Ammoudara: the basics
Buses, money, emergencies and the apps worth having. Everything for your first day, in one place.
In an emergency
- Any emergency112Free from any phone, anywhere in the EU. Operators speak English.
- Ambulance (EKAB)166
- Police100
- Fire service199
- Coast guard108For anything at sea.
- Tourist helpline1571Hellenic Police helpline for visitors, in Greek, English, French and German.
Getting around by bus
City bus line 6 is your bus. The same bus runs Airport – Heraklion – Ammoudara, so you can use it to get into town and to reach the airport. It runs every day, about every 20 minutes, from early morning until after midnight.
- From the airport to Ammoudara: about 40–50 minutes.
- Timetables (PDF): Monday–Friday · Saturday · Sunday. The Ammoudara column shows when the bus leaves Ammoudara.
- Where to catch it: bus stops on our map.
- Live buses and e-tickets: the official app «Αστικές Συγκοινωνίες Ηρακλείου» (Heraklion City Bus).
Tickets
Buy your ticket before you board: in the app or at mini markets and kiosks near the stops. In the city centre there are also ticket machines. From the driver it costs €1 more.
- Single, city zone (A): €1.30 (€2.30 from the driver)
- Single, suburbs zone (B): €1.80 (€2.80 from the driver)
- Day ticket: €5 · 24 hours: €6 · 3 days: €15 · 7 days: €30 (unlimited rides, zones A and B)
Prices as of October 2026. Always check astiko-irakleiou.gr for the latest.
Exploring the rest of Crete
Intercity buses (KTEL Heraklion–Lasithi) leave from Heraklion for the east of the island and beyond. Timetables, tickets and their app: ktelherlas.gr
Taxis and transfers
Find taxis and transfers in our A–Z guide.
Money
- Currency: euro (€).
- Cards are accepted in most shops, cafés and restaurants. Keep a little cash for kiosks and small purchases.
- ATMs: find the nearest one in our A–Z guide.
- Pay in euros: if an ATM or card machine offers to charge you in your home currency, choose euros. The conversion it offers usually costs more.
Health
- Pharmacies (green cross) take turns staying open at night and on Sundays. The pharmacies on duty are posted on every pharmacy's door. Pharmacies near you
- Hospitals in Heraklion: University General Hospital of Heraklion (PAGNI) and Venizelio General Hospital. In an emergency, call 166 or 112.
- From the EU? Bring your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
Useful apps & websites
- City busesΑστικές Συγκοινωνίες ΗρακλείουOfficial app of Heraklion city buses: live bus positions, routes and e-tickets.
- Intercity busesKTEL Heraklion–LasithiBuses to the rest of Crete. Timetables, tickets and their app.
- Weathermeteo.grGreek forecasts from the National Observatory of Athens, including wind.
- Everything localAmmoudara A–Z guidePharmacies, supermarkets, doctors, beaches, food and more, on one map.
- Any questionAsk the KoumparosOur local AI helper answers in your language, any time.
The beach
Ammoudara is a long, sandy beach with shallow water, sunbeds along most of it and quieter stretches in between.
The beach faces north. When the north wind blows, the sea gets rough quickly. Always check the lifeguard flags before you go in, and keep an eye on children.
The island you see out at sea is Dia. Nobody lives there.
Still have a question?
Find what is open near you in the A–Z guide, or ask the Koumparos in your own language.
Open the A–Z guide