Heraklion - Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport (HER) information

Introduction

The airport is situated 5kms east of the town of Heraklion (also known as Iráklion), on the north coast of Greece's largest island, Crete. Today, a few millennia after the Greek mythological hero Icarus was said to have flown over Crete on wings made of feathers and wax, Heraklion International Airport handles nearly 5 million passengers per year. The terminal is open 24 hours a day, and has 18 check-in desks and 20 gates. There are daily flights to and from Athens and Thessaloniki, but the bulk of the airport's traffic consists of charter flights during the summer months.

Airport parking at Heraklion

Both short and long-term parking is available at the airport, directly outside the terminal building.

Getting to and from Heraklion

The airport's access road connects with the Makariou Dikeossinis roadway which leads west directly into Heraklion. Two kilometres to the east, the road links up with Route 90, which runs east and west along the island's north coast. Buses run regularly from the airport to Heraklion town centre. The 20-minute ride costs €0.50. Taxis offer another transportation option, but ask about the fare in advance.

Amenities at Heraklion - Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport

Essential facilities include a bank and a currency exchange booth, plus a small post office and a medical centre. There is a duty-free shop, as well as several other retail outlets including an art shop. Food and refreshments are offered at one restaurant and five cafes. Several travel agencies and tour operators have counters in the terminal. It must be noted that the airport has experienced some negative passenger reviews. Recent comments on online airport forums range from prohibitively expensive and desperately overcrowded to ludicrously disorganised and dreadful.