Museum and the nearby Minoan palace of Knossos. A rental car gives you easy access to the rest of the island, from the beach resorts of Malia and Hersonissos in the east to the scenic Lassithi Plateau and the picturesque village of Archanes inland.
Pick up your car in the city or directly at Heraklion Airport and start exploring Crete immediately after arrival. For more destinations across the island, see car rental in Crete.
Exploring Heraklion and Crete by car
Routes and highlights from Heraklion
Heraklion is the capital of Crete and the natural base for exploring the island’s north coast and the central plateau. The Palace of Knossos, the largest Bronze Age archaeological site in the Aegean, is just 5 km south of the city centre and a short drive from any rental car location. West of Heraklion, the BOAK motorway runs toward Rethymno (80 km, about an hour) and Chania (140 km, around 90 minutes), passing the beach resorts of Agia Pelagia and Bali along the way. South of the city, the road climbs through the Psiloritis massif toward the Messara plain and the south coast. Matala, the beach associated with the hippie era of the 1960s and 1970s and its cave dwellings, is about 75 km south. The Lasithi plateau, a high agricultural plain ringed by mountains and dotted with windmills, is approximately 60 km east via the mountain road through Malia. For more destinations, see car rental in Crete and car rental in Greece.
Driving and parking in Heraklion
Heraklion Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (IATA: HER) is located approximately 5 km east of the city centre and is one of the busiest airports in Greece during summer. Car rental desks are in the arrivals hall, with vehicle collection in the rental car area directly outside. Driving in Heraklion city centre can be slow due to traffic and limited parking near the old harbour and Venetian walls. The most practical approach is to park at one of the paid car parks near the centre and explore the city on foot. The BOAK motorway west and the E75 east are both easily accessible from the airport without needing to pass through the city centre.
Best time to rent a car in Heraklion
May, June, and September are the best months for driving from Heraklion. The weather is warm and sunny (25 to 30 degrees), the roads to the south coast and the mountain villages are at their best, and the archaeological sites are open but not overwhelmed with visitors. July and August are the hottest months, with temperatures regularly above 35 degrees in the interior; the coastal roads and the approaches to Knossos can be very congested. October is an excellent month for the wine harvest in the Peza region southeast of Heraklion, and the olive harvest begins in November.
Car rental price in Heraklion
The table below shows the lowest all-inclusive weekly rate for renting a car in Heraklion, 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.
