Ruth Haines
Crete is a Greek island served by three airports: Heraklion, Chania, and Sitia (Lassithi). Heraklion International Airport, also known as Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport, is located 5 kilometres from downtown Heraklion, the island's capital and commercial hub. It is Greece's second busiest airport and the principal airport in Crete, with over 40 airlines serving around 6 million travellers annually from some 80 destinations. Chania, located 14km from Chania City, is the other major airport on the island, accommodating around 2 million passengers from approximately 30 airlines across Europe. The island of Crete also has a small airport near Sitia (Lassithi), which only operates domestic flights to and from Athens and Karpathos during the summer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Airports | 3 |
| Airports | Heraklion, Chania, Sitia (Lassithi) |
| Main Airport | Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis" |
| Airport Code | HER |
| Runway Length | 2,680 meters |
| Location | 5km from downtown Heraklion |
| Transport Options | Taxi, bus, car rental |
| Facilities | Restaurants, cafes, shops, duty-free |
| Annual Passenger Traffic | 6 million |
| Airlines | 40+ |
| Destinations | 80+ |
| Flight Duration to Athens | 45 minutes |
| Flight Duration to Thessaloniki | 1 hour 30 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Heraklion International Airport
Heraklion Airport is the largest of the three airports on the island of Crete and offers flights to domestic destinations in Greece, including Athens, Rhodes, Kos, and other Greek islands. It also provides connections to popular tourist areas such as Malia and Analipsi. Additionally, the airport receives charter flights from abroad, mainly from European cities.
The airport has a single terminal building, two runways, and a variety of shops and dining options. These include small shops, a duty-free shop, full-service restaurants, cafes serving Greek and American cuisine, and watering holes for drinks.
However, some recent reviews on Tripadvisor have criticised the airport for issues such as crowded arrival areas, long waits for baggage, poor signage, limited dining options, and high prices for food and drinks. There have also been complaints about the condition of the toilets, with reports of broken facilities and unhygienic conditions. Despite these concerns, Heraklion International Airport remains a significant hub for travel to and from Crete.
By 2027, the new Kasteli International Airport is expected to replace the current Heraklion International Airport as the central hub for Crete, providing international links for the entire island.
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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, serving the city of Chania, which is 14 kilometres (8.7 miles) or 15 kilometres away. It is named after Daskalogiannis, an 18th-century Cretan rebel against Ottoman rule. Chania Airport is the second-busiest airport in Crete, and the sixth-busiest in all of Greece, with nearly 2 million passengers. It is a joint civil-military airport and is intensively used as a military airfield by the Hellenic Air Force.
In 2015, the privatisation of Chania International Airport and 13 other regional airports in Greece was finalised, with Fraport AG/Copelouzos Group securing the rights to operate them for 40 years starting in 2017. Fraport Greece has implemented several improvements, including expanding the passenger safety area, increasing the number of hand baggage scanners, and trebling the duty-free store space.
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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 in November 1940. However, it was decommissioned just before the Battle of Crete in 1941. After the German occupation of the island, the Germans used forced labour from local residents to rebuild the airstrip, and it became a base for German reconnaissance and supply missions to North Africa.
Following the liberation of Crete in November 1944, the airbase was operated by the Hellenic Air Force and underwent several upgrades and name changes over the years. The idea for a civilian airport at Kasteli was first proposed in 1986 by then-Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou. The airport construction project is a large and expensive endeavour, with a budget of €1.2 billion for construction costs alone and a total cost of €1.5 billion. It will cover an area of 600 hectares, with an additional 22 hectares reserved for commercial activity southwest of the airport.
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Sitia Airport
The airport is conveniently located near the city of Sitia, just a few minutes' drive away. It can also be easily accessed by car via the main road along the north coast, which turns into the National Road of Crete when heading west from Aghios Nikolaos. Rental cars and taxis are available for travel to any destination on Crete.
With its modern terminals, dedication to passenger convenience, and diverse flight connections, Sitia Airport is an excellent choice for travellers seeking a comfortable and memorable travel experience to and from Crete.
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Heraklion Airport facilities
Heraklion International Airport, also known as "Nikos Kazantzakis", is located in central Crete. The airport first opened in 1939 on a piece of flat agricultural land. It has been expanded and renovated several times since then, with the latest extension completed in March 2018.
The airport offers various facilities for passengers, including:
Information Desk
The airport has an information desk that is open 24 hours a day. Here, passengers can get assistance with lost property, disability access, and other general inquiries.
ATMs and Currency Exchange
There are multiple ATMs located throughout the airport, as well as a currency exchange counter for international travellers.
Disability Access
Heraklion Airport is moderately accommodating for passengers with disabilities. However, there are many stairs, and near the baggage claim, there is only one toilet with wheelchair access. Passengers requiring additional assistance can arrange it with their airline ahead of time or seek help at the information desk.
WiFi
Free WiFi is available throughout the airport, but it may be slow or unavailable during busy periods.
Lounges
The airport has a 24-hour VIP lounge and a baby room located on the ground floor of the new departures and arrivals hall.
Duty-Free Shops and Food Options
The airport features several duty-free shops and food options, although some passengers have noted that the options are limited and overpriced.
Toilets
The airport has received mixed reviews regarding its toilet facilities. Some passengers have described the toilets as "disgusting", citing issues with broken locks, missing toilet seats, and unclean conditions. However, other reviews mention clean toilets with plenty of toilet paper.
In addition to these facilities, the airport provides internal flights operated by OLIMPIC AIR and AEGEAN Airlines and has a head office for Bluebird Airways.
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Frequently asked questions
Heraklion International Airport, also known as Nikos Kazantzakis Airport.
5 kilometres from downtown Heraklion, the Greek capital city of the island.
Heraklion Airport has a single terminal building, two runways, a few restaurants and cafes, shops, and duty-free shopping. There are also sandwich and snack bars scattered around the airport.
You can use the local KTEL bus service, which operates from early morning to late evening on weekdays and a reduced service on Sundays. Alternatively, you can rent a car or use a taxi service.
Reviews for Heraklion Airport are mixed. Some travellers complain about long queues, poor signage, limited food options, and unhygienic toilet facilities. However, others state that the toilets are cleaned regularly, and the problem is mostly due to travellers' behaviour.
