Driving in Heraklion: Local Traffic Insights
Drivers in Heraklion, like throughout Crete, often drive fast and maneuver at the last moment. Don't perceive this as aggression. Maintain calm and move at your comfortable pace without trying to match local speeds.
Essential traffic navigation tips:
- Don't succumb to pressure from vehicles behind violating speed limits
- Drive at your safe speed
- Always signal turns well in advance
- Maintain proper following distance, even if locals sometimes don't
Practical driving strategies:
- If moving slower than traffic flow and road permits, carefully shift closer to the right shoulder for safe overtaking
- On winding mountain roads or rural areas, reduce speed before turns
- Prepare for oncoming traffic on narrow sections
Traffic congestion patterns in Heraklion:
- Morning rush: 7:30 am to 9:00 am (especially around port and city center)
- Evening peak: 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm (intensified by tourist traffic during summer)
- Weekend congestion: Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons during tourist season
Crete features diverse road types:
- New northern national road with excellent pavement
- Mountain and rural roads — narrow, winding, with steep climbs and descents
- Heraklion and other cities — busy with numerous narrow streets and pedestrians
Vehicle selection guidance:
- For island exploration: choose cars with adequate power for mountain climbs
- For city travel: compact models work best for narrow urban streets
Fundamental regulations:
- Right-hand traffic
- Seat belts mandatory for all occupants
- Children 3-11 years under 135cm must use child seats
- Phone use while driving prohibited without hands-free devices
Speed limits:
- City: 50 km/h
- Outside city: 90 km/h
- Highways: 110-120 km/h
Critical reminder: Always check road signs! Speed limits on specific sections may be lower or higher than standard regulations.
Rural driving considerations:
- Watch for unexpected livestock (goats, sheep, other animals)
- If encountering herds, stop, wait, and enjoy the authentic moment
- Tunnels require headlight activation
Parking in Heraklion
Parking in central Heraklion is challenging, especially during peak tourist season. For city center exploration, consider leaving your car slightly further out. For closer parking, here are proven options:
Recommended Parking Locations
- Eleftherias Square — Large paid parking near center with reasonable rates and easy walking access to main attractions.
- Hanioporta area near old city walls — Both paid parking and limited street parking available; usually easier to find spaces than in the center.
- Streets near the port — Early morning arrival may yield free street parking spaces in the port area with walking access to center.
Parking Zone Classifications
Street parking considerations:
- Carefully observe signage as time restrictions, costs, and regulations vary by area
- Some zones are resident-only access
Zone types:
- Paid zones — Common in central Heraklion areas; costs, maximum duration, and payment methods indicated on signs
- Time-restricted zones — Blue markings and signs; may offer free parking but strictly limited duration (typically 1-2 hours)
- Resident-only zones — Special signs often featuring house symbols and "Residents only" text; strictly forbidden for tourists regardless of available spaces
Parking Restrictions
Never park:
- In pedestrian zones, especially the old town
- At public transport stops, intersections, near fire hydrants
- Where "Stop" signs (red circles) or yellow markings are present
Long-term parking solution: Use parking garages with hourly rates, ensuring your vehicle stays cool and secure.
Gas Stations in Heraklion
Gas stations are marked as "Βενζινάδικα." They're numerous in Heraklion, nearby villages, and along main roads. However, remote mountain areas and southern regions have significantly fewer stations.
Operating Hours and Service
Typical schedules:
- Most stations aren't 24/7
- Standard hours: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, or until 9:00 pm in tourist zones during summer
- Sundays: Most stations closed, but major stations in Heraklion or on highways remain open
Service approach: Nearly all Crete gas stations are full-service—you don't need to exit your vehicle. Tell the operator your fuel type, quantity, or amount in euros. They accept cash euros and major credit/debit cards.
Planning tip: Don't postpone refueling. Fill up in advance, especially before trips to remote areas or weekends.
How to Rent a Car in Heraklion
Simple instructions for renting a car in Heraklion through Localrent:
- Select pickup/return dates in Heraklion. If returning elsewhere on Crete, specify this. Use convenient filters to narrow your search—choose transmission type, vehicle class, year, deposit size, and other important parameters.
- Review available options — Compact models work excellently for city travel and main coastal roads. For active exploration of mountain villages and winding southern Crete roads, select vehicles with more powerful engines for confident hill climbing.
- Examine vehicle details — Opening your preferred car's card, carefully review all information including technical specifications, included insurance type, driver age and experience requirements, total rental cost, and available payment methods. Add additional options like child seats here.
- Specify pickup/return location and time, main driver data, and contact information.
- Confirm booking — Pay online deposit (typically 15-20% of total cost). Immediately receive email voucher confirmation—save this document containing all order details and rental company contacts.
- Vehicle inspection — Meet rental company representative at agreed location. Before signing contract, conduct detailed vehicle inspection. Carefully check body for scratches, dents, or chips; examine wheels, interior, windows, and trunk. All discovered damage, even minor, must be clearly documented in the handover report—don't hesitate to note everything!
Also verify fuel tank level—you'll need to return the vehicle with the same level. After contract signing and remaining payment, receive keys. Confirm company emergency contact number for rental period questions.
Hi! I am very interested if it is possible to rent a car with a driver?
Hello! We only offer services for those who would like to rent a car without a driver.
Good afternoon. Up to what age does a child need a child safety seat?
Hello! It is quired for children less than 135 cm tall, which means about up to 12 years of age.
Hello. Do you have a “second driver” service?
Hello! Some rental companies offer this option. To view the cars with this option, click “Filters” and select “The second driver in the contract”.
Hi. Do you have any restrictions or policies for off-road driving?
Hello! Off-road driving is restricted. Driving a car across the country borders is also not allowed. Driving out to Greek islands by ferry boat is possible only after preliminary confirmation. In order to arrange permission, please write email to help desk hello@localrent.com
Hello! What does the car rental actually cover?
Hello! The car rent price actually is the price that you pay for using the car, usually it includes also TPL insurance. The car rent price, in some cases, may include CDW or SCDW insurances (it depends on car and you can check it in the car booking form), or some extra services like adding child seat for free or option to add second driver for free (this is also specified in car booking form). Car rent price does not include fuel. You must return the car with the same level of fuel you picked it up with. If the level of fuel is lower, you pay the difference, if the level of fuel is higher, you are not compensated for the difference. Car rent price does not include the washing of the car. You pick up a freshly washed car and must return it in the same condition. The car rental company must wash the car before delivering it to you, and you must wash the vehicle before returning it. If car is not washed before the return, car rental company may charge you for washing.