If you are arriving in Crete by plane, this information about transfers from Heraklion Airport by taxi and bus is a must read before you go.
Heraklion Airport Transfers
After arriving at Heraklion Airport in Crete, you have a number of options when it comes to transfers to your hotel.
One popular choice is to hire a car at Heraklion airport, which is ideal for people who want access to their own transport or are even planning a road trip around Crete.
Driving in Crete isn't for everyone though, as Cretan driving can be a nerve-racking experience for the uninitiated! Instead taking a bus or taxi to the hotel is better.
Pre-Book Reliable Airport Taxis Services
If you're visiting this page looking for a reliable airport taxi service, my number one recommendation is Welcome Taxis. You can pre-book them online, taking all the hassle on arrival of trying to find transport to your hotel in Crete.
Instead of joining a queue, a driver will be waiting for you with your name on a board. It doesn't get much simpler than that!
** Take a look at their transfer services here – Welcome Taxis Heraklion Airport **
It's no more expensive than taking a taxi from the airport queue, and will save you a lot of time and frustration. If you've just arrived in Crete after a series of long flights, pre-booking your Heraklion taxi makes perfect sense.
Regular Airport Taxi
There's no Uber, Grab or similar ride service in Crete, so your next choice is to take a regular taxi from the queue outside the airport.
During peak season, the waiting time in the queue for a taxi can be quite long. It's quite common for people to share taxis either by choice or the driver may ‘recommend'.
Theoretically, sharing a taxi will reduce the cost of the ride if this happens to you. The flip side, is you might not go directly from the airport to your hotel.
Keep in mind that taxi prices double between 00.00 and 05.00 in the morning (also applies to pre-booked taxis in Crete).
Shared Mini-Bus
From time to time, shared mini-bus services operate out of Heraklion. They normally serve the most popular destinations and hotels in Crete.
Information on shared shuttle bus services at Crete airport is limited, so you would need to see if one is available on arrival.
Heraklion Airport Bus
The public transport options from Heraklion Airport are limited to the city bus. The service runs from the airport terminal (there's only one), and into the main bus station on Port Avenue, Heraklion.
The Heraklion Airport bus is the cheapest option to get around, and at the main station you can take connecting buses to other parts of Crete.
The trade-off is that journeys take longer, it's more awkward travelling with luggage, and there may be waiting time between each bus.
Related: Do you need to rent a car in Heraklion?
Hotel Pickup
For some people, getting from the airport at Heraklion to their hotel isn't even an issue. Some hotels will offer a free or ‘extra' service to do this for you.
When booking your hotel in Crete, it's worth seeing if they offer an airport transfer service.
You should note that if it is not totally free, the extra charge for the airport pickup may not be at a competitive rate. You would most likely be better using the Welcome Taxis service.
** Take a look at their transfer services here – Welcome Taxis Heraklion Airport **
Popular Destinations in Crete
There are numerous transfer services to choose from leaving from the international airport at Heraklion and going to popular destinations in Crete. I've tried to cover the main destinations below.
Transfers from Heraklion Airport to City Centre
Bus: The cheapest option is to take the bus for around 2 euro, and buses run approximately every 15 minutes between the hours of 06.00 and 00.00.
There is only one bus terminal at the airport, so follow the signs. The journey into Heraklion centre takes around 35 minutes, and terminates at the main bus station, sometimes referred to as Bus Station A which is on Port Avenue.
From here, you can take more buses to other parts of Crete, or walk to your hotel. Taxis from the bus station may be cheaper than from the airport (if you can find one!).
Taxi: The taxi ride from the airport to Heraklion city centre takes about 15 minutes depending on traffic and hotel loactaion. Take one from the queue, or pre-book a taxi here – Airport to city center.
Transfers from Heraklion Airport to Stalis
Taxi: It takes about 30 minutes to get from Heraklion Airport to Stalis by taxi. Take one from the queue, or pre-book a taxi here – Airport to Stalis.
Transfers from Heraklion Airport to Rethymnon
Taxi: The taxi ride from the airport to Rethymnon city takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes. Take one from the queue, or pre-book a taxi here – Airport to Rethymnon.
Transfers from Heraklion Airport to Chania
Taxi: It's a long taxi ride from Heraklion Airport to Chania, taking a little over 2 hours. Take one from the queue, or pre-book a taxi here – Airport to Chania.
Transfers from Heraklion Airport to Agios Nikolaos
Taxi: It can take around an hour to get from Heraklion Airport to Agios Nikolaos by taxi. Take one from the queue, or pre-book a taxi here – Airport to Agios Nikolaos.
Transfers from Heraklion Airport to Elounda
Taxi: The taxi ride from the airport to Elounda takes about 60 minutes. Take one from the queue, or pre-book a taxi here – Airport to Elounda.
Transfers from Heraklion Airport to Hersonissos
Taxi: A taxi from Heraklion Airport to Hersonissos takes around 25 minutes depending on traffic. Take one from the queue, or pre-book a taxi here – Airport to Hersonissos.
Transfers from Heraklion Airport to Gouves
Taxi: The journey by taxi to Gouves from Heraklion Airport takes around 25 minutes Take one from the queue, or pre-book a taxi here – Airport to Gouves.
Transfers from Heraklion Airport to Malia
Taxi: The transfer from Heraklion Airport to Malia by taxi takes just over half an hour. Take one from the queue, or pre-book a taxi here – Airport to Malia.
Transfers from Heraklion Airport to Koutouloufari
Taxi: The taxi ride to Koutouloufari from the international airport takes around half an hour. Take one from the queue, or pre-book a taxi here – Airport to Koutouloufari.
Transfers from Heraklion Airport to Plakias
Taxi: The quickest route to Plakias from the airport at Heraklion takes just under two hours. Take one from the queue, or pre-book a taxi here – Airport to Plakias.
Fun Read: Airport Instagram Captions
Hotels near Heraklion Airport
If you would like to stay somewhere near Heraklion Airport for the night because you have a late flight arrival or an early departure time, the following hotels might appeal.
Use the map for Heraklion airport hotels below to zoom in and out, and find what's best.
Booking.com
FAQ About Leaving Crete Heraklion Airport
Readers who plan to land at Heraklion on the island of Crete, and want to know how to get to Chania, Rethymno and other places often ask question similar to:
How do I get from Heraklion airport to Rethymnon?
You can either take a bus, taxi transfer or private transfer to Rethymnon from the airport at Heraklion.
How far is Rethymnon from Heraklion?
The distance between Heraklion Airport and Rethymno is 80 km. Using the bus takes around 2 hours and 39 minutes, whereas using a taxi takes about an hour.
Which airport is closest to Rethymnon?
The nearest airport to Rethymno is Chania Airport, which is 36.6 kilometers away. Heraklion Airport is roughly 80 kms away from Rethymnon.
How much is a taxi from Heraklion airport to Chania?
The price for a taxi ride between the airport at Heraklion and hotels in Chania can range from 150 to 200 Euros.
How much is a taxi from Heraklion airport to city Centre?
The quickest and easiest transfer from Heraklion airport to the city center of Heraklion is to take a taxi. There is a fixed fare of 20€ to any part of the city centre ring, and the trip will only take 10 minutes in good conditions.
Plan your trip to Crete
If you would like more information about planning a trip to Crete and the rest of Greece, sign up for my free guides below. You might also like to check out my travel guide to Crete.
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