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Book Heraklion Hop-On-Hop-Off Tours
- Ready to ‘Greek’ out? Heraklion's history-packed streets are yours to explore with a 1-day hop-on, hop-off pass, and one extra day free to keep you exploring!
- Two routes, 18 stops, unlimited hops! From the heart of Heraklion to beachside Ammoudara, this bus tour ensures you explore every Cretan gem.
- Heraklion's secrets, told in your lingo! With 8 languages, the audio guides turn sights into stories from the ultimate viewpoint of an open-top bus.
- See sights like the Archaeological Museum with its ancient art, the Venetian Castle Koules staring at the sea, and the wreckage of Knossos Palace.
- Ready to ‘Greek’ out? Heraklion's history-packed streets are yours to explore with a 1-day hop-on, hop-off pass, and one extra day free to keep you exploring!
- Two routes, 18 stops, unlimited hops! From the heart of Heraklion to beachside Ammoudara, this bus tour ensures you explore every Cretan gem.
- Heraklion's secrets, told in your lingo! With 8 languages, the audio guides turn sights into stories from the ultimate viewpoint of an open-top bus.
- See sights like the Archaeological Museum with its ancient art, the Venetian Castle Koules staring at the sea, and the wreckage of Knossos Palace.
Inclusions
- 1-day unlimited hop-on hop-off pass + 1 day free
- Audio guide in English, Greek, Russian, German, Spanish, Italian, French & Hebrew
- Free earphones
- Free map
Heraklion line
- First bus: 9am from stop #1 (Port)
- Last bus: 5pm from stop #1 (Port)
- Frequency: Every 30 mins
- Popular stops: Knossos Palace, Archaeological Museum, Venetian Castle Koules, Kazantzakis Grave, Natural History Museum, Gate Of Jesus, Port
Ammoudara line
- First bus: 9am from stop #1 (Apollonia Hotel)
- Last bus: 4:30pm from stop #1 (Apollonia Hotel)
- Frequency: Every 60-75 mins
- Popular stops: Hotel Dolphin, Technopolis, Agapi Beach Hotel, Port, Fitaki Megaron
Please click here for a detailed map and boarding points.
- Tip: Join locals for a shot of raki, Crete's fiery spirit. It's often served for free after meals. Remember, sipping is savoring – don’t down it in one go!
- This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
- Your guide dogs are welcome onboard.
- Baggage is allowed onboard.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Reviews
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Snapshots from our guests
4.2
194 ratings
65
115
7
4
3
Guests from United States, United Kingdom, Australia and over 11 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Maureen
May 2025Verified booking
It took us to the places mentioned, but when we wanted to spend the second half of the day at the beach, the time getting back from the beach was misleading. It shows "Line 2" running both directions. This is only true for a very short stretch. It then does the full loop. If you are coming in on a cruise, make sure you have at least 90 minutes to get back on the ship or take a taxi, like we ended up doing.
Theresa-Anne
May 2025Verified booking
Hosts and drivers were helpful and on time. Stops were easy to find. We saw all the places we wanted to and found some hidden gems along the way.
Alan
Jun 2025Verified booking
Very good tour and good information as going round
Isabell
Aug 2025Verified booking
Andrew
Aug 2025Verified booking
Stefan
Jul 2025Verified booking
Adina
Jul 2025Verified booking
Viktoriia
Jul 2025Verified booking
ERIK
Jul 2025Verified booking
Martha
Jun 2025Verified booking
Guy
Jun 2025Verified booking
Danylo
Jun 2025Verified booking
Olga
May 2025Verified booking
Sporniak
May 2025Verified booking
Matthew
May 2025Verified booking
Ioanna
May 2025Verified booking
Annette
Jun 2025Verified booking
Nothing. The audio tour was vague and uninteresting. We missed one attraction because of poor instruction from audio guide
Joanne
May 2025Verified booking
The bus were dirty , the equipment needed repair drivers were not nice
Stephen
Aug 2025Verified booking
The gate of Jesus was closed. The bus waited 25 mins at one of the stops, which gave us less time to visit other stops. Had to wait long for the buses. The sites weren't worth visiting. Our worse on off bus ever.
