EN DE
 Open · 07:00 – 23:00 Family-run since 1984 +30 6980 343 448
Car Rental Crete Since 1984

About Us —
Caravel Rent a Car.

We're not a broker, a franchise, or an aggregator. We're a Cretan family that has been putting visitors behind the wheel since 1984. The second generation runs the operation today. When you book, you speak to us directly.

1984
Year Founded
440
Vehicles
10+
Stations
25
Team Members

A dream was born.
A business was built.

Caravel Rent a Car was founded in 1984 as a family enterprise in Heraklion, Crete. After many years of steady upward development, the company evolved into a joint-stock company — driven by rapid growth not only in vehicles and offices, but in personnel, service quality and infrastructure.

Today Caravel is one of the largest independent car rental companies on the island, with 440 vehicles spread across six main stations. But the ownership structure hasn't changed: it's still the same family. The second generation now runs day-to-day operations, bringing with it a deep knowledge of the island and a direct commitment to every customer.

What we've built — and why it matters to you

Most car hire companies in Crete are either global franchise operators who don't know the island, or aggregator listings that take a cut and pass you to a third party. We are neither. When you book with Hire Cars Crete, you deal with the people who own the cars, maintain the cars, and meet you at the airport.

Our fleet of latest-model vehicles is renewed on a rolling basis — with vehicles rarely older than 18 months. Every car is maintained by our own workshop team, not outsourced. That matters when you're on a mountain road above Balos and need to know your vehicle is genuinely fit for purpose.

Professional status and services

Caravel is a fully licensed tourism enterprise, registered with the Greek Tourism Organisation (EOT) under registration number 1039E81000111200. Our services include:

  • 24-hour vehicle delivery and collection across all of Crete
  • 24-hour technical support and roadside assistance island-wide
  • Full insurance coverage with zero excess — included in all rates
  • Free additional drivers, baby seats, roof racks and GPS mounts
  • Stations open from 06:00 to 23:00, seven days a week
  • Delivery to all hotels, airports and ports in Crete

We accept payment on collection only — cash, debit card, Visa, Mastercard and American Express. No credit card deposit required. No amount is blocked or pre-authorised on your card.

At a Glance
Founded1984
Vehicles440
Stations in Crete10+
Team members25
Average fleet age18 mo.
EOT Registration1039E81000111200
WhatsApp response< 1 hr
Repeat booking rate42 %

Ready to book?

Check availability in 2 minutes. No account required, no deposit.

Check Availability → 💬 Ask us on WhatsApp
What We Stand For

Three commitments.
No exceptions.

01 · TRANSPARENCY

The price you see is the price you pay.

We built our offer around the things travellers complain about most: hidden excess charges, blocked deposits, surprise fees at return. Every Hire Cars Crete booking includes full insurance, zero excess and free extras — published clearly, not buried in a PDF.

02 · RELIABILITY

24/7 support from people who know the island.

When something goes wrong on a mountain road at midnight, you don't want a call centre in another country. You want Giorgos, who knows Crete from Chania to Sitia and can reach you within 45 minutes — anywhere on the island.

03 · CONTINUITY

The same team, every year.

Our repeat booking rate is 42% — not because of a loyalty programme, but because people come back to the same faces. Angeliki at Heraklion Airport. Emanuela on WhatsApp. Ermis, the owner, who personally responds to every critical review.

Our History

Four decades on the road.

From a single office in Heraklion to ten stations across the island.

84
1984 · Foundation

Caravel is founded in Heraklion

A small family car rental enterprise starts with a handful of vehicles and one office at 39, 25th August Street, Heraklion city centre. The first airport delivery is made in the same year.

90s
1990s · Growth

Airport stations open

Rising international tourism drives rapid fleet expansion. Caravel opens dedicated stations at Heraklion Airport and Chania Airport, establishing a presence at both of the island's main arrival points.

00s
2000s · Expansion

Resort network builds out

Stations open in Hersonissos and Stalis to serve the north-coast resort corridor. Hotel delivery service expands to cover the entire island — from Agia Pelagia to Elounda, from Matala to Sitia.

2G
2010s · Second Generation

Second generation takes the helm

The second generation of the family takes over day-to-day management, bringing with it a digital-first approach, a restructured fleet policy (all vehicles renewed within 18 months), and the zero-excess insurance model that defines the brand today.

Now
Today · 440 Vehicles

One of Crete's largest independent operators

440 vehicles. 10+ stations. 25 team members. EOT-certified. Rated 4.8+ on Google. No brokers, no franchises, no call centres. Still family-owned — and still handing over the keys in person at the airport.

The Team

The people who hand
you the keys.

No temporary staff. No rotating faces. You'll know your contact after the first booking — and they'll still be there next year.

Angeliki

Station Manager · HER Airport

12 years with the team. Meets you in person at the airport, knows every mountain road on the island.

DE · EN · GR

Emanuela

Customer Service · Hersonissos

First response on emails and WhatsApp. Resolves questions concretely — usually within an hour.

DE · IT · EN · GR

Giorgos

Roadside Assistance · Island-wide

On the road from Chania to Sitia. Average response time: 45 minutes — anywhere on the island.

EN · GR

Ermis

Owner · Second Generation

Directly reachable when something isn't right. Personally responds to every critical review.

DE · EN · NL · GR
Our Stations

Ten stations.
One island.

Airport

Heraklion Airport (HER)

Municipal Car Parking
Heraklion 71601
+30 2810 343 732
Airport

Chania Airport (CHQ)

Akrotiri Station
Chania 73100
+30 6980 343 448
City

Heraklion City Centre

39, 25th August Street
Heraklion 71202
+30 2810 335 900
Resort

Hersonissos

40, Dimokratias Street
Hersonissos
+30 28970 24 735
Resort

Stalis

151, Beach Road
Stalis
+30 28970 31 447
WhatsApp