Crete has two international airports: Heraklion (HER), about 5 kilometers (3.11 miles) from the capital, and Chania (CHQ), 14 kilometers (8.70 miles) east of Chania city. They are 15 kilometers (93.21 miles) apart. The simple rule: fly into Heraklion for central or eastern Crete; fly into Chania for the west. A third airport, Sitia (JSH), handles only domestic routes. Direct flights from the UK run approximately April to November; outside that window, most routes connect through Athens.
Note on accuracy: Flight schedules, terminal facilities, and transport prices in this article were verified at the time of writing. Services and prices change seasonally – always verify current schedules with the airlines and official airport sites before travel.
Quick Answer: Heraklion vs Chania Airport
If your accommodation is in central or eastern Crete (Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos, Malia, Hersonissos, Elounda), fly into Heraklion (HER). If you are staying in the west (Chania, Rethymno, Platanias, Paleochora), fly into Chania (CHQ). The two airports are 15 kilometers (93.21 miles) apart by road, so picking the wrong one adds roughly a two-hour transfer to your trip.
Airport Comparison at a Glance
| Heraklion (HER) | Chania (CHQ) | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Central and eastern Crete | Western Crete |
| IATA code | HER | CHQ |
| Distance from city | 5 kilometers (3.11 miles) | 14 kilometers (8.70 miles) |
| Annual passengers | ~6 million | ~2 million |
| Airlines | 40+ (easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, BA, Lufthansa, TUI) | 30+ (Ryanair, Jet2, TUI, easyJet, Eurowings) |
| UK airports served | Gatwick, Manchester, Heathrow, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, East Midlands, Luton, Newcastle, Leeds Bradford | Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Stansted, Glasgow, East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, Bournemouth |
| Key resorts served | Heraklion, Malia, Hersonissos, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, Stalida | Chania, Rethymno, Agia Marina, Platanias, Kissamos |
| Drive to Knossos | 15 min | 2 hr |
| Drive to Samaria Gorge | 2 hr 30 min | 45 min |
| KTEL bus to city | Every 15–20 min, ~€1.5 ($1.72, £1.28) | 7–10 departures/day, ~€2.5 ($2.86, £2.13) |
| Taxi to city | ~€15 ($17.16, £12.76) | ~€25 ($28.59, £21.27) |
Which Airport for Which Part of Crete?
- Heraklion (HER) is best for the central and eastern half: Heraklion city, Hersonissos, Malia, Stalida, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, the Lassithi Plateau, and Knossos.
- Chania (CHQ) is best for the western half: Chania town, Rethymno, Platanias, Agia Marina, Kissamos, the Samaria Gorge, and the Akrotiri peninsula.
- Sitia (JSH) is only useful if you are heading to the far east – Sitia, Vai, Zakros, or Palekastro.
Most direct flights from UK and European cities operate between late April and late October. In winter (November to March), both Heraklion and Chania still receive flights, but primarily via Athens; domestic connections with Aegean Airlines or Sky Express take approximately 45 minutes from Athens International Airport.
1. Heraklion Airport “Nikos Kazantzakis” (HER)
Heraklion Airport handles the largest share of Crete’s air traffic, serving over 6 million passengers a year as Greece’s second busiest airport after Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos). It is operated by Fraport Greece and sits about 5 kilometers (3.11 miles) east of Heraklion city centre, near Nea Alikarnassos. The Heraklion airport carries the name of Nikos Kazantzakis, Crete’s most celebrated author, best known internationally for Zorba the Greek.
HER is a dual civil/military facility open every day of the year, around the clock. It is the natural arrival point for visitors heading to Heraklion, Hersonissos, Malia, Stalida, Agios Nikolaos, and Elounda.
Facilities and Terminal
The terminal includes a bank, ATM and currency exchange, cafés and a duty-free shop, basic disabled-access facilities, and on-site paid parking. Car hire desks for Rental Center Crete, Justrentals, Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Budget and Sixt are located in or directly adjacent to arrivals.
Getting from Heraklion Airport to Your Hotel
- KTEL public bus: Departs from outside the terminal every 15–20 minutes Monday–Saturday. Journey to Heraklion city bus station takes around 15 minutes and costs roughly €1.5 ($1.72, £1.28). Change there for onward KTEL routes to Hersonissos, Malia, Agios Nikolaos, or Rethymno.
- Taxi: Available from the rank outside arrivals. Fare to central Heraklion is approximately €15 ($17.16, £12.76); to Hersonissos around €30 ($34.31, £25.52)–€35 ($40.03, £29.77); to Agios Nikolaos around €80 ($91.50, £68.06)–€90 ($102.93, £76.56).
