Lois Larson
Crete is the largest of the Greek islands, and it has two main airports: Chania International Airport (CHQ) and Heraklion International Airport (HER). Chania Airport is located in the western part of the island, while Heraklion Airport is located in the centre of the island. Both airports offer regular flights to Athens and Thessaloniki, and Heraklion Airport also organises flights to other Greek islands in summer. When deciding which airport to fly into, it is recommended to choose the one closest to your accommodation. Heraklion Airport is the larger of the two and offers more options for flights, but Chania is known as a romantic holiday destination with well-preserved Venetian architecture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Airports | 3 |
| Names of Airports | Heraklion International Airport, Chania International Airport, Sitia Crete Airport |
| Location | Heraklion Airport- Centre of the island; Chania Airport- Western part of the island; Sitia Crete Airport- Near Sitia, Lassithi |
| Distance from City Centre | Heraklion Airport- 3-4.5 km from Heraklion city centre; Chania Airport- 14 km from Chania |
| Transport Options | Heraklion Airport- Coaches, taxis, airport shuttle, car rental, public bus; Chania Airport- Coaches, taxis, airport shuttle, car rental, public bus |
| Flight Options | Heraklion Airport- Regular flights to Athens and Thessaloniki, summer flights to Rhodes, Kos and other Greek islands, charter flights from Europe; Chania Airport- Regular flights to Athens and Thessaloniki, charter flights from Europe |
| Nearby Attractions | Heraklion Airport- Venetian Fortress, Knossos Palace, Malia, Hersonissos, Ammoudara, Agia Pelagia; Chania Airport- Venetian Town and Harbour, Balos (Gramvoussa), Elafonissi, Falassarna, Samaria Gorge |
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What You'll Learn
Heraklion Airport vs Chania Airport
When deciding between Heraklion Airport and Chania Airport, the most important factor to consider is proximity to your destination. Heraklion Airport (HER) is located centrally in Crete, 4.5 km from Heraklion town and 7 km from Knossos Palace. It is also near the modern port and the Koules-Venetian Fortress. Chania Airport (CHQ) is located in the western part of the island, next to Rethymno prefecture, on the Akrotiri peninsula. It is 14 km from Chania Airport to the centre of Chania.
Both airports offer regular flights to Athens and Thessaloniki, with the journey to both destinations taking about 45 minutes and an hour and a half, respectively. Heraklion Airport also provides flights to other Greek islands like Rhodes and Kos during the summer. Additionally, both airports receive charter flights from abroad, primarily from European cities, during the tourist season.
In terms of transportation options, travellers from Heraklion Airport to Chania can choose between public bus, private taxi, pre-booked transfer, or rental car. The public bus option involves taking the airport shuttle to Heraklion Bus Station A and then an intercity KTEL bus to Chania, with a total travel time of around 2 hours and 45 minutes. Private transfers and taxis directly from the airport to Chania take between 1 hour 45 minutes and 2 hours, but they are more expensive, with prices starting at €120-180 for a private transfer and no more than €200 for a taxi. For those who prefer the flexibility of driving themselves, rental car providers at Heraklion Airport offer various vehicle types.
When deciding between the two airports, it is advisable to choose the one closest to your accommodation. This will ensure a more convenient and efficient journey to your final destination in Crete.
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Location
Crete has two main airports: Chania International Airport (CHQ) and Heraklion International Airport (HER). Chania Airport is located in the west of Crete, around 14 kilometres from the city of Chania on the Akrotiri peninsula. Heraklion Airport is located in the centre of the island, around 4.5 kilometres from Heraklion town and 7 kilometres from Knossos Palace.
Chania Airport offers scheduled flights year-round and charter flights to European cities during the tourist season (April to October). Heraklion Airport also offers scheduled and charter flights year-round, with additional flights to Greek islands in the summer. Both airports offer regular flights to Athens and Thessaloniki, with the journey to Athens taking around 45 minutes.
When choosing which airport to fly into, it is recommended to consider the location of your accommodation. If you plan to spend time in Chania, the western part of the island, or want to visit the romantic city's well-preserved Venetian architecture, then Chania Airport may be the best option. If you plan to visit central or eastern Crete, or want to explore Heraklion and its nearby attractions, then Heraklion Airport may be more convenient.
Both airports provide various transportation options to your destination. Coaches, airport shuttles, rental cars, taxis, and public buses are available at both Chania and Heraklion Airports. It is recommended to consider your preferences for convenience, cost, and exploration when choosing a transportation method.
In addition to the two main airports, Crete also has a smaller regional airport near Sitia (Lassithi) that serves domestic flights to and from Athens and Karpathos. This airport may be an option if you are looking for a more remote and domestic travel experience.
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Transport options
Heraklion International Airport is located in central Crete, 4.5 km from Heraklion town. It is located on the main road and is easily accessible by car. Heraklion Airport is served by several transport options, including taxis, public buses, and private shuttles. Major tour operators offer bus transfers from the airport to hotels, but these can be time-consuming due to multiple stops. Car rental is also available at the airport, providing flexibility for exploring the island.
