Chania Airport Car Rental
Car rental at Chania Airport (CHQ)
Chania Airport (CHQ) is the best pickup point for a west Crete holiday. Cars are handed over at arrivals or at offices a few minutes away, and from the airport you reach Chania town in about 20–25 minutes, Platanias in about 35 and Kissamos in about an hour. Many offers come with no deposit and no credit card required, and zero-excess cover is widely available.
Airport
Chania International (CHQ), Akrotiri
Distance to Chania
About 14 km, 20–25 min
Best for
West Crete: Chania, Platanias, Kissamos, Balos, Elafonisi
Pickup
Meet at arrivals or a short shuttle
How pickup works at Chania Airport
Chania International Airport (Ioannis Daskalogiannis) is on the Akrotiri peninsula, about 14 km north-east of Chania town. It is small, so pickup is quick: most local suppliers meet you in the arrivals hall with a name sign, walk you to the car park and do the paperwork at the car. Some use an office a few minutes away with a free shuttle.
Add your flight number when you book so the supplier can follow delays. If you land late at night, check the out-of-hours arrangements. On the return day, allow 20–30 minutes for refuelling and the check-in of the car before you go through security.
Drive times from Chania Airport
- Chania old town: 20–25 min
- Agia Marina / Platanias: 30–35 min
- Kalyves and Almyrida (Apokoronas): 30 min
- Kissamos: about 1 h
- Falasarna: about 1 h 15
- Balos (Kaliviani, then 8 km of dirt track): about 1 h 15 + 30 min
- Elafonisi: about 2 h
- Chora Sfakion: about 1 h 30
- Rethymno: about 1 h 15
- Heraklion: about 2 h 30
Check live prices and availability
Enter your dates to compare cars, deposits, payment methods and insurance for Chania Airport (CHQ).
Which car to choose
A small car (Fiat Panda, Hyundai i10, Toyota Aygo class) is enough for couples and makes parking around Chania's old town and in villages much easier. Choose a compact or estate for four adults with luggage, and a 7-seater for larger families.
Automatics are popular and limited in July and August, so book them early. For Balos you do not need a 4x4, but check whether the supplier's insurance covers the dirt track before you drive it.
No deposit, no credit card and zero excess at CHQ
Many local suppliers at Chania Airport offer cars with no security deposit, accept a debit card or cash instead of a credit card, and include full insurance with zero excess. These conditions are set per car and per supplier, so check the deposit, payment method and excess on the exact car you choose before booking. Typical exclusions to read for: tyres, glass, underbody, lost keys and unpaved roads.
Local driving tips for west Crete
The road from the airport joins the north-coast highway (VOAK) at Souda. The highway has many junctions and slow traffic; slower drivers often move onto the hard shoulder to let others pass, so keep your distance.
Chania's old town is largely pedestrian: use the paid car parks around the walls rather than driving into the lanes. For Balos, Falasarna and Elafonisi, leave early in summer to find parking.
Documents and driving rules in Crete
- Licence: valid licences from the EU/EEA, the UK, the USA, Canada and Australia are recognised in Greece for visitors. Some rental suppliers or their insurers may still ask for an International Driving Permit, and a licence not in Latin script may need one, so check the rental terms before you travel.
- Age: most suppliers ask for a minimum age of 21–23 and a licence held for at least a year; drivers under 25 may pay a young-driver fee.
- Driving: on the right. Typical limits are 50 km/h in towns and 70–90 km/h on the north-coast highway (follow the signs). The alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l, and 0.2 g/l for drivers in their first two years.
- No tolls on Crete. Fuel stations are frequent on the north coast but sparse in the mountains and on the south coast, and many village stations close on Sunday afternoons.
For how deposits, payment methods and insurance excess work, see no deposit, no credit card and zero excess car rental in Crete.
Car rental across Crete
Tours & experiences
Chania Airport (CHQ) car rental: questions
How far is Chania Airport from Chania town?
About 14 km, a 20–25 minute drive.
Can I rent a car at Chania Airport without a credit card?
Yes. Many local suppliers accept a debit card or cash and require no deposit; confirm the payment terms on the car you book.
Is there zero-excess insurance at Chania Airport?
Yes, many offers include full insurance with zero excess. Check what is excluded, such as tyres, glass, underbody and unpaved roads.
Do I need a 4x4 for Balos or Elafonisi?
No. Elafonisi is on paved roads and a normal car manages the Balos track slowly, but check whether your insurance covers unpaved roads.
What happens if my flight is delayed?
Add your flight number when booking; local suppliers usually track arrivals. Late-night pickups may need to be arranged in advance.
Is Chania Airport the best pickup for Elafonisi?
Yes, for visitors staying in west Crete. Elafonisi is about two hours' drive from the airport.