USEFUL INFORMATION, ADVICE & TIPS FOR YOUR CAR RENTAL IN CRETE:
Roads in Crete:
• (New) NATIONAL ROAD (E 45) : This main express toll-free roadway (highway) runs in the northern part of Crete from the West (from Kastelli Kissamos) to the East (Sitia) via all the major cities: Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos. Length: appx 330km - 205 miles. Multiple lanes per traffic current separated by central barriers, hard shoulders and parking areas are hosted in some parts of its route while in some other places only one regular lane per traffic current will be in host.
• Old National Road: Parallel to the (E 45) National Road in some parts, rotates/runs from the coast to the nothern mainland of Crete. A good road with one regular lane per traffic current that will offer breathtaking views along its coastal part and a pass through small towns and traditional villages of Crete.
• Main Roads: These roads connect the North with the mainland and the South in all 4 Prefectures of Crete (Heraklion, Rethymnon,Chania, Lassithi) and in some parts the mainland and southern coasts of different prefectures (South Rethymnon to South Heraklion to Southern Lassithi).
• Secondary roads: These roads are branches to the main roads and will help the travellers explore Crete’s mainland more in depth and gain more experience, culture and unique views by passing through smaller towns and traditional villages but also to reach most of the Southern coasts and superb beaches of all 4 prefectures. These roads are narrow and host many sharp/blind bends in some parts especially when they swing their route up & down the mountains.
Rules & Tips for Driving in Crete
Priority to the Right. In Crete and in Greece in general traffic keeps to the right according to a right-of-way system in which the driver of the car must give the right of way to vehicles coming/approaching from the right unless otherwise posted by priority signs including roundabouts.
Fasten your Safety Belts (Seatbelts). Both drivers and passengers of the vehicle must have their safety belts fastened.
Adjust you speed according to the limits indicated/posted by road signs.
Apart from a heavy traffic fine that will be paid on the spot speeding may also result in the confiscation of your driving licence.
Speed Limits (=Maximum Permissable Speed) in Crete:
• 50km/h (30mph) applies in cities and built up areas (although further reduced in many areas)
• 80km/h (50mph) applies outside cities (although further reduced in many areas)
• 90km/h (60mph) applies in the National Road (although 100km/h and less than 80km/h in some parts)
Do NOT Drink & Drive. Law is very strict against driving under the influence of alcohol and alcohol tests are very frequent and strict too. The permissible blood alcohol level is extremely low and drinking could put you in smaller (=heavy fines) or bigger (=confiscation/loss of driving licence, punishable offence) violation of the law apart from raising the chances to get oneself involved in a car accident dramatically.
Distances between the 4 Major cities of Crete and their South Coasts.
FROM the WEST TO the EAST:
-From Chania to Rethymnon: 70 km/50 miles distance, appx 50 minutes to 1 hour road trip.
From Chania Prefecture to the towns and beaches of its south coast: 70km - 80 km distances, appx 1 hour and a half (30minutes) up to 2 hours road trips.
-From Rethymnon to Heraklion : 80 km/44 miles distance, appx 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes road trip.
From Rethymnon Prefecture to the towns and beaches of its south coast: 40km - 50 km distances, appx half an hour (30 minutes) up to 45 minutes road trips.
- From Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos : 70 km/44 miles distance, appx 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes road trip.
From Heraklion Prefecture to the towns and beaches of its south coast: 65km - 85 km distances, appx 1 hour and a half (30minutes) up to 2 hours road trips.
- From Agios Nikolaos to Sitia : 75 km/47 miles distance, appx 1 hour and a half (30 minutes) road trip.
From Lassithi Prefecture to the towns and beaches of its south coast: 30km - 40 km distances, appx half an hour (30 minutes) up to 45 minutes road trips.
Gasoline Stations in Crete
There are plenty of gasoline stations throughout Crete and in most cases road signs will inform you about the remaining distance to the first one available.
Self service gasoline stations in Crete are very rare and almost in all cases an employee/attendant will fill up the car for you. Not all gasoline stations accept credit card as way of payment. In all major cities (Heraklion, Chania, Rethymnon, Agios Nikolaos) and on the new National Road “E45” in the Nothern part of Crete there is always at least one gasoline station open 24 hours a day and on Sundays.
Parking in Crete
Park the car only where it is allowed according to the posted road signs along the cities/towns streets as traffic fines are often high.
CAUTION: NO MATTER THE LESS OR MORE TIME YOU HAVE TO PARK THE CAR NEVER LEAVE ANY OF YOUR BELONGINGS VISIBLE TO OUTSIDERS INSIDE THE CAR.
EMERGENCY Numbers:
Police: 100
Ambulance: 166
Fire Brigade: 199