Skip to content
EN| ES
+1 855 577 9836
Airport Transportation

Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport

Also known as: Heraklion Airport, Crete Airport, Nikos Kazantzakis Airport.

HER · LGIR · Heraklion

Airport facts

Name
Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport
IATA code
HER
ICAO code
LGIR
City
Heraklion
Country
Greece
Coordinates
35.3397, 25.1803
Time zone
Europe/Athens

About Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport

Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis" (HER) is the main airport for Crete, in Greece, named after the Heraklion-born writer. It sits by the sea near Nea Alikarnassos, about 5 km (3 miles) east of Heraklion city centre. In 2025 it handled about 10 million passengers, most of them between spring and autumn.

Aegean Airlines and Sky Express link Heraklion with Athens and other Greek cities, and in summer airlines such as Jet2, TUI, easyJet, Eurowings and Ryanair bring visitors from the UK, Germany, Italy, Poland, the Netherlands and the rest of Europe. Many routes are seasonal.

The airport is shared with the military and was extended in 2018 to cope with summer crowds, but it is near its limit. A new airport at Kasteli, about 39 km southeast of the city, is being built to replace it and is due to open in 2027, when Heraklion airport is scheduled to close.

From the airport, most visitors head into Heraklion and the Palace of Knossos, east along the coast to Hersonissos, Malia and Agios Nikolaos, or west to Rethymno and Chania.

Airport operator, runways and traffic

Runways

One main runway, about 2,680 m

Passengers per year

About 10 million in 2025

Use

Shared civil and military airport

Replacement

New Kasteli airport due in 2027

Arrival tips for Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport

Flights from Athens and other Schengen countries arrive without passport checks. If you come from outside the Schengen area, as many summer visitors do from the UK, you queue at passport control, where non-EU visitors are registered in the EU's Entry/Exit System. On summer weekends, when many charter flights land close together, passport control, baggage reclaim and the arrivals area can be very crowded.

Once you have your bags, head outside to the taxi rank, the bus stops and the car rental desks. Buses run into Heraklion and along the coast to the resorts, and taxis wait outside arrivals. Pre-booked drivers usually meet you in the arrivals area.

If you are staying in Hersonissos, Malia or further east, or in Rethymno or Chania to the west, check how far your hotel is: some resorts are more than an hour's drive away.

Greece is on Eastern European Time (EET), two hours ahead of the UK, and uses the euro.

Ground transportation

Heraklion is a short ride away; for resorts along the coast, a pre-booked car or taxi is quicker than the bus.

  • Private transfer

    A pre-booked car meets you in the arrivals area, the easiest option for Hersonissos, Malia, Agios Nikolaos, Rethymno and villas across Crete.

  • Taxi from Heraklion airport

    Taxis wait outside arrivals. Heraklion city is a short ride; summer queues can be long.

  • Bus to Heraklion and the coast

    Buses run into Heraklion and along the north coast to the resorts. The cheapest option, but slower and busy in summer.

  • Car hire

    Rental desks at the airport, useful for touring the island.

Compare providers for your exact address

Enter your hotel to see the price and every provider serving it.

Book a transfer from HER

Terminals

Terminal

The passenger terminal, extended in 2018, handles domestic and international flights.

Airlines and destinations

Many of these routes run only in summer.

Aegean Airlines

Athens and other Greek and European cities

easyJet

The UK and cities across Europe (seasonal)

Eurowings

Germany (seasonal)

Jet2

Cities across the UK (seasonal)

Ryanair

Cities across Europe

Sky Express

Athens and Greek cities

TUI Airways

Cities across the UK (seasonal)

Airport lounges

  • Sky Express Lounge

    Sky Express runs a lounge at the airport for its eligible passengers.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Heraklion airport from the city centre?

Heraklion Airport is about 5 km (3 miles) east of Heraklion city centre, by the sea near Nea Alikarnassos. Taxis, buses and pre-booked cars reach the city in a short ride.

Is Heraklion airport closing?

Yes, it is planned to. A new airport at Kasteli, about 39 km southeast of Heraklion, is under construction and due to open in 2027, when the current airport is scheduled to close. Until then, all flights to central Crete use Heraklion.

How do I get from Heraklion airport to Hersonissos or Malia?

Hersonissos and Malia lie east of the airport along Crete's north coast. Buses run there from the airport, and a taxi or pre-booked transfer goes straight to your hotel, which is easier with luggage in the busy summer season.

Which airlines fly to Heraklion?

Aegean Airlines and Sky Express fly year-round to Athens and other Greek cities. In summer, Jet2, TUI, easyJet, Eurowings, Ryanair and many other airlines bring visitors from the UK, Germany and across Europe.

Is Heraklion or Chania the better airport for Crete?

Heraklion is Crete's main airport and the closer one for Heraklion, Knossos, Hersonissos, Malia and the east. Chania airport is closer for western Crete. Choose the one nearest your hotel to keep the drive short.

When is Heraklion airport busiest?

Heraklion is busiest from late spring to early autumn, especially on summer weekends, when many seasonal flights land close together. Expect queues at passport control and baggage reclaim, and book your ride ahead.

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.

Book a transfer from HER