Intercity planning
Crete intercity buses
Two KTEL companies split Crete’s intercity network: KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi for the east and south, KTEL Chania–Rethymno for the west. The trunk corridor along the north coast connects their territories, meeting around Rethymno.
Read at your pace
The details, one decision at a time
Open the part you need and keep the operator source beside it.
Find the responsible company first
Before looking for a timetable, decide which company publishes the corridor. Eastward and southward from Heraklion is KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi; Chania, Rethymno and the west belong to KTEL Chania–Rethymno.
- East and south — Agios Nikolaos, Sitia, Ierapetra, Matala: KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi.
- West — Chania, Rethymno, Kissamos and the gorges: KTEL Chania–Rethymno.
- Cross-island journeys can involve both companies’ publications.
Official links for this step
Sources: KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for east and south CreteKTEL Chania–Rethymno S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for west Crete
Respect the seasons
Summer and winter service levels differ substantially, especially on beach and gorge corridors. The only reliable reference is the operator’s current publication for your travel date.
- Verify the timetable’s validity dates, not just its times.
- Plan the return leg before setting out on thin corridors.
- Treat connections between separately published services as unprotected.
Official links for this step
Sources: KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for east and south CreteKTEL Chania–Rethymno S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for west Crete
The Crete Bus app
Use Crete Bus on your trip
Choose your device and review the current store listing.
Where next
Three place guides to continue with
Use these source-led pages to orient the local part of a wider journey.
Sources for this guide
Official sources: KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for east and south CreteKTEL Chania–Rethymno S.A.Official routes, timetables and fares for west Crete
. Check the linked operator again before travel.