Car rental in Hersonissos
Hersonissos is about 25 km east of Heraklion (25 to 35 minutes) and about 10 to 15 km from Malia. A car turns it into a base for the Lasithi plateau and for Elounda, where the Spinalonga boats leave from, about 43 km away.
Request this pick-up point. A local rental agency replies with a quote.
Picking up your car in Hersonissos
The local agency can usually deliver the car to your hotel or apartment in Hersonissos; the exact meeting point is confirmed with the offer. You pay the agency at the handover, with no online prepayment through Crete Direct.
Drive slowly at night
From mid-June to mid-September the seafront street is lined with clubs, bars and restaurants, and the crowd spills onto the road until dawn. Keep your speed low and expect pedestrians in high season.
Allow real time for Lasithi
The Lasithi plateau is reached by a hairpin climb: count 1 hour to 1 hour 20 of actual driving each way rather than trusting the straight-line distance.
Hersonissos car rental FAQ
How long does it really take to reach the Lasithi plateau?
Plan 1 hour to 1 hour 20 of driving each way. The road climbs in hairpins, so the trip takes clearly longer than the map distance suggests.
How far are Heraklion and Malia from Hersonissos?
Heraklion is about 25 km away (25 to 35 minutes); Malia about 10 to 15 km, which takes 12 to 25 minutes depending on summer traffic.
How do I get to the Spinalonga boats?
The boats leave from Elounda, about 43 km from Hersonissos, usually 1 hour to 1 hour 15 by car.