Family Road Trip in Crete: Car Seats, Safety & Kid-Friendly Routes (2026)
Planning a family road trip in Crete is an adventure, but driving in a foreign country with little ones adds a layer of stressωω. Will the car seat be clean? Are the roads safe for toddlers? Do I need a 4×4?
At Best Way Travel, we are parents too. We understand that for a family road trip, safety is not a “luxury”—it is a necessity. This guide covers everything you need to know about driving with kids in Crete.
Car Seats in Greece: The Rules & Reality
Greek law is strict regarding child safety, and police do check.
The Law: Children under 12 years old or under 135 cm (4 ft 5 in) in height must use an appropriate car restraint system.
Seating: Children under 12 are generally required to sit in the back seat.
Rear-Facing: If you place a baby in a rear-facing seat in the front (next to the driver), you must deactivate the passenger airbag.
Our "Clean Seat" Guarantee
We know the horror stories of renting a car and receiving a dirty, sticky car seat.
Hygiene: At Best Way Travel, all baby seats and boosters are steam-cleaned and sanitized between rentals.
ISOFIX: Most of our family cars (SUVs and Station Wagons) come equipped with ISOFIX points. Please request this specifically when booking so we can assign the right vehicle.
Choosing the Right Family Car
Don’t just look at the passenger count; look at the trunk space.
The “Stroller” Test: A Fiat Panda is great for couples, but it cannot fit two large suitcases and a stroller.
Recommendation: For a family of 4, we strongly recommend a Station Wagon or a Mid-Size SUV (e.g., Jeep Renegade, Peugeot 2008). You need the extra boot space for beach toys, strollers, and groceries.
Automatic vs. Manual: Driving on winding roads while a child is crying in the back is stressful. Renting an Automatic allows you to focus 100% on the road without worrying about gear changes on hills.
Motion Sickness & Winding Roads
Crete is mountainous. The drive from the North Coast (Heraklion/Chania) to the South Coast (Elafonisi, Preveli) involves winding roads with many hairpin turns.
💡 Pro Tip: If your children suffer from car sickness:
Avoid the “Old Road”: Stick to the National Highway (BOAK) whenever possible—it is straighter and smoother.
Drive Early: The heat makes nausea worse. Start your road trips at 8:00 AM.
Plan Breaks: On the drive to the south (e.g., Askifou Plateau), there are plenty of safe pull-off spots with cantinas. Stop every 45 minutes.
Kid-Friendly Routes for Your Family Road Trip in Crete
Not all attractions are easy to reach with a minivan full of kids.
Easy Access (Family Approved)
Cretaquarium (Heraklion): Located just off the highway. Flat, easy parking, zero stress.
Kournas Lake: Easy drive, big parking lots, and you can rent pedal boats.
Elafonisi Beach: Although the road is long, it is paved and wide enough for two-way traffic.
Difficult Access (Think Twice)
Balos Lagoon: The dirt road is rough, rocky, and very slow. It is hard on the car and hard on kids. Better option: Drive to Kissamos port and take the ferry.
Seitan Limania: The road down is extremely steep, narrow, and lacks guardrails. We do not recommend this for nervous drivers or large family vans.
Essential "Car Hacks" for Crete
Sunshades: The Cretan sun is intense. We can provide magnetic sunshades for the rear windows—just ask us at the counter.
Water & Snacks: Gas stations in the mountains can be 30km apart. Always keep a 1.5L bottle of water in the car.
Google Maps Offline: Download the map of Crete to your phone. Mountain signal can be spotty, and you don’t want to be lost with a hungry toddler.
Summary Checklist for Parents
Book ISOFIX: Confirm your seat type in the booking notes.
Upgrade Size: Don’t squeeze into a mini-car to save €5/day. The extra space is worth your sanity.
Check the Route: Ask us, “Is the road to this beach paved?” before you go.
Follow these tips to ensure your family road trip in Crete is safe, fun, and memorable.
Ready for a safe family adventure?
Browse our fleet of family-sized SUVs and Station Wagons, all safety-checked and ready for your tribe.
