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Greece is known for its beautiful islands and historical sites, but its airports have been described as ''terrible, dirty, and overcrowded. Heraklion International Airport in Crete has consistently been voted as one of the worst airports in Europe. Travellers have reported long queues, poor sanitation, inefficient staff, a lack of seating, and poor security. However, not all Greek airports are bad. Athens International Airport, the largest and busiest airport in Greece, is well-connected to other airports in the country and receives direct flights from most European capitals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dirty | Poor cleaning and maintenance, unhygienic bathrooms |
| Overcrowded | Lack of seating, long queues, poor line management |
| Poor facilities | Lack of toilet paper, soap, and paper towels, poor air conditioning, inadequate food options |
| Inefficient staff | Unfriendly, long wait times for check-in and luggage |
| Poorly maintained | Holes in the ceiling, tiles falling off, non-functional toilets |
| Safety concerns | Lack of proper signage, poor security |
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What You'll Learn
Heraklion International Airport, Crete is dirty, overcrowded, and has poor facilities
Heraklion International Airport in Crete has been voted the worst airport in Europe, with reviews citing its poor facilities, dirty conditions, and overcrowding.
The airport is reportedly dirty, with one review stating that the "sewers seem to have overflowed, leaving a foul smell in the air, particularly near the toilet". Other reviews mention the presence of human waste on the floor and overflowing buckets, creating a "real olfactory nightmare". The bathrooms are described as "horrendous", with non-functioning toilets, missing toilet seats, and a lack of basic amenities such as soap and toilet paper. The floors are described as "filthy", and the overall cleanliness is said to be poor, with one review stating that the airport is "dirty, neglected, and underfunded".
In addition to the dirty conditions, the airport is also criticized for its overcrowding. Reviews mention long wait times of over an hour, with insufficient seating available. The departure gate area is described as "standing room only", with people almost getting into fights to get a seat. The airport is said to be too small to handle the number of passengers it receives, with a capacity triple the number of passengers it was designed for. The layout is described as poor, with inadequate signage, making it difficult to navigate.
The airport also faces criticism for its poor air conditioning, unfriendly staff, limited food options, and expensive prices. The duty-free selection is described as basic and overpriced, with items more expensive than in local supermarkets. The overall environment is described as "depressing", with loud announcements and an "abhorrent attitude" from staff.
The poor condition of the airport is attributed to a lack of funding, as a new airport is currently being built at Kastelli, expected to cost 500 million Euros. However, the current state of Heraklion International Airport has been criticized as a "stain on tourism", creating a negative first and last impression for tourists visiting Crete.
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Lack of basic amenities and poor hygiene in the bathrooms
Several Greek airports have been voted among the worst in Europe, with Heraklion International Airport in Crete taking the top spot. The airport has been described as dirty, overcrowded, and lacking basic amenities.
The bathrooms at Heraklion Airport have been described as horrendous and beyond disgusting. Travellers have reported toilets without seats, doors, or functioning locks, as well as a lack of basic amenities such as toilet paper, soap, and paper towels. The bathrooms are said to have a persistent urine smell, with trash lying on the floor.
One traveller noted that the Heraklion Airport washrooms had pink liquid soap in a coke bottle, and that both the men's and women's bathrooms were in a similar state. The bathrooms have also been described as old and dilapidated, with tiles falling off the walls and non-functioning toilets.
The lack of basic amenities and poor hygiene in the bathrooms at Heraklion Airport can significantly impact travellers' experiences and leave a negative impression of the island. While funding constraints may be a factor, it is essential for airports to maintain basic standards of cleanliness and functionality, especially in bathrooms, to ensure a comfortable and safe experience for passengers.
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Poor seating arrangements and long queues
The airport's capacity seems insufficient to manage the high volume of travellers, resulting in long queues outside the terminal and within the airport. This issue is not unique to Heraklion, as other Greek airports like Santorini, Rhodes, and Chania have also been criticised for similar problems.
The lack of seating and long queues contribute to an uncomfortable and stressful experience for passengers, especially those with a fear of flying or mobility issues. The overcrowding is exacerbated by the airport's apparent inability to accommodate the number of people passing through, leading to a higher risk of accidents and a more challenging environment for travellers already anxious about their flights.
