What to expect when you land at HER
Heraklion is an apron airport: few flights use air bridges, so you usually walk down the stairs and take a bus to the terminal. Arriving from a Schengen country (most of the EU, Switzerland, Norway), you go straight to baggage reclaim. From the UK, Israel or other non-Schengen countries, you pass passport control first. Since the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) started in October 2025, first-time non-EU visitors give fingerprints and a photo at the booth, which adds minutes when three flights land together.
The live board above shows the scheduled and estimated time of every flight. On summer evenings, delays of 20–60 minutes are common because Heraklion handles more flights than its single runway and old terminal were built for, so check the board before leaving for the airport to collect someone. Flying home later? The departures board and timing guide covers the return.
Inside the Heraklion Airport arrivals hall
The arrivals hall is small and functional. Before the exit doors marked “Exit to Heraklion” you will find:
- Baggage belts and the lost-luggage desks of the handling companies, inside the baggage hall: report a missing bag here, before you walk out.
- ATMs: use a bank ATM and decline the “conversion” offered on screen; pay in euros.
- Car rental desks for the big brands, plus meet-and-greet reps outside (car rental guide).
- A kiosk for water, snacks and SIM top-ups, and free wifi.
There is no real food court landside. If you are hungry, eat in town: Heraklion is 15 minutes away. More on airport services.
From arrivals to your hotel: every option
| Option | Where | To the city | To Hersonissos | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-booked transfer | Driver at the exit doors | from ~€25 | from ~€45 | 24/7, waits if delayed |
| Taxi | Rank straight ahead | €20–25 | €40–55 | 24/7 |
| City bus | Stop on the left | €1.30–2.30 | — | ~06:00–23:00 |
| KTEL coach | Airport stop / city station | — | a few euros | Daytime |
| Rental car | Desks / car park opposite | Daily rate + fuel | Office hours or out-of-hours fee | |
Prices checked October 2026. Full comparison on Heraklion Airport transfers and fares by resort on the taxi page.
Lost or delayed luggage
If your suitcase does not appear, stay in the baggage hall and go to your airline’s handling desk before you pass the exit doors: once you are out, you cannot come back in. Fill in a Property Irregularity Report (PIR), keep the reference and your bag tag, and give the address of your hotel for delivery. Under EU rules the airline must reimburse reasonable essential purchases while you wait, so keep the receipts.
Arriving at night
Many charter flights land late in the evening. After about 11 pm the city buses stop and the KTEL coaches have finished hours earlier; the taxi rank works all night but the queue grows when several flights land together, and the night tariff applies after midnight. Late arrivals are where a pre-booked transfer pays off: the driver tracks the flight and waits, whatever time you come out.
Meeting someone at Heraklion arrivals
Check the live board, then add 20–40 minutes to the landing time for luggage (more for non-Schengen flights). Wait outside by the arrivals doors or in the small public area by the exit. Do not leave the car at the kerb: the drop-off lane is policed. Park for 20–30 minutes in the car park opposite the terminal instead; rates are on the parking page.
Busiest arrival times
| Period | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Summer weekends, 12:00–20:00 | Charter waves; 20–30 min taxi queue, slow passport control for UK flights |
| Summer evenings, 21:00–01:00 | Delays common; last buses gone; book a transfer |
| Weekday mornings | Quieter; quick exit, short queues |
| November–March | Mostly Athens flights; calm terminal, fewer buses |
Entry rules for non-EU travellers: EES and ETIAS
British, American, Canadian, Australian and other non-EU visitors are now registered in the EES at their first entry to the Schengen area: passport scan, fingerprints and a facial photo, valid for later trips. It replaces passport stamps. ETIAS, the online travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors, is planned to start after the EES is fully in place; check the official EU travel site before you fly rather than relying on older articles.