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What Airport do you Fly into for Crete?

Regional Guides

09.10.2025

Woman at an airport

Crete has two main international airports: Heraklion in the north-centre of the island and Chania in the northwest. Both handle international and domestic flights, but they serve different parts of the island and have different seasonal patterns. Choosing the right one depends mainly on where in Crete you are heading.

The two main airports

Heraklion Airport (HER), officially Nikos Kazantzakis Airport, is Crete's busiest airport and the second-busiest in Greece after Athens. It sits on the north coast about 5 kilometres east of Heraklion city and operates year-round, with frequent daily connections to Athens and a wide range of direct European flights during the season. It is the most convenient gateway for central and eastern Crete, including Heraklion itself, Hersonissos, Malia, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, and Sitia.


Chania Airport (CHQ), officially Ioannis Daskalogiannis Airport, sits on the Akrotiri Peninsula about 14 kilometres east of Chania town. It operates year-round domestic flights to Athens, Thessaloniki, and other Greek airports, with a large number of direct international and charter flights from across Europe between roughly April and November. It is the better choice for western Crete, including Chania, Rethymno, the Samaria Gorge, and beaches such as Balos, Falassarna, and Elafonissi.


It is worth noting that a new airport is under construction at Kasteli, southeast of Heraklion, which is intended to serve the region in the future.

Balos Beach, Crete

Which should you choose?

The decision comes down mostly to your destination. Choose Heraklion for central and eastern Crete, or if you are travelling outside the summer season when it has the widest range of flights. Choose Chania for the western side of the island and its beaches and gorges.

Getting from the airports to your destination

Both airports offer public buses, taxis, car rental, and private transfers.


KTEL buses are the most economical option. From Heraklion Airport, buses reach the city centre in around 20 minutes, with onward connections from the city's main bus station to destinations across central and eastern Crete. From Chania Airport, buses reach Chania town in around 25 to 30 minutes, with onward connections to Rethymno and beyond.


Car rental is the most flexible choice for exploring Crete's beaches, mountain villages, and more remote areas, and all major rental companies operate at both airports. Booking ahead secures better rates and availability in peak season. Taxis offer door-to-door convenience but become expensive over longer distances, while private transfers provide a pre-booked, fixed-price option that can be convenient for property viewing trips or arrivals with luggage.

Which airlines fly to Crete?

Aegean Airlines and Sky Express provide the main domestic connections, including year-round flights from Athens. A wide range of international carriers, including major full-service and budget airlines, serve both airports, with frequency increasing significantly during the April to October season.


Heraklion receives year-round and seasonal direct flights from major European cities. Chania's international flights are more concentrated in the summer season, supplemented by charter services, though its domestic Athens and Thessaloniki connections run year-round. Outside the summer season, Crete is most reliably reached via a connecting flight through Athens.

Arriving in Crete

EU citizens can enter with a valid passport or national ID card. Non-EU visitors should ensure their passport has sufficient validity, and most nationalities can visit visa-free for tourist stays of up to 90 days, though it is always worth checking the current requirements for your nationality before travelling.


Both airports have ATMs, currency exchange, car rental desks, and free WiFi. For European visitors, EU roaming rules mean a local SIM card is generally unnecessary.

Why this matters for property buyers

For anyone considering a holiday home in Crete, airport access is a practical part of the decision. Properties in the west are most easily reached via Chania, those in the centre and east via Heraklion. Good flight connections support both personal visits and a property's rental appeal, and the year-round operation of Heraklion in particular makes the island accessible outside the summer season, useful for owners who want to use or check on a property off-peak.


This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. For matters specific to your situation, we recommend consulting a lawyer, accountant, or notary as appropriate.

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