From Rethymno: Full-Day Knossos And Heraklion with free time in Chania, Greece
Chania, Greece

From Rethymno: Full-Day Knossos And Heraklion with free time

Outty Ranking 62 4.1 · 29 traveler reviews9 hoursFrom $29
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Outty Ranking

62/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.1/5

Based on 29 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is From Rethymno: Full-Day Knossos And Heraklion with free time worth booking?

From Rethymno: Full-Day Knossos And Heraklion with free time is a 9-hour experience in Chania, Greece, from $29 per person. It scores 62 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.1/5 rating across 29 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
62 / 100
Rating
4.1/5 (29)
Duration
9 hours
From
$29 per person

Take a 1-day bus excursion from Rethymno to Knossos, and visit the Palace of Knossos, the Archaeological Museum, the city of Heraklion and more!After we pick you up from your hotel at our pick up points our escort will fill you in with imformation about our trip.Upon arrival at the Palace of Knossos you will have about 2 hours free time.Entrance fee for Knossos Palace  and Archeological museum : 16€ (children up to 12 years pay 8 euros). To be paid upon arrival.After our tour in Knossos we drive you to the city center of Heraklion where you have time to visit either the archaeological museum of Heraklion or have lunch and admire the capital of Crete. You have approximately 2 hours free time.While returning we will make a 20 minute stop for a refreshment and then we will be back at Rethymno about 18:30 p.m

What you get

    About this experience

    Take a 1-day bus excursion from Rethymno to Knossos, and visit the Palace of Knossos, the Archaeological Museum, the city of Heraklion and more!After we pick you up from your hotel at our pick up points our escort will fill you in with imformation about our trip.Upon arrival at the Palace of Knossos you will have about 2 hours free time.Entrance fee for Knossos Palace  and Archeological museum : 16€ (children up to 12 years pay 8 euros). To be paid upon arrival.After our tour in Knossos we drive you to the city center of Heraklion where you have time to visit either the archaeological museum of Heraklion or have lunch and admire the capital of Crete. You have approximately 2 hours free time.While returning we will make a 20 minute stop for a refreshment and then we will be back at Rethymno about 18:30 p.m

    What's included

    Included

    • Guide in The Bus English , German and French(Mon-Thu)
    • In-vehicle air conditioning
    • Surcharges on fuel
    • At Private Tour with minivan Guide in English , German and French is Optional Only if Selected
    • Hotel pick-up & drop off Panormo,Scaleta,Adele,Platania,Rethymno town,Stavromeno,Sfakaki&Atsipopoulo

    Not included

    • Entrance fees
    • Food and drinks
    • Personal expenses
    • No pickup from remote hotels such as Grand Rimondi (pick up is from Creta star bus stop)
    • Entrance fees

    What you'll see and do

    1. The Palace of Knossos

      Enjoy a 1-day bus excursion from Rethymno to Knossos. Visit the Palace of Knossos, the Archaeological Museum, the city of Heraklion and more. Following pick-up from your hotel in Rethymno approximately 08:00, travel along the northern coast of Crete by comfortable bus. Make your way to the archaeological site of Knossos, where King Minos built his palace. Get a 2-hour guided tour of the monument, designed by Daedalus in such an intriguing way that no visitor was said to find their way out without the help of a guide! Journey through the incredible history of King Minos and the Minoan civilization, and hear about some of the legends of Crete at what was once the island's largest palace.

      120 minutes here · Admission not included

    2. Heraklion

      Afterward, rejoin the bus which will bring you to the heart of the capital city of Crete, Heraklion. Take the chance to visit the archaeological museum, where you can see and learn about the Minoan period while accompanied by your guide. Finally, enjoy 2 hours of free time to explore the busy and lively city of Heraklion, have Cretan lunch, and drink Raki.

      120 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.

    Options you can book

    • Private GUIDE-EN/DE/FR & BALI

      Private GUIDE-EN/DE/FR & BALI Pickup included

    • Audio Guide and Transfer

      Duration: 10 hours Pickup included

    • Private Tour RETHYMNO & BALI

      Private Tour RETHYMNO & BALI Pickup included

    • from Adele,Platanias,Misiria

      Pick up included: Pick up from Adele, Pigianos Kampos, Platanias, Missiria. Pickup included

    • from Panormo,Scaleta,Sfakaki

      Pick up included: Pick un from Panormo, Lavris, Scaleta, Sfakaki, Stavromenos . Pickup included

    • from Rethymno Town,Atsipopoulo

      Pick up included: Pick up available from Perivolia, Rethymno Town, Atsipopoulo. Pickup included

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    de, en, fr
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    PLATANOS TOURS

    Know before you go

    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Seats are assigned by the theater box office and will not be known in advance of the performance date
    • At the time of booking please mention your hotel name and location. You will be notified by email about the pickup point and time
    • Pickup begins up to 60 minutes before tour starts and is done from central meeting points near the hotels, only in the areas of Panormo, Scaleta, Adele, Platanias, Missiria, Rethymno town and Atsipopoulo
    • Infants will be seated with their parents on the bus and will not have their own seat
    • This option includes guide ONLY on the bus

    Photos

    From Rethymno: Full-Day Knossos And Heraklion with free time in Chania, photo 2From Rethymno: Full-Day Knossos And Heraklion with free time in Chania, photo 3From Rethymno: Full-Day Knossos And Heraklion with free time in Chania, photo 4From Rethymno: Full-Day Knossos And Heraklion with free time in Chania, photo 5From Rethymno: Full-Day Knossos And Heraklion with free time in Chania, photo 6heraklion city, From Rethymno: Full-Day Knossos And Heraklion with free time in Chania

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 29 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    6 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    3 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Traveler reviews

    29 verified traveler reviews for From Rethymno: Full-Day Knossos And Heraklion with free time. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    19
    4 star
    3
    3 star
    1
    2 star
    2
    1 star
    4
    Sort
    131lynm · July 2026

    Day trip from old town Rethymno to Knossos

    Easy way to get more out of visiting Crete without a car.

