Travel & Stay
Flights, beds, wheels, and data. Everything we’d tell you over a beer.
Pick your airport
Crete has two international airports, and Athens works as a stepping stone.
Chania (CHQ)
The airport of the wedding. Land here and you’re 25 minutes from town and the villa. Direct flights from many European cities run daily in September.
Heraklion (HER)
Crete’s bigger airport, about 2 hours from Chania by car. Worth it if the flight deal is right, and the drive is an easy highway run.
Athens (ATH)
Huge international hub. Hop to Chania in 55 minutes for around CA$61, or spend two days on the Acropolis first. We endorse the second plan.
Routes that work
Check Google Flights for your dates and home airport. These are the patterns we found.
From Calgary
WestJet flies Calgary to Rome direct. From Rome there are daily flights to Chania via Athens, and direct flights to Heraklion a few times a week.
There are also direct Calgary to Dublin flights, and Dublin flies direct to Chania.
From Vancouver
Vancouver to Chania with a single 2-hour layover in Frankfurt is the cleanest run we found.
From anywhere else in Canada
Fly direct to London, Paris, or Amsterdam, then take one of the almost-daily direct flights to Chania. Once you’re in Europe, returns to Chania from the big cities run about CA$240 to $400 and take 3 to 4 hours.
When should I book?
About two months out has given us the best prices. As a real example we checked: Calgary to Rome was $950 return two months ahead, and $1,400 three months ahead.
If you can swing it, come at least a few days early. You’ll settle in, beat the jet lag, and get some island time before the wedding.
Stay in Chania if you can
It’s walkable, it’s full of restaurants, and it’s 10 minutes from the villa. The shuttle runs from town.
Chania town
The old town, the harbour walk, dinner on your doorstep, and the shortest ride to the wedding. If your budget allows, stay here.
Rethymno
Another old town with a waterfront walkway, right on the beach. Known as a bit of a party town. About an hour from Chania by car.
West of Chania
Kato Galatas, Kato Stalos, Agia Marina, and Platanias are all worth a look. If you won’t have a car, make sure restaurants and shops are walkable before you book.
4.5 stars or higher, at least 5 reviews, recent reviews, and a decent cancellation policy. Check the location on Google Maps before paying, since some places are further out than the photos let on.
Search Crete on Booking.comWheels, or no wheels
Rental car
The way to go if you want to explore. Search Expedia or DiscoverCars for rates from the big companies, and keep the car small: streets are narrow and parking in Chania takes patience.
You need an International Driving Permit to drive legally in Greece. CAA issues them in Canada. Sort it before you fly.
We also know a couple of local rental companies and are working on a group deal. If you’d rather go local, ask us and we’ll connect you.
No car
Chania itself is easy on foot. Beyond town, taxis are cheap and everywhere, buses link Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, and Agios Nikolaos, and a coastal bus runs west of Chania.
Crete is the biggest island in Greece. Driving across it takes 5+ hours, so stick to the west unless you have serious time.
Get an eSIM before you land
You’ll want data for maps, restaurants, beaches, and finding us. Check your provider’s Europe roaming rates first, since some plans make it easy. Otherwise grab an eSIM online through HolaFly, which is what we use. Some banks give them out too: Revolut includes one free.