Heraklion Airport Transport — The Complete Guide

Getting to and from Heraklion International Airport “Nikos Kazantzakis” (HER) is quick because the airport is only about 5 km east of the city centre. Your main options are the public KTEL bus, a taxi, a pre-booked private transfer, or a hire car. There is no train or metro on Crete, so those four cover every trip. Here is how each works, what it costs, and when to choose it.

How do I get from Heraklion Airport to the city centre?

The fastest cheap option is the public bus, which reaches the central bus station in about 15–20 minutes for a couple of euros. A taxi does the same trip in 10–15 minutes for around €20–€25 by day. A pre-booked transfer costs a fixed price and waits for you at arrivals. A hire car makes sense if you plan to explore the island.

Public bus (KTEL)

Heraklion’s city buses are run by KTEL in full-size, air-conditioned blue coaches. Several lines — commonly numbers 6, 11 and 12 — link the airport with the central bus station near the old port, stopping along the way. It is the cheapest way into town.

Fare: around €1.20–€2.00 for a single, bought on board from the driver
Payment: cash in euros; keep small change ready
Frequency: roughly every 10–15 minutes in the daytime
Hours: from about 05:30 until around midnight
Journey time: 15–20 minutes to the central bus station

The bus stop is directly opposite the main terminal exit, under a shelter with clear signs. See our dedicated airport-to-city-centre bus guide for the current stops and timetable.

Tickets and luggage on the bus

Buy your ticket from the driver as you board and keep it until you get off in case of a check. Large suitcases go in the luggage hold on the side of the coach; keep smaller bags with you. In peak summer the buses can be busy, so allow for standing room at the tail end of the day and hold small change ready to speed up boarding.

Taxi

Licensed taxis wait outside arrivals whenever flights land. The ride into central Heraklion takes 10–15 minutes in normal traffic. Expect roughly €20–€25 during the day and a little more, around €25–€30, at night (00:00–05:00) and on public holidays.

Fares are metered; ask for an estimate before setting off and confirm the driver is using the meter. For longer trips to the resorts, agree the price first. More detail is on our airport taxi page.

Private airport transfer

A pre-booked transfer is the easiest door-to-door option, especially with a family, lots of luggage, or a late arrival. The price is fixed when you book, a driver meets you in arrivals with a name board, and there is no queue or fare negotiation. It is worth comparing against a taxi for groups, where the per-person cost can be lower. See the private transfer guide or our shuttle options.

How far is the airport from the main resorts?

Crete is a big island, so your transfer time depends heavily on where you are staying. These are approximate road distances and driving times from HER in normal traffic:

Heraklion city centre: ~5 km, 10–20 min
Hersonissos: ~25 km, 25–35 min
Malia: ~35 km, 35–45 min
Agios Nikolaos: ~65 km, about 1 hour
Rethymno: ~80 km, around 1 hour 15 min
Chania: ~140 km, around 2 hours 15 min

Summer traffic on the coastal road adds time, especially in the afternoons, so give yourself a buffer for the return trip to the airport.

Buses to Chania, Rethymno and Agios Nikolaos

Crete’s intercity KTEL network links Heraklion with the rest of the island. In most cases you first reach Heraklion’s main bus station (by city bus or taxi from the airport) and change to a long-distance coach for Rethymno, Chania, Agios Nikolaos, or the southern coast. Coaches are comfortable and run frequently in summer.

If your final stop is western Crete, note that Chania has its own airport (CHQ); depending on your flight, that may be closer to your destination than flying into Heraklion.

Car rental

Because Crete is large and many beaches and villages are hard to reach by bus, renting a car at the airport is popular. Rental desks are inside the terminal and pick-up is quick. If you are driving, our parking guide covers rates and where to leave a car at HER.

Arriving late at night

City buses stop running around midnight, so for a very late arrival your realistic choices are a taxi or a pre-booked transfer. Both operate through the night; a transfer has the advantage that your driver is already waiting, which is reassuring after a delayed flight or with tired children.

Accessibility

Many KTEL city coaches are low-floor and can take a wheelchair, though this is not guaranteed on every departure. If step-free travel is essential, a taxi or a pre-booked transfer with a suitable vehicle is the more reliable choice.

Is there a train or metro to Heraklion Airport?

No. Crete has no railway or metro, so the airport is not served by train. Every transfer into the city or across the island is by road — bus, taxi, transfer, or car. Anyone expecting a metro line is thinking of a different airport; at HER, the bus is the equivalent budget option.

Which option should you choose?

On a budget, light luggage: the KTEL bus
Fast and direct, small group: a taxi
Families, late flights, fixed price: a pre-booked transfer
Exploring the island: a hire car

Frequently asked questions

How much is the bus from Heraklion Airport to the city?
Around €1.20–€2.00 for a single ticket, paid in cash to the driver on board.

How long does it take to get to the city centre?
About 15–20 minutes by bus and 10–15 minutes by taxi, traffic permitting.

Where do I catch the bus?
At the shelter directly opposite the main terminal exit.

Can I pay the bus fare by card?
Bring cash in euros; drivers generally take cash only, so have small change ready.

How do I get to Chania or Rethymno?
Take a city bus or taxi to Heraklion’s main bus station, then a KTEL intercity coach; Chania is around 2 hours away by road.