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No deposit with Full Cover

Car Rental in Heraklion & HER Airport – gateway to Knossos, wineries, and south-coast beaches

Collect your car at HER, the port, or your hotel and build your own route to Knossos Palace, the Archaeological Museum, Matala caves, and Peza wineries. Transparent prices, flexible payments, and local partners who know every shortcut.

  • Pick-up/drop-off at HER Airport, port, city center, or resorts in Hersonissos/Gouves
  • Cash, debit, or credit card accepted – no credit card needed with full insurance
  • Local fleet with clear contracts and 24/7 support
  • Perfect for Knossos, Matala, Peza wineries, and Phaistos day trips
Book a car in Heraklion
Book in minutes, choose flexible insurance, and pick up where you land or stay.
Traditional fishing boats and modern yachts docked at Heraklion Old Port, Crete, Greece

Why travelers rent with Karpadu in Heraklion

Local rates, no airport markups

Direct prices from trusted partners; what you book is what you pay.

Flexible delivery

Airport, port, hotels in Heraklion, Gouves, Hersonissos, or custom meeting points.

No credit card required

Full Cover lets you pay on arrival with cash, debit, or prepaid card — no deposit.

Coverage for city and countryside

Insurance that works for tight city parking and rural roads to palaces and beaches.

Fleet for history & beaches

Compact cars for the city, SUVs for south-coast roads, automatics for easy stop-start driving.

Heraklion highlights by car

Mix Minoan history with food stops and nearby beaches on your own schedule.

Reconstruction of the North Propylaeum at the Minoan Palace of Knossos, Crete, featuring the Bull Fresco and Minoan columns

Knossos Palace

15–20 min

Walk the Minoan capital early to skip the queues; combine with wineries nearby.

Roman and Hellenistic statues on display in the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Crete, Greece

Heraklion Archaeological Museum

10–15 min

World-class Minoan collection next to the city center; park in public lots and stroll in.

Historic Venetian sea fortress Koules (Castello a Mare) guarding the Heraklion Old Harbor, Crete, Greece

Koules fortress & Old Port

5–10 min

Seafront walk, cafes, and views over the harbor walls.

Sandy Arina Beach on the north coast of Crete, Heraklion, with clear blue water and resort hotel in the background

Ammoudara & Arina beaches

10–20 min

Long sandy stretches close to town; easy half-day swim before flights.

Road trips from Heraklion

Quick routes to palaces, caves, and south-coast sunsets.

Matala Beach, South Crete, with sandy shore and famous prehistoric caves carved into the limestone cliff

60–80 min one way

Phaistos & Matala

Combine Minoan ruins with a swim at Matala’s caves; add lunch at a seaside taverna.

Rows of stacked oak wine barrels aging red or white wine inside a Cretan winery cellar

25–35 min one way

Peza & Archanes wine route

Winery tastings, olive oil mills, and hillside villages near Knossos.

Secluded Agiofarago Beach (Gorge of the Saints) with clear turquoise water and high rocky cliffs, South Crete

75–90 min one way

Agiofarago & south-coast coves

Short hike to a hidden beach; pack water and start early in summer heat.

Scenic panoramic view of the fertile Lassithi Plateau framed by mountains at sunrise, East Crete, Greece

60–75 min one way

Lassithi Plateau via Pediada

Cool mountain air, cave visits, and traditional tavernas above the city heat.

Driving tips for Heraklion

Beat the Knossos lines

Arrive before 09:00; park at the site lot and pair with a winery visit nearby.

City parking

Use municipal lots around the center; avoid squeezing into tight old-town lanes.

Airport/port handover

Share your flight or ferry time so staff can prep the car curbside and speed up paperwork.

Wind on the south drive

Slow down on open stretches to Matala or Agiofarago when gusts pick up.

Cash for small villages

Cards work almost everywhere; keep a bit of cash for remote tavernas and kiosks.

No tolls, but plan time

Crete has no toll roads; allow extra minutes for scenic single-lane sections.

Heraklion car rental FAQs

Can I rent without a credit card?+

Yes. With Full Cover you can pay with cash, debit, or prepaid card at pickup — no credit card or deposit needed.

Where can I collect the car?+

HER Airport arrivals, port, city hotels, Gouves, Hersonissos, or a custom address — add details in your booking.

How early should I visit Knossos?+

Before 09:00 for cooler temps and shorter lines; combine with the Archaeological Museum later.

Is parking easy in the center?+

Use public lots and walk 5–10 minutes; avoid driving deep into pedestrian streets.

Ready to unlock Heraklion, Knossos, and south Crete by car?

Book in minutes, choose flexible insurance, and pick up where you land or stay.

Car Rental in Heraklion & HER Airport – No deposit car hire | Karpadu