Chania International Airport is situated in the western part of Crete, approximately 14 km from the city of Chania. Similar to Heraklion, Chania Airport offers various transport options, such as taxis, public buses, and car rentals. Tour operators provide bus transfers to hotels in the west of the island, but these may involve lengthy travel times due to multiple stops.
When deciding between the two airports, it is advisable to choose the one closest to your accommodation. Additionally, consider your preferred means of transportation and the availability of rental cars or public transport connections to your desired destinations.
If you plan to explore different parts of Crete during your stay, renting a car is a convenient option. Crete is a large island, and having a car will provide you with the flexibility to move around easily. However, if you prefer not to drive, you can utilise the public bus system or taxis to navigate between towns and seaside resorts.
It is worth noting that Crete also has a smaller airport near Sitia (Lassithi) that serves domestic flights to and from Athens and Karpathos. This airport may be convenient if your travels take you to that region of the island.
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Flight options
When deciding which airport in Crete is best, it is important to consider your accommodation location. Crete has two main airports, Chania Airport (CHQ) and Heraklion Airport (HER), which are served by regular flights and charter flights from abroad. Chania Airport is located in the western part of the island, around 14 km from the city of Chania, while Heraklion Airport is located in the centre of the island, around 4.5 km from Heraklion town. There is also a smaller airport near Sitia (Lassithi) that serves only domestic flights to and from Athens and Karpathos.
Chania Airport is served by a large number of charter flights and airlines, including budget airlines, especially during the summer season. There are regular flights to and from Athens and Thessaloniki, with the former taking around 45 minutes and the latter around one and a half hours. Chania Airport offers bus transfers to hotels in the west of the island for those who have booked a holiday package with a transfer. There is also the option to rent a car at the airport and drive to your destination, or take a taxi.
Heraklion Airport is the larger of the two main airports and, as such, tends to have more options for flights. It is located on the main road in Crete, making it straightforward to drive to other destinations on the island by rental car. Heraklion Airport is also served by regular flights to and from Athens and Thessaloniki, as well as summer flights to Rhodes, Kos, and other Greek islands. The airport offers bus transfers to hotels, although these can be time-consuming as coaches often stop at many towns and resorts. There is also the option to take a taxi or public bus to your destination.
When choosing which airport to fly into, it is recommended to select the one closest to your accommodation. If you plan to spend time in both Chania and Heraklion, it may be more convenient to fly into Heraklion as there is more to do in that area, and then make your way to Chania later in your trip.
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Accommodation location
When deciding on the best airport in Crete for your trip, it is important to consider the location of your accommodation. Crete has two main airports, Chania International Airport (CHQ) and Heraklion International Airport (HER), as well as a smaller regional airport in Sitia. Both Chania and Heraklion airports are located on the northern coast of Crete, with Chania situated further west and Heraklion in the centre.
If you are staying in the western part of Crete, Chania Airport may be the most convenient option. Chania is known for its charming Old Town and Venetian architecture. Resorts located near Chania Airport include Platanias, Souda Bay, the Akrotiri peninsula, Agia Marina, Gerani, Kissamos, and Maleme. Chania Airport accommodates around 2 million passengers annually and is served by approximately 30 airlines across Europe, although there are fewer direct flights from UK airports.
On the other hand, if your accommodation is located in the central or eastern part of Crete, Heraklion Airport might be a better choice. Heraklion is Greece's second busiest airport and is the principal airport in Crete, serving over 6 million travellers annually from approximately 80 destinations, including several direct flights from the UK. Key resorts served by Heraklion Airport include the city of Heraklion, Aghios Nikolaos, Malia, Hersonissos, Stalida, and Elounda. Heraklion Airport is also conveniently located near the port and the Koules-Venetian Fortress, just 7 km from Knossos Palace.
Additionally, if you are planning to visit Knossos, choosing Heraklion Airport as your arrival destination may be more convenient. While both airports provide access to the southern part of the island, Heraklion is closer to Knossos and can save you some travel time.
In conclusion, when deciding between Chania and Heraklion airports, consider the location of your accommodation. If you are staying in the western part of Crete, Chania Airport is likely the most convenient. However, if your accommodation is located in the central or eastern regions, Heraklion Airport might be a better option, especially if you plan to visit Knossos.
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Frequently asked questions
Heraklion International Airport (HER) is located in the centre of Crete, between the Rethymno and Lassithi prefectures, making it a good option for those visiting central or eastern Crete.
Chania International Airport (CHQ) is located in the west of Crete, next to the Rethymno prefecture, making it a good option for those visiting western Crete.
Both Heraklion and Chania airports are served by public buses, which are the most economical way to reach towns and seaside resorts in Crete. However, you may need to change buses, so the overall journey time may be longer than a taxi.
Both Heraklion and Chania airports have taxis available at the main terminal, which can take you directly to any destination in Crete.