- Car hire: All major desks (Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Budget, Sixt, Rental Center Crete) are in or adjacent to the terminal. Recommended if you plan to explore the island.
- Tour operator coaches: Package holiday transfers meet flights on arrival; private transfers can also be pre-booked for around €40 ($45.75, £34.03)–€60 ($68.62, £51.04) to most resorts.
UK Flights to Heraklion
Direct flights to HER from UK airports include London Gatwick, London Luton, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, and Leeds Bradford. easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, TUI, and British Airways all operate routes in season – typically from late April to late October. Outside that window, the most reliable option is a connection through Athens with Aegean Airlines or Sky Express.
2. Chania Airport “Ioannis Daskalogiannis” (CHQ)
Chania Airport (CHQ) serves the western half of Crete, handling approximately 2 million passengers a year from 30-plus European airlines – making it the natural choice for travellers staying anywhere from Rethymno to Paleochora. It sits on the Akrotiri peninsula near Souda, 14 kilometers (8.70 miles) east of Chania city, and was modernised by operator Fraport Greece. The Chania airport is named after Ioannis Daskalogiannis, an 18th-century Cretan rebel against Ottoman rule.
Facilities and Terminal
The terminal offers restaurants and cafés, duty-free shopping, baggage services, on-site paid parking, and car hire desks for all major operators. Disabled access and standard airport security are in place.
Getting from Chania Airport to Your Hotel
- KTEL public bus: 7–10 departures a day to Chania city centre (Souda/Chania KTEL station). The journey takes 30–40 minutes and costs around €2.5 ($2.86, £2.13).
- Taxi: Approximately €25 ($28.59, £21.27)–€30 ($34.31, £25.52) to Chania town; around €60 ($68.62, £51.04)–€80 ($91.50, £68.06) to Rethymno; higher for Platanias or Kissamos.
- Car hire: Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Budget, Sixt, and Rental Center Crete all have desks at the airport. Recommended for the west, where bus coverage is thinner.
- Tour operator coaches: Package holiday transfers meet flights; private transfers can be pre-booked, typically €50 ($57.19, £42.54)–€90 ($102.93, £76.56) to the main resort areas.
UK Flights to Chania
Direct flights to CHQ from UK airports include London Gatwick, London Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, and Bournemouth. Jet2, Ryanair, TUI, and easyJet provide most of the seasonal capacity. Like HER, direct UK services run roughly April to November; in winter, expect to connect through Athens.
3. Sitia Airport (JSH) – Domestic Flights Only
Sitia Airport (JSH) is a small domestic airport in eastern Crete, offering year-round flights to Athens with Sky Express and seasonal links to Karpathos, Rhodes, and a handful of other Greek islands. There are no international routes, so Sitia is only useful if you are staying in the Lassithi region – around Sitia town, Vai, Zakros, or Palekastro.
The Sitia airport is named after the Cretan poet Vitsentzos Kornaros. Facilities are limited: an ATM, a small café, basic kiosks, and free parking. Car hire is available on-site, and taxis serve the surrounding towns.
The Future: New Kastelli International Airport
A new international airport is under construction at Kastelli, approximately 38 kilometers (23.61 miles) southeast of Heraklion in the Kastelli plain. Once complete, it is designed to handle up to 10 million passengers a year – roughly three to four times the current capacity at Heraklion – and is intended to become Greece’s second largest airport after Athens.
The current Heraklion terminal is expected to close once Kastelli opens. Construction is currently scheduled for completion around 2027–2028, though timelines have shifted previously. If you are planning a trip in 2027 or later, check the latest updates from the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA) and Fraport Greece before booking, as the IATA code and access routes will change.
How Long Does It Take to Fly to Crete from the UK?
Flights from London to Crete take approximately 3 hours 30 minutes for the 27 kilometers (1,677.70 miles) route. Flights from Manchester, Birmingham, and other UK regional airports take 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours. From Frankfurt, the flight is around 3 hours 15 minutes; from Athens, the domestic hop is just 45 minutes for the 3 kilometers (186.41 miles) crossing.
Which Airlines Fly to Crete?
| Type | Carriers |
|---|---|
| UK low-cost / charter | easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, TUI |
| UK full service | British Airways |
| European low-cost | Eurowings, Volotea, Corendon Airlines, Wizz Air |
| European flag carriers | Lufthansa, SWISS, Iberia, Finnair, SAS, Brussels Airlines, Norwegian |
| Greek domestic | Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air, Sky Express |
Heraklion is served by 40-plus airlines; Chania by around 30, with particularly strong Jet2 and Ryanair coverage from UK regional airports.
