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How to get from Heraklion Airport to City

Heraklion International Airport is the largest and most important of the airports in Crete. Heraklion Airport is situated only 5 km away from the city of Heraklion, so the journey takes just 10 minutes in good traffic conditions.

To get from Heraklion Airport to the city centre, you have 3 transfer options; taxi, private transfer or bus. Taking a taxi or private transfer is the quickest option, as the service is door-to-door. The journey will take just 10 minutes and cost you approximately €19. Taking a bus is much cheaper, with tickets costing just €2. However, services can get quite crowded during the high season, so expect longer waiting times if you’re heading there during the summer.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Crete at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups €19 10min 24/7 Book
Book
Taxi €19 10min 24/7
Bus €4 15min 06:00–23:00

How to get from Heraklion Airport to the city centre by taxi

Taking a taxi from Heraklion Airport to the city centre of Heraklion is the easiest and quickest transfer option. There is a flat-rate fee of €19 to anywhere within the city centre ring and the journey takes just 10 minutes in light traffic.

Taxi fare from Heraklion Airport to the city centre

Heraklion taxis use a taximeter, however, taxis from the airport are charged at a flat-rate based on zones. If your final destination is within the city centre ring of Heraklion, then the fare will be €19. However, additional fees may be applied for things like excess luggage, travelling during major holidays, number of passengers and vehicle type.

If you’d rather book your taxi ahead of time and secure a fixed fare with no hidden fees, reserve your Heraklion Airport transfer in advance with Welcome Pickups. 

Cost

€19

Trip Duration

10 Min

There may be up to a 10 minute waiting time for a taxi.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 from Heraklion Airport.

Where do I get it from?

As soon as you step out of the arrivals terminal at Crete Heraklion Airport, you will see the taxi rank right in front of you. The grey/silver cars will be lined up with bright ‘TAXI’ signs on top the roofs.

Convenience

After a long flight, all you want to do is get to your accommodation and relax, and the quickest way to do this is by taxi. The driver will pick you up from the airport and drop you off directly at your door in just 10 minutes.

Editor’s Note

Crete Heraklion Airport is so close to the city centre, that it's worth that extra convenience of just hopping into a taxi and arriving in the shortest amount of time. However, if you are on a budget, alternative transport is recommended.

Useful Tips

Most taxi drivers in Crete speak English, but some don't. Have your destination written down just in case.
Be sure to carry cash, most drivers don't accept card payments.
Let your driver know that you are aware of the base fare.
Taxis at Heraklion Airport are grey/silver coloured.

How to get from Heraklion Airport to the city centre by bus

Taking a bus from Heraklion Airport to the city centre isn’t the most convenient option, but it’s definitely the cheapest. There isn’t a bus stop directly inside the airport grounds, so you will have to walk a little to the main road to catch one.

There are a few KTEL bus lines connecting Crete Heraklion Airport to the city; 6, 11 and 12 are the most popular choices. As a general rule, keep an eye out for the blue urban KTEL buses, all of these services head to stops throughout the city centre with journey times of around 10-15 minutes.

How much is a bus from Heraklion Airport to the city centre?

A one-way ticket for the bus from Heraklion Airport to the city centre will cost you €2 if bought on board the bus. If you buy your tickets in advance or from a ticket booth, you’ll pay a discounted fare of €1.

Cost

€2

Trip Duration

15 Min

There is an average waiting time of 10 minutes.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Buses are available from 06:00 to 23:00.

Where do I get it from?

The stop for buses into the city centre isn’t inside the actual airport, it’s on the road just outside of the airport complex. You will need to head out of the arrivals terminal exit doors to your right and follow the side of the airport until you see the main road in front of you. Turn left onto the main road and you’ll see the bus stop a few metres ahead of you.

Convenience

Although cheap, taking a bus from Heraklion Airport to the city centre isn’t a very convenient transfer option. There is no bus stop inside Heraklion Airport, so you will need to carry all your luggage out onto the main ring road to catch a bus. Plus, in high season, you can expect to be greeted by long queues at the stop. Lastly, if you arrive later at night, your only option is to take a taxi or private transfer.

Editor’s Note

If you are looking for a cheap and fairly quick way of getting to the city centre from Heraklion Airport, then taking the public bus may be a good transfer option for you. However, if you arrive outside of operating hours, you will need to find another mode of transport.

Useful Tips

The blue buses head to the city of Heraklion, the Green buses connect Heraklion to other cities.
Carry cash with you as most bus drivers can't accept card payments.
Be sure to keep an eye on your belongings while on the bus.
You can pay the driver before you get on the bus.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Crete. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

Read more

Prices

DAYTIME
€16
NIGHTTIME
€16
Same price as a regular taxi from the line

PRICES FOR

Sedan Car

4 pax, 4 pieces of luggage

Book Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

  • 20 minute gap between transfers

  • Regular Car Sanitisation

  • Contactless ride

  • Sanitiser in every car

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Frequently asked questions

What's the distance from Heraklion Airport to the city center?

Crete Heraklion Airport is very close to the city centre, situated just 5 km away. It shouldn’t take you longer than 10-15 minutes by car or taxi, if the traffic is light.

How much is taxi from Heraklion Airport to the city centre?

Heraklion taxis use a taximeter, however, routes from the airport to the city are charged fixed fares. Extra charges may be applied for things like excess luggage, travelling during major holidays and vehicle type. Nevertheless, you’ll pay about €19 for a taxi from Heraklion Airport to the city centre.

If you’d prefer a guaranteed fixed fare with no hidden fees, book your Heraklion Airport transfer in advance with Welcome Pickups.

Is there a bus from Heraklion Airport to the city centre?

Yes, there are numerous bus lines connecting Heraklion Airport to the city centre of Heraklion and it’s a great budget-friendly choice. Keep an eye out for the blue urban KTEL buses, all of these services head to stops throughout the city centre and take around 10-15 minutes to get there.

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