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Airport Transportation

Chania International Airport Ioannis Daskalogiannis

Also known as: Chania Airport, CHQ Airport, Chania Crete Airport, Chania International Airport, Souda Airport, Daskalogiannis Airport.

CHQ · LGSA · Chania

Airport facts

Name
Chania International Airport Ioannis Daskalogiannis
IATA code
CHQ
ICAO code
LGSA
City
Chania
Country
Greece
Address
Akrotiri peninsula, Chania, Crete, Greece
Coordinates
35.5317, 24.1497
Time zone
Europe/Athens
Terminals
One passenger terminal, opened in 1996 and modernized in 2021, with Schengen and non-Schengen areas

About Chania International Airport Ioannis Daskalogiannis

Chania International Airport Ioannis Daskalogiannis (CHQ) is the airport for Chania and western Crete, Greece. It stands on the Akrotiri peninsula above Souda Bay, about 14 km (9 miles) from Chania's old town and Venetian harbor, and shares its airfield with a Hellenic Air Force base.

Aegean Airlines and Sky Express fly to Athens all year, and Aegean also links Chania with Thessaloniki. From spring to autumn the schedule fills with seasonal flights from across Europe: Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2.com, TUI, Transavia, Eurowings, Condor, Norwegian, SAS, Wizz Air and British Airways fly in from the UK, Ireland, Germany, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Italy and Central Europe. The airport handled about 4.1 million passengers in 2025, most of them between May and October.

All flights use one passenger terminal, opened in 1996 and modernized by Fraport Greece by 2021, with arrivals and baggage claim on the ground floor and departures upstairs, split into Schengen and non-Schengen areas.

From the airport, most travelers head into Chania town, to the beach hotels of Agia Marina and Platanias west of the city, to the villages of the Akrotiri peninsula, or east to Kalyves, Almyrida and Georgioupoli. Ferries to Piraeus leave from the nearby port of Souda.

Airport operator, runways and traffic

Operator

Fraport Greece, under a 40-year concession that began in April 2017

Owner

Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority

Passengers per year

About 4.1 million in 2025

Runway

11L/29R, 3,347 m, asphalt, shared with the Hellenic Air Force

Terminal

One passenger terminal, opened in 1996 and modernized in 2021

Arrival tips for Chania International Airport Ioannis Daskalogiannis

Flights from Athens and other Schengen countries arrive without passport checks. If you fly in from outside the Schengen area, as many summer visitors do from the UK, you line up at passport control, where non-EU travelers are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System. On busy summer days, when many flights land close together, passport control and baggage claim can be slow, so allow extra time.

Chania has one terminal, so there is no terminal to choose: arrivals and baggage claim are on the ground floor, and after customs you walk out into the arrivals area. ATMs, currency exchange and car rental desks are on this level, and there is no left-luggage service.

Outside, official taxis wait at the rank across from the Arrivals B exit, and the KTEL bus to Chania leaves from the stop across the departures area on the east side of the terminal. Pre-booked drivers meet passengers in the arrivals area.

Greece is on Eastern European Time and uses the euro.

Ground transportation

The KTEL bus is the cheapest way into Chania; a taxi or pre-booked car is easier with luggage, at night or for resorts and villas away from the town.

  • KTEL bus to Chania

    Buses leave from the stop across the departures area on the east side of the terminal and reach Chania bus station in about 25 to 30 minutes, with tickets bought from the driver. Services are timed around flights but thin out late in the evening.

  • Taxi from Chania airport

    Official taxis wait at the rank across from the Arrivals B exit and reach Chania old town in about 20 minutes. Lines can build when several flights land together in summer.

  • Car rental

    Several car rental companies have desks in the arrivals area, useful for exploring western Crete, though summer demand is high and booking ahead is wise.

  • Private transfer

    A pre-booked car meets you in the arrivals area, useful for families, groups, late arrivals and resorts or villas outside Chania.

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Terminals

Passenger Terminal

The single terminal for domestic and international flights. Arrivals and baggage claim are on the ground floor and departures on the first floor, with separate Schengen and non-Schengen areas.

Airlines and destinations

All airlines use the one passenger terminal. Most international routes are seasonal, running from spring to autumn.