Other Airfields on Crete
Two military airfields also operate on the island, but neither handles scheduled passenger flights:
- Tympaki Airport – a Hellenic Air Force base in southern Crete used by the 138.M squadron, also serving private and chartered jets.
- Maleme Airport – a public airfield west of Chania with historical World War II significance, now used by the Hellenic Air Force and the Chania Aeroclub.
Popular Places Near Heraklion Airport
- Palace of Knossos – the Minoan palace complex linked to King Minos, about 5.5 kilometers (3.42 miles) from HER.
- Heraklion Archaeological Museum – one of Greece’s most important museums, 4.2 kilometers (2.61 miles) away.
- Old Town of Heraklion – Venetian-era harbour, alleyways and the Morosini Fountain, around 3 kilometers (1.86 miles) from the airport.
- Koules Fortress – 16th-century Venetian sea castle at the entrance to Heraklion’s old harbour.
- CretAquarium – large Mediterranean aquarium 12 kilometers (7.46 miles) east of HER.
- Beaches near Heraklion – Ammoudara, Ayia Pelagia, Stalida, Malia, and Star Beach, all within a 30-minute drive.
For dining and accommodation in the area, browse our guides to restaurants in Heraklion and hotels in Heraklion.
Popular Places Near Chania Airport
- Chania Old Town – Venetian harbour, lighthouse, and Venetian arsenals.
- Agia Triada Tzagaroli Monastery – 17th-century working monastery producing olive oil and wine, 5 kilometers (3.11 miles) from CHQ.
- Agia Marina – beach resort 2 kilometers (12.43 miles) west of Chania town.
- Platanias – popular nightlife resort west of Agia Marina.
- Samaria Gorge – Europe’s longest gorge, accessible via Omalos (around 1 hr 30 min drive from CHQ).
- Rethymno – Venetian Fortezza and Old Town, around 1 hour east of CHQ.
For dining and accommodation in the area, browse our guides to restaurants in Chania and hotels in Chania.
Popular Places Near Sitia Airport
- Vai Palm Beach – Crete’s famous palm grove and golden sand beach, around 30 minutes from JSH.
- Toplou Monastery – historic monastery, roughly 20 minutes away.
- Ancient Site of Zakros – Minoan palace excavation, about 40 minutes away.
- Richtis Gorge – hiking gorge with a waterfall, 30 minutes from the airport.
- Mochlos Village – fishing village around 45 minutes west of Sitia.
For dining nearby, see our guide to restaurants in Sitia.
FAQ
Which Crete airport should I fly into?
Fly into Heraklion (HER) if your hotel is in central or eastern Crete – Heraklion city, Hersonissos, Malia, Agios Nikolaos, or Elounda. Fly into Chania (CHQ) if you are heading to the west – Chania town, Rethymno, Platanias, or Kissamos. The two airports are 15 kilometers (93.21 miles) apart, so the right choice saves around two hours of road transfer.
How far is Heraklion airport from Hersonissos?
Heraklion Airport is approximately 25 kilometers (15.53 miles) from Hersonissos – around a 30–40 minute drive on the new national road, or €30 ($34.31, £25.52)–€35 ($40.03, £29.77) by taxi.
How far is Chania airport from Rethymno?
Chania Airport is approximately 75 kilometers (46.60 miles) from Rethymno – roughly a 1-hour drive. A taxi costs around €60 ($68.62, £51.04)–€80 ($91.50, £68.06); renting a car is usually the most cost-effective option for groups.
Is there a bus from Heraklion airport to the city?
Yes – the KTEL public bus departs from outside the terminal every 15–20 minutes Monday to Saturday. The journey to Heraklion city bus station takes around 15 minutes and costs roughly €1.5 ($1.72, £1.28). From there you can connect to onward KTEL routes across the island.
Can I rent a car at Chania airport?
Yes. All major car hire operators – Rental Center Crete, Justrentals, Avis, Hertz, Europcar, Budget and Sixt – are located in or very close at Chania Airport. Renting a car is the most flexible way to explore the west of the island, particularly the Akrotiri peninsula, the Samaria Gorge area, and the south coast.
When do direct UK flights to Crete operate?
Direct UK services to both Heraklion and Chania run approximately from late April to late October. Outside that window, most travellers connect through Athens with Aegean Airlines or Sky Express; the domestic hop takes around 45 minutes.
For the latest flight information, visit the official airport resources: Heraklion Airport (hcaa.gr) and Chania Airport (chq-airport.gr). For real-time arrivals and departures, use Flightradar24.
