A Local’s Guide: How to Get from Heraklion to Matala Beach
Matala is a famous Cretan village located on the southern coast of Heraklion, on the island of Crete. The trip there is about one hour long, and it’s an easy road to take on your own, as you are driving a rental car. If you plan to spend a day (or more) exploring the hippie village of Matala, the beach caves, and the nearby naturist Red Beach, this guide will help you get from Heraklion to Matala without getting lost!
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Many people visiting Crete have made up their minds to discover the legendary Matala Beach in the south of the Heraklion region. The beach, with its unique hippie vibe and relaxed pace of living, attracts hundreds of tourists who are curious to experience the atmosphere, enjoy the caves, and explore the southern coast of Heraklion.
Besides, it is fairly easy from Matala to visit the important Minoan Palace of Phaistos or explore the impressive archaeological site of Goryn, featuring the remarkable Gortyn Code engraved on a wall inside the site. When in Matala, you can also visit the gorgeous Red Beach.
It doesn’t matter if you arrive at Heraklion port or airport. With any means of transport you choose, getting to Matala from Heraklion is pretty simple. You can get there by car (my favorite option) or by bus, taxi, or private transfer.
As you may know, Heraklion is on the north coast of Crete, while Matala is on the opposite side of the island, facing the southern Lybian Sea. Yet, the trip is relatively easy, no matter what travel method you choose. Let’s see how to get from Heraklion to Matala and all your transport options.
>> Not interested in driving in Crete? You can visit Matala on this day trip departing from Heraklion.
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Arriving at Heraklion
Heraklion’s Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport is about 6 km (less than 10 minutes) from the city center. If you arrive by boat, you will reach the Port of Heraklion, no more than 5 minutes from the center of town. Some tourists plan to spend some days in the capital since there’s much to see. You can check museums, taste local dishes in some of the best restaurants, discover the imposing Knossos Palace, and more…
Others decide to make their way to the south as soon as they arrive, and Matala can be a great place to stay if you also want to explore the southern beaches in Heraklion or the Archaeological Site of Phaistos. No matter what you decide to do or how you prefer to travel, this is the road you must take from Heraklion to Matala (and from Matala to Heraklion on your way back to the capital).
As usual, the length of the trip will mostly depend on how you decide to get there and how many stops you make on the road. Your options are driving, bus, taxi, and private transfer.
Are You Ready to Drive on Crete? Consider the Following…
It’s possible to get to Matala from Heraklion with the local bus or a private car (either by taxi or driving your rental vehicle); it all depends on how you like to travel, how comfortable you feel when traveling on roads you are not familiar with, and how much money you can spend on transport.
The most expensive way to travel from Heraklion to Matala is by taxi. You might argue that car rental is also expensive, but renting a car is very convenient if you consider all the places you can go at your own pace.
Renting a car is always a winning idea if you’re interested in visiting places that are hard to reach. You won’t be attached to any inconvenient bus schedule, and it’s the best way to make unexpected stops and discover places you would otherwise miss.
When you plan your trip and itinerary, remember that traveling by bus is easy on the island’s north coast while getting to popular places in the south; in our case, Matala, things can get more complicated. Mostly because many villages and tiny settlements lack regular or bus connections – or at least frequent. Therefore, you might want to travel to places that are hard to reach unless you have an unlimited budget to travel by taxi, which is uncommon.
Suppose you’re ready to travel by bus. In that case, I recommend you travel light, plan your schedules, and allow some extra time for unforeseen situations, like extra traffic (or a herd of goats in the middle of the road!), a driver missing a stop, or any other situation that could come up. Always plan wisely and remember these tips to enjoy a worry-free trip around Crete.
If traveling by bus, always check this website for further accurate and updated information; schedules often change without previous notice!
How to Get from Heraklion to Matala by Bus
The most convenient way to get to Matala (from Heraklion) is probably by bus. The bus departs from Heraklion’s Central Bus A (New building – Efesou Street) –these are the bus schedules. Remember that Heraklion’s new station is just a few meters from the port.
