Overall1.4/10Among the 5% hardest cities to reach
Good to know
Good to Know
- Book airport transfers in advance during peak summer season (June-September) for better rates and guaranteed availability
- The KTEL bus system is modern, reliable, and air-conditioned; Heraklion Central Station A (near the port) is the main hub for east/central Crete routes
- Multiple daily bus departures between Heraklion and Malia make the town easily accessible without a car; no need to book bus tickets in advance
- Taxis at Heraklion Airport are metered; unbooked taxis from the airport rank may cost more than pre-arranged private transfers
- If using public bus from airport, allow extra time and luggage space; the route requires a transfer at Heraklion Central Station
- Car rental is available at the airport; roads are well-maintained along the north coast highway, but interior mountain roads have steep hairpin turns
- Ferry services for onward island travel (Athens, Santorini, Rhodes) depart from Heraklion Port, requiring a ~30 min transfer from Malia
Bus Connections
Heraklion To Malia
- Cost
- €5.50
- Operator
- KTEL Irakleiou - Lasithiou S.A
- Frequency
- Hourly departures daily, especially frequent in summer (every 20-30 minutes)
- Travel Time Minutes
- 32-37
- Note
- Direct bus service from Heraklion Central Station to Malia
Malia To Heraklion
- Cost
- €5.50
- Operator
- KTEL Irakleiou - Lasithiou S.A
- Frequency
- Hourly departures daily
- Travel Time Minutes
- 33
Day Trip Access
- Beach Access
- Direct beach access within Malia; nearby coastal resort towns (Hersonissos, Stalida) served by same hourly bus route
- Nearby Attractions
- Heraklion city center (45 min by taxi/car, ~23 km), Knossos Palace, Chania, Rethymno accessible via hourly bus service
Primary Airport
- Name
- Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis" (HER)
- Is Nearest
- Yes
- Distance Km
- 32
- Distance Miles
- 20
Rail Connections
- Note
- No railway service in Crete; public transport limited to buses and ferries
Airport Transport
Taxi
- Cost
- €35
- Travel Time Minutes
- 27-35
- Note
- Book in advance for better rates; airport taxis are metered
Public Bus
- Cost
- €4.50
- Travel Time Minutes
- 78-98
- Note
- No direct bus from airport. Take blue KTEL bus (line 6) to Heraklion Central Station (~20 min, €1.70), then connect to regular bus to Malia (~45-60 min)
Rental Car
- Travel Time Minutes
- 26-30
- Note
- Available at airport; well-maintained highways; most hotels offer parking
Private Transfer
- Cost
- €37
- Travel Time Minutes
- 27-40
- Note
- Door-to-door service with meet & greet; various vehicle sizes available
Airport Shuttle Bus
- Travel Time Minutes
- 50-60
- Note
- Shared shuttle with multiple stops; budget-friendly option
Ferry Connections
- Note
- Malia is a coastal town but no direct ferry service operates from the town itself. Ferry access to/from Crete is via Heraklion Port. Regular ferries run from Heraklion Port to Athens (Piraeus) and nearby islands.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
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Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.