The seating arrangements at Heraklion International Airport have been described as "standing room only" and "inadequate," indicating a clear need for improvement. This issue is not merely about comfort but also safety, as insufficient seating can lead to potential hazards during unexpected events or emergencies. It is essential for airports to have enough seating to ensure the safety and well-being of travellers, especially in areas like the departure gate, where passengers may need to remain seated for extended periods.
To address these issues, Greek airports, particularly Heraklion International Airport, should focus on expanding and improving their terminal facilities. This includes increasing the number of seats available, especially in high-traffic areas like departure gates, to ensure the comfort and safety of travellers. Additionally, implementing better queue management systems and increasing staff efficiency can help reduce the lengthy queues that have been consistently reported by passengers.
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Inefficient staff and poor security
Several Greek airports have been voted among the worst in Europe, with Heraklion International Airport in Crete taking the top spot. The airport has been described as dirty, overcrowded, and lacking basic amenities. Inefficient staff and poor security have also been cited as issues.
Inefficient staff and long wait times are commonly mentioned in reviews of Heraklion International Airport. Travellers report long queues and extended wait times for both check-in and luggage collection. The terminal's limited capacity means that travellers often have to queue outside the airport, which can be uncomfortable and inconvenient, especially during extreme weather conditions.
The airport's security measures have also been called into question. With reports of overcrowding and inadequate seating, and a lack of proper signage, concerns have been raised about the potential safety risks in the event of an emergency. The airport's outdated infrastructure and poor maintenance may also contribute to the perceived lack of security.
In addition to the physical infrastructure, the staff's efficiency and effectiveness in ensuring security have been questioned. There are reports of unfriendly and unhelpful staff, which can further contribute to a negative overall experience. The combination of inefficient staff and poor security measures can impact travellers' feelings of safety and comfort while using the airport.
While the Greek government and airport authorities have not released official statements specifically addressing these issues, it is speculated that funding constraints and the prioritisation of a new airport may be contributing factors. However, travellers emphasise the need for immediate improvements, as the current state of the airport reflects poorly on the country and can deter visitors from returning.
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Expensive and poor-quality food
Heraklion International Airport in Crete has been voted the worst airport in Europe, with reports of dirty facilities, poor air conditioning, unfriendly staff, and a severe lack of seating and food options. One TripAdvisor review stated that it was a "shocking experience" and that the airport was "appalling to the level comparable to a third-world country".
The airport's poor condition has been attributed to state dysfunction and corruption, with reports of holes in the ceilings, tiles falling off in the bathrooms, non-functioning toilets, and outdated fixtures. The airport is often crowded, with travellers queuing outside as the terminal doesn't have the capacity to accommodate everyone.
The food options at Heraklion Airport are not only limited but also reportedly expensive and of poor quality. One traveller recounted how they ate a "shitty burger" and subsequently experienced serious stomach problems. The prices of food and drinks are generally steep, especially considering the quality.
The airport's condition does not seem to be due to a lack of traffic, as Crete is a popular tourist destination, and the airport serves many travellers. However, funding may be an issue, with reports of basic amenities like toilet paper, soap, and paper towels not being stocked in the bathrooms.
The poor airport experience can negatively impact a person's overall trip, and it is clear that Heraklion Airport is in dire need of modernisation and overhaul. While there are plans for a new airport, the current state of Heraklion Airport continues to leave a negative impression on visitors to Crete.
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Frequently asked questions
Many Greek airports have been criticised for their poor facilities, including dirty and overcrowded terminals, poor toilet facilities, a lack of seating, and poor air conditioning. Some travellers have also reported long queues, inefficient staff, poor security, and extended wait times for check-in and luggage.
Heraklion International Airport in Crete has been voted the worst airport in Europe. Travellers have reported that the terminal does not have the capacity to hold everyone, so people end up queuing outside.
Heraklion Airport has been described as not having been updated since the 1950s. It has also been speculated that the airport's poor condition is due to state dysfunction and corruption, with funding being directed towards the development of a new airport.
