Travel tips · Updated 11 October 2026 · 7 min read
Crete with a baby packing list: pack, rent or buy there
For Crete with a baby or toddler, pack sun protection, light clothes, your usual formula and medicines, a carrier and documents. Rent the bulky items (stroller, car seat, travel cot, high chair) locally so you are not carrying them through airports, and buy nappies, wipes and sunscreen when you arrive. Use the checklist below to decide item by item.
| Pack | Sun hats, UV suits, light clothes, formula, medicines, carrier, documents |
|---|---|
| Rent in Crete | Stroller, i-Size car seat, travel cot, high chair, extras |
| Buy in Crete | Nappies, wipes, swim nappies, sunscreen, baby food, bottled water |
| Health | EHIC/GHIC plus travel insurance; pharmacies everywhere |
| Climate | Hot and sunny in summer; cooler evenings in spring and autumn |
The checklist: pack, rent or buy?
| Item | Pack | Rent in Crete | Buy in Crete |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stroller | Cabin stroller optional | Yes | No |
| Car seat | Optional | Yes, i-Size | No |
| Travel cot | Optional | Yes | No |
| High chair | Fabric seat optional | Yes | No |
| Baby carrier or sling | Yes | No | No |
| Baby monitor | Yes, if you use one | Ask | No |
| Formula milk | Yes, your usual brand | No | Backup only |
| Nappies and wipes | For travel and day one | No | Yes |
| Swim nappies | A few | No | Yes |
| Baby sunscreen SPF 50 | A small one | No | Yes |
| Sun hats and UV suits | Yes | No | Possible |
| Beach sun tent or shade | Pop-up if light | Ask | Yes |
| Baby food and snacks | For the journey | No | Yes |
| Bottled water | No | No | Yes |
| Medicines and thermometer | Yes | No | Pharmacy |
| Comforter, sleeping bag, night light | Yes | No | No |
| Passports and insurance | Yes | No | No |
Big gear: why renting makes sense
Strollers, car seats and travel cots are the heaviest and most awkward things to bring. They can be damaged in the hold, and you have to manage them with luggage and a baby at both airports. Most families need a car seat from the moment they leave Heraklion Airport, so having one ready at arrivals removes a big job.
- Stroller: useful on promenades and in resorts. A carrier is better at Knossos and on cobbled old towns, so bring both if you can.
- Car seat: choose i-Size for your child's height. Taxis and transfers do not always carry a suitable seat; see our car seats in Crete guide.
- Travel cot: hotel cots vary a lot, and villas may not have one.
- High chair and bath: handy in apartments and villas, where you will cook and eat more meals.
Sun protection
The Cretan sun is strong from late spring to autumn, and there is often little natural shade on the beach. Pack:
- Wide-brimmed sun hats with a neck flap (bring two, one always goes missing).
- Long-sleeved UV swimsuits or rash vests.
- Baby sunglasses with UV protection if your child will wear them.
- A light muslin or stroller shade cover that lets air through.
- A pop-up beach tent if it fits your luggage.
Keep babies under six months out of direct sun as much as possible, and plan beach time for the morning and late afternoon in July and August.
Swim and beach
- Reusable swim nappy plus a few disposable ones.
- Water shoes for toddlers: some beaches have pebbles or hot sand.
- A small bucket and spade (easy to buy locally too).
- A quick-dry towel or hooded poncho.
For calm, shallow beaches, see the best beaches near Heraklion for toddlers.
Sleep
- A light sleeping bag (low tog for summer) and a familiar sheet.
- Comforter, dummy and any sleep cues from home.
- Portable blackout blinds: rooms can be bright early in the morning.
- White noise app or machine for busy resorts.
- Baby monitor if you use one at home.
Feeding
- Your usual formula for the whole trip if possible, bottles, a brush and sterilising tablets or a travel steriliser.
- Bibs, a travel spoon set, a sippy cup and snack pots.
- A fabric high chair seat for tavernas, as not all have high chairs.
Read more about buying baby food, formula and nappies in Crete.
Health
- EHIC or GHIC: EU travellers can use the European Health Insurance Card, and UK travellers the GHIC, for necessary state healthcare in Greece. It does not cover private clinics or repatriation.
- Travel insurance: take out a policy that covers every family member, including the baby, before you travel.
- Medicines: baby paracetamol or ibuprofen as advised by your doctor, rehydration sachets, a thermometer, nappy cream, plasters and any prescription medicines in their original packaging.
- Pharmacies: every town and most resorts have a pharmacy, and the pharmacist is a good first stop for minor problems.
- Emergency number: 112 works across the EU, including Greece.
Documents
- A valid passport or accepted travel document for every family member, including the baby.
- Booking confirmations for flights, accommodation, car hire and baby gear.
- Driving licence (and an International Driving Permit if your licence requires one in Greece).
- If a child travels with only one parent or with a different surname, a consent letter and a copy of the birth certificate can avoid questions.
Pack less, rent the big things
Holiday Stork rents strollers, i-Size car seats, travel cots, high chairs and play extras across Crete. Strollers and car seats start from €7.80 per day, VAT included, with a 4-day minimum rental. We meet you in Heraklion Airport arrivals, fit your car seat in your rental car and steam-clean every item after each rental. Delivery is €13 per booking around Heraklion and the north coast resorts from Agia Pelagia to Malia, and €26 elsewhere in Crete (€32 in the Chania region). Add the €39 welcome box with nappies, wipes, swim nappies, baby SPF 50 and fruit pouches, and you can travel with little more than a carrier and a suitcase.
