Buses are the principal form of public transport in Crete, as the island has no passenger railway network. Intercity services connect the main cities with many towns, villages, airports, ports, beaches and popular visitor attractions.

The most frequent connections operate between Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno, Agios Nikolaos, Ierapetra and Sitia. Bus routes also serve important archaeological sites and tourist destinations, although several of these services operate more frequently during the summer season.

Heraklion and Chania have extensive urban bus networks, while local services also operate in Rethymno, Agios Nikolaos and other residential or tourist areas. Urban buses connect city centres with suburbs, airports, ports, hospitals, university facilities and nearby beaches.

Public transport is a practical choice for travelling between the main cities and visiting well-known destinations. Access to remote beaches, mountain villages, gorges and less visited areas can nevertheless be limited or may require a combination of different bus services.

Service frequency varies considerably according to the route and the time of year. Additional connections to beaches and tourist resorts are generally available during summer, while some services operate less frequently in winter. Visitors should therefore check the current timetable before every journey.

Taxis complement the public transport network and are available at airports, ports, central bus stations, cities and larger tourist resorts. For longer or less common journeys, it is advisable to confirm the approximate fare and pick-up point in advance.