Jazmin Li
Crete has three airports: Heraklion, Chania, and a small airport near Sitia (Lassithi). Heraklion Airport, also known as Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport, is located 5km from downtown Heraklion and is Greece's second busiest airport. It offers regular flights to Athens, Thessaloniki, and other Greek islands, as well as charter flights from abroad. Chania Airport, located on the northern coast of Crete, offers similar facilities to Heraklion and is served by around 30 airlines across Europe. The small airport near Sitia (Lassithi) offers only domestic flights to and from Athens and Karpathos during the summer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of airports | 3 |
| Airports | Heraklion, Chania, Sitia (Lassithi) |
| Location of Heraklion Airport | 5km from downtown |
| Runway length of Heraklion Airport | 2,680 meters |
| Location of Chania Airport | 150km from Heraklion Airport, on the northern coast |
| Location of Sitia Airport | Close to Sitia (Lassithi) |
| Facilities at Heraklion Airport | Tourist help desk, banks, currency exchanges, medical services, a baby room, post office, duty-free shops, retail outlets, snack bars, cafes, restaurants, car rental services, bus services |
| Facilities at Chania Airport | VIP Lounge, bars, newsagent, gift shop, paid long-stay parking |
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Heraklion Airport
Heraklion International Airport, also known as "Nikos Kazantzakis", is located 3 to 5 kilometres east of the Greek capital city of Heraklion in the Heraklion Municipality. It is the second busiest airport in Greece, serving nearly 8 million passengers and operating 24 hours a day. The airport first opened in March 1939 on a piece of flat agricultural land. During the Second World War, the airfield was the site of the Battle of Heraklion during the Battle of Crete in 1941, causing civilian operations to cease. However, traffic resumed in 1946, and in 1947, the first small terminal was built. From 1968 to 1971, the runway was extended, and a new terminal and other facilities were constructed. The new airport was inaugurated on May 5, 1972, and it has since undergone several expansions, with the latest one completed in March 2018.
While the airport boasts a range of facilities, including shops, duty-free areas, restaurants, and cafes, it has received mixed reviews. Some travellers have criticised the airport for its small size, sparse facilities, and unhygienic toilets. Others have complained about long wait times for baggage and limited and expensive food options. However, the airport is conveniently located near popular tourist destinations such as Malia and Analipsi, making it a busy hub for travellers visiting Crete.
It is important to note that a new Kasteli International Airport is under construction and is expected to replace the current Heraklion International Airport as the central hub for Crete. The new airport, located at a new site in Kastelli, is projected to cater to 5 to 10 million passengers per year and will provide international links for the entire island. The current Heraklion Airport is scheduled to cease operations in 2027 upon the completion and inauguration of the new Kasteli Airport.
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Chania Airport
Chania International Airport "Daskalogiannis" (IATA: CHQ, ICAO: LGSA) is an international airport located near Souda Bay on the Akrotiri peninsula of the Greek island of Crete. It is around 14 kilometres (8.7 miles) from Chania, serving as a gateway to western Crete for many tourists. The airport is named after Daskalogiannis, an 18th-century Cretan rebel against Ottoman rule. It is a joint civil-military airport, intensively used by the Hellenic Air Force.
The airport can be easily accessed by car, bus, or taxi via the main road network. It provides a range of amenities and services, including restaurants, cafes, and duty-free shops. However, it is important to note that the terminal does not have air conditioning, which can make it warm during the hotter months.
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Kasteli Airport
The history of Kasteli Airport dates back to the Second World War when British and Greek technicians began constructing an auxiliary airstrip. However, it was decommissioned just before the Battle of Crete. After the German occupation of the island in 1941, the airstrip was rebuilt using forced labour from local residents, and it was used for German reconnaissance and supply missions to North Africa.
Following the war, the airport underwent several reconstruction and modernisation projects, with the most recent upgrades taking place in the mid-1990s. The airport remained active, primarily hosting various aircraft for exercises and evaluations. In 1986, the idea for a civilian airport at Kasteli was first proposed by then-Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou.
The new airport is expected to open by 2027 and will have a significant impact on the region. It will be constructed over an area of 600 hectares, with a budget of €1.2 billion for construction costs alone. The airport will feature a 3,800-metre runway capable of handling large commercial aircraft such as the Airbus A380. It will initially be able to handle nine million passengers annually, with a maximum capacity of 18 million passengers per year.
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Sitia Airport
There are three airports in Crete, with the airport of Heraklion and Chania offering regular flights to Athens and Thessaloniki. The third airport is Sitia Airport, a small airport close to Sitia (Lassithi) that offers domestic flights to and from Athens and Karpathos in summer. Sitia Airport has been operational since 1984 and is situated in the vibrant eastern part of Crete. It is a gateway to the charming town of Sitia and the picturesque region of Lassithi.
The airport is served by multiple airlines, offering connections to major hubs and leisure destinations across Europe and beyond. Some of the direct flights for 2024 include Milan, Naples, Copenhagen, Athens, Rhodes, Karpathos, Kassos, Preveza (Aktio), and Alexandroupolis. The airport prides itself on its punctuality, with over 90% of flights departing and arriving on schedule.
The City of Sitia is just a few minutes' drive from the airport, and taxis and rental cars are available to any destination on Crete. However, there are no bus connections available from the airport.
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Flight destinations
There are three airports in Crete: Heraklion International Airport (also known as Nikos Kazantzakis Airport), Chania International Airport (Ioannis) Daskalogiannis, and a small airport near Sitia (Lassithi). The Heraklion airport is the main hub for flights to and from Crete. The airport is scheduled to cease operations in 2027 and will be replaced by the expanded Kasteli Airport.
Heraklion and Chania airports offer regular flights to Athens and Thessaloniki. The former also has flights to Rhodes, Kos, and other Greek islands in the summer. These two airports also receive charter flights from abroad, mainly from European cities. The Sitia airport offers domestic flights to and from Athens and Karpathos in the summer.
Flights to Crete are available from various airports in the United States. Flights from the West Coast, such as from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), tend to be more expensive than flights from East Coast cities like New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Flights from the Midwest, such as Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), are generally the most expensive.
When booking flights to Crete, it is advisable to be flexible with dates to find the best deals. Off-peak travel and booking in advance can result in significant savings. Tuesdays and Mondays tend to be cheaper days to fly, while Saturdays are typically the most expensive. February is mentioned as a good month to find deals on flights to Crete.
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Frequently asked questions
Heraklion International Airport, also known as Nikos Kazantzakis Airport.
The airport is located 5km from downtown Heraklion, the capital city of Heraklion in the Heraklion Municipality.
Yes, there are two other airports in Crete: Chania and a small airport close to Sitia (Lassithi).
Heraklion Airport has a single terminal building and two runways. The airport has a few shops and a duty-free shop. There are also two full-service restaurants and some cafes serving classic Greek food and American fare. There are also sandwich and snack bars scattered around the airport.
