Heraklion Port Car Rental
Car rental at Heraklion Port
Heraklion port is next to the old town and receives overnight ferries from Piraeus and island ferries in season. Many suppliers deliver cars to the port to meet your arrival, including early-morning ferries, and offers with no deposit, no credit card and zero excess are common.
Port
Heraklion, beside the old town
Arrivals
Overnight ferries from Piraeus; island routes in season
Airport
About 10 min away
Pickup
Meet at the port with your ferry time
Meeting your ferry
Overnight ferries from Piraeus usually arrive early in the morning. Give the supplier your ferry company and arrival time so the car is waiting at the port exit; confirm the exact meeting point, as the port has several terminals. In summer, high-speed ferries from Santorini and other islands also arrive during the day.
Returning before a sailing
If you return the car at the port, allow at least 30–45 minutes before boarding time. Traffic around the port can be heavy in the evening, when the Piraeus ferries load.
Check live prices and availability
Enter your dates to compare cars, deposits, payment methods and insurance for Heraklion Port.
Drive times from Heraklion port
- Heraklion centre: walking distance
- Heraklion Airport: about 10 min
- Knossos: about 15 min
- Hersonissos: about 30 min
- Agios Nikolaos: about 1 h
- Rethymno: about 1 h 15
- Chania: about 2 h 15
Taking the car on a ferry
Most rental agreements do not allow the car to leave Crete or travel on ferries without written permission. If you plan an island trip, leave the car and travel as a foot passenger.
No deposit, no credit card and zero excess
Port delivery is offered with many no-deposit and no-credit-card cars. Check the payment method, deposit and excess on the exact car, and whether a port delivery fee applies.
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
Heraklion Port car rental: questions
Can I pick up a rental car at Heraklion port early in the morning?
Yes, many suppliers meet early ferries; give them your ferry and arrival time.
Can I take a rental car on the ferry to Santorini?
Usually not without written permission from the supplier.
How far is Heraklion port from the airport?
About 10 minutes by car.
Is there a fee for port delivery?
Sometimes. Check the offer before booking.
Can I rent at Heraklion port without a credit card?
Yes, with many local suppliers.