Reach Heraklion Bust Station: If you take the bus to the center from Heraklion’s Airport, it will drop you off right behind the station. It’s a frequent, convenient service (the bus has ample space for luggage), and the ticket is under €2. Once there, head to Heraklion’s Bus Station ticket office to purchase your ticket to Matala.
It’s always wise to get to the station at least half an hour before departure, and if you can buy the ticket a day in advance, that would be even better!
Two daily buses cover the Heraklion-Matala route. The hours of operation can change depending on the day of the week you travel.
Buses from Heraklion to Matala – Departure Hours:
- From Monday to Friday: 7:30 – 13:00
- Saturdays: 7:30 – 11:30
- Sundays: No service.
A ticket for the route Heraklion-Matala costs €6 – €9 and takes 2h 27m. If you want to travel on Sunday, you must take the Heraklion-Moires bus because there is no direct bus to Matala on that day of the week.
On weekdays, the first bus leaves Heraklion at 7:30 a.m., and the second departs at 1 p.m.
According to the official website, the trip takes 2.30 hours, but it can be longer. There’s often heavy traffic in summer. Once in Moires, you can grab a taxi or wait for the local bus. Here are more details about bus travel in Crete.
>> Hotel City Life is ideal for the night near Heraklion Bus Station.
Getting from Moires to Matala by Bus
If you cannot catch the direct bus from Heraklion to Matala, then get the local bus to Moires, and once there, change to another bus bound for Matala. You can also use this service to visit the Archaeological Site of Phaistos, which is on the way to Matala.
Buses from Heraklion to Moires ~ Departure hours
- From Monday to Friday: 6:30 – 7:30 – 11:30 – 13:00 – 15:45 – 19:30
- Saturdays: 7:30 – 11:30 – 15:45 – 19:30
- Sundays: 7:30 – 11:30 – 14:00 – 19:30
When you get to Moires, get off the bus and wait for the bus to Matala. You must reach the small KTEL ticket office (do not expect an actual station!) a few steps from the bus stop. Depending on what ticket you got back in Heraklion, you might need to purchase a ticket or not.
If you plan to stop and visit the Archaeological Site of Phaistos, let the driver know as soon as you get on the bus! The ride is about 15 minutes to Phaistos (sometimes called Faistos or Festos in local signage). It takes at least 15 more minutes to get to Matala.
>> CHECK THIS MAP ONLINE HERE
The bus makes a few stops along the way; during the stop, you’re not allowed to leave the bus for long (always ask the driver first if you need to get off the bus).
Always keep your ticket with you during the trip since ticket controls on the bus are common and frequent.
Traveling with a pet: Traveling by bus with your pet, according to the official website of the bus company, the itineraries on which two escort animals are accepted within the passengers’ area are the ones departing at 5:30, 09:30, 11:30, 14:30, 17:30, and 21:30.
Luggage restrictions: Passenger luggage must be placed in the bus’s compartment. Each passenger can carry 2 pieces of luggage for free.
There is an extra charge for every extra piece of luggage. Small pieces (hand luggage, backpacks, etc.) can be taken on the bus but must be placed inside the special luggage racks.
WiFi: All buses offer a free Wi-Fi network service powered by external GSM antennas and advanced Wi-Fi routers. There is also free Wi-Fi access inside the bus stations.
Discounts: Students can take advantage of discounted rates. Families with over 3 children get a 50% discount on all routes. People with disabilities have the same discount. Infants until 6 years old travel free of charge. Credit and debit cards are accepted to pay for all tickets.
Refunds: If you pay a ticket and don’t travel, the company gives the passenger a 70% refund of the ticket price or a 50% refund in case of a cancellation within 8 hours before departure time.
More info: Information for passengers is available daily from early morning to late at night on the phone at 2810-246530. You can also call to learn about the timetable by calling this number 2810-245020 with an answering machine 24 hours a day.
