Bus Timetable, Summer Season 2025.
The bus timetable for summer season 2025 for Eastern Crete (Heraklion, Hersonisos, Aghios Nikolaos, Ierapetra, Sitia, etc.), as published on 17 June 2024.
All links between Heraklion, Malia, Aghios Nikolaos, Ierapetra, Sitia, Elounda and the surrounding area.
The departure times refer mostly to the local bus station. In the case of intervening bus stops, it is always possible to expect traffic-related, normal deviations from the arrival of the buses.
Bus timetable summer season 2025:
Route |
Monday-Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|
Agios Nikolaos-Malia-Hersonisos-Heraklion |
6:00 – 6:30 – 7:00 – 7:30 – 8:30 – 9:30 – 10:30 – 11:30 – 12:30 – 13:30 – 14:30 – 15:30 – 16:30 – 17:30 – 18:30 – 19:00 (Express) – 20:00 – 21:30 – 22:20 |
6:00 – 6:30 – 7:30 – 8:30 – 9:30 – 10:30 – 11:30 – 12:30 – 13:30 – 14:30 – 15:30 – 16:30 – 17:30 – 18:30 – 19:00 /Express) – 20:00 – 21:30 – 22:20 |
6:00 – 7:30 – 8:30 – 9:30 – 10:30 – 11:30 – 12:30 – 13:30 – 14:30 – 15:30 – 16:30 – 17:30 – 18:30 – 19:00 (Express) – 20:00 – 21:30 – 22:20 |
Heraklion-Agios Nikolaos |
6:30 – 7:30 (Express) – 8:30 – 9:30 – 10:00 – 11:00 – 12:00 – 13:00 – 14:00 – 14:45 – 15:45 – 16:15 – 16:45 – 17:45 – 18:15 – 18:45 – 19:45 – 20:45 – 22:15 – 24:00 |
6:30 – 7:30 – 8:30 – 9:30 – 10:00 – 11:00 – 12:00 – 13:00 – 14:00 – 14:45 – 15:45 – 16:45 – 17:45 – 18:15 – 18:45 – 19:45 – 20:45 – 22:15 – 24:00 |
7:30 – 8:30 – 9:30 – 10:00 – 11:00 – 12:00 – 13:00 – 14:00 – 14:45 – 15:45 – 16:15 – 16:45 – 17:45 – 18:45 – 19:45 – 20:45 – 22:00 – 24:00 |
Agios Nikolaos – Ierapetra |
6:30 – 8:45 – 10:15 – 11:45 – 13:45 – 15:45 – 18:30 – 20:30 – 22:15 |
8:45 – 11:45 – 13:45 – 15:45 – 18:30 – 20:30 – 22:15 |
9:00 – 11:45 – 13:45 – 15:45 – 18:30 – 20:30 – 22:15 |
Ierapetra – Agios Nikolaos |
6:30 – 8:30 – 10:30 – 12:30 – 14:30 – 16:30 – 18:00 – 20:30 |
6:30 – 8:30 – 11:30 – 14:30 – 16:30 – 18:00 – 20:30 |
6:30 – 8:30 – 11:30 – 14:30 – 16:30 – 18:00 – 20:30 |
Agios Nikolaos – Sitia |
6:30 – 8:45 – 12:45 – 14:45 – 19:30 |
8:45 – 12:45 – 14:45 – 19:30 |
9:00 – 12:45 – 14:45 – 19:30 |
Sitia – Agios Nikolaos |
5:30 – 8:45 – 11:45 – 14:45 – 17:15 |
6:45 – 11:45 – 14:45 – 17:15 |
6:45 – 11:45 – 14:45 – 17:15 |
Agios Nikolaos – Elounda |
7:00 – 9:00 – 10:00 – 11:00 – 12:00 – 13:00 – 14:00 – 15:00 – 16:00 – 17:00 – 18:00 – 19:00 – 20:00 – 21:00 |
7:00 – 9:00 – 10:00 – 11:00 – 12:00 – 13:00 – 14:00 – 15:00 – 16:00 – 17:00 – 18:00 – 19:00 – 20:30 |
7:00 – 9:00 – 10:00 – 11:00 – 12:00 – 13:00 – 14:00 – 15:00 – 16:00 – 17:00 – 18:00 – 19:00 – 20:30 |
Elounda – Agios Nikolaos |
