Heraklion is the capital of Crete and the island’s main transport gateway. As one of Greece’s busiest airports and home to the country’s largest ferry port outside Piraeus, it is well connected to Athens, mainland Europe, and the other Greek islands. Below is a practical guide to every realistic route in.
Flights to Heraklion Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER)
Heraklion Airport (HER) handles around 8–9 million passengers a year and is Greece’s third-busiest airport. It sits just 5 km east of the city centre - a short, affordable taxi ride from the old port and Archaeological Museum.
European and UK routes: Crete’s tourism season drives a dense schedule of direct flights from across Europe, particularly May through October. Airlines operating direct to HER include Aegean Airlines, easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, TUI, Wizz Air, Eurowings, Transavia, and various charter carriers. UK airports with direct summer services include London Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, and Newcastle. Outside the summer season (November–April), direct European routes thin out significantly; connections via Athens are usually necessary.
Domestic flights from Athens: Aegean Airlines and Sky Express operate frequent Athens–Heraklion services throughout the year. The flight takes approximately 50 minutes; fares start from around EUR 30–50 return when booked early. This is the fastest option for travellers connecting through Athens Eleftherios Venizelos.
Getting from the airport to the city:
- Bus routes 1 and 6 serve the airport and connect to Heraklion’s central bus terminal near the port. Journey time is approximately 20 minutes; cost is around EUR 1.20 as of 2026. Buses run from approximately 6am to midnight.
- Taxis from the rank outside arrivals cost approximately EUR 10–15 to the city centre or ferry port. The short distance makes taxis reasonable value, especially with luggage.
- Car rental desks are located in the arrivals hall and outside the terminal building. Crete’s road network rewards having your own vehicle; most major companies (Hertz, Enterprise, Europcar, local firms) have desks at HER. Book in advance in summer as demand is high.
Ferries from Piraeus (Athens)
The most popular way to reach Heraklion for visitors already in Greece is the overnight ferry from Piraeus, Athens’s main port, located about 10 km south-west of Athens city centre (Metro Line 1, Piraeus station).
Route details: Two main operators run the Piraeus–Heraklion route daily year-round: Minoan Lines and ANEK Lines. Both operate large modern ships. Departures from Piraeus Port Gate E9 are typically at around 9pm, arriving in Heraklion at approximately 6am the following morning - a journey of approximately 8–9 hours.
Fares and accommodation on board (as of 2026):
- Deck/reclining aeroplane-style seat: approximately EUR 40–55
- Basic cabin (4-berth): approximately EUR 65–80 per person
- 2-berth outside cabin: approximately EUR 90–120 per person
- Vehicles: approximately EUR 60–100 depending on length
The ferries include cafeteria restaurants, bars, and sometimes duty-free shops. An overnight crossing is a practical solution - you travel while you sleep and arrive in Crete fresh and ready for a full day. Book tickets in advance during July and August, when crossings sell out weeks ahead.
Getting to Piraeus from central Athens: Metro Line 1 (green) runs from Monastiraki and Omonia directly to Piraeus in approximately 20–25 minutes; cost is around EUR 1.20–2.40 with a transport card. Taxis from central Athens to the port cost approximately EUR 20–30.
Ferries from Other Greek Islands
Heraklion also has ferry connections to several Aegean islands, making it a viable stop on a broader Greek island-hopping itinerary.
Santorini: Fast ferry services (catamaran) link Santorini (Thira) to Heraklion in approximately 1 hour 30 minutes–2 hours. SeaJets and Minoan Lines operate this route in summer. Fares start from approximately EUR 35–55. A slow overnight ferry also operates but the fast boat is more practical for day-hopping.
Mykonos: Fast ferry connections are available in summer, typically routing via Santorini or Naxos. Total journey time is approximately 4–5 hours with a stop; fares from around EUR 60–80. Check Ferryhopper or Greek Ferries for the most current schedules.
Thessaloniki: A weekly summer overnight service (approximately June–September) connects Thessaloniki port directly to Heraklion - useful for travellers doing a north-to-south Greece route. Minoan Lines operates this route; journey time is approximately 18–20 hours.
Rhodes: Minoan Lines and others connect Heraklion to Rhodes (approximately 10–12 hours) during the summer season, with some services also calling at intermediate islands.
Book all ferry tickets via the Minoan Lines, ANEK Lines, or Hellenic Seaways websites, or via the aggregator Ferryhopper (ferryhopper.com), which compares prices across all operators.
KTEL Buses within Crete
If you fly into Chania airport (CHQ) in western Crete - which handles significant UK charter traffic and is often cheaper than Heraklion in summer - the KTEL intercity bus is the most practical way to reach Heraklion.
The KTEL Chanion service departs from Chania bus station to Heraklion’s KTEL Irakleiou station approximately every 30–45 minutes. Journey time is approximately 2 hours 30 minutes along the E75 coastal motorway; fare is approximately EUR 14 one way as of 2026. The route passes through Rethymno (about 1 hour 15 minutes from Chania), where travellers can break the journey.
From Heraklion’s central KTEL bus station - located on the waterfront next to the ferry port - services fan out to Knossos (about EUR 2, 30 minutes), Rethymno, Chania, Agios Nikolaos, Ierapetra, and most other Cretan destinations.
Getting Around Heraklion on Arrival
Heraklion’s city centre is walkable for most key sights: the ferry port, Koules Fortress, the Archaeological Museum, the old market quarter around 1866 Street, and the central Lions’ Square are all within 10–15 minutes on foot of each other. Car hire is worthwhile for day trips outside the city - to Knossos (5 km), Phaistos (60 km), Matala (70 km), or the Lasithi Plateau (65 km). Parking is available in several paid car parks near the waterfront.
Taxis in Heraklion use metered fares; the minimum fare is approximately EUR 4 as of 2026. Uber does not operate on Crete; ride apps are limited. For day trips, booking a guided tour from the city centre is often more convenient than hiring a car specifically for one site.
Where to stay: Search hotels in Heraklion on Booking.com