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Crete

Practical know-how for Crete: when to go, getting around, money, tipping and the small things that make a trip easier.

Plan your Crete trip

Best time to go
May–June and September–October; July and August are hot.
Currency
Euro (€)
Tipping
Rounding up or 5 to 10% in restaurants is customary.
Language
Greek. English is widely spoken in tourist areas.
Plugs
Type C/F (two round pins), 230V. UK visitors need an adapter.
Emergency
112
Getting there and around

Airport: Heraklion (HER). Chania (CHQ) serves the west of Crete. Direct flights from London take about 4h 05m.

Public transport: a single ticket is typically £1–£1.5. A day pass or a travel card is usually better value if you ride several times a day.

Crete is a large island, about 260 km long. Places listed here are spread widely, so a car or organised tours help.

Search flights to Crete

Money and tipping

Currency: Euro (€).

Tipping: Rounding up or 5 to 10% in restaurants is customary.

Take a debit or credit card with no foreign transaction fees if you can, carry a little cash for markets and small cafés, and when a machine offers to charge you in pounds, choose the local currency.

Typical daily spend: see the Crete cost guide.

Language, culture and daily rhythm

Language: Greek. English is widely spoken in tourist areas.

Rhythm of the day: Lunch is late (2 to 4pm) and dinner is often after 9pm. Many shops close mid-afternoon, and sights close earlier in winter.

  • Book ferries ahead in summer. Strong winds (the meltemi) can delay or cancel crossings, so don’t schedule an island hop right before a flight.
  • Small tavernas and island shops may prefer cash.
  • Visit archaeological sites first thing: it is hot and crowded by midday.
Booking ahead and saving money

Free things to do: 5 of the 9 places in our Crete guide are free. See them.

Book timed-entry sights, popular restaurants and weekend trains ahead. Flights and hotels are usually cheapest booked 6 to 12 weeks out for city breaks, and earlier for summer beach holidays.

Safety, health and watch-outs

Emergency number: 112.

  • Strong summer sun: bring a hat, sunscreen and water.
  • Island roads are winding. Think carefully before hiring a quad bike.

A UK GHIC gives you access to state healthcare in the EU on the same terms as locals, but it is not a substitute for travel insurance. Take out insurance that covers medical care, cancellation and your activities.

Practical details

Plugs and voltage: Type C/F (two round pins), 230V. UK visitors need an adapter.

Tap water: Tap water is fine in Athens, but most visitors drink bottled water on the islands.

Entry and documents: Entry rules, passport validity and any pre-travel registrations change. Always check the GOV.UK foreign travel advice page for your destination before you book and again before you travel.

General guidance for Greece, written for UK travellers. Rules, prices and opening hours change: check official sources (GOV.UK foreign travel advice, venue websites) before you travel.