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By Katia Luz
Crete Flights - Airports
The major international Crete airports are:
There is a domestic airport at:
Crete Flights - how to check for cheap flights:
The major Greek airline is Olympic Airlines which has flights from Athens to Crete regularly.
Another major airline is Aegean Air which also flies from Crete to Athens and other destinations regularly.
The flight duration from Athens to Crete with both these airlines is approx. 1 hour.
Crete Flights - when choosing your flights, keep in mind which side of the island you would like to explore, is it west or east?
This will help you decide which airport to arrive into and which one to depart from. If you want to stay in the west, for example, you could arrive and depart from Chania - airport code CHQ.
West
Chania town is in the west and the best airport to use is Chania CHQ.
West
Elafonisi Beach is in the west and the best airport to use is Chania CHQ.
West
Samaria Gorge is in the west and the best airport to use is Chania CHQ.
Centre
Many visitors to Crete wish to see Knossos Minoan Palace. This is
located 5 km from Heraklion, so the best airport to use is Heraklion HER.
Centre
Matala Beach is located on the south coast of Crete 85 km from Heraklion town. The best airport to use is Heraklion HER.
East
Vai Beach is located on the eastern tip of Crete.The best airport to use is Heraklion HER or Sitia JSH.
East
Agios Nikolaos located in the east of Crete.The best airport to use is Heraklion HER.
Crete Flights - check the following pages to assist with your choice of flights and your trip planning
Route Guides
The map below shows the map of Crete with all the airports and ports marked.
Our tips for accommodtion handy to both Chania and Heraklion airports here. These will be handy for late arrivals or early departures or to cut down on transfer time - get your holiday started!
Madonna Studios are located behind the Maritime Museum, close to the beautiful Venetian harbour yet in the quiet back streets.
This is a homely place that is comfortable to come back to
after a long day’s exploring and walking.
A small, family-run place with only 5 rooms, you will certainly get
personal service here from the friendly owner. The original
building
dates back to 1252, rooms have balconies and plenty of light. An
excellent budget choice in the old zone, with tips and local knowledge
from your warm hosts who know the town well, and tasty home-made treats!
A home away from home only minutes from Chania airport CHQ.
"Lovely place to stay with a great balcony, light airy kitchenette and the location was perfect - a quiet street right in the middle of the old town. The best part however was the exceptional host. She was the most welcoming, helpful and charming person I have met, and a great cook."
The Fagotto Art Residences are located convenient to Chania Airport CHQ, in the Old Town of Chania.
Your suite is housed in a listed Venetian building dating back to 1540. The building was built to house the Venetian headquarters. Now fully renovated and tastefully decorated with objects and photographs from bygone eras offering a charming hotel. Located in the atmospheric tight lane ways of the Chania Old Town.
"Great small hotel. Beautiful historic building in excellent location. Kind and attentive staff."
All central hotels in Heraklion are nearby to Heraklion airport HER.
The Veneziano Boutique Hotel in a beautifully renovated noble home is tucked in a side street yet very central to the walking and shopping streets of central Heraklion. Enjoy a little bit of history and a whole lot of style here in this exquisite hotel.
"An exceptional, elegant, and quiet stay in Old Town. This is a really exceptional place to stay! The staff is so welcoming and attends to every detail. The rooms are spacious and lovely - especially for such an old building - as well as clean and comfortable. The location could not be better. Best of all, it’s quiet!"
Our pick in the centre of town would be the Lato Boutique Hotel for its central location, comfort and view of the Heraklion old harbour. This hotel is close to 25th August Street and the Liondaria Fountain. This hotel really is a stylish inner city hotel, with a restaurant on the rooftop over looking the old harbour with its fishing boats, restored arsenals and Venetian fortress.
The hotel is close to the airport, bus stations and the port, and it handy for those in transit. Ferries for Santorini leave from the port close by.
Take a 1 hour flight from Athens to Heraklion with Aegean Airlines or Olympic Air, with many flights available per day.
Or take a 9.5 hour overnight ferry from Pireaus port of Athens to Heraklion port.
More on flights and ferries below.
Car hire in Crete is a really good idea as it is a large island 60 km by 260 km. There is so much to explore.
When you book with our car rental partners - Rental Centre Crete - you are supporting a local company with excellent service and easy online booking. We are sure you will be well looked after by the team. Choose from hybrid, electric or regular vehicles.
We trust you have enjoyed these tips from the We Love Crete team. Evíva!
Yiásas!
Anastasi, Apostoli & Katia
are the We Love Crete team
We just love sharing our passion for Crete, Greece and travel
About us Contact Us Kaló taxídi!
Yiásas!
Anastasi, Apostoli & Katia
are the
We Love Crete team
We just love sharing our passion for Crete, Greece and travel
About us