Rethymno is a town situated in the east of popular Chania ion Crete. If you want to visit Rethymno, it’s easy getting to Rethymno by bus from Chania. Here’s how to do it…
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1. Chania Bus Station
Chania bus station is within walking distance from the Old Venetian Port and its cobbled streets. From the Venetian fountain in the main square, walk up Chalidon Street until you reach the traffic lights. Alpha Bank will be on your right. Continue across Skalidi street to the road named ‘Place 1866’.
Once you reach the end of Place 1866, turn right onto Kidonias street and walk up. Take the first road on your left called Partheviou Kelaidi. The bus station will be on your left.
Bus station Chania address:
Partheviou Kelaidi 24, Chania 731 36, Greece.
Inside the bus station, you’ll find a cafe, waiting room, a mini market, toilets and luggage lockers. The lockers are available 24 hours a day.
As well as the long-distance buses in the main area, there are also local buses departing from the other side of the bus terminal.
To check on your bus and route, you’ll find a couple of screens that will show upcoming departures. The buses are right in front of the ticket office in designated bays.
Your ticket, as well as the main screens, will show which bay your bus will depart from. The number bay your bus will leave from will show up 10-15 minutes before departure.
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2. Buses and tickets
You can purchase tickets online from the KTEL bus website or buy them at the bus station. It’s possible to get them on the day but if you do, you must buy them at the ticket office 30 minutes before your bus departs. Make sure you arrive with enough time to queue up and purchase them.
When I purchased mine, a return ticket to Rethymno from Chania was €12.40 (at the time of writing).
You should always check for up-to-date bus timetables a day before or on the day you travel in case anything changes. Visit the KTEL bus website or check at the bus station ahead of time.
The buses
The bus to Rethymno is actually a coach as it will cover a longer distance than the smaller local ones. The seats are not typically reserved but you should check your ticket just in case. If you have luggage, you’ll need to put it in the hold space under the bus. The driver will open this a few minutes before departure time. They will ask where you’re going since it will make stops along the way.

Buses to Rethymno currently run every hour at half past the hour (at the time of writing – June 2022). The bus will make several stops along the way at designated bus stops. If you want to get off, there’s a bell near the rear exit.
A ticket inspector will most likely check tickets during the trip, so make sure you have yours to hand.
3. Getting to Rethymno town centre
When you arrive at Rethymno, the bus will park away from the main station entrance to let passengers off. This is because the bus will need to pick up more people if Rethymno is not the final destination.
From the bus station, it’s easy to walk to the town centre. Depending on your pace, it’ll take about 10-15 minutes to get to the main shopping area or about 15-20 minutes to walk to the Port of Rethymno.
4. Tips
- If you buy a physical ticket at the station, take a picture of it just in case you misplace it.
- Make sure you print an online bought ticket, or you can show it on your smartphone. Make sure your phone has enough battery to last your journey.
- Make sure you plan since the buses are once every hour or so.
- Check the KTEL bus website for up-to-date bus timetables. You can do what I did and go to the bus station a day or two before so you can buy your tickets. This is also useful to help you familiarise yourself with its location.
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