Rachael
Jun 2025Verified booking
Nothing. The audio wouldn't work. One of the staff at one of the stops was very rude. Told one of the other customers no more one go away
Adele
May 2025Verified booking
The bus was over 45 minutes late. I tried to contact the team and was just told to wait for another bus. I was told nothing could be done until a response had been received from the operator and to wait 48 hours - this was 3 days ago and there has been no response.
Julie
Oct 2024Verified booking
Easy to buy tickets online. The drivers were friendly and the buses frequent. I'd highly recommend. A great way to get to Knossos!
Brenda
Oct 2024Verified booking
Ticketing experience in person good; but over phone i was sent for athens and as far as I k ow I never received refunf...I need to check
Christeen
Oct 2024Verified booking
The bus staff were incredibly helpful and responsive, they helped us through a wrong bus experience and did not let us down, working with us to fix our route and plan
WENDY
Oct 2024Verified booking
The young woman who helped us get on the beach bus. She was wonderful.
4.3(1,145)
Combo (Save 5%): Knossos Palace Archaeological Site Entry Tickets + Heraklion Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
from €47
€44.65
5% off
4.3/5
(1,145)
Kezia
Aug 2025Verified booking
4/5
We got to Knossos at 9am, which was good because it was less hot and there were less people. The site was so cool to look around, especially as someone with an interest in Classical history. Booking with Headout was pretty easy, the only problem was that we thought the audio guide would be for Knossos, but it turned out to be for Heraklion city. That is also cool, but would've been nice to have a Knossos specific one for the Knossos ticket haha.
Valérie
Jul 2025Verified booking
4/5
Well-organized and staffed at every stop for guidance if needed! Self-guided tour of Knossos Palace perfect for getting a sense of history. We didn't take the bus to all the sights, as we also took advantage of the opportunity to visit the various sites on foot!
Linda
Jun 2025Verified booking
4/5
We loved the convenience of the HOHO and getting to Knossos Palace. However, we thought we were getting an audio tour of the palace, not just an entry. While we enjoyed the exploration of such an amazing place, it would have been nice to understand what we were seeing along the way.
Why wait? Fast-track your way into Knossos Palace, then hop on and off as you explore Heraklion’s hidden gems, all in one budget-friendly combo ticket.
- Step back in time with priority access to the Knossos Palace, where the 3700-year-old ruins tell tales of the ancient civilization.
- Delve into the Minoan lives with a chance to see the Throne of King Minos and marvel at the mysterious murals with undeciphered language.
- Get ready for a double dose of adventure as you hop on and off across Heraklion city with a 1-day open-top bus tour and an extra day free.
- Zoom around two routes, hitting 18 prime spots like the sun-kissed beaches of Ammoudara. Frequent buses have audio guides and free Wi-Fi.
Why wait? Fast-track your way into Knossos Palace, then hop on and off as you explore Heraklion’s hidden gems, all in one budget-friendly combo ticket.
- Step back in time with priority access to the Knossos Palace, where the 3700-year-old ruins tell tales of the ancient civilization.
- Delve into the Minoan lives with a chance to see the Throne of King Minos and marvel at the mysterious murals with undeciphered language.
- Get ready for a double dose of adventure as you hop on and off across Heraklion city with a 1-day open-top bus tour and an extra day free.
- Zoom around two routes, hitting 18 prime spots like the sun-kissed beaches of Ammoudara. Frequent buses have audio guides and free Wi-Fi.
Inclusions
Knossos Palace
- Entry to Knossos Palace
Heraklion HOHO pass
- 1-day unlimited hop-on hop-off pass + 1-day free
- Audio guide in English, Greek, Russian, German, Spanish, Italian, French & Hebrew
- Free earphones
- Free map
Please click here for a detailed map and boarding points. You can join a tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.
Heraklion line
- First bus: 9am from stop #1 (Port)
- Last bus: 5pm from stop #1 (Port)
- Frequency: Every 30 mins
- Popular stops: Knossos Palace, Archaeological Museum, Venetian Castle Koules
Ammoudara line
- First bus: 9am from stop #1 (Apollonia Hotel)
- Last bus: 4:30pm from stop #1 (Apollonia Hotel)
- Frequency: Every 60-75 mins
- Popular stops: Hotel Dolphin, Technopolis, Agapi Beach Hotel
Knossos Palace
- Tip: Look out for the royal apartments and ancient theatre for deeper insights into the Minoans' love for complex architectural designs and performing arts.
