Travel safely with Welcome Pickups
Net Safety Score
We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.
20 minute gap between transfers
Following each ride, our drivers have at least 20 minutes to thoroughly clean the surfaces of the car and ventilate the cabin.
Regular Car Sanitisation
Our drivers thoroughly sanitise and disinfect cars according to Welcome Safety Protocol
Contactless ride
When you book, you can request to have zero contact with the driver during the transfer with just one click. In this case, the driver won’t help you with your luggage or shake hands.
Sanitiser in every car
We provide hand sanitisers and hand wipes for all our travellers. Our drivers have their own sanitiser, which they use before and after every ride
Crete Taxis
Crete is full of history, culture and stunning scenery, so it’s no wonder you can’t wait to begin exploring all the island has to offer. If you’re planning to visit Chania or Heraklion during your stay, using a Crete taxi is a quick, laid back and affordable way to see it all. You can easily find a taxi by hailing one from the street, walking to a taxi rank or simply calling one of the radio companies. All taxis in Crete have a regulated charging system that uses a taximeter.
Base fare – €1.20
Rate per km – €0.74
Hand picked & english speaking drivers
Same price as a regular Taxi from the line
Drivers are always on time
24/7 Email & Phone support
Cost of a Crete taxi
Taxi rates in Crete are heavily regulated by the government and taxis in Chania and Heraklion must both use a taximeter to calculate their fare. There are two different tariffs used by Crete taxis, Tariff 1 is used during the day (05:00 to 24:00) and Tariff 2 is used at night (24:00 to 05:00) or when travelling outside of the main city zones.
Base fare – €1.20
Price per km (Tariff 1) – €0.74
Price per km (Tariff 2) – €1.29
There are also extra charges for things like excess luggage, travelling during major holidays, surcharges from the airport and port and waiting for one hour (€11.81).
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How to get a taxi in Crete
The first thing to look out for when taking a taxi in Crete is the colour. Taxis in Crete have a different colour depending on what town they are from. Taxis in Chania are dark blue on the bottom and white on top, whereas, taxis in Heraklion are usually grey. You can choose to take a Crete taxi from a taxi rank, hailing one from the street or calling one of the radio taxi companies.
If you choose to hail a taxi from the street, all you need to do is stick out your arm and wave. It’s worth noting that in both Chania and Heraklion, taxis carrying a passenger may still stop to see if you are travelling in the same direction. If you share a taxi with a stranger, it won’t affect the price, you will still be charged from where they first pick you up.
You may prefer to walk to a taxi rank and wait in line for a taxi. If so, you can find them dotted around the cities near tourist spots, at the port and the airport. Taxis in Heraklion town can be found at the Venetian port, in the historical city centre, outside the cathedral church of Saint Minas and Kazantzakis tomb. In Chania, you can find taxi ranks at Chania bus station, the Old Venetian harbour, by Nea Chora beach and at the main square.
If you’d prefer to wait inside in the cool instead of in the hot sun for your Crete taxi, you can call one of the radio companies. If you’re in Chania, you can call +30 282 09 4300 and from Heraklion, you can call +30 2810 21 0102. Bear in mind that there will be an extra charge for using this service.
Why book your Crete taxi in advance?
Both Heraklion and Chania are stunning towns in Crete and the best way to explore them is by taxi. However, there’s nothing worse than wasting your day waiting for your taxi to arrive or having to stand outside in the hot sun and wait for one to pass. Instead, pre-book your Crete taxi in advance so you can spend more time enjoying your vacation. For local English-speaking drivers and set-rate fees, we suggest booking your Chania or Heraklion taxi in advance with Welcome Pickups.
Crete Taxi Tips
- Many places in Crete sound similar, so be sure to write down your destination if you’re unsure.
- Make sure you're entering a licensed taxi by checking for the grey colour in Heraklion or dark blue and white cars in Chania.
- Before beginning your journey, ensure your Crete taxi driver resets the taximeter to the base fare of €1.29.
- Most taxi drivers don’t carry change for €20 bills or larger, so be sure to carry change with you.
- If you think your driver is taking the long route to your destination, check your location on GoogleMaps and make your driver aware.
- When going on a long journey, ask your driver for an approximate fare so you don't have any nasty surprises.
Wheelchair Accessible Taxis in Crete
Unfortunately, standard taxis in Crete don’t offer wheelchair accessibility. However, there are companies that specialise in this service. If you need a taxi in Heraklion, you can book with Disability Heraklion taxi by calling +30 6946 12 3324 or online . Their vehicles feature electro-hydraulic ramps and space for two wheelchairs and five passengers. On the other hand, If you’re staying in Chania, you can contact wheelchairaccessibleholidaytaxis.com to book your fully wheelchair accessible Chania taxi.
Crete taxi complaints and safety
Compared to a lot of main cities in Europe, taking a Crete taxi is very safe as they are heavily monitored. However, if you do experience any problems during your journey, such as a rude driver, overcharging or an unlicensed taxi, you can make a report to the Tourist Police. When using a Heraklion taxi, you can make your complaint by calling +30 2810 28 3551 or +30 2810 28 3190. For a taxi in Chania, you cal call +30 2821 031111. Be sure to ask for your receipt or note down your driver’s ID and taxi number before calling.