Car hire in Heraklion
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Our services at Heraklion
Car Hire Heraklion Deals - Sixt rent a car
Whether you're arriving by sea or by air, collecting a car rental from Sixt is a quick and easy process. We operate in three convenient locations around Heraklion, in the airport, the port and town centre. All three offer speedy access to the highway, with tourist hotspots and sites of historic interest only a short drive away in your comfortable car rental. Just check our drop-down menu for more details.
Our Service
Booking a car hire at one of our Heraklion branches entitles you to a wide selection of affordable extras that will make your trip even more enjoyable. For example, you might want to opt for a Sat Nav to assist you in negotiating the town's traffic system. Or if you're on a family holiday, we have baby seats, child seats and booster seats for different age groups. Meanwhile, including an additional driver on your package is a good idea if you're motoring from resort to resort. And let's not forget extras like unlimited miles and free cancellation which come with many of our rental cars. Plus if you make a last minute reservation with our smartphone app, you can even select a specific make and model for the ultimate customised driving experience.
Traffic Information
Heraklion has many hidden gems, but if you're planning to track them down in your car hire, then you may want to opt for a Sat Nav to help you make sense of its ancient road system. You might also want to avoid driving on the weekend when traffic can get congested. If in doubt, stick to the boulevards or "leoforos" - most notably, Leoforos Nearchou and Venizelou Sofokli which will take you right along the waterfront. By contrast, planning a longer road trip in your rental vehicle is relatively straightforward - just head for the National Road E75 which cuts across the southern edge of town, joining Heraklion to the island's main resorts.
Sixt Tip
At first glance Heraklion is a bustling modern sea port, but there's another story hidden beneath the urban sprawl. The town has passed through the hands of many conquerors over the centuries - Arab, Ottoman and Byzantine - resulting in an eclectic mix of ancient monuments. One of the most important influences is Venetian. You can't miss the 15th century town ramparts and port, overlooked by Koule Fortress where you can still enjoy wonderful views of the sea. Then there's the Loggia, an imposing ducal palace from the 16th century. The Venetians were also responsible for many of the picturesque fountains which remain favourite meeting spots for the townsfolk, when they're not shopping for curios on Daedalou Street or browsing the markets for local olive oil.
Sightseeing Destinations
The Heraklion Archaeological Museum gathers together the cream of priceless antiquities from Crete's main sites, including Knossos and Phaestos, beginning with the Minoan era and taking you through the glories of classical Greece. The collection of statues, paintings, pots and metalwork is second to none.
Distance to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum
- From Heraklion International Airport: 2.5 miles, about 11 minutes
- From Heraklion town centre: 1.1 miles, about 5 minutes
A straight shot south from Heraklion on national road 99, the ruins of the Palace of Knossos rank as one of the most important Bronze Age sites in the world. Dating back to 1400 BC, this was once the centre of Minoan civilisation before being mysteriously abandoned. Painstakingly excavated over decades, the ruins comprise some 22,000 square metres of private apartments, temples, ceremonial halls and workshops. And with a good choice of restaurants and cafes too, there's everything you need for a great day trip.
Distance to The Palace of Knossos
- From Heraklion International Airport: 4.3 miles, about 11 minutes
- From Heraklion town centre: 3.7 miles, about 14 minutes
A short drive east from Heraklion on the E75, CretAquarium is a serious centre of oceanographic research as well as a fun day out for the kids. It has over 60 aquariums teeming with sharks, jellyfish and other vibrant forms of Mediterranean sea life. You can easily combine an excursion here with a visit to nearby Watercity or Dinosaur Park.
Distance to CretAquarium
- From Heraklion International Airport: 9.9 miles, about 18 minutes
- From Heraklion town centre: 13.3 miles, about 28 minutes
Business Destinations
Highly respected for its postgraduate and research programmes, the University of Crete is also one of the island's major conference centres, hosting events on topics like finance, computing and biotech.
Distance to The University of Crete
- From Heraklion International Airport: 10.7 miles, about 21 minutes
- From Heraklion town centre: 7.4 miles, about 19 minutes
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Good to know when renting in Heraklion
Flexible Hiring Options
We at SIXT know plans can change, for more flexibility select ‘pay later’ during booking so that cancellation is free. You can also alter your contract any time for no extra fee.
Under 25 Car Hire
In Heraklion the minimum age for car hire is 21 years old; you must hold a valid licence for at least a year, and the selection of cars will be limited.
One-way Car Hire in Santorini
If you have a different drop-off location in mind, say town or airport, simply select a separate location during booking to check availability.
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Customer reviews & feedback
4.4
Based on 777 reviews
Vehicle return
(4.7)
Vehicle handover
(4.6)
The vehicle
(4.5)
Andrew H.
(5.0)
Had a mix-up with our car booking with another company which kinda left us stranded at the airport. Mariana at the Sixt desk in the airport did everything she could to help us out and get us on the road with as little fuss as possible. She was an absolute star.
Furthermore, for one reason or another, this is the third time Sixt has offered us incredible service like this. It's not a once off and the company should really be proud of their staff and everything they do.
We are full blown fans now and will never hire from another. Just unbeatable.
Roland K.
(5.0)
Chose them over all the scamers! I initially reserved a car at Abbycar seemed decent, but they wanted to scam me (their zero excess meant 450€… not exactly zero). So I walked over to Sixt, (I rent from them normally when I travel) they gave me a fair deal with full insurance, a decent car without reservarion. The service was also nice and friendly. So chose them over anyone else at the airport!
A.
(5.0)
Super service
Patricio C.
(5.0)
GREAT customer attention, polite and helpful.
Get rid of those Nissan Micra though, slower than a turtle and swallows gasoline like a drunk swallows beer.
Milan W.
(5.0)
I arrived at the service counter in quite some panic as i lost my wallet including drivers license and credit cards on the plane. In this situation the service team was sincerely empathetic and thoughtfully helped to resolve my situation so my wife could still rent the car, which I relied on heavily as we stayed in a very remote location hours away from the airport. Also the refunding of the deposit with debit card upon return worked flawlessly. Thanks for such a helpful service and the very nice car.
Akis T.
(4.0)
Excellent service. Old and unequipped car.
jose ismael hernandez c.
(5.0)
Excellent and comfortable cars with the best prices... I recommend it with all confidence!!!
Ralph M.
(5.0)
Thanks again for your excellent service and staying open past 1am the night of the 15th/16th October 2022 when the Airport was closed due to flooding. The car (booked directly via sixt.de) was good (as always) and no problems when returning it.
Piment R.
(5.0)
Even late at night we had a 5 star service and a solution for unexpected change at a correct price. Thanks!
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FAQs about car hire in Heraklion
What's the minimum age to hire a car in Heraklion?
To rent a car with SIXT in Heraklion you need to be at least 21 with a valid license. Some car categories have a higher minimum rental age, and an underage driver fee may apply.
Can I modify, extend, or cancel my reservation?
At SIXT you can either pay online or when you pick up your car at Heraklion.
Can I choose a different drop-off location in Heraklion?
It is possible to rent a car one way between stations for pick-ups in Heraklion. A fee may apply.
What do I need to rent a car in Heraklion?
You need a valid driver’s license held for at least 1 year, depending on the car category. You might also need an International Driving Permit or official translation of the license.
Can I book a long-term car rental in Heraklion?
Easily book a long-term rental at Heraklion by entering trip dates and pick-up/drop-off locations.
Do I need to purchase insurance or protection packages with my rental in Heraklion?
A damage waiver is included with your car hire. You can add other protection products to reduce your excess.
Can I add an additional driver to my rental?
You can add additional drivers to your booking as an optional extra.