Hi Everyone,

I have been reading everyone's posts and I am so excited for this vacation! My husband and I are going to Greece from June 4th-25th. We have already planned our itinerary (loosely as recommended) but I was wondering about car rental. We are staying out first day/night in Athens so we'll have a day to sightsee. Then we are off to Mykonos, Ios, Santorini, and Crete. I am wondering what islands if any we might need a car on other than Crete? We are staying in Chania on Crete and will rent a car to visit other areas but am wondering how many days we might need one? Also, we will be taking a ferry back to Athens from Crete. Is there one that sails out of Chania? Or will we need to drive to Iraklion? I was planning on just buying our ferry tickets when we arrived. Also, I am assuming in June the weather will be nice enough to get some a sun tan and swim?

There are night boats that leave Chania for Athens/Piraeus arriving between 6am and 7:05am depending on which one you take. These are car ferries with sleeping cabins and they leave every day.

Crete's the only island you've mentioned where a car would be advantageous. What you want to see and how long you plan to be on Crete determines how long you'd need to rent the car. You don't have to reserve one in advance.

The weather will be glorious!

Hi Brotherleelove 2004,

Thanks for the response. We will be on Crete for 6 days/5 nights. I know we want to hike the Gorge and will stay in Chania but with that amount of time I am sure we'd like to see as much of the island as possible. If we rented the car for 3 days would that be enough time to see Iraklion and Rethymon and other areas as day trips?

You won't want to go to Samaria by car. Once you walk down, the boat takes you back to a different place- usually Hora Sfakion, or, in your case, Sougia. So you want to go up and back by bus, whether public or organised trip.

Apart from that which will take a day, you will spend, I'll sure a full day in Chania. That take care of 2 out of your 6. Will you chill in Chania another day? Only you can tell. So, car for 3 or 4 days on Crete.

Note, the ferries leave from Souda, about 10 miles from Chania. You need to get there- a cab would not be expensive.

Iraklion is not a pretty city; but you will want to go to Knossos and should tie that in with a visit to the museum in the centre. TIP- if you can, go on a Sunday; both are free.

Rethymnon is pretty, if not as pretty as Chania. You could easily do it on the way home from Knossos.

3 days with a car will be enough. Besides Knossos, be sure to see the archaeological museum in Heraklion, and if you are thinking about driving to the south coast, try to get to Agia Galini and Matala, two places I remember that were worth visiting.

Thank you very much for your help! I can't wait for the trip!