Jazmin Li
The Greek island of Crete is home to several airports, including public and military airports. The airports of Heraklion, Chania, and Sitia receive charter flights from abroad, mainly from European cities. Heraklion Airport, also known as Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport, is located approximately 3-5 km from Heraklion city centre. It offers regular flights to Athens, Thessaloniki, and other Greek islands. Chania Airport is located in Chania, in the Akrotiri peninsula, about 13-14 km from the town and offers connections with numerous European cities. Sitia Airport is located in the eastern part of the island, approximately one kilometre from the resort of Sitia and is generally used for internal flights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of airports | 3 |
| Airports | Heraklion, Chania, Sitia |
| Heraklion Airport | Also known as Kazantzakis International Airport, Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport, or Heraklion International Airport Nikos Kazantzakis |
| Heraklion Airport Code | HER |
| Heraklion Airport Location | 5km from downtown Heraklion, 3km-4km east of Heraklion city centre |
| Heraklion Airport Runway Length | 2,680 meters |
| Chania Airport | Also known as Chania Airport Ioannis Daskalogiannis, or Chania Airport (CHQ) |
| Chania Airport Location | 13km-14km from the city of Chania on the Akrotiri peninsula |
| Sitia Airport | Also known as the new international airport Sitia, or Sitia Airport (JSH) |
| Sitia Airport Location | 1km from the resort of Sitia, on a plateau above the city |
| Transportation Options | Taxi, bus, rental car |
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Heraklion Airport
The airport is located close to popular tourist destinations such as Malia and Analipsi, contributing to its increasing popularity. It is situated on a coastal plain in front of a fertile hill country, about four kilometres north of the ruins of the Minoan palace complex of Knossos. Crete is a highly frequented tourist destination, especially from April to October.
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Chania Airport
Chania International Airport "Daskalogiannis" is an international airport located on the Akrotiri peninsula, near Souda Bay, 14 kilometres (8.7 miles) from the city of Chania, Crete. It is named after Ioannis Daskalogiannis, an 18th-century Cretan rebel against Ottoman rule.
The airport features a single terminal with various amenities and services. It provides both short-term and long-term parking options and is easily accessible by public transport, taxi, and shuttle buses arranged by hotels and travel agencies. Chania Airport has an asphalt runway that is 3,347 meters (10,982 feet) long and is open 24 hours a day.
In 2015, the privatisation of Chania International Airport was finalised, along with 13 other regional airports in Greece. Fraport Greece has implemented improvements, such as expanding the passenger safety area, increasing the number of hand baggage scanners, and enhancing duty-free shopping spaces.
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Sitia Airport
Crete has three airports, with the airport in Heraklion and Chania offering regular flights to Athens and Thessaloniki, and the airport in Heraklion also offering flights to other Greek islands in the summer. The island also has a small airport near Sitia, which offers domestic flights to and from Athens and Karpathos in the summer, as well as flights to other destinations.
The airport offers direct flights to various destinations, including Milan, Naples, Copenhagen, Athens, Rhodes, Karpathos, Kassos, Preveza (Aktio), and Alexandroupolis. It serves as a gateway to the town of Sitia and the region of Lassithi, which boasts pristine beaches, historical sites, ancient ruins, Byzantine churches, and Venetian architecture. The region offers a unique blend of cultural experiences, natural wonders, and Cretan hospitality.
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Kasteli Airport
The Kasteli Airport project addresses the severe overcrowding at Heraklion International Airport, which has operated at 60% over its designed capacity during peak summer months. The new airport will have a longer runway, a commercial cone, and a larger terminal designed to accommodate 9-18 million passengers annually. The runway will be 3,800 metres long, capable of handling large commercial aircraft such as the Airbus A380. The airport will also have 27 aircraft parking spaces, a terminal building with five levels and a total area of 93,572 square metres, and 11 additional buildings for airport operations, including a control tower, fire department, police, and energy centre.
The foundation-laying ceremony for the Kasteli Airport project was held in February 2020, marking the official start of construction. The airport is expected to open by 2027, with a trial operation beginning in August 2026. The project has a budget of €1.2 billion for construction costs alone, reaching €1.5 billion including purchase costs, loans, and other expenses.
The Kasteli Airport is expected to boost tourism in Crete, turning it into a 12-month destination. The new airport's capabilities, including its building infrastructure and aircraft parking spaces, will more than double the arrivals and departures compared to the existing Heraklion Airport.
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Transport options
There are three airports in Crete: Heraklion, Chania, and a small airport near Sitia. Heraklion Airport, also known as Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport, is the second-largest airport in Greece and is located about 6 km from the centre of Heraklion. The airport has a range of facilities, including shops, restaurants, and cafes. It also offers car rental services and taxi services.
Bus
There are frequent and affordable bus services available from both Heraklion and Chania airports. From Heraklion Airport, there are buses to Heraklion Town and Port, with buses departing every half hour or so. The bus trip from Heraklion Airport to Chania costs around €15 and takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes, passing through the towns of Rethymnon and/or Rethymno.
Taxi
Taxis are readily available at both Heraklion and Chania airports. The taxi ride from Heraklion Airport to Chania costs between €180 and €200 and takes about 2 hours, depending on traffic and the season. It is recommended to agree on a price with the driver before starting your journey.
Car Rental
Renting a car at Heraklion Airport is an option for those who prefer to drive themselves. The drive from Heraklion to Chania is about 140-142 km and takes around 2 hours via the National Road.
Private Transfer
Booking a private transfer from the airport to your destination is another option. This can be more convenient than taxis as you can arrange the price and book online before your trip. Crete Cab offers transfers for up to four people from Heraklion Airport to Chania for less than €155.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several airports in Crete, both public and military. The three main airports are Heraklion, Chania, and Sitia.
Heraklion Airport, also known as Kazantzakis International Airport, is the busiest airport in Crete. It is located approximately 3-5km from Heraklion city centre and offers regular flights to Athens, Thessaloniki, and other Greek islands.
Sitia Airport is a small airport located in the eastern part of Crete, approximately 1km from the resort town of the same name. It primarily handles domestic flights to and from Athens and Karpathos.
Chania International Airport (CHQ) is the main airport in Chania, located on the Akrotiri peninsula about 13-14km from the city. It offers connections to numerous European cities and some Italian cities through Ryanair.
Heraklion Airport has the most international connections, with regular charter flights to and from European cities and budget airlines during the summer season. However, the new Kasteli International Airport, which is set to replace Heraklion Airport in 2027, will serve as the main hub for all of Crete.
