Getting to Crete: Flights, Ferries and Connections

Crete is the largest Greek island and one of the most accessible in the Mediterranean. In summer, dozens of international flights land directly; the rest of the year, Athens is the main hub connecting Crete to the world. Ferries from Piraeus are the slower but more scenic alternative, and a practical option if you want to bring a car or simply prefer not to fly.

By air

Heraklion Airport (HER)

Heraklion International Airport — officially named after Nikos Kazantzakis, the Cretan author of Zorba the Greek — is the busiest airport in Crete and the second-busiest in Greece after Athens. It sits 5km east of the city centre.

From Athens: Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air operate multiple daily flights year-round. Flight time is approximately 50–55 minutes. Prices vary widely — book in advance for the best fares, and check both airlines as schedules and prices differ.

Direct international flights: From late April through October, Heraklion receives direct flights from most major European cities, operated by carriers including Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air, Vueling, TUI, and full-service airlines. Common direct origins include London (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted), Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, Warsaw, Stockholm, and many others.

Getting into town from HER: Public bus (KTEL) runs into Heraklion city regularly for a low flat fare. Taxis are available — agree the fare before setting off as meters can be unreliable. The journey to the city centre takes 15–20 minutes depending on traffic.

Chania Airport (CHQ)

Chania’s airport (Ioannis Daskalogiannis) serves the western half of the island and is about 15km east of Chania city. It is smaller than Heraklion and less busy, but receives direct international charter and scheduled flights from many European cities during the summer season.

From Athens: Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air fly Athens–Chania year-round. Flight time is the same as to Heraklion, around 55 minutes.

International routes: Similar coverage to Heraklion in summer — London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and other major hubs — but with fewer daily flights and a shorter operating season for some routes.

Getting into Chania from CHQ: Public bus connects the airport to Chania city regularly. Taxis are available for the approximately 30-minute journey.

Sitia Airport (JSH)

Sitia in the far east of Crete has a small regional airport with domestic connections to Athens and occasional seasonal charter flights to European cities. If you are heading to the Lasithi region, it is worth checking whether flying into Sitia saves significant transfer time compared to Heraklion.

By ferry

The overnight ferry from Piraeus (Athens’ main port) is a classic way to arrive in Crete. You board in the evening, sleep on board, and wake up in Crete. With a cabin, it is genuinely comfortable.

Piraeus to Heraklion

The most frequent route. Multiple operators run it daily (sometimes twice daily in peak summer). Departure is typically around 21:00–22:00 from Piraeus; arrival in Heraklion is around 06:00–07:00.

Operators: ANEK Lines and Minoan Lines are the primary operators, though they have operated as a joint venture (Cretan Lines) in some recent years. Check both for schedules and current ticketing.

Ticket types:

• Deck class (tourist class): Seated accommodation in a lounge. Cheapest but not ideal for overnight travel.
• Cabin berth (4-berth cabin): Shared cabin — good value, adequate for a night.
• 2-berth or single cabin: More expensive but comfortable.

Vehicles: Cars, motorcycles, and bicycles can be taken on board. Book vehicle space well ahead for July–August.

Piraeus to Chania (Souda)

Ferries also run overnight from Piraeus to Souda, near Chania. The journey time is similar — around 8–9 hours. This is the more convenient option if you are heading to western Crete.

From other Greek islands

Ferry connections link Crete to various Aegean and Dodecanese islands. Santorini, Rhodes, Mykonos, Ios, and Paros are all reachable by ferry from Heraklion or other Cretan ports, though route availability and frequency vary considerably by season.

Rhodes to Heraklion: Services run via the Dodecanese islands, typically taking 10–14 hours depending on stops.

Santorini to Heraklion: High-speed catamarans run in summer (approximately 2 hours). Conventional ferries are slower.

Booking ferries

The main booking platforms are Ferryhopper, Greek Ferries, and the direct operator websites. For summer travel — especially if bringing a vehicle — book as early as possible.

Getting around once you arrive

Crete is 260km long, and public transport between towns is reasonable but limited to the main north-coast highway corridor. If you want to reach beaches, villages, or sites off the main road — which most of the best places are — a hire car is strongly recommended. International hire desks operate at both airports; local agencies in Heraklion and Chania are often cheaper.

KTEL buses connect the four main cities (Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno, Agios Nikolaos) regularly and cheaply, and reach some smaller towns. They do not serve most beach or mountain destinations.

Taxis are widely available in all towns. In rural areas, book ahead by phone if possible.