Operator guide
Crete bus operators
Four operator publications cover the journeys most residents and visitors make: two KTEL intercity companies and two city networks. Knowing which one owns your journey is the single most useful piece of Crete bus knowledge.
Read at your pace
The details, one decision at a time
Open the part you need and keep the operator source beside it.
The two KTEL companies
Intercity
KTEL Heraklio–Lasithi publishes the east and south; KTEL Chania–Rethymno publishes the west. Each maintains its own routes, timetables and fares.
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
Heraklion and Chania city buses
Urban
Both big cities run their own urban operators with separate tickets and route pages — distinct from the KTEL coaches even where they share street space.
Official links for this step
Sources: Heraklion Urban BusesOfficial urban itineraries, tickets and telematicsChania Urban BusesOfficial urban routes and announcementsMunicipality of HeraklionVisitor guidance: local transportation
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 CreteHeraklion Urban BusesOfficial urban itineraries, tickets and telematicsChania Urban BusesOfficial urban routes and announcementsMunicipality of HeraklionVisitor guidance: local transportation
. Check the linked operator again before travel.