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Choose the perfect vehicle for your visit to Chania and Western Crete
Everything you need to know before you arrive in Western Crete
Chania is the most charming city in Crete: a Venetian harbour town on the northwest coast, with a maze of old-town lanes, a lighthouse over a turquoise sea and the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) rising just behind. Its position makes it the perfect base for exploring Western Crete's spectacular beaches, gorges and mountain villages. Renting a car in Chania is by far the best way to move around with complete freedom, both along the coast and inland.
Public buses (KTEL) connect the main towns but run infrequently to the beaches and villages that make Western Crete special - places like Balos, Elafonissi and the Samaria gorge are hard to reach without your own wheels. With a rental car you can plan your own route and timing. Compared with the big international chains, local car rental in Chania can cost up to 50% less, with no hidden fees and no credit-card deposit to leave.
With Rent From Locals there are no counter queues. The owner meets you directly at Chania Airport (CHQ) on the Akrotiri peninsula, the port of Souda, your hotel or another agreed spot in town, with the car ready to go. This is especially handy if you fly in late or arrive by overnight ferry from Piraeus. The service runs flexibly throughout the day - just share your arrival time in advance.
The process is simple. You need a valid driving licence - EU and EEA licences are accepted directly in Greece, while many non-EU licences require an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside the original - plus a valid identity document (ID card or passport). No credit card is required: you can pay in cash or by debit card. The minimum age is generally 21, though some owners require 23-25 for higher-category vehicles, and the licence should usually have been held for at least one year.
Chania's old town and harbour are a joy on foot, but the real magic of Western Crete is just outside the city. Here are some destinations easily reached from Chania by car:
Chania's old town is largely pedestrianised and parking near the harbour is tight in summer - use the perimeter car parks and walk in. The new national road along the north coast is fast and easy, but the routes south and west toward Elafonissi, Sfakia and the Omalos plateau are winding mountain roads with steep climbs and occasional goats on the tarmac; take them slowly. For the unpaved tracks to Balos and some southern beaches, an SUV or a car with good ground clearance is the most comfortable choice.
In Greece you drive on the right. Speed limits are typically 50 km/h in town, 90 km/h on open roads and up to 130 km/h on motorways. Fuel up before long drives, as petrol stations are sparse in the mountains and on the south coast. Seatbelts are compulsory and the drink-drive limit is low, so plan a designated driver if you visit the wineries around Chania.
July and August are the peak months: Chania and the whole of Crete fill with visitors and car availability drops fast, with prices that can double compared with the low season. Booking at least 2-3 weeks ahead in summer is always advisable. May, June, September and October offer warm weather, swimmable seas and fewer crowds - the ideal time for a relaxed road trip across Western Crete.