East of Agios Nikolaos, Crete empties out. Buses become rare, resorts stop, and the coast turns into a string of fishing villages, palm groves and beaches you will sometimes have to yourself. This is the part of the island that rewards having your own car more than anywhere else.
We rent for exactly this kind of trip: no deposit, full insurance at €0 excess, and a straight answer about which roads are worth driving and which are not.
Mochlos - a single row of tavernas by the water, best lunch stop on the coast.
Sitia - a real working town with a long beach and almost no tour buses.
Vai - Europe's largest natural palm grove; go early, the car park fills by 11:00.
Itanos and Erimoupolis - ruins and empty bays five minutes past Vai.
Xerokambos - the far south-east, an hour of slow road and worth every minute.
Road conditions and fuel
The national road ends properly at Agios Nikolaos; after that expect a good but winding two-lane road all the way to Sitia, with long climbs and few overtaking spots. Allow more time than the map says. Fuel stations are spaced far apart east of Sitia, so top up in town. Some tracks marked on map apps - including several to remote beaches - are gravel, and driving off sealed roads voids the insurance on every rental car in Crete, ours included.
Which car for the east
Compact car - fine for everything paved, easiest to park in Sitia.
SUV (Duster, Vitara) - more comfortable on long mountain days and rough-edged asphalt.
Automatic - worth asking for if the climbs and hairpins are not your idea of a holiday.
Air conditioning is standard; in July and August you will use it constantly.
Insurance and conditions
Every MyCrete car comes with FCDW full insurance plus WUG cover - tyres, the car's underside, glass and mirrors - at €0 excess. There is no upsell at handover, because there is no better package to sell you. We send the fuel policy, driver age rule and the full terms in writing before you confirm anything. An EU driving licence is enough. Insurance is void off-road, including the gravel track to Balos.
Find the right rental car
Answer a few quick questions. We will personally check actual availability and send you the final all-inclusive total price. Sending an enquiry does not create a booking or payment obligation.
Takes about 1 minute
Full insurance
€0 excess
No deposit
Unlimited kilometres
No prepayment
1/4 · Rental details
When do you need the car?
Where would you like the car?
Pickup
Return
Full insurance
€0 excess
€0 deposit
Unlimited km
No hidden fees
No credit-card block
Real availability, personally checked.
We don't simply show an automated list of cars. Your request is personally reviewed and we check the most suitable available option based on your dates, location and preferences.
Prefer WhatsApp?
Send us your dates and we'll check availability personally.
All-inclusive price — everything listed above is included. Fuel is not included.
The exact final price depends on the rental dates, duration, vehicle category and delivery location. We send the complete total before you confirm.
Small manual
From €60/day
Best for couples and small families.
Final quote after availability check
Automatic
From €70/day
Comfortable and easy driving around Crete.
Final quote after availability check
SUV
From €80/day
More space and comfort for exploring the island.
Final quote after availability check
7-9 seats
From €100/day
For larger families and groups.
Final quote after availability check
Convertible
From €100/day
Open-top driving along the Cretan coast.
Final quote after availability check
Starting prices are indicative and usually apply to longer rental periods. The final price depends on the dates, rental duration, pickup location, season and vehicle availability.
The longer the rental period, the lower the daily rate usually becomes.
You pay the confirmed total shown in your offer. No mandatory insurance or unexpected rental fees will be added at vehicle collection.
Optional extras such as additional drivers, child seats or special delivery arrangements are shown separately and priced before you confirm.
Longer rental, better daily rate
7+ days · better daily rate
The daily rate usually becomes lower when you rent for a longer period. Enter your dates and we will prepare a personalised offer with the final total price.
One clear final price – no surprises when you receive the car.
Included with our rental offers
Full insurance
€0 excess
€0 deposit
Unlimited kilometres
No hidden charges
Hotel or airport delivery and collection where available
Compare the final price, not only the advertised daily rate
Some rental companies advertise a very low starting price, but insurance upgrades, excess reduction, deposits and additional coverage may increase the final amount. With MyCrete, you receive a clearly explained total offer before confirming.
Advertised starting price
May exclude additional insurance or services.
Price at pickup
Can increase after optional coverage is added.
MyCrete total offer
Insurance conditions, deposit and final price are explained before confirmation.
Car delivery across East Crete
Already staying in Crete? You do not need to visit a rental office. Tell us your hotel, dates and preferred car and we check availability and send you the final total price.
We work with carefully selected local car rental partners across Crete to provide reliable vehicles, competitive prices and flexible availability.
Selected local partners
We cooperate with established licensed local rental companies that meet our service expectations.
More vehicle availability
Our partner network gives us access to a wider range of cars across Crete, also in high season.
MyCrete support
You communicate with MyCrete during the booking process and can contact us if you need assistance with your rental.
One point of contact
From your first enquiry until the end of your rental, MyCrete remains your point of contact and assists you throughout the booking process.
What is included - insurance, deposit, delivery, extras - is always stated in the offer we send you and in your booking confirmation for that specific rental.
Frequently asked questions
Can I reach Vai beach with a rental car?
Yes, the road to Vai is sealed all the way and there is a paid car park at the beach. Arrive before 11:00 in summer or you will be parking a long walk away.
How long is the drive from Heraklion to Sitia?
Around 2h30 without stops. Most people break it in Agios Nikolaos or Mochlos rather than doing it in one go.
Are the mountain roads safe?
The main routes are in good condition - narrow, winding and unlit, but safe at sensible speeds. Avoid driving them after dark on your first days, and never take a rental car onto gravel.
Do I need a 4x4?
No. Every sealed road in eastern Crete is fine in a normal car, and off-road driving is forbidden in all our rentals, 4x4 included.