Getting to Crete

Since Crete is an island, holidaymakers have no options for getting here by either road or rail and planes or ferries constitute the only modes of transportation available. Ferries from the mainland are cheaper than flights; however, crossings can be lengthy, with the vast majority of holidaymakers arriving in Crete by first flying to Athens and then taking a transfer flight to Heraklion Airport.

By bus

You can get to mainland Greece from various EU cities via the Eurolines bus service (www.eurolines.com) then take a ferry to Crete. Ferries run from Igoumenitsa and Patras on the mainland.

By air

Crete Heraklion Airport is the airport’s primary air gateway and is a small facility predominantly serving flights from mainland Greece. Direct flights from European countries are usually by charter carrier and operate in the summer months only. The airport has a single terminal with limited passenger facilities.

By ferry

Ferries to Crete are available from a number of destinations on mainland Greece and are operated by ANEK Lines and Minonan Lines. A service from Piraeus to Heraklion takes 9 hours on a standard vessel and 6 hours on a high-speed vessel, and crossings are operated by Minoan Lines.

ANEK Lines meanwhile provides crossings on the Piraeus to Chania route with a similar time of 9 hours by regular speed vessel and 4 hours, 45 minutes on a high-speed vessel. ANEK Lines also serves a route between  Piraeus and Rethymno. For more details visit the respective websites of each ferry company at: www.anek.gr/english/index.html and www.minoan.gr/index.asp?a_class=226.

Crete Heraklion Airport

Otherwise known as Nikos Kazantzakis Airport, Crete Heraklion Airport is located just five kilometres from the town of Heraklion in the Heraklion prefecture. Most visitors flying into the airport do so by transfer from Athens Airport on the mainland. Flights are served by either Aegean or Olympic Airways. Heraklion airport is basic at best and its passenger facilities are exceedingly restricted. A branch of the Commercial Bank of Greece is on hand plus a branch of Acropole Exchange for obtaining local currency. There are limited dining and shopping facilities as well as a single restaurant, duty-free shop and a general store.

Crete airport transportation

Ground transportation options are limited; a bus service provides the cheapest means of reaching Heraklion city and runs from outside the terminal, with services timed to coincide with flight arrivals and departures. The journey to the city takes 20 minutes and is very reasonably priced. Alternatively, you can take a taxi into Heraklion or to other popular destinations on the island. Visitors are advised to agree a price with drivers before embarking on their journey.

Car hire companies are also on hand at the airport for those wishing to rent a vehicle and make their own way to their onward destination. Many visitors will be relieved of the need to worry about ground transfers by the provision of a shuttle vehicle from the hotel with which they are booked to stay with.