Planning update (October 2026): Kastelli's new Heraklion airport is under construction; the current target is November 2028. The airport is not yet available for flights or Comfy car collection. Road access, journey times and pickup arrangements may change before opening.
Driving in Crete can be one of the best parts of a holiday: mountain views, quiet villages, beaches and stops that organised tours may miss. But it pays to understand local rules before collecting a car at the future Kastelli Airport.
The new airport has not started passenger operations. This is a general Crete driving guide, not a confirmation that Comfy already has a working Kastelli pickup location.
1. Fuel policy: check the actual agreement
Do not assume every Comfy rental uses a strict full-to-full fuel rule. The published Comfy rental policy says the car should be returned with the same fuel level as when it was delivered, unless another arrangement is confirmed in writing. Take a photo of the dashboard at both pickup and return.
Fuel station locations, prices and overnight opening hours can change. Check live information rather than relying on a quoted price or a station said to be a fixed distance from a terminal that is still under construction.
2. Insurance: read what is actually covered
The level of insurance protection depends on your selected car group and the final rental agreement. Collision Damage Waiver and theft protection may be included under stated conditions, while other protection may be optional.
Important for Balos: Comfy's published conditions exclude off-road driving. Do not assume that a high-clearance vehicle, an SUV booking or a so-called full-cover package makes the unpaved Balos road automatically permitted or insured. Confirm permitted roads before driving, and consider a boat from Kissamos for Balos Lagoon.
3. Which side of the road?
In Greece, vehicles drive on the right, and most rental cars have the steering wheel on the left. That is familiar to many visitors from mainland Europe and the United States, but the opposite of driving in the United Kingdom or Cyprus.
Use extra caution at junctions, roundabouts and when exiting parking areas, particularly during your first hour on the island.
4. Mountains take longer than maps suggest
Roads in the Lasithi region and on the way to southern beaches include steep gradients and tight bends. A 50 km journey on mountain roads may be significantly slower than a comparable distance on a highway.
Allow extra time for weather, goats or agricultural vehicles, and scenic stops. Use a low gear where appropriate on long descents, maintain safe following distances and avoid travelling unpaved tracks at night.
5. Speed limits and parking
Since 2026, Greece generally has a 30 km/h limit in built-up areas, with specific exceptions and road signs setting other limits. The old blanket advice that every village is 50 km/h is no longer reliable. Always follow local signs rather than a fixed list of assumed limits.
Parking rules and charges vary between municipalities, beaches and seasons. Use marked parking areas and avoid blocking emergency access, narrow lanes or agricultural entrances.
Practical do's and don'ts
| Do | Avoid |
|---|---|
| Photograph the car and fuel level at collection | Assuming every rental is full-to-full |
| Confirm insurance and road restrictions | Driving the Balos dirt road without written permission |
| Download offline navigation for rural areas | Relying on mobile signal everywhere |
| Check signs and current local speed limits | Using an outdated blanket 50 km/h village rule |
| Plan plenty of time on mountain roads | Rushing long descents or overtaking without visibility |
Ready to explore Crete?
Use the Kastelli Airport updates page for future collection details, and check Comfy's rental policy before any booking. If you're travelling before the new airport opens, current Comfy pickup locations are available via the main booking website.
Explore Comfy's future Kastelli Airport car-rental guide. Travelling to Crete before the new airport opens? Check vehicles at currently available Comfy pickup locations.