- This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
Heraklion HOHO pass
- Tip: Visiting Knossos Palace during the bus tour? Hop off at stop 9 of the Heraklion line for easy access.
- The buses are wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible.
- Your guide dogs are welcome onboard.
- Baggage is allowed onboard.
Concession eligibility
- Children and young people (EU citizens): Individuals up to 25 years old from EU member states are entitled to free admission upon presenting a valid ID or passport.
- Children and young people (Non-EU citizens): Those aged between 6 and 25 years are eligible for a reduced admission fee, while children up to 6 years old from non-EU countries can gain free admission upon presenting a valid ID.
- Senior citizens: Individuals over 65 years old from Greece or other EU member states are eligible for a reduced admission fee upon presenting a valid ID or passport.
- Persons with disabilities: Individuals with an 80% disability or more, regardless of nationality, and one escort (if applicable) can access free admission upon presenting a valid disability certificate along with their ID or passport.
- Greek citizens (special categories): Greek families with many children (with children up to 25 years old, or any age if they have disabilities) are eligible for free admission upon presenting a valid large family certificate and disability certificate (if applicable). Greek unemployed citizens can also receive free admission with a valid unemployment card and ID.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.3
1,145 ratings
560
478
30
34
43
Guests from France, United Kingdom, United States and over 30 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Elfriede
Jul 2025Verified booking
It was just great, an incredible experience
View original review in German
Veronica
Jun 2025Verified booking
You are in the history of civilization, although in itself there is not much to see
View original review in Italian
Leda
May 2025Verified booking
Perfect fit because I didn't have a lot of time to visit the sites. The bus stops were in great locations.
Kezia
Aug 2025Verified booking
We got to Knossos at 9am, which was good because it was less hot and there were less people. The site was so cool to look around, especially as someone with an interest in Classical history. Booking with Headout was pretty easy, the only problem was that we thought the audio guide would be for Knossos, but it turned out to be for Heraklion city. That is also cool, but would've been nice to have a Knossos specific one for the Knossos ticket haha.
Barbara
Aug 2025Verified booking
Eva our guide was fantastic! We fell in love with her who made the visit interesting and enjoyable. Thank you
View original review in Italian
Kathy
Aug 2025Verified booking
Enjoyable day, did not take as long as two hours to walk the site. Adviseable to go early in the morning or later in day to avoid the heat of the day.
Matthew
Aug 2025Verified booking
The skip the line benefit saved us a ton of time and it's worth booking this for that alone. The ruins aren't huge so a guide isn't necesssary. We also enjoyed the audio guide in the town itself.
Nagylaki
Aug 2025Verified booking
It was so nice to see some part of hystory Greek mithology. The audio guide was really interesting. It was so hot, but we found shadow places inside.
David
Jul 2025Verified booking
This is an awesome palace. It's unimaginable to think it's nearly 4000 years old. The excavations and recreations bring to life the scale of the level of sofistication of the ancient culture. This is an archeological site that cannot be missed if you are visiting Crete.
KArine
Jul 2025Verified booking
After paying €27 per person for the entrance ticket. I would have liked to have a guided tour in French included in the ticket and not have to pay 27 euros per person extra for a guided tour.
View original review in French
Valérie
Jul 2025Verified booking
Well-organized and staffed at every stop for guidance if needed! Self-guided tour of Knossos Palace perfect for getting a sense of history. We didn't take the bus to all the sights, as we also took advantage of the opportunity to visit the various sites on foot!
View original review in French
Linda
Jun 2025Verified booking
We loved the convenience of the HOHO and getting to Knossos Palace. However, we thought we were getting an audio tour of the palace, not just an entry. While we enjoyed the exploration of such an amazing place, it would have been nice to understand what we were seeing along the way.
Matthew
Jun 2025Verified booking
The palace itself was interesting, with informative signage, great views and lots of palace to see. There were also good amenities in the form of a cafe, gift shop and plenty of toilets. As a note, the palace itself is completely outdoors and there is limited place to shelter in the event of rain. Unfortunately, the Headout app provided the wrong audio guide and we were unable to use that part of our ticket.