Aegean Airlines Passenger Terminal

Athens, Thessaloniki, Rhodes (seasonal)

Air Serbia Passenger Terminal

Belgrade (seasonal)

Animawings Passenger Terminal

Bucharest (seasonal)

Austrian Airlines Passenger Terminal

Vienna (seasonal)

BlueBird Airways Passenger Terminal

Tel Aviv (seasonal)

British Airways Passenger Terminal

London Gatwick, London Heathrow (seasonal)

Brussels Airlines Passenger Terminal

Brussels (seasonal)

Condor Passenger Terminal

Frankfurt, Hamburg (seasonal)

Discover Airlines Passenger Terminal

Frankfurt, Munich (seasonal)

easyJet Passenger Terminal

Amsterdam, Basel/Mulhouse, Berlin, Bristol, Geneva, Glasgow, London Gatwick, London Luton, Lyon, Manchester, Milan Malpensa, Nantes, Nice (seasonal)

Edelweiss Passenger Terminal

Zurich (seasonal)

Eurowings Passenger Terminal

Düsseldorf, Graz, Hamburg, Stuttgart (seasonal)

Finnair Passenger Terminal

Helsinki (seasonal)

Jet2.com Passenger Terminal

Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, London Stansted, Manchester, Newcastle (seasonal)

Luxair Passenger Terminal

Luxembourg (seasonal)

Neos Passenger Terminal

Milan Malpensa (seasonal)

Norwegian Passenger Terminal

Bergen, Billund, Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm Arlanda (seasonal)

Ryanair Passenger Terminal

Athens, Bergamo, Birmingham, Bologna, Bournemouth, Bucharest, Budapest, Brussels Charleroi, Dublin, East Midlands, Gdańsk, Kraków, London Stansted, Manchester, Rome Fiumicino and more (seasonal)

SAS Passenger Terminal

Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm Arlanda (seasonal)

Sky Express Passenger Terminal

Athens

Smartwings Passenger Terminal

Prague (seasonal)

Transavia Passenger Terminal

Amsterdam, Lyon, Paris Orly (seasonal)

TUI Airways Passenger Terminal

Birmingham, London Gatwick (seasonal)

TUI fly Belgium Passenger Terminal

Brussels, Ostend-Bruges (seasonal)

TUI fly Netherlands Passenger Terminal

Amsterdam (seasonal)

Wizz Air Passenger Terminal

Belgrade, London Luton, Rome Fiumicino, Warsaw Chopin (seasonal)

Facilities

  • Wi-Fi

    Fraport Greece offers free Wi-Fi in the terminal.

  • ATMs

    Cash machines are in the terminal, including on the arrivals level on the ground floor.

  • Currency exchange

    A currency exchange counter is on the ground floor of the terminal.

  • First aid

    A first-aid station on the ground floor handles medical emergencies.

  • Nursing room

    A nursing room for parents with babies is on the ground floor.

  • Car rental

    Car rental companies have desks in the arrivals area.

  • Shops

    Hudson is in departures, a kiosk and a Vodafone store are in arrivals, and Hellenic Duty Free has shops past security.

  • Cafes and restaurants

    Everest and Flocafe are landside on the ground floor; Forno Luca, Goody's, Gregory's, CREAT and Labyrinth Flavors are in departures, and Refill serves the non-Schengen area.

  • Charging points

    Charging points for phones and other devices are in the waiting areas.

  • Lost property

    The airport runs a lost property service for items left in the terminal.

  • Left luggage

    There is no luggage storage or locker service at the terminal.

Accessibility and passenger assistance

  • Requesting assistance

    Request assistance through your airline or travel agency at least 48 hours before the published departure time.

  • Reduced mobility

    On departure, report to your airline's check-in counter or the airport's designated assistance point and tell the assistance provider you have arrived. On arrival, assistance meets pre-notified passengers at the aircraft or gate.

  • Service animals

    Assistance dogs travel under the airline's rules; request carriage through your airline or travel agency at least 48 hours before departure.

  • In the terminal

    Ramps and lifts link the ground-floor arrivals area with departures on the first floor, and wheelchairs are available on request.

Parking

Airport parking lot

One parking lot inside the airport grounds, beside the terminal for drop-offs and pickups, open 24 hours a day all year. Payment is by cash or card.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Chania airport from Chania town?

Chania Airport is about 14 km (9 miles) from Chania's old town, on the Akrotiri peninsula above Souda Bay. A taxi or pre-booked car takes about 20 minutes, and the KTEL bus reaches Chania bus station in about 25 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic and stops along the way.

What is the official name of Chania airport?

Its official name is Chania International Airport "Ioannis Daskalogiannis", after the leader of the 1770 Cretan revolt; it was given the name in 2000. Most travelers simply call it Chania Airport or CHQ, its IATA code, and some still call it Souda Airport after the bay and air base beside it.

How many terminals does Chania airport have?

Chania has one passenger terminal for domestic and international flights. Arrivals and baggage claim are on the ground floor, and check-in and departures are on the first floor, reached by escalator or elevator. The departures area is split into Schengen and non-Schengen zones, with passport control for flights outside the Schengen area.

Is there a bus from Chania airport to Chania?

Yes. KTEL buses run between the airport and Chania bus station, near 1866 Square, in about 25 to 30 minutes. The stop is across the departures area on the east side of the terminal, and you buy your ticket from the driver. Times change with the season and flight schedules, so check the KTEL timetable before you travel.

Where do I find a taxi at Chania airport?

