Motorcycle Rentals on Crete island from €25/day

Crete rewards anyone willing to leave the coach tour behind. Ride up from the coast towards the Omalos plateau and you'll find yourself at the entrance of the Samaria Gorge with the White Mountains rising on every side, or turn onto the winding shore road that ends at the clifftop over Balos Lagoon, where the water below shifts from turquoise to deep blue. These are not places a bus timetable is built for — they're places you reach because you have your own wheels and nowhere you have to be.

The island's geography makes a scooter or motorbike the natural choice here. Coastal lanes to Balos and Elafonisi twist along cliffs and through villages too small for a tour bus, mountain routes like Imbros Gorge and the Lasithi Plateau climb through switchbacks that reward a light, nimble ride, and public transport simply doesn't reach most of it. Distances between the big sights are modest — usually thirty minutes to an hour and a half — so a two-wheeler lets you string several together in a day without the cost or bulk of a car, and you'll never struggle to park at a viewpoint.

Top 10 things to see in Crete by motorbike

1. Samaria Gorge (Omalos entrance) — ride up into the White Mountains to the trailhead of Europe's longest gorge, with dramatic plateau scenery along the way.
2. Balos Lagoon viewpoint — a twisty coastal road, partly unpaved near the end, leads to the clifftop view over the turquoise lagoon and Gramvousa island.
3. Elafonisi Beach — a classic ride across southwestern Crete to a pink-sand lagoon beach, a favourite day-trip destination.
4. Preveli Beach and Palm Forest — a coastal road south of Rethymno down to a palm-lined river mouth, popular with scooter and motorbike riders.
5. Imbros Gorge road — a scenic mountain route through the White Mountains foothills, quieter and shorter than Samaria, ideal for a half-day out.
6. Spinalonga, via Elounda and Plaka — follow the Gulf of Mirabello coast road to Elounda and Plaka, then take a boat to the old Venetian fortress island.
7. Knossos Palace — a short ride from Heraklion to Crete's most famous Minoan archaeological site.
8. Vai Beach and palm forest — a longer ride out to Crete's far east for the island's famous natural palm-tree beach near Cape Sidero.
9. Lasithi Plateau — a loop up into a high mountain plateau dotted with old windmills, a favourite scenic circuit.
10. Rethymno Old Town and Fortezza — an easy in-town ride to the Venetian harbour and fortress, a relaxed stop if you're based nearby.

What do you need to rent a motorbike in Crete?

Requirements depend on the engine size. Mopeds up to 50 cc need at least an AM category licence; anything from 125 cc upward needs the matching motorcycle category — A1, A2 or A — and a standard car licence won't cover you here. The minimum age is 16 for AM mopeds and 18 for the motorcycle categories, though many rental companies set their own, higher age limit and may ask that you've held your licence for a minimum period. If you're travelling from outside the EU, bring an International Driving Permit. Expect to leave a deposit, usually as a card hold, with the exact amount set by the rental company.

How much does it cost to rent a motorbike in Crete?

Prices swing a lot with the season. A small scooter runs around 20-30 EUR per day in low season, and a small-to-mid scooter climbs to roughly 35-60 EUR per day in July and August. Larger bikes, 250cc and above, or premium models at peak times, land around 50-90 EUR per day.

• November to March is cheapest, with shoulder pricing in April-May and September-October.
• July and August are the most expensive months and also the most heavily booked.

When to book a rental motorbike in Crete?

High season runs July to August, when prices peak and the best bikes sell out early, so book a few weeks ahead if you're travelling then. Low season is November to March, with cheaper rates but many island rental shops closed entirely. May-June and September-October hit the sweet spot: warm enough to ride comfortably, quieter roads, and prices well below the summer peak.

Local traffic rules in Crete

Greece drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for both rider and passenger on every type of two-wheeler, and enforcement is strict, with fines to match. Speed limits are 50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h on the open road and up to 130 km/h on motorways, though smaller-engine bikes are held to lower limits. The general blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l, but motorcyclists and newly licensed riders are held to a stricter 0.2 g/l. Keep your licence, IDP, rental agreement and insurance papers with you whenever you ride, and remember that leaving the tarmac — onto beaches, dirt tracks or gravel side-roads — almost always voids your insurance, even on routes as tempting as the last stretch to Balos.

Types of motorcycles available

On our website you can rent the following types of motorcycles: cruiser, sport, touring, standard, classic, dual-purpose, dirt bikes, street, naked bikes or roadsters, choppers, custom, streetfighter, sport-touring, dual-sport, on-road, off-road, adventure motorcycles, supermoto, scrambler, motorcycle with sidecar, enduro, motocross mx, trail, motards, tricycles, bikes with automatic or manual gears, luxury motorbikes.

Models of motorcycles available

On our website you can hire motorcycles from the following manufacturers: BMW, Harley Davidson, Aprilia, Buell, Cagiva, Ducati, Gilera, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM, Husqvarna, Jawa, MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi, Triumph, Benelli, Bajaj, Indian, Royal Enfield, TVS, Beta, Bimota.

Which insurance is provided?

Most providers include basic third-party liability insurance in the rental price, with options to upgrade to fuller coverage that reduces or removes your deposit liability in case of damage or theft. Always confirm exactly what is and isn’t covered before you set off.

Extra services available

When you make an online motorbike reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, or delivery to your chosen address.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Compare prices from multiple local rental companies in one place;
• Read reviews from previous customers;
• Reserve online with a Best Price Guarantee;
• Friendly support if your plans change.

Most of our motorcycle rental providers have years of experience and will equip you with a well-maintained bike, helmet and insurance for the ride ahead. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a motorcycle locally, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!