Heraklion Airport: What to Know Before You Land in Crete

Heraklion Airport (HER), officially Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport, is the main gateway to Crete and the second busiest airport in Greece after Athens. It sits about 3 miles (5 km) east of the city center, close enough for a short taxi or bus ride into town.

Where is Heraklion Airport, and what is it like?

The airport lies just east of the city on Crete's north coast, with the E75 motorway running past it. Heraklion's airport has one main terminal building, so getting your bearings is simple. Flights link Heraklion with destinations across Greece and many cities abroad, and a number of the airlines operate here on a seasonal basis. The airport also ranks first in Greece for charter flights.

The terminal is easy to find your way around. In departures, a large duty-free store sells perfumes, spirits, confectionery and more to both Schengen and non-Schengen travelers before passport control. A separate outlet stocks Cretan products from local agricultural cooperatives. For food, a Greek café-bakery chain has four outlets across the terminal with coffee, sandwiches and pastries. Goody's, Greece's homegrown burger chain, and an Italian-style restaurant making pizza, focaccia and salads to order round out the dining options. Complimentary wireless internet is available in the dining areas and the duty-free shops. A VIP lounge operates around the clock, and access usually comes through your airline, a card program or a pay-per-use fee.

The airport also offers a handful of practical services for travelers. Cash machines are in departures, and currency exchange desks operate in departures, on both sides of passport control, and in arrivals after baggage claim. Parents will find rooms for feeding and changing babies in both the departures and arrivals areas. A medical service runs 24 hours a day (tel. +30 2810 245597).

How do you get from Heraklion Airport to the city center?

Plan on 15 to 20 minutes to central Heraklion in light traffic, and up to 30 minutes at rush hour, roughly 8 to 9 a.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.

Taxi

Taxis wait at the curb opposite the arrivals hall. Agree on the fare with the driver before you set off.

Bus

Local KTEL buses run from the airport to the city's central bus terminal, the same station where buses leave for towns around the island. They depart frequently from early morning until late evening, Monday through Saturday, and less often on Sundays. The stop is a short walk from the terminal building, and the ride takes around 20 minutes.

Rental car

Car rental counters are inside the airport, so you can pick up a car as soon as you have your bags.

Ride apps

A taxi, the bus or a pre-booked transfer are all easy ways to reach the city from the airport.

How do you get from Heraklion Airport to resorts and other towns in Crete?

For resorts near the city, such as Hersonnisos, many visitors find that a transfer booked online ahead of time is a cost-effective option. If you're on a package tour, the transfer is probably already included. Farther east, the upscale resort of Elounda, near Agios Nikolaos, is about 1 hour and 6 minutes from the airport by car.

A rental car gives you freedom to roam, but bus connections reach most places on Crete and plenty of visitors explore the island without driving. Buses leave Heraklion's central station for Malia, Agios Nikolaos, Ierapetra, Sitia and Archanes, among many other towns. To the west, Rethymno sits between Heraklion and Chania, and express buses to Chania run from the start of July through the end of October. Timetables change with the seasons, so check the current schedule before you plan a trip around buses.

If most of your stay is in western Crete, it's worth comparing flights into Chania International Airport, which serves that end of the island and lies about 87 miles (140 km) from Heraklion.

How do you get to the port and Knossos from Heraklion Airport?

The ferry port is a short ride from the airport by bus (lines 1 and 78) or taxi. From the Venetian port, Lions Square is a 5 to 10 minute walk, and the city's visitor information office is on the ground floor of the Aktarika building on the square.

The Palace of Knossos lies 3 miles (5 km) south of the city. Drive there and use the free parking near the entrance, or take the local bus from Heraklion's bus station, about a 30-minute ride. Tickets are sold online through the Ministry of Culture's official e-ticketing service. 2026 prices: Knossos costs €20 for full admission and €10 reduced. A bus from Knossos stops right in front of the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, home to the great Minoan collection, where full admission is also €20.

What should you know about flying in and out of Heraklion?

Domestic hops are short: about 50 minutes from Athens and 1 hour and 10 minutes from Thessaloniki. Some departures leave just after midnight, and for those, a hotel near the airport the night before is the easy option. For a late-night flight, check when the last bus or transfer runs before you count on it.

If you qualify for a VAT refund, take your purchases to the Customs office on the landside of departures before you check in and have your refund form stamped.

Is Heraklion getting a new airport?

Yes. It's designed for more than 15 million passengers a year, with a runway of about 2 miles (3.2 km). Test flights are planned for 2027, and the current official target is full operation in November 2028, when Nikos Kazantzakis is expected to close. If you're booking a trip for late 2028 or beyond, check which airport your ticket names and plan your ground transport from there.