Car Hire at Crete Airport Heraklion

Airport travel guide

Birthplace of some of the earliest civilizations of mankind and home to more than 1,000 km (620 miles) of coastline, Crete attracts thousands of British tourists every year. Whether you go for the island’s cultured capital, Heraklion; Ancient Greek sites; or those spectacular beaches, you’re likely to find what you came for. Here’s our pick of destinations in Heraklion and the eastern part of the island:

• Knossos. More than two thousand years ago, the Greek mainland and islands, including Crete, were inhabited by peoples and civilizations known to us as the Ancient Greeks. But mysterious and ancient to them were the first inhabitants of Knossos who first settled there about 7,000 years ago. Often called Europe’s first city, Knossos is nowadays an architectural site open to tourists who can take a glimpse into the life that once thrived there. Located just 5 km (3.1 miles) south of the center of Heraklion and easily reached by car, Knossos is not to be missed. Even better, a ticket for the Palace of Knossos also lets you visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum.
• Cretaquarium. One of the largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea, Crete is characterized not only by its history and culture but also the water life that surrounds it. The best place to learn about it is Cretaquarium, a public aquarium and marine life research centre in the nearby town of Hernassinos. The aquarium is home to species that once inspired legends among the sailors, such as stingrays, red scorpionfish, and sand tiger sharks. Only 18 km (12 miles) east of Heraklion, Cretaquarium can be reached in about 20 minutes by car.
• Sitia. With many famous beach towns and resorts on the northern coast of Crete, little Sitia might fly under the international tourists’ radar. But those who come to this simple, quaint beach town will find not only a more relaxed pace of life and picturesque waterfront but also Vai, the largest palm forest in Europe. Go on a stroll on one of its paths and you might find a picturesque, nearly empty beach at the end. Located about 130 km (80 miles) east of Heraklion, Sitia can be reached in two hours by car.
• Mountains. Although the island of Crete is only about 50 km (32 miles) wide — and significantly less in some places — the island is home to some really impressive mountains. The highest peak in the eastern part of the island is Skathi at 2,148 m (7,050 ft), nearly matched by the nearby Psari Madara and Lazaros mountains. Whether you decide to go on an epic climb to reach the summit of one of these often-snow capped peaks or take a more relaxed hike in the plateau, the fresh mountain air and spectacular views are not going to disappoint. Psychro Cave, a good starting point and a tourist attraction where, according to a myth, infant Zeus was fed goat milk, is 60 km (37 miles) from Heraklion and can be reached in about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Top international routes

• Athens
• Düsseldorf
• London
• Munich
• Zürich
• Frankfurt
• Tel Aviv
• Paris
• Manchester
• Brussels

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

The 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 hire car

• Small cars - starting at £3 per day
• Medium cars - starting at £3 per day
• Large cars - starting at £5 per day
• SUVs - starting at £7 per day
• Convertibles - starting at £17 per day
• People Carriers - starting at £24 per day
• Station wagons - starting at £19 per day
• Premium cars - starting at £39 per day

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 petrol station

BP gas station is located at 115 Ikarou Ave. It’s on the way to the city, open 24/7, and can be reached in less than two minutes. There are other gas stations near the airport.

Popular one-way hires

• Chania (142 km / 88 miles)
• Malia (33 km / 21 miles)