Car Hire Crete Heraklion Airport

Crete Airport Mini Guide

Brief introduction to the Airport
Crete – Iraklion Airport, otherwise known as Nikos Kazantzakis Airport was opened in 1971 and has been extended and renovated since. It’s the second busiest airport in Greece and last year handled over 4.9 million passengers. It’s easily accessed by the E75 motorway or Ikarou, the main road into Irakion. The airport is only 5kms from the town centre and has plenty of short and long term parking. Short term is found right outside the terminal building whilst long term parking is a little distance away. If possible, drop off passengers and luggage before finding your long term parking.

Options to get there
Crete is Greece’s biggest island and a popular holiday destination. 59 airlines, scheduled and chartered, operate in and out of the airport, many of them only seasonal. The year-round routes tend to be to domestic destinations or to and from major European cities.

How to get to your next destination
No trains operate on Crete so hire car, taxi or bus are the only options for travelling on to your destination. The hire car companies’ desks are easily found in the arrivals hall of the airport. If possible, send a member of your group through to queue or you may find yourself waiting for up to an hour to collect a car. Pre-booking a hire car will also help speed up your wait as well as ensure that the car of your choice is available. Buses run frequently from the stop outside the arrivals part of the terminal to many destinations in Iraklion. From the central bus station, other destinations across the island can be accessed. Taxis are also available but we would recommend that you agree a price in advance of your journey.

Help and information
The airport information desk can be found near the baggage reclaim. If you have lost luggage in transit you should report it here as there is no dedicated lost luggage desk.

Airport facilities
There is a branch of Commercial Bank in the terminal together with a single ATM. A branch of Acropol Exchange also operates there offering foreign exchange facilities. Shopping at Kapodistrias Airport is quite poor, consisting of the ubiquitous duty free outlet offering alcohol, tobacco products, perfumery and gifts. There is a small kiosk there selling newspapers and sweets but beyond this there is nothing else. Eating out at the airport is also limited with only a café serving sandwiches, hot and cold drinks and alcohol.

The airport has a first aid facility with accompanying trained first aiders. Wi-Fi on a pay per use basis is available in the airport terminal.

Extra assistance for passengers
Passengers with reduced mobility should make themselves known to the information desk upon arrival. A dedicated member of staff will then take you through the procedures leaving you only when you board the plane. General assistance is available for all disabled travellers but it is recommended that you inform your airline before travelling so that necessary steps can be taken to assist you. The airport conforms to EU law on disability provision.

Crete Heraklion Airport is incredibly busy and everyone wants to get on their way to their resort as soon as possible. Many people pre-book a hire car from there and are soon at their resorts relaxing, ready to take in the sights of the island which include the fabulous Palace of Knossos and the charming town of Chania.

Pride of place in any itinerary must be the Samaria Gorge, probably one of the most incredible places on earth. Drive to the start of the gorge and walk its staggering scenery before getting a taxi back to your vehicle.