🚌 Bus guide

Main westbound bus corridor for Heraklion city, airport-area changes, Cretaquarium/Gournes and onward intercity buses.

Timetable notes

Out: Hersonissos -> Heraklion: summer 2026 sample shows about every 20-30 min from 06:40, last around 01:10.

Back: Heraklion -> Hersonissos: summer 2026 sample shows about every 15-30 min from 06:00, last around 24:00.

Frequent in summer; always check same-day KTEL board.

Stops on the planner map

1. Acropolis Apartments / Hersonissos base (Hersonissos)
2. Hersonissos main road stop (Hersonissos)
3. Cretaquarium / Gournes (Gournes)
4. Heraklion Airport (HER) (Heraklion)
5. Heraklion Bus Station A (Heraklion)
6. Heraklion city centre (Heraklion)

Best default public-bus route for Heraklion Museum, city shopping and onward buses. Airport use is usually not needed because Jet2 transfer is booked. Fare €3.90 / ~35 min and ~42 daily departures (first 06:00, last ~24:00) reconfirmed against Crete Direct & KTEL Heraklion-Lasithi on 2026-06-30; exact same-day times still vary.

Confidence: confirmed · KTEL Heraklion-Lasithi / Crete Direct · Fare/source notes

Short eastbound corridor for Star Beach, Stalida/Malia and easy evening returns.

Timetable notes

Out: Hersonissos -> Malia: summer 2026 sample starts about 06:45, last around 24:45.

Back: Malia -> Hersonissos: frequent daytime/evening east-coast returns; confirm stop direction locally.

Frequent, typically 20-60 min gaps depending on day/time.

Stops on the planner map

1. Acropolis Apartments / Hersonissos base (Hersonissos)
2. Star Beach (Hersonissos)
3. Malia (Malia)

Star Beach may be simpler as a walk/taxi depending on heat and exact apartment entrance. Fare €2.30 / ~30 min reconfirmed against Crete Direct on 2026-06-30.

Confidence: confirmed · KTEL Heraklion-Lasithi / Crete Direct · Fare/source notes

Estimate only — re-check times with the operator on the day.

Short westbound bus to Cretaquarium/Gournes; also a public-transport corridor for some Gournes/Anopolis transfer plans.

Timetable notes

Out: Hersonissos -> Cretaquarium/Gournes: summer 2026 sample starts about 06:40, last around 01:10.

Back: Cretaquarium/Gournes -> Hersonissos: summer 2026 sample starts about 06:30, last around 24:30.

Frequent daytime service in summer.

Stops on the planner map

1. Acropolis Apartments / Hersonissos base (Hersonissos)
2. Hersonissos main road stop (Hersonissos)
3. Cretaquarium / Gournes (Gournes)

Not a door-to-door Watercity route; Watercity still likely needs organised pickup, taxi or a confirmed local transfer.

Confidence: estimated · KTEL Heraklion-Lasithi / Crete Direct · Fare/source notes

Eastbound route for Agios Nikolaos, then change for Elounda/Spinalonga/Olous.

Timetable notes

Out: Hersonissos -> Agios Nikolaos: summer 2026 sample includes 07:15, 09:15, 10:25, 10:45, then roughly hourly/half-hourly later.

Back: Agios Nikolaos -> Hersonissos: summer 2026 sample starts 06:00 and runs into late evening.

Around 18-19 departures on the Agios Nikolaos corridor; Elounda requires a separate local connection.

Stops on the planner map

1. Acropolis Apartments / Hersonissos base (Hersonissos)
2. Hersonissos main road stop (Hersonissos)
3. Malia (Malia)
4. Agios Nikolaos bus station / marina (Agios Nikolaos)
5. Elounda (Elounda)

For Spinalonga, compare this public-bus connection against a tour with pickup; public transport adds transfer risk. Indicative fare €5.90 / ~1h40 to Agios Nikolaos reconfirmed against Crete Direct on 2026-06-30; Elounda/Spinalonga still needs a separate local connection.

Confidence: confirmed · KTEL Heraklion-Lasithi / Crete Direct · Fare/source notes

Urban line 2 is the practical bus from Heraklion city/Bus Station A area to Knossos.

Timetable notes

Out: Line 2 Knossos-Skalani timetables are published by Heraklion Urban Bus and updated automatically.

Back: Use the same line back to Heraklion; buy/keep a return ticket where possible.

Frequent urban service on line 2; check the official day tab.

Stops on the planner map

1. Heraklion Airport (HER) (Heraklion)
2. Heraklion Bus Station A (Heraklion)
3. Heraklion city centre (Heraklion)
4. Knossos Palace (Heraklion)

Use after arriving in Heraklion by KTEL. Knossos is Zone B: €1.70 from a kiosk/machine, €2.50 bought on board. Fare reconfirmed against the Heraklion Urban Bus tickets page on 2026-06-30; carry/keep a return ticket.

Confidence: confirmed · Heraklion Urban Bus · Fare/source notes

Estimate only — re-check times with the operator on the day.

Long westbound connection for Rethymno, Chania and onward western Crete activities.

Timetable notes

Out: Take Hersonissos -> Heraklion first, then change at Heraklion Bus Station A for Rethymno/Chania.

Back: Return via Chania/Rethymno -> Heraklion, then Heraklion -> Hersonissos; watch late return gaps.

Usable for city transfers, not ideal for short activities from Hersonissos.

Stops on the planner map

1. Acropolis Apartments / Hersonissos base (Hersonissos)
2. Hersonissos main road stop (Hersonissos)
3. Heraklion Bus Station A (Heraklion)
4. Rethymno KTEL (Rethymno)
5. Chania KTEL (Chania)

Use this as a warning overlay: Almyrida, Kissamos and Samaria are technically possible but not family-friendly by public bus from Hersonissos.

Confidence: estimated · KTEL Heraklion-Lasithi / KTEL Chania-Rethymno · Fare/source notes

Onward western-Crete legs for activities that are poor public-transport fits from Hersonissos.

Timetable notes

Out: Check Chania KTEL for exact local routes and seasonal Samaria buses.

Back: Return planning usually also needs ferry/bus coordination for Samaria.

Seasonal and route-specific; verify each leg before booking.

Stops on the planner map

1. Chania KTEL (Chania)
2. Almyrida (Apokoronas)
3. Kissamos (Kissamos)
4. Samaria Gorge entrance (Samaria Gorge)

Treat these as organised-tour or car-hire candidates unless staying west overnight.

Confidence: needs checking · KTEL Chania-Rethymno · Fare/source notes