Peter
Jun 2025Verified booking
It was not clearly indicated in the online booking where to find the audio guide. Nor afterwards when we had received the tickets.
View original review in Dutch
Maureen
May 2025Verified booking
It took us to the places mentioned, but when we wanted to spend the second half of the day at the beach, the time getting back from the beach was misleading. It shows "Line 2" running both directions. This is only true for a very short stretch. It then does the full loop. If you are coming in on a cruise, make sure you have at least 90 minutes to get back on the ship or take a taxi, like we ended up doing.
Olga
May 2025Verified booking
Without audio guide you could go through all territory for 40-45 minutes. Nobody of staff could explain about audio guide.
Theresa-Anne
May 2025Verified booking
Hosts and drivers were helpful and on time. Stops were easy to find. We saw all the places we wanted to and found some hidden gems along the way.
Ralf
May 2025Verified booking
Well, we drove through the heavy traffic with a few explanations about Crete, but not about the city itself. Conclusion: you can do it, but it's not absolutely necessary.
View original review in German
Cosetta
Jul 2025Verified booking
Directions on the route were nonexistent. It was not clear at all where to go
View original review in Italian
monica
Jul 2025Verified booking
Speed of purchase Price All ok
View original review in Italian
Alan
Jun 2025Verified booking
Very good tour and good information as going round
Annemarie
Jun 2025Verified booking
The throne room and the vistas.
View original review in Dutch
Cheryl
Jun 2025Verified booking
The whole experience was very good. From parking , entry, the information boards - very impressive
Isabell
Aug 2025Verified booking
ALLIER
Aug 2025Verified booking
Why choose Heraklion hop-on-hop-off tours?
- Open-top buses: The top seats at the hop-on-hop-off, double-decker buses offer clear and unobstructed views of the city. Enjoy the warm, Mediterranean air and capture stunning photos of the Heraklion’s historic sites and narrow streets.
- Budget-friendly option: These tours offer great value for money as they cover multiple attractions and include unlimited stops. With these tours, you no longer have to worry about booking expensive taxis or multiple public transport tickets.
- Effortless sightseeing: Hop-on-hop-off bus tours run along designated routes and pass by major attractions. You no longer have to worry about navigating through unfamiliar streets or figuring out public transport routes. You can simply hop on and hop off whenever you want, or just take in the passing sights from the top deck.
- Detailed commentary: All Heraklion hop-on-hop-off bus tours include audio guides, available in over 8 languages. These detailed guides offer added cultural insights and interesting anecdotes for an informative sightseeing experience.
- Convenient and accessible: These buses run frequently and connect major attractions in the city, making it easy for first-time travelers and visitors with mobility challenges to navigate around. The multiple pick-up and drop-off points ensure that you can customize your own itinerary.
Which ticket should you choose?
Hop-on-hop-off bus tours
Best for: Visitors on a tight schedule, budget-conscious travelers, and first-time visitors
Duration: Flexible
Guide: Audio guide in over 8 languages
Flexible cancellation: Available
- Get an extra day of unlimited stops with these Heraklion hop-on-hop-off tour tickets. These tickets allow you to access 2 routes- the Heraklion Line and the Ammoudara Beach Line.
- Enjoy free Wi-Fi, earphones, and a map along with your multilingual audio guides to learn more about the landmarks and historic sites.
Combo tours
Best for: Visitors on a budget and those looking to explore in-depth
Duration: Flexible
Guide: Audio guide in over 8 languages
Flexible cancellation: Not available
- Get entry access to the Knossos Palace, the largest archaeological site in Heraklion. Stroll through the Throne Room and the Grand Staircase for deeper insights into the Minoan history.
- Take advantage of the multilingual audio guides and free earphones and explore at your own pace.
Heraklion hop-on-hop-off tour routes and timetable
Heraklion line
- Stops: 12
- Operating hours: 9am to 5pm
- Frequency: Every 30 mins
- Popular sights: Knossos Palace, Venetian Koules Fortress, Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Natural History Museum, Gate of Jesus, Kazantzakis Grave, Heraklion Port, and others
Ammoudara line
- Stops: 6
- Operating hours: 9am to 4:30pm
- Frequency: Every 60 to 75 minutes
- Popular sights: Agapi Beach Hotel, Hotel Dolphin, Technopolis, Heraklion Port, and others
Frequently asked questions about Heraklion hop-on-hop-off bus tours
What is included in a Heraklion bus tour?
