Chania or Heraklion Airport: which is better for your trip?
Fly into the airport at your end of the island. Heraklion (HER) for Heraklion, Hersonissos, Malia, Agios Nikolaos and Elounda; Chania (CHQ) for Chania, Platanias, Kissamos, Balos and Elafonisi. Rethymno is in the middle: take whichever flight is cheaper.
Chania or Heraklion Airport by destination
| Where you stay | From Heraklion (HER) | From Chania (CHQ) | Fly into |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hersonissos / Malia | 25–40 min | about 2 h 30 | HER |
| Agios Nikolaos / Elounda | 50–75 min | about 3 h | HER |
| Rethymno | 70–80 min | about 1 h | Either |
| Chania town | about 2 h | 20–25 min | CHQ |
| Kissamos / Balos / Falassarna | 2 h 30+ | about 1 h | CHQ |
Which airport is better, Chania or Heraklion?
As an airport, Chania is calmer and has a more modern feel; Heraklion is busier and older but has more flights, more airlines and more routes in the shoulder season. If both airports have a direct flight from your city, choose by where you sleep. If only Heraklion does, it is fine to land there and drive west: the national road is easy, if slow in stretches, and you can stop in Rethymno on the way.
How to get from Chania to Heraklion Airport
By car, about 2 hours on the national road (EO90/VOAK); allow more in summer. By KTEL coach, Chania to Heraklion bus station takes 2½–3 hours for about €14, then a city bus or taxi to the airport, so leave plenty of margin before a flight. A private transfer from Chania to Heraklion Airport costs roughly €150–220 for the car. Details in our Heraklion Airport to Chania guide.
How to get from Heraklion to Chania airport
The same road, the other way: drive or take the KTEL to Chania bus station, then the local bus or a taxi to the airport on the Akrotiri peninsula (about 20–25 minutes). Open-jaw tickets (land at HER, leave from CHQ) are a great way to cross the island without backtracking; most rental firms allow one-way rentals between the two airports for a fee.
Sources and official links
Frequently asked questions
Which airport is better, Chania or Heraklion?
The one closer to your hotel. Heraklion for central and eastern Crete; Chania for the west. Heraklion has more flights.
How far is Chania from Heraklion Airport?
About 140–150 km, roughly 2 hours by car.
How do I get from Chania to Heraklion Airport?
By car or transfer in about 2 hours, or by KTEL coach to Heraklion (about €14) then a taxi or city bus to the airport.
Can I fly into Heraklion and out of Chania?
Yes, and it is a good way to see the island. Check the one-way fee if you rent a car.
Landing at Heraklion and staying west?
Book a fixed-price transfer to Rethymno or Chania.
Book a transferRead more
HER and LGIR: Heraklion Airport codes explained
HER on your ticket, LGIR on flight trackers: what each code means and the codes of Chania and Sitia.
Read more →
Nikos Kazantzakis Airport: the writer behind Heraklion Airport’s name
The author of Zorba the Greek, born in Heraklion in 1883, and the reason his name is on Crete’s main airport.
Read more →
How early to arrive at Heraklion Airport
Two hours for Schengen, up to three for UK flights in summer: the real queue times and the busiest days at HER.
Read more →