Flights to Crete: How Americans Get There and When to Book

Nonstop flights from the U.S. to Crete are not something most travelers find, so most trips involve a change of plane, often at a European hub such as Frankfurt, Zurich or Athens. From New York, plan on a travel day of about 14 to 16 hours. Book early, and aim for shoulder-season dates if your schedule allows.

What's the best way to fly from the U.S. to Crete?

Chania is also one stop away, with connections through Athens, London or Copenhagen. Chicago fares to Heraklion connect through Frankfurt as well.

Lufthansa is the most popular carrier on these routes, chosen by more than half of travelers, followed by British Airways and Condor. In all, 11 airlines fly from the U.S. to Crete on a regular basis, so there's room to compare schedules.

How long is the flight?

With one stop, trips from New York to Heraklion often take around 15 to 16 hours, for example with a connection in Zurich. Bargain fares can take much longer. The cheapest Boston tickets to Heraklion run more than 30 hours with two or three stops, and Los Angeles takes about 25 hours with two. Check the return leg too, because many itineraries that fly out in 14 hours take 26 hours or more to bring you home.

Which airport should you pick: Heraklion or Chania?

Crete is the largest Greek island, and the airport you choose shapes the first days of your trip. Heraklion to Chania is about 2 hours by car, so landing at the wrong end adds that drive to your arrival day. Pick the airport closest to where you'll sleep first.

Heraklion (HER)

Heraklion, also called Nikos Kazantzakis Airport, is the second busiest airport in Greece. Heraklion Airport is served by more than 40 airlines, many of them seasonal, and it operates 24 hours a day. It sits about 3 miles (5 km) from the city center, and buses connect it to the city bus terminal and to the town and port. Land here for Knossos and the Archaeological Museum, and for the resorts and towns of the east: Hersonissos, Malia, Agios Nikolaos and Elounda. A new airport is under construction at Kastelli, about 24 miles (39 km) southeast of the city, but until it opens, all passenger flights use the current one.

Chania (CHQ)

Chania, Crete's second-largest city, is the better landing for its Old Town, the Venetian harbor and western Crete's beaches and gorges. The airport sits on the Akrotiri Peninsula, east of town.

Can you fly from Athens to Crete?

Yes, and it's often the simplest final leg. Direct flights link Athens with both Heraklion and Chania, and the hop takes under an hour. If you're connecting elsewhere in Europe first, a few other cities also have direct flights to Crete. Low-cost carriers such as Wizz Air fly to Crete from various European cities, including direct flights from London.

Can you take a ferry from Athens to Crete?

Yes. Ferries leave from Piraeus, the port of Athens. The crossing to Heraklion takes from 7 hours 50 minutes to 12 hours, and the crossing to Chania takes from 8 hours to about 9 hours 25 minutes. The overnight ferry from Piraeus to Heraklion leaves daily at 21:00 and arrives at 06:30, all year round, and the return sailing keeps the same times. Heraklion's ferry port is within walking distance of the city center and the main bus station. Chania-bound ferries dock at Souda, outside the city, and not in the Old Town harbor.

When is the cheapest time to fly to Crete?

February is usually the cheapest month to book, with April the next best. Both fall in the low season, which runs from November to April. Crowds are thin then, but it's too cold for the beach, and much of the island closes until spring.

Summer is high season. Hotel prices peak and the beaches fill, though early summer is warm and less crowded than the peak of July and August. The shoulder months bring better hotel prices and more availability. Early autumn tends to stay pleasantly warm, while late spring and late autumn can bring a mix of good and so-so days.

How and when should you book?

For a summer trip, book early, since early fares can come with a discount. Fares refresh daily, and a price you saw yesterday may already be gone, so set up a price alert and buy when your fare appears. Waiting until the last minute rarely pays off, since fares you see close to departure may no longer be available by the time you book.

Do you need a rental car once you land?

For most trips, yes. Crete's beaches, gorges and ruins are scattered across the island, and a car makes the long distances far more comfortable. Typical drives: Chania to Rethymno is about 1 hour, Rethymno to Heraklion about 1 hour 10 minutes, and Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos about 1 hour. KTEL buses reach many areas without a car, but they take longer, and Agios Nikolaos, for instance, is about 1.5 hours each way by bus.

You won't need wheels everywhere. The Old Towns of Chania and Rethymno are pedestrian lanes, so a car can wait until after your first few nights in Chania. In Heraklion, the Archaeological Museum is walkable from the center, many hotels and popular spots are 10 to 15 minutes away on foot, and Bus No. 2 runs from the city to Knossos. When you're ready to drive, you'll find many of the big rental brands at the island's main airports.