Chania Airport Car Rental Guide: Pickup, Tips & What to Know
Landing at Chania Airport (CHQ)? Here's exactly how airport car-rental pickup works, what to bring, and tips for a smooth, fast start to your Crete trip.
Written by Artemis Maninakis
Artemis Maninakis is the founder of IQ Car Rentals and runs its fleet from Kolymbari, West Crete — every guide is written from first-hand local experience on Crete's roads.
Most visitors to West Crete arrive at Chania International Airport (CHQ) on the Akrotiri peninsula, about 14 km from Chania town. Picking up a rental car right at the airport is the easiest way to start your trip — here's exactly how it works and what to know.
How airport pickup works
With IQ Car Rentals, we meet you on arrival at the airport — no shuttle bus to a remote depot. You step off your flight, collect your bags, and your car is ready. See the details on our Chania Airport car rental page.
What to bring
- Your driving licence (plus an International Driving Permit if you're from outside the EU).
- Your booking reference and the main driver's ID.
- A credit or debit card for the security deposit.
Tips for a smooth pickup
- Book ahead, especially in July and August — airport demand peaks and cars sell out.
- Add your flight number to the booking so we can track delays and still be there when you land.
- Take a quick photo of the car at handover (we note any existing marks together anyway).
Driving out of the airport
CHQ is a small, easy airport. The exit road joins the main route towards Chania and the national road, from where the whole of West Crete opens up. Rough drive times: Chania town ~20 min, Kolymbari ~30 min, Rethymno ~50 min, the western beaches (Falassarna, Balos) ~1–1.5 hr.
Why pick up at the airport?
It saves a taxi transfer, lets you stop at a supermarket or beach on the way to your hotel, and means you're independent from minute one. If you'd rather not drive straight away, we also offer hotel delivery across the Chania region (small fee).
FAQ
Is there a desk at Chania Airport? We meet you on arrival rather than at a queue at a desk.
What if my flight is delayed? Add your flight number to the booking and we'll track it — no extra charge for reasonable delays.
Can I drop the car back at Heraklion Airport? Yes — one-way rentals between CHQ and HER can be arranged in advance.
Flying into CHQ? See Chania Airport car rental or book your car now. Landing at the other airport instead? We also cover Heraklion Airport.