Official taxis wait at the taxi stand across from the Arrivals B exit of the terminal. A taxi takes about 20 minutes to Chania's old town and goes door to door to hotels and villas across western Crete. On busy summer afternoons, when several flights land together, there can be a line at the rank.

Which airlines fly to Chania?

Aegean Airlines and Sky Express fly to Athens all year, and Aegean also serves Thessaloniki. In summer, Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2.com, TUI, Transavia, Eurowings, Condor, Norwegian, SAS, Wizz Air, British Airways and others add seasonal flights from the UK, Ireland, Germany, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Italy and Central Europe.

Should I fly into Chania or Heraklion?

Fly into Chania if you are staying in western Crete: Chania town, Agia Marina, Platanias, the Akrotiri peninsula, Kissamos or Georgioupoli. Heraklion Airport is on the north coast in central Crete and is closer to Heraklion, Knossos, Hersonissos, Malia and the east of the island. Pick the airport nearest your hotel to keep the drive short.

Is Chania airport a military airport?

Chania is a joint civil and military airport. The passenger terminal is run by Fraport Greece, while the Hellenic Air Force uses the same runway, next to the Souda Bay naval and air base. Military aircraft may be on the field, and photographing military aircraft and installations is not allowed.

What do I need to enter Greece at Chania airport?

Greece is in the Schengen area, so flights from Athens and other Schengen countries arrive without passport checks. Arrivals from outside it, such as the UK, go through passport control, where non-EU travelers are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES). Check the visa rules for your nationality before you fly.

Is there a lounge at Chania airport?

The airport's own shop and dine listings do not include a lounge, so do not count on one. The departures area has cafes and restaurants such as Forno Luca, Goody's, Gregory's, CREAT and Labyrinth Flavors on the Schengen side, and Refill in the non-Schengen area. Check with your airline or lounge program before you travel.

Can I leave luggage at Chania airport?

No. Chania airport has no left-luggage office or lockers, so plan to keep your bags with you or arrange storage in Chania town. If you have a late flight after checking out, ask your hotel whether it can hold your luggage, or book a transfer timed for your check-in.

Where can I park at Chania airport?

There is one parking lot inside the airport grounds, beside the terminal, open 24 hours a day all year. It serves both short stops to drop off or pick up passengers and longer stays, and you can pay by cash or card. Check the airport website for current rates before you travel.

When is Chania airport busiest?

Chania is busiest from May to October, and especially in July and August, when seasonal flights from across Europe land close together. Expect lines at passport control and security at peak times, and arrive early for departures. In winter traffic is much lighter, with flights mainly to Athens and Thessaloniki.

Why book with Airport Transportation?

We provide private transportation from any airport to any hotel at the best price, and we are licensed with complete insurance liability.

Is the transportation private or shared?

Airport Transportation provides private transportation only, in vans, luxury SUVs, or semi-buses.

Are prices per person or per vehicle?

Prices on our website are per vehicle, not per person, based on a range of passengers.

How many people can a van carry?

Regular vans carry up to 9 passengers, semi-buses up to 16, and luxury SUVs up to 6 passengers.

How do I find you at the airport?

Walk all the way out of the airport. You'll see representatives holding boards. Look for the Airport Transportation logo or your name.

What kind of vehicles do you use?

Commonly Toyota Hiace, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Chevrolet Suburban.

Do you have insurance?

Yes. We carry insurance with complete liability for all passengers while using our services.

Do you provide baby seats?

Baby seats are provided with prior notice, subject to availability, one seat maximum per vehicle.

How far in advance should I book?

You can book any time in advance; we suggest one week to one day ahead. Same-day reservations are available.

What payment methods are accepted?

PayPal is our main payment method; a cash option is also available when booking through our website. Credit cards are accepted through PayPal.

Do vehicles have air conditioning?

Yes. For your comfort all our units have air conditioning.

What if my flight is delayed?

During booking we ask for your airline and flight number so we can track delays and wait for you.

Can I make stops during my ride?

Yes, you can add an extra stop to your service during the booking process.

Do children pay differently than adults?

No. Prices are set per passenger range or per vehicle, not per age.

Is my reservation refundable?

Yes. Cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your pick-up and you are refunded in full. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before service are not refundable.

Do drivers speak English?

Yes. While their English may not be native-level, drivers have the skills to communicate with passengers.

Are tips mandatory?

Tips are not mandatory but are highly recommended; drivers earn them through service quality.

What currencies are accepted?

All prices are in USD. Via PayPal you can pay in almost any currency; cash payments accept USD only.

Are pets allowed?

We can transport domestic pets kept in cages that fit in a normal vehicle.

Is there room for luggage?

Yes. There is plenty of room for one suitcase and one carry-on per person.

What is included in the price?

Every private transfer includes a professional, licensed driver; an insured, well-maintained vehicle; real-time flight monitoring; meet-and-greet service at arrivals; and door-to-door service with no hidden fees added after booking. Your fixed price covers the full route to your destination.

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