>> Bus schedules are published on this website
How to Get from Heraklion to Matala by Taxi
It’s also possible to reach Matala from Heraklion by taxi. You can take a taxi at the airport or the Port of Heraklion and in town. Plateia Eleftherias (Liberty Square) is a good place to catch a taxi.
The 60-km trip can take about 1 hour (depending on the traffic and the season), and the ride can cost anything from €80 to €100, or about €150 to €180 for a round trip.
It is always advisable to discuss and agree on the price with the driver before accepting the fee. Taxis are an excellent way to get to Matala when your flight arrives in Heraklion late at night, and there’s no bus available.
Taxis can also prove convenient if you share the cost with other travelers. Remember that most taxi drivers charge an extra fee for night rides.
How to Travel from Heraklion to Matala with a Private Pre-Booked Transfer
Private transfers can be booked in advance and help you save some money compared to taxis. Since you can normally discuss and agree on the price before the trip, you are more likely to get a better offer, and you can do so (online) even before getting on the island.
You can agree on a meeting point or have a driver waiting for you at any hour, and at any point, you can decide to have them pick you up at your hotel, too. This is also great if you have a lot of luggage if you travel with kids or with a big group of friends.
Prices usually start from €80 but can be a bit more expensive depending on the transfer company and the number of people sharing the ride.
Please check before hiring the service since the number of passengers inside a car might vary this season due to pandemic restrictions.
>> This transfer service is a good way to save money for groups of up to 5 travelers. It’s always a good idea to also book the return trip beforehand.
How to Get from Heraklion to Matala by Car
Hiring a car and driving yourself is probably the easiest way to get from Heraklion to Matala. Driving gives great opportunities to discover the island. It also gives you the flexibility to stop anywhere on the road.
If you’re unsure about driving in Crete, check out this helpful guide to car rental and driving in Crete. Remember to bookmark it before your trip. Driving from Heraklion to Matala is fairly simple, and the road is quite okay, to be honest. You will drive west along the National Road and then straight south.
The road is safe and straightforward, and there’s no real risk of getting lost. To reach Matala from Heraklion, you must take the road to the opposite side of the island. The ride is about 66 km.
So, if you depart from the center of Heraklion, you must head to the west to Gazi, and once there, take the national road Heraklio-Faistos (also written as Festos and Phaistos on the road signs).
The journey is pretty straight for the first 20 minutes until you reach the village of Agia Varvara. Once there, keep going for about 15 minutes until you get to Moires (sometimes spelled Mires).
As with the bus, you can stop and visit the Archaeological Site of Phaistos. If that’s what you want, stay on the road and follow the signs to the site.
Instead, if you want to go straight to Matala, once in Moires, turn left and take the Miron – Pompias / Koraka road. After driving along the Gortinas—Matalon road for no more than 5 minutes, turn right and follow the signs. The path goes straight to Matala Beach.
Heraklion – Matala Road Map
>> CHECK THIS MAP ONLINE HERE
When planning a road trip to Matala, car rental is one of the first things to consider. Use a powerful search engine that can compare different companies and get you the best price.
Keep in mind that gas stations close at 7 p.m. in several areas. However, you can find other petrol stations open until later, especially if they are on the highway. Don’t hesitate to ask the locals for further information; they’re always happy to help. Some petrol stations accept credit cards; that being said, always have some cash with you.
There are very few self-service options in Crete, so, in most cases, they will fill your vehicle, and you will pay either the employee or inside the shop. How are you planning to get from Heraklion to Matala this season?
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How to Get from Heraklion to Matala Beach
Gabi, the Crete Insider
Hi, I’m Gabi — your go-to local expert in Crete! I’ve been living in Chania, Crete since 2016, and I’ve turned my love for the island into a full-time passion — guiding travelers, writing for travel media, and curating local experiences.
I co-authored DK Eyewitness Top 10 Crete and other guides. I run the blogs The Tiny Book, Greece Planner, and My Cretan Recipe. Through this platform I help travelers design unforgettable trips to Crete.
