Flights
GETTING TO CRETE
A guide to the best flights & connections in and out of season
WHICH AIRLINES FLY TO CRETE?
All six of us here at Rentavillacrete has been flying, driving and sailing to Crete since the late 1990s/early 2000s so we are the right people to ask about how to get there! In the early days, before the low-cost carriers identified Crete as a great place to holiday, we were catching red-eye flights from the UK to Athens and changing planes at silly-O'clock in the morning... with young children! Wow, how things have changed!
Today, the children have grown up and so has the flights market. There are plenty of direct flights to Chania, our nearest airport. (Heraklion used to be the only option, but it is a two hour drive away along the main National Road though this is easy to follow.) These days there is no need to fly to Heraklion (though if you get a bargain flight, it could be worth it). However, it is a good option if you wish to visit the Palace of Knossos, and works well if you want to visit this major archaeological site on your way home.
Currently Ryanair is top of our list of preferred airlines as they have convenient flights direct to Chania from Manchester, East Midlands, Leeds Bradford, Birmingham, Gatwick and Glasgow.
To compare flights, we recommend Skyscanner.net
probably the best independent flights data distribution site on the internet today.
If you are lucky, you may be entertained by the hugely impressive sight of the Greek Navy's fleet of F16 Fighter jets taking off from the airport runway. This is especially true at night where you'll witness the impressive display of their afterburners when taking off. However, a word of warning, DO NOT TAKE ANY PHOTOGRAPHS anywhere near the airport and especially not of any jets taking off or landing. It is a good way to see the inside of a Greek jail, and believe us when we say the Police will arrest you first and ask questions afterwards!
Flying to Chania (pronounced Hanyah)
This should be your first choice. The airport is only about 20km from Apokoronas area, the lovely 'white village' peninsular where you can find the popular villages of Kalyves, Almyrida, Gavalochory, Plaka, Kokkino Chorio and Kefalas where all our villas are located. Drive time from the airport to Almirida is about 35-40 minutes depending on traffic. Hire a car from Autoclub and it will be delivered to the airport for you. Taxis are abundant immediately outside the Arrivals hall. Some of our travellers feel more reasssured and more comfortable pre-booking a taxi but seriously, you never need to do this because at all hours of the day and night there is a steady queue of taxis waiting to pick up potential customers. (By pre-booking you are certainly guaranteed to pay more!). Fares are strictly regulated and prices to popular places such as Almyrida are displayed on a noticeboard outside the Arrivals hall so you should not be overcharged. Expect to pay 45-50 euros to Almirida. (Did you notice Almyrida can be spelled in different ways? Both are recognised.)
For Chania Airport information: https://www.chq-airport.gr/en/
For Taxi information: http://www.chaniataxi.gr/en/
Flying to Heraklion
Heraklion Airport is the biggest airport in Crete and there is usually a wider choice of flights and arrival/departure dates to and from major UK and European cities. However, it is at least a two hour drive away along the main National Road, though please don't be discouraged by this journey as it is very straightforward: simply take two right turns out of the Heraklion car park and you are on the National Road heading in the Chania direction. Two hours later, get off at the Kalyves exit and follow the driving instructions we send you. Alternatively you can get a taxi which currently costs about 140 euros one way to Almirida for a standard 4 passenger taxi cab.
For Heraklion Airport information: http://www.heraklionairport.net/ (Note the official airport site is a bit dull so we offer this much more useful alternative independent guide)
For Taxi information: click here
Flying to Crete via Athens
In winter (1 November to 31 March) this is the only option. There are no direct flights from the UK to Crete or from any other country at this time. You must fly via Athens.
The good news is that Ryanair, Olympic and Aegean Airlines offer flights to Chania (and many other places such as the Greek Islands). Ryanair flights start at 19.99 euros per person each way, but these cheap deals sell out fast so you have to be quick!
Athens Airport is now run by a German company called Frapport and they have steadily improved the facilities over the past few years. It is a good place to spend a few hours waiting for your connection as there are plenty of places to eat; from a MacDonalds (of course) on the 2nd Floor of Departures to the Italian Diner opposite called La Pasteria. Our favourite place to eat is the Food Village on 1st floor of Departures opposite bookseller/newsagent WH Smith, where you can get a variety of good quality self service food. The least expensive food here is the Pizza counter (so great for hungry families) which is right next to the most expensive, the freshly made Japanese Sushi counter. There is also a lovely fresh Salad Bar and a Traditional Greek Food Counter. If you want to charge your laptop or other devices look by the bottom of the full height windows and at the sides of the seating areas and you will see some electric sockets.
If you have time, it is perfectly possible to take the Metro outside the airport to central Athens for a quick visit to see the Acropolis and do a spot of shopping - get off the Metro at Monsateriaki station for the markets and the Acropolis or Syntagma Metro for the famous Greek Parliament buildings and changing of the guard.
For the latest up to date information on Athens Airport click here: https://www.aia.gr/traveler/