7:20 – 9:40 – 10:20 – 11:40 – 12:20 – 13:40 – 14:20 – 15:40 – 16:20 – 17:40 – 18:20 – 19:40 – 20:20 – 21:20 |
7:20 – 9:40 – 10:20 – 11:40 – 12:20 – 13:40 – 14:20 – 15:40 – 16:20 – 17:40 – 18:20 – 19:40 – 20:50 |
7:20 – 9:40 – 10:20 – 11:40 – 12:20 – 13:40 – 14:20 – 15:40 – 16:20 – 17:40 – 18:20 – 19:40 – 20:50 |
Agios Nikolaos – Plaka |
9:00 – 11:00 – 13:00 – 15:00 – 17:00 – 19:00 |
9:00 – 11:00 – 13:00 – 15:00 – 17:00 – 19:00 |
9:00 – 11:00 – 13:00 – 15:00 – 17:00 – 19:00 |
Plaka – Agios Nikolaos |
9:30 – 11:30 – 13:30 – 15:30 – 17:30 – 19:30 |
9:30 – 11:30 – 13:30 – 15:30 – 17:30 – 19:30 |
9:30 – 11:30 – 13:30 – 15:30 – 17:30 – 19:30 |
Agios Nikolaos – Kritsa |
7:00 – 11:30 – 14:30 – 16:30 – 18:30 |
8:00 – 11:30 – 14:00 |
8:00 – 11:30 – 14:00 |
Kritsa – Agios Nikolaos |
7:30 – 11:45 – 15:00 – 16:45 – 18:45 |
8:15 – 11:45 – 14:15 |
8:15 – 11:45 – 14:15 |
Agios Nikolaos – Kroustas |
7:00 – 14:30 |
– |
– |
Kroustas – Agios Nikolaos |
7:20 – 14:50 |
– |
– |
Agios Nikolaos – Kalo Horio/Istron |
6:30 – 8:45 – 10:15 – 11:45 – 12:45 – 13:45 – 14:45 – 15:45 – 18:30 – 19:30 – 20:30 – 22:15 |
8:45 – 10:30 – 11:45 – 12:45 – 13:45 – 14:45 – 15:45 – 18:30 – 19:30 – 20:30 – 22:15 |
9:00 – 11:45 – 12:45 – 13:45 – 14:45 – 15:45 – 18:30 – 19:30 – 20:30 – 22:15 |
Kalo Horio/Istron – Agios Nikolaos |
6:30 – 7:00 – 9:00 – 10:00 – 11:00 – 13:00 – 15:00 – 16:00 – 17:00 – 18:30 – 21:00 |
7:00 – 8:00 – 9:00 – 11:00 – 12:00 – 13:00 – 15:00 – 16:00 – 17:00 – 18:30 – 21:00 |
7:00 – 8:00 – 9:00 – 12:00 – 13:00 – 15:00 – 16:00 – 17:00 – 18:30 – 21:00 |
Some ticket prices (from 2022):
Heraklion-Gouves €2.20; Heraklion-Hersonisos €3.10; Heraklion-Malia €3.80; Heraklion-Aghios Nikolaos €7.10; Heraklion-Ierapetra €11.00; Heraklion-Sitia €14.60; Heraklion-Rethymno €7.60; Heraklion-Chania €13.80; Heraklion-Archanes €1.90; Heraklion-Matala €7.80.
No responsibility is taken for the correctness of this information (as of 17 June 2025).
Alternatively, you can also use a taxi or get a rental car.
For the latest updates on bus schedule changes or tickets, please visit KTEL Routes (English) – or for Western Crete the KTEL Homepage.
New KTEL route from Chania to Heraklion in two hours
Starting Monday, 16 June 2025, new express bus services run between Chania and Heraklion. These are managed by the KTEL buses of Chania – Rethymno and Heraklion – Lasithi.
The goal? To make travel along the Northern Road Axis of Crete faster and more reliable. These buses are meant to compete with private cars on both speed and convenience.
The express route stretches about 140 kilometres between the cities. Journey time clocks in at two hours—surprisingly, just about what you’d need in your own car.