Get an extra day of unlimited stops with your Heraklion hop-on-hop-off bus tours. Enjoy multilingual audio guides, available in over 8 languages, free Wi-Fi, and earphones. These guides help you learn more about the landmarks and explore at your own pace.
What is the cost of Heraklion hop-on-hop-off bus tours?
Heraklion hop-on-hop-off bus tour tickets start from €15. These tickets allow you to explore landmarks along the Heraklion route as well as the Ammoudara Beach route. Get a full day of unlimited stops free of charge with these tickets.
Where can you catch the hop-on hop-off bus for Heraklion?
The Heraklion tour buses depart from the Heraklion port at 9am every morning. The Ammoudara hop-on-hop-off buses depart from the Apollonia Hotel daily at 9am.
What is special about the Heraklion bus tour?
The best perk of booking Heraklion hop-on-hop-off buses is that you can access multiple routes and get a full day of touring free of added charges. Enjoy scenic views of the city’s landmarks and access multilingual audio guides to delve deeper into their culture.
Are Heraklion bus tours wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Heraklion hop-on-hop-off buses are accessible to visitors in wheelchairs or guests with limited mobility. The buses have ramps, making it easy for wheelchair users to glide in and out of the bus. If you need any assistance, you can ask the driver or guide for help.
What can you do in Heraklion for a day?
We recommend you start your day with a visit to the Knossos Palace, Heraklion’s largest archaeological site. You need at least 3 to 4 hours to explore the site, after which you can head to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum for more insights on Minoan history and culture. Enjoy a traditional lunch at a Cretan taverna in the Old Town. Stroll through the narrow streets and admire the Venetian architecture. Make sure to stop by the Koules Fortress, a 16th-century castle that guards the harbor.
How does the hop on hop off bus work?
The hop-on-hop-off buses are famous for their flexibility. These buses run along a pre-determined route and stop near various museums and historical sites. Get on and get off at any stop and explore as many landmarks as you want to visit. After visiting a site, wait at the nearest bus stop. The hop-on-hop-off buses run frequently and arrive every 30 minutes to an hour.
Is Heraklion worth visiting?
Heraklion offers a treasure trove of archaeological sites, churches, monasteries, beaches, and museums, perfect for history lovers and anyone looking to delve deeper into the Minoan way of life. The Minoan Palace of Knossos dates back to the Bronze Age and is the largest archaeological site in the city. Explore everyday objects and artifacts in the Heraklion Archaeological Museum and soak in the views of the Aegean Sea at Ammoudara Beach.
From happy customers
Peter
May, 2025
The Guide was friendly, knowledgeable and clear to understand. The palace was amazing to hear of its past come alive thru your guide.
Knossos Palace Small Group Guided Tour with Entry Tickets
Yessica
Nov, 2023
The palace was great, a lit bit more of information in the place would be perfect though, and also more books in spanish on the palace store.
The ticketing experience wss friendly, easy and quick.
Knossos Palace Tickets with Audio Guide
John
United StatesSep, 2023
Everything went smoothly so well organized. Me were very fortunate to have met a lovely tour guide that was most knowledgeable and professional in her presentation
Knossos Palace Tickets with Audio Guide
De
FranceAug, 2025
Very interesting and detailed audio guide
The museum was much more interesting than Knossos (too much reconstruction)
View original review in French
Combo: Knossos Palace & Heraklion Archaeological Museum Tickets with Audio Guide
Mag.
Aug, 2025
We didn't know how much time we would need in Knossos, so we didn't book the museum afterwards until 15:00. However, we were already there at 12:00 and were not allowed in. Our time slot was still closed. If you book from 3pm to 4pm, for example, you are allowed in from 2pm and until 5pm. We would have liked to have known that in advance. Having to wait 2 hours was a pain.
But all in all, it was worth it.
View original review in German
Combo: Knossos Palace & Heraklion Archaeological Museum Tickets with Audio Guide
Theresa-anne
May, 2025
Hosts and drivers were helpful and on time. Stops were easy to find. We saw all the places we wanted to and found some hidden gems along the way.
Heraklion Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour