Crete Heraklion Airport

Heraklion International Airport ‘Nikos Kazantzakis’ (IATA code: HER) is the main air terminal on the island of Crete and one of the busiest in the whole of Greece. It is located just 5 km from the centre of Heraklion, the capital and most populous city of the island, serving as a privileged gateway for millions of tourists each year.

Located along the northern coast of Crete, Heraklion Airport mainly serves the central and eastern part of the island, unlike Chania Airport, which covers the western region.

With an annual traffic of over 8 million passengers, Heraklion ranks as the second busiest airport in Greece after Athens, handling a heavy flow of tourists especially during the summer season (April-October). During this period, over 60 airlines, including scheduled and charter flights, connect Crete with numerous European destinations.

Connections to the centre of Heraklion

Buses

The public bus service is the cheapest option for reaching the centre of Heraklion from the airport. The city bus line 1 operates frequent services with a frequency of 15-20 minutes during the day (6:00-24:00) and connects the airport directly with Heraklion’s central bus station and the port.

Buses depart from the bus stop located opposite the main exit of the terminal, which is easily identified by the bus shelter and information signs. The journey to the city centre takes about 15 minutes under normal traffic conditions, while it takes about 20 minutes to reach the KTEL bus station (for intercity connections).

The buses are generally modern and air-conditioned, offering a good level of comfort even in the hot summer months.

Taxis

Official taxis are available in abundance at the taxi rank outside the arrivals terminal. Taxis in Crete are easily recognisable by their blue or grey colour and offer a comfortable and relatively inexpensive option for reaching your destination quickly.

The fare to the centre of Heraklion is around €20-25 during daytime hours and €25-30 during night-time hours (00:00-5:00), with a journey time of around 10-15 minutes in normal traffic conditions. For other popular destinations such as Hersonissos (25 km) or Malia (35 km), fares are around 35€ and 45€ respectively.

It is advisable to check that the taxi driver uses the meter or to agree on the price before departure. During the high season, especially during peak hours, queues can be found at taxi stands. Alternatively, you can book a private transfer service in advance, which is particularly convenient for groups or families.

Private transfer

An alternative to TAXIs is to book in advance a private transfer to or from Heraklion Airport airport. A driver will pick you up at the airport arrivals (thus avoiding taxi queues), at your hotel or wherever you prefer, to take you to the desired address.

It is the best solution if you do not want to waste time, do not want to use public transport, have a lot of luggage or are travelling in a group. To book a private transfer to or from Heraklion Airport airport visit this site.

Renting a car

Renting a car is the most flexible option for exploring Crete independently, considering the size of the island (the largest in Greece) and the distribution of sites of interest. Heraklion Airport is home to numerous car rental companies, both international and local, with offices located both within the terminal and in the immediate vicinity.

Prices vary significantly depending on the season and the type of vehicle, but in any case it is strongly recommended to book well in advance during the summer to avoid shortage of availability and price increases.

To rent a car in Crete we always recommend comparing the rates of all companies with DiscoverCars because in our opinion it offers the best prices, allows cancellation up to 48 hours before rental and offers a very cheap comprehensive insurance policy.

Arrivals and Departures

Recommended hotels

Below is a list of recommended hotels near Crete Heraklion Airport.