Chania Airport (IATA: CHQ), officially Ioannis Daskalogiannis Airport, serves western Crete and is a major summer charter and low-cost gateway. It is on the Akrotiri peninsula, close to the Souda naval base, and most visitors are heading for Chania Old Town, the beach strip at Platanias or one of the quieter west coast villages. This guide covers every transfer option with approximate prices as of 2026.
Airport Overview
IATA code: CHQ
Full name: Chania International Airport “Ioannis Daskalogiannis”
Location: Akrotiri peninsula, approximately 14km east of Chania Old Town
Terminal: A single terminal for domestic and international flights
Operator: Fraport Greece
The terminal is compact, with cafés, ATMs, a few shops and rental desks. It can get crowded in peak summer when charters land close together, and the road to the old town is a single main route, so traffic builds at those times. Flights from Athens are frequent and short, which makes this a popular start to a Cretan holiday for people connecting through ATH. Our Athens airport transfer guide covers the first leg.
Transfer Options from Chania Airport
Taxi
Taxis queue outside arrivals and charge fixed zone fares shown at the rank. You can pay the driver directly, though cash is safer than assuming a card machine works.
Approximate taxi fares (as of 2026):
- Chania Old Town and harbour: approximately EUR 25-35
- Halepa: approximately EUR 25-35
- Agia Marina and Platanias: approximately EUR 35-45
- Stalos and Kato Stalos: approximately EUR 35-45
- Kissamos: approximately EUR 75-90
- Georgioupolis: approximately EUR 60-75
- Rethymno: approximately EUR 90-110
- Heraklion: approximately EUR 170-200
Night fares add an extra charge, and large pieces of luggage can attract a surcharge.
Public Bus (KTEL)
The Chania KTEL bus runs between the airport and the bus station near the town centre. The fare is approximately EUR 2-3 as of 2026. In summer the service is regular and timed to match flights. In winter it is thinner, and it stops in the evening. From the town bus station you can change onto buses for Platanias, Kissamos, Rethymno and Heraklion. Check the current schedule with the KTEL before you travel, as it changes by season.
The bus is a good budget choice if you are staying in or near the town. It is less practical if you are heading to a villa or a smaller village.
Private Transfer
A pre-booked transfer is the easiest way to reach places the bus does not serve, such as the beaches of the south-west or a villa near Apokoronas. Kiwitaxi lets you compare operators and fixed fares, and Welcome Pickups offers a meet-and-greet service that tracks flight delays.
Approximate private transfer prices (as of 2026):
- Chania Town: approximately EUR 28-40
- Platanias and Agia Marina: approximately EUR 35-50
- Kissamos: approximately EUR 75-100
- Rethymno: approximately EUR 90-120
For groups of three or four, a van often costs about the same as two taxis, with space for luggage and without the queue.
Hotel Transfers
Many resorts and boutique hotels in Platanias, Kolymbari and Rethymno offer airport pickups, free or paid. Ask when you book. Hotels in the Chania old town cannot easily receive vehicles in the narrow lanes, so you may walk the last part from a drop-off point.
Car Hire
A car transforms a stay in western Crete. Balos Lagoon, Elafonisi, Falassarna and the Samaria Gorge trailhead are all out of reach for most buses at convenient times. Desks for the major brands and local firms are at the airport. Book early for July and August. Our Greece car rental guide covers deposits and insurance, and you can compare car hire in Greece before you travel.
Cretan roads are good on the north coast highway and demanding in the mountains and on the way to the south coast beaches. Allow extra time for winding sections.
Getting to Key Destinations
To Chania Old Town
Around 14km, 20-25 minutes. Cars cannot reach most of the Venetian harbour area, so you will walk the last stretch. See our where to stay in Chania guide for the best areas and how arrival works for each.
To Platanias and the West Beaches
Platanias, Agia Marina and Stalos are 30-40 minutes away. Buses run from Chania town, not the airport, so a taxi or transfer is simplest.
To Kissamos and the Far West
Kissamos, gateway for Balos and Gramvousa boats, is approximately 55km away, about 55-70 minutes by road. There is no direct airport bus.
To Rethymno and Heraklion
Rethymno is about 70km and takes roughly 1 hour. Heraklion is about 140km and takes around 2 hours. Both are possible by taxi, but a bus from Chania station or a rental car is much cheaper. Compare your options in our Getting Around Greece guide.
To the South Coast
Sougia, Paleochora and Loutro are in the mountains and on the coast beyond them, and are 1.5 to 2 hours away. Most visitors use a rental car, or take the bus from Chania town.
Late Arrivals and Early Departures
The airport bus stops running in the evening, and late taxis may be scarce. Pre-book a driver for any arrival after 22:00. For departures before 07:00, arrange a pickup the evening before, and allow time for roadworks on the Akrotiri road.
Tips for Chania Transfers
- Check where you are staying: Old Town hotels are on pedestrian lanes. Ask your host for a drop-off point and luggage help.
- Agree the fare first: Taxi fares are fixed by zone, but confirm before you leave the rank.
- Book day trips early: Browse Chania tours or read our Crete tours guide to plan excursions. For ideas close to town, see day trips from Chania.
- Allow for summer traffic: The road to the old town is a bottleneck at peak times.
- Book the return trip: Arrange your pickup back to CHQ with the outbound.
Pre-book your Chania airport transfer for a fixed price and a driver waiting at arrivals, or choose Welcome Pickups for flight-tracked meet and greet.
Related Guides
- Chania Travel Guide - Old Town, harbour and beaches
- Where to Stay in Chania - areas and hotel types
- Greece Car Rental Guide - insurance and driving rules
- Getting Around Greece - domestic flights, ferries and buses
Plan Your Trip
✈️ Book your flights to Greece 🛡️ Get travel insurance 📱 Stay connected with an eSIM 🚗 Rent a car