No more dragging out the trip with endless stops. You get on, you get off, that’s it.
Service Details
- Number of express trips: 4 daily in each direction
- Departure points: Main KTEL bus stations in Chania and Heraklion
- Frequency: Every three hours
- Stops: Non-stop (no intermediate stops) to cut travel time
- Target passengers: Commuters and travellers seeking faster and safer connections
- Cost efficiency: Encourages use of buses over private cars, offering cheaper travel
Objectives
- Provide safer transportation during the busy summer months
- Reduce congestion and difficulties in urban parking for travellers
- Meet increased demand during peak travel times
- Support environmentally friendly transportation by lowering private car use
Benefits
Benefit |
Explanation |
|---|---|
Faster travel times |
Direct trips with no intermediate stops; duration equals private car time |
Increased safety |
Professional bus service on a busy route enhances passenger security |
Cost savings |
Buses offer an economical alternative to driving and parking fees |
Reduced road congestion |
Less private car use means fewer vehicles on the road |
Convenience |
Regular schedules every three hours for easy planning |
Overview
Feature |
Description |
|---|---|
Operators |
KTEL Chania-Rethymno and Heraklion-Lasithi |
Route |
Chania ↔ Heraklion |
Distance |
~140 km |
Travel Time |
2 hours |
Service Start Date |
16 June 2025 |
Daily Trips |
4 per direction |
Stops |
None (non-stop express) |
Frequency |
Every 3 hours |
Main Terminals |
Central KTEL stations in Chania and Heraklion |
Purpose |
Faster, safer, economical intercity travel |
KTEL’s new express service is aiming to shake up public transport on Crete. It’s a bold move—non-stop trips between Chania and Heraklion, clocking in at just about two hours.
Four departures each way, every day, so you’re not stuck waiting forever. The buses leave every three hours, which feels decent for this kind of route.
They’re not making any stops, which should help keep things on time and hassle-free. And honestly, skipping the little detours could make the ride a lot more pleasant.
It all kicks off on 16 June 2025. Both ends of the line are at the central KTEL stations, so no hunting for obscure bus stops.
The goal? Quicker, safer, and cheaper travel between Crete’s two biggest cities. Sounds promising, especially if you’re tired of the usual slow crawl across the island.
The bus in Crete
The only form of public transport on Crete is the bus, which however covers the island almost completely and also at reasonable fares.
The connections in the north of Crete are maintained by modern, fast and efficient buses along the coast almost every hour, although the standards on the main routes always vary approximately.
The connections that serve important tourist destinations, such as Festos and Matala, the Samaria Gorge or Omalos and Hora Sfakion, are also mostly manned by modern and practical buses.
However, on routes that are mostly used by the local population to reach schools or local markets, older vehicle models are mostly used. The first trip is made very early in the morning and back at noon, which makes their use unsuitable for day trips.
There are only a few places on Crete that cannot be reached by bus, and if you take the next opportunity and do some walking, you can get practically anywhere – and most of the time very cheaply and quickly.
The buses on Crete are operated by a consortium called KTEL. However, this is not a unified bus company, which is especially noticeable in Heraklion, where there are two separate bus stations (for Western and Eastern Crete) that operate different directions and routes.
In general, buses depart from the provincial capitals of Heraklion, Rethymno and Chania, and in Lasithi from Aghios Nikolaos and Sitia. In addition, there are a number of smaller and local connections, which also cross the provincial borders.
The current timetables are available at the large bus stations and tourist offices, as well as at the individual, regular bus stations also again for the respective route attached. The prices are reasonable and not too expensive.
There are no details about the most frequent service, between Heraklion and Gouves/Hersonissos/Malia!
This is the bus from Heraklion to Aghios Nikolaos!
Hi Norman,
I wonder if you could help me a Bus Timetable for this July to get us fromMaleme to Chania?
Many thanks for your help
Peter
Western Crete is a link further down: KTEL. From end of June the timetables should be stable for summer usually, but you can check it again later.
Timetable on the internet are not up to date!!!
Thanks for the information!
Just went to the bus station to ask and they really changed it from May 14 again this year. But just minor changes (late night buses mainly aded) except Plaka/Elound-Agios Nikolaos and reverse, where some 5-minutes changes are.