Flight deals from Heraklion, Greece

Why flights from Heraklion are a smart way to go

Heraklion is Crete’s main gateway and an easy springboard for trips across Greece and Europe. Heraklion International Airport is about 5 kilometers east of the city center, and in 2019 it handled over 8 million passengers, making it one of the busiest airports in Greece.

What makes Heraklion a handy launchpad for every trip

You get the best of both worlds here. Island life sets a laid back tone, yet flight options cover quick domestic hops and a wide range of seasonal links across Europe. That mix makes cheap flights from Heraklion attractive for weekend escapes, family holidays, and spur of the moment getaways. The airport’s compact layout keeps things simple, so moving from curb to gate is straightforward even in the summer rush.

Flexible routing and convenience

If you are flexible, you will find plenty of ways to tailor dates and routes, from short inter island jumps to longer journeys via major hubs, all from a convenient city side location.

Popular and trending destinations from Heraklion right now

From short island hops to major city breaks, flights from Heraklion cover a lot of ground. Timetables and carriers change with the season, so treat the examples below as subject to change.

Short island hops, seasonal favorites, and longer runs

Domestic staples include multiple daily flights to Athens at around 1 hour nonstop, plus island connections to Kos and Rhodes that usually take about 1 to 1.5 hours. These routes are popular for locals and visitors who want fast access to the mainland or to link up a multi island itinerary. Seasonal European favorites swing into action from late spring. Berlin is a typical example at roughly 3 hours nonstop on carriers like Ryanair, while London Gatwick clocks in near 4 hours nonstop. These sun bound routes are traveler picks for beach breaks, culture, and easy onward rail links, with schedules expanding from June to August.

City breaks and farther connections

Beyond Europe, you can reach further afield by connecting through regional hubs such as Athens, Vienna, or Zurich. Total travel times to long haul destinations vary widely, often starting around 13 to 15 hours including layovers, subject to change. City break fans also favor Tel Aviv for a short hop from Heraklion when seasonal flights run, with a typical flight time in the 2 to 3 hour range. For inspiration, check trips like Heraklion to London for classic city energy, or Heraklion to Tel Aviv for food and nightlife by the sea.

When to book flights from Heraklion for best value

Price sensitive travelers usually target shoulder seasons and plan a simple booking window. A few practical rules go a long way.

Simple timing rules that stretch your budget further

The best time to book flights from Heraklion is often spring from March to May and fall from September to November when demand eases and availability improves. Peak summer from June to August tends to sell out faster, and schedules expand, but prices can rise with demand.

Tools to optimize your booking

For most short haul trips, a planning window of about 4 to 6 weeks before departure often balances choice and value. For busy summer weekends or school holidays, consider locking plans in a bit earlier. If you are flexible, use the anywhere style search on Kiwi.com to surface unexpected deals and date combinations. Set up Set a Price Alert for your exact route and dates so you get notified when fares move, then book when the price fits your plan. Building a multi city island hop or a summer in Europe itinerary is easy with the Nomad Search Tool, which finds a cheap order for three or more stops based on your chosen dates and stays.

Airports and airlines in Heraklion explained clearly

Heraklion runs on one primary airport, and the setup is simple to navigate. Knowing how to reach the terminