Heraklion Airport Transfers and Taxis (HER)
Heraklion airport (HER) is the main gateway to central and eastern Crete, close to resorts such as Hersonissos, Malia and Agios Nikolaos. From arrivals you can take a private transfer, a shared shuttle, an airport taxi or the city bus. This guide covers the options, taxi fares and transfer times to the main resorts.
- Airport
- Heraklion (HER)
- Serves
- Central & east Crete
- Taxi
- Regulated zone fare
- Bus
- Line 1 to town
Transfers and taxis from Heraklion airport
Heraklion airport (HER), named after Nikos Kazantzakis, sits just east of the city and serves central and eastern Crete. From arrivals you can take a pre-booked private transfer straight to your hotel, share a shuttle with other travellers, or pick up a licensed taxi at the rank. Taxis charge a regulated fare to set zones, with an airport pickup fee and a small charge per large bag.
A private transfer is the easiest with luggage or children, because the driver meets you and the price is fixed in advance. The airport is a short drive from the city, so a taxi into Heraklion town is quick and inexpensive.
Transfers to the main resorts
Heraklion airport is the closest airport for the busy central and eastern resorts. The table below shows the rough distance and how long a direct transfer takes to the most popular ones.
| Resort | Approx distance | Typical transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Hersonissos | around 25 km | 25 to 35 minutes |
| Stalis and Malia | around 30 to 35 km | 30 to 40 minutes |
| Agios Nikolaos | around 65 km | about 1 hour |
| Elounda | around 72 km | about 1 hour 10 |
| Rethymno | around 80 km | about 1 hour 15 |
| Chania | around 140 km | about 2 hours 15 |
The bus from Heraklion airport
City bus line 1 runs between Heraklion airport and the central bus stations in Heraklion town every 15 to 30 minutes, and it is the cheapest way into the city. For resorts to the east you change at the KTEL bus station for a coach along the coast. To tour the island, compare a hire car instead.
