Car Rental at Crete Airport Heraklion

Airport travel guide

The main city on Crete, Heraklion is a great destination to visit. Home to ancient sites, interesting museums, and splendid beaches, it packs a surprisingly diverse array of attractions. Heraklion can also serve as a hub for exploring the rest of Crete, especially the eastern part of the island. Here are five of its most interesting attractions:

• Palace of Knossos. Sometimes called Europe’s oldest city, the Palace of Knossos was a political and sacred center of the Minoan civilization. Predating even the Ancient Greeks, little is known about this fascinating culture, so the archaeological site with its remaining frescoes and chambers offers a fascinating insight into their lives. According to legend, Knossos was also where the labyrinth of the Minotaur was located. The palace is located about 5 km (3 miles) south of the center of modern Heraklion center and can be reached by car in about ten minutes.
• Archaeological Museum. Another place to see the historic marvels of Crete, the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion is one of the most impressive in all of Greece. In addition to the ancient artifacts on display, there’s also a relatively more recent collection from the island’s Roman period.
• Koules. Although much more recent, the Koules Fortress is another symbol of Heraklion and Crete. While research suggests it might have first been fortified during the 9th century when the island was a Muslim emirate, the fort acquired its present, well-known form during the period of Venetian rule in the 16th century. Having protected the city during numerous fights and sieges, the fortress symbolizes the resilience of Cretans.
• Rethymno. Located roughly halfway between Heraklion and Chania, the two largest cities of Crete, little Rethymno is a great destination for a day trip. Retaining much of its historical architecture, including its beautiful old town, the town has a special atmosphere, and the beaches are usually less busy than those around Heraklion. The trip from Heraklion to Rethymno takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes by car.
• Samaria Gorge. Samaria Gorge. It is not an easy trip by any means - the drive from Heraklion takes about three hours one way - but Samaria Gorge is hands down the most stunning natural attraction on the island. Whether you hike all the way along the river or just enjoy the views from the top, the stunning canyon should be visited at least once. Splitting this trip into (at least) two days makes good sense, and there are plenty of lodging options in the area.
• Monastery of Agarathos. The oldest Orthodox monastery in the Heraklion area is also one of the oldest across all of Crete. Situated close to the quaint village of Sgourokefali, the monastery's isolated setting adds to the attraction. Surrounded by beautiful courtyards, gardens, and olive groves where the monks produce oil,  the site is picture-perfect. The monastery is also fully functioning and offers a more "authentic" look at monastic life than can be obtained in the central Heraklion monasteries.

Top international routes

• Athens
• London
• Düsseldorf
• Tel Aviv
• Frankfurt
• Munich
• Zürich
• Vienna
• Amsterdam
• Stuttgart

Main airlines

Aegean Airlines, Ellinair, Germania, Nordwind Airlines, TUI Airways, and Jet2.com

Terminals

A single passenger terminal serves both local and international flights.

Location

Heraklion Airport is about 5 km (3 miles) from the city center. Leof Ikarou is the main street connecting the airport to the city.

Most popular types of rental car

• Small cars - from $17 per day
• Medium cars - from $19 per day
• Large cars - from $25 per day
• SUVs - from $24 per day
• Convertibles - from $42 per day
• Vans - from $69 per day
• Station wagons - from $47 per day
• Premium cars - from $78 per day

Car rental desks

You’ll find most of the rental suppliers in the arrivals hall.

Services and facilities

There are many snack bars, a restaurant, two duty-free shops, several ATMs, and baby changing facilities. The luggage storage office is located in the airport’s car park.

Nearest gas station

There is a BP gas station located at Ikarou Ave 115. It’s on the way to the city, open 24/7, and can be reached in less than two minutes. Other gas stations near the airport are Envirol Gas Station in Karterou 4 and EKO in Leof. Ikaroi 76 in the direction of the port and city.

In the other direction towards Boufos beach, there is a Shell station at Agiou Alexandrou 5 (on Highway 90).

Popular one-way rentals

• Agios Nikolaos (62 km / 38 mi). Located on the northeastern coast of the island, Agios Nikolaos is one of the most popular tourist destinations on Crete. Thousands of travelers come here every year to enjoy its nice beaches, quaint surrounding villages, and nearby islands that can be easily reached by boat.
• Chania (142 km / 88 mi). The other large city of Crete, Chania has plenty of sites to visit and things to do. Some of the highlights are the well-preserved Etz Hayyim Synagogue, the Archaeological Museum, the old Venetian port, and some of the best restaurants on the island.
• Hersonissos (25 km / 15 mi). A small city located roughly halfway between Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos, Hersonissos is a classic coastal party town — come summer, its long and built-up coastal strip will be full of beach bars, restaurants, and impromptu celebrations.
• Ierapetra (96 km / 59 mi). Another beach city, but with a much more relaxed vibe, Ierapetra and the surrounding southeastern coast is a great destination for a day trip. The town is often claimed to be the warmest place in Europe and is nearly equidistant from three countries on three continents: mainland Greece (Europe), Turkey (Asia), and Libya (Africa). In addition to beautiful beaches, the town is also home to a nearby donkey sanctuary.
• Ierapetra (96 km / 59 mi). Another beach city, but with a much more relaxed vibe, Ierapetra and the surrounding southeastern coast is a great destination for a day trip. The town is often claimed to be the warmest place in Europe and is nearly equidistant from three countries on three continents: mainland Greece (Europe), Turkey (Asia), and Libya (Africa). In addition to beautiful beaches, the town is also home to a nearby donkey sanctuary.