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Heraklion Airport Travel Tips

Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport

Heraklion Airport Travel Tips - the airport is located in the central north of Crete, 4.5 km from Heraklion town.

This is a busy international airport receiving many flights from Athens and European cities every day.

In turn domestic flights depart for other points in Greece such as Santorini, Rhodes and Thessaloniki.

One Day in Heraklion Tips

Heraklion Beaches

Map

Getting Here

Use code HER

Heraklion Airport Travel Tips - Flights

Local air companies using these routes include Olympic Airlines, Aegean Airways, Sky Express and Minoan Air. Other services include Ryanair and easyJet.

Check out info for Chania Airport
Don't know which airport to choose? See our Crete airports page here

Check flights with Aegean Airlines here

Athens to Heraklion flights here

Check flights with Olympic Air here

See the location on the map below

Transfer Tips

The local bus service leaves every few minutes from outside the terminal to the centre of town (return also).

There are no trains in Crete.

Car rental desks are inside the airport terminal. Pre-book your hire car for peace of mind.

Heraklion Airport Travel Tips - Taxis

The taxi stand is outside the arrivals hall. A taxi to the center of town should be around €15-20.

Distances and taxi transfer times:

The trip into Heraklion centre is around twenty minutes, and depending on the route, 4-5 km
From this airport to Agios Nikolaos in the east is 60 km
From Heraklion airport to Rethymnon town is 80 km
From this airport to Chania town in the west of Crete is 140 km
See more about taxis - getting around in Crete.

Pre-book your taxi here for peace of mind

Heraklion City Bus

The Heraklion city buses run from the airport to town regularly. Just buy a ticket from the kiosk before boarding the bus, or from the driver directly on the bus.

The buses are blue and marked as an Heraklion City Bus. Similar to the bus in the photo on the left.

Buses start early in the morning and stop late at night and run every 10-15 minutes. The journey takes about 20 minutes.

See timetables at:

astiko-irakleiou.gr

Choose any route which takes you through the centre of town.

KTEL Regional Buses

There are many excellent regional services in Crete. The bus company is named KTEL. The bus stop at the airport is called Intercity bus. These buses are green. Use these buses if you are travelling onwards to a different town. See more about regional buses here.

See timetables here:

www.ktelherlas.gr

Heraklion Airport Travel Tips - Accommodation

All central hotels in Heraklion are nearby to Heraklion airport.

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 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 bus stations and the port, and it handy for those in transit. Ferries for Santorini leave from close by.

This is the budget symbol on We Love Crete

The Heraklion Youth Hostel - a good budget hostel near to the Liondaria fountain and pedestrianised central streets of Heraklion, and the 1866 Markets.

For beach accommodation in Heraklion at Ammoudara Beach, the small Georgia Hotel is one street back from the beach, stylish and modern with a lovely pool and restaurant. Just 4 km from the centre of Heraklion town, this spot is only 8 km from Knossos.

Walking distance to the beach, convenient to buses to the town and airport, with comfortable rooms at affordable prices, lovely breakfast, garden, kids playground and family-run.

For a character-filled rural accommodation nearby, we would recommend the beautifully restored manor house in the village of Archanes 16 km inland and away from town. Villa Archanes is a peaceful restored home in a quiet village only 12 km from the Palace of Knossos. This is our suggestion for a relaxing way to start your holiday in Crete, without the hustle and bustle of the city. The village is charming, with many cafes and restaurants and good services.

Heraklion Town Video

Enjoy our video about Heraklion town.

One Day in Heraklion

If you do fly into Crete via Heraklion Airport, you may want to stay a while to enjoy the highlights of Heraklion town, which include:

Liondaria Fountain
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
Old Venetian Harbour and Koules Fortress
Agios Titos Church and Square
Pedestrian Shopping Streets
1866 Local Market
Koraii Cafes and Bars
Memorial to Eleftherios Venizelos
Kournarou Square
See our walking notes for Heraklion here

Explore Heraklion Beaches

Kokkinos Pirgos Beach on the south coast of Heraklion, a big wide beach and fish taverna, eat with your toes in the sand.

Matala on the south coast overlooking the Bay of Messara, is a very beautiful beach with unusual rock formations and plenty of history.

Matala history of the sixties includes a song by Joni Mitchell.

Matala Beach Festival is held in June each year.

Agiofarago Beach is remote, walk through the gorge to get here.

Agia Pelagia on the north coast, 23 km west of Heraklion town, is a beachside village with a delightful cove of turquoise waters.

Ammoudara Beach just west of Heraklion town, a wide sandy beach of 7 km, with the convenience of the city close by.

Tris Ekklisies Beach relax on the south coast.

Keratokambos Beach on the south coast, to the east of Pyrgos is a wild remote beach, where you can escape and find the wind in your hair.

Heraklion Airport Map

Below is a map of Crete with the airports and ports marked, showing the location of Heraklion airport:

Getting Here

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.

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Anastasi, Apostoli & Katia are the
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