Rethymnon is located 45 miles east of Chania and 50 miles west of Heraklion. While Rethymnon itself lacks an airport, it is only about one hour from the Chania airport and one hour and 30 minutes from the Heraklion airport. If you are not renting a car, then the KTEL bus line (tel. 28310/22-212) provides service to and from Chania and Heraklion approximately every 30 minutes from early in the morning until midevening. In high season, buses depart Rethymnon as late as 10 pm. The fare is about 15€ round trip. The station is located at Akti Kefaloyianithon, at the city's western edge. Of course, you can hire a taxi as well.

Rethymnon has its own ship line, which offers direct daily trips to and from Athens-Piraeus with a journey time of about ten hours.

Boat travel in Greece is common and relatively inexpensive. Timetables change according to seasonal demand and boats may be delayed by weather conditions, so your plans should be flexible. That being said, ferries and hydrofoils for the Greek Islands only operate between May and September due to annual weather changes including rough seas and high winds. For travel beyond these months, your itinerary will include transportation by flight between the islands.

Note: The Athens airport authority advises you to allow a minimum of 45 minutes to make a flight connection; which should be adequate if you arrive and depart from the main terminal and do not have to clear Customs. Allow at least 60 to 90 minutes if you have to clear Customs or if you arrive or depart from the satellite terminal. At present, many charter flights use the satellite terminal.

There are several options for getting around Crete, including public buses, taxis, rental cars and mopeds, but Rethymnon is a walker's town. The sights you'll want to see around town are never more than a 20-minute walk. The KTEL bus line (tel. 28310/22-212) offers frequent service to and from Heraklion and Chania, approximately every 30 minutes from early in the morning until midevening. In high season, buses depart Rethymnon as late as 10 pm. The fare is about 15€ round trip. The station is located at Akti Kefaloyianithon, at the city's western edge so allow an extra ten minutes to get there.

One of the most popular means of getting around the island is by moped or motorcycle. Unfortunately, the quality of paved roads is not always good as road surfaces are affected by a number of factors including floods and rock falls in winter and extreme heat in summer. Potholes and loose gravel surfaces are very common as a result. This makes some roads particularly hazardous for motorcyclists. It's a good idea to check the brakes and steering before you ride off. Greek law now requires wearing a helmet, but not all agents supply one. Also, be sure to get full insurance and get a phone number, in case of breakdown.

Warning: Beware of the heat (sunstroke) and take plenty of water with you!

Although taxis are available, the sights you'll want to see around Rethymnon are never more than a 20-minute walk. Taxis are quite cheap in Greece, so they can be considered a very convenient way of moving around in Crete. Taxi fare structures are the same all over Greece and they are regulated by the Greek State. In cities and larger towns, drivers MUST use the meter. Taxi drivers in Crete are slightly better than some parts of the world, however, it is recommended that you protect yourself from overcharging by knowing the going rate for the trip you want and agreeing on the fare before you take off.

The best way to get around Crete is by car as it will provide the most freedom and comfort for travel. Driving in Greece, and driving in Crete, in particular, might seem a daunting prospect at first, but provided you take appropriate care your trips will be safe and result in enormous pleasure. The island is 162 by 38 miles, so it is a large island. If you plan to do a lot of exploring, keep in mind that narrow winding roads can often mean that journey times are longer than might be expected from distances calculated from a map. Plan your itinerary in advance to avoid spending excessive amounts of time behind the wheel. You can rent a car in any major city as well as at the Heraklion International Airport and the Chania International Airport.

Many visitors come to Rethymnon by car, taking the highway from Heraklion (about 50 miles) or Chania (45 miles). There is a public parking lot at Plateia Plastira, at the far western edge, just outside the old harbor, which is best approached via the main east-west road along the south edge of the town. However, unless you plan to explore the countryside, taking the bus there might be the best way to go from either of those other cities since bringing a car into Rethymnon's maze of streets and alleys is nearly impossible and more trouble than it's worth.

Please Note: If you park in a no-parking area, the police will remove your license plates, and you, not the car rental office, will have to pay a hefty fine to get them back!

Warning: Drive with caution, especially at night, when you will undoubtedly be sharing the roads with motorists returning from an evening of drinking.