    Response from the operator: thank you for the review

    via Tripadvisor

    O4249WMstevens · June 2026

    Excellent transer to must see places

    Excellent tour, can recommend. It is more like a transfer with tour operator. There are no guided tours on the spots, unless you book one from others. The tour operator does some explanations and a bit of history telling on the bus. Heraklion museum is great, can recommend historical museum too. Knossos is excellent and must see spot, be warned, it is very hot with few shaded places. But you can cool down a bit in the museum afterwards. Heraklion could have been 1 hour less for my feeling, time at Knossos is fine. (2 hours).

    Response from the operator: thank you for the review

    via Tripadvisor

    Grace_B · May 2026

    It was fun but false advertisement

    I feel as though this tour was amazing besides the false advertisement about hotel “pick up and drop off.” They in fact DO NOT pick you up or drop you off at a hotel - they make you walk to an undisclosed location that they dont send out til less than 24 hours before. They also are notorious for being late despite asking you to arrive to the station 10 minutes early. The itinerary was changed when we arrived compared to what we booked - but it actually ended up being better than the original plans. It is important to note this tour is in English German and French so you will hear the speaker on the bus the whole entire time - there is no silence on the drive. Other than that the tour was super fun loved seeing Herkalion and the palace. Wish it was actually a guided tour like it is advertised as cuz the bus driver makes it very clear he is not a guide just there to give information Kinda passive aggressively too

    Response from the operator: thank you for the review

    via Viator

    OnAir37049254116 · November 2025

    Great tour and transportation

    Safe transportation, nice recommendations from the driver, enough time to see the Knossos Palace and Iraklion, had to go fast in the Archeological Museum but still a great experience and tour

    Response from the operator: Thank you for the review

    via Tripadvisor

    Jude_A · September 2025

    Great to have time to see...

    Great to have time to see and do what I wsnted. The idea of this tour is really just a transfer to heriklion and Knossos but that suited me

    Response from the operator: Thank you for the review

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    9 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $29 to $650
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    10
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by PLATANOS TOURS, who run 38 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 55.5.

    See everything PLATANOS TOURS runs

    Why this scores 62

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)52
    Review evidence (18% weight)56
    Booking momentum (14% weight)48
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)9
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    From Rethymno: Full-Day Knossos And Heraklion with free time: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Chania.

    How much does From Rethymno: Full-Day Knossos And Heraklion with free time cost?

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    Prices start at $29 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Chania usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does From Rethymno: Full-Day Knossos And Heraklion with free time take?

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    Plan for about 9 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Chania is not rushed.

    Is From Rethymno: Full-Day Knossos And Heraklion with free time worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 62 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.1/5 across 29 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Chania, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule From Rethymno: Full-Day Knossos And Heraklion with free time?

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    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is From Rethymno: Full-Day Knossos And Heraklion with free time suitable for kids and families?

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    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book From Rethymno: Full-Day Knossos And Heraklion with free time?

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    Around 10 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Chania can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

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    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Chania and add a light layer if any part of the 9-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does From Rethymno: Full-Day Knossos And Heraklion with free time start and how do I get there?

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    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Chania within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Chania?

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    On Outty we rank every Chania experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Cretan Safari – 4x4 Adventure to Preveli Beach with Lunch, Elafonisi & Falasarna Small Group Tour from Chania w/snacks, Half-Day Rethymno Quad Safari. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Chania?

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    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Chania?

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    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in From Rethymno: Full-Day Knossos And Heraklion with free time?

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    Included: Guide in The Bus English , German and French(Mon-Thu); In-vehicle air conditioning; Surcharges on fuel; At Private Tour with minivan Guide in English , German and French is Optional Only if Sele; and Hotel pick-up & drop off Panormo,Scaleta,Adele,Platania,Rethymno town,Stavromeno,Sfakaki&A. Not included: Entrance fees; Food and drinks; Personal expenses; and No pickup from remote hotels such as Grand Rimondi (pick up is from Creta star bus stop). Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does From Rethymno: Full-Day Knossos And Heraklion with free time include hotel pickup?

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    Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 208 listed pickup locations in and around Chania. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

    What languages is From Rethymno: Full-Day Knossos And Heraklion with free time offered in?

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    It is offered in German, English and French. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for From Rethymno: Full-Day Knossos And Heraklion with free time?

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    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is From Rethymno: Full-Day Knossos And Heraklion with free time wheelchair or stroller accessible?

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    The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Infants will be seated with their parents on the bus and will not have their own seat. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to From Rethymno: Full-Day Knossos And Heraklion with free time if the weather is bad?

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    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Chania. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

    What do travelers say about From Rethymno: Full-Day Knossos And Heraklion with free time?

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    Across 29 reviews averaging 4.1 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    What booking options are available for From Rethymno: Full-Day Knossos And Heraklion with free time?

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    There are 6 options to choose from, including Private GUIDE-EN/DE/FR & BALI, Audio Guide and Transfer, Private Tour RETHYMNO & BALI, from Adele,Platanias,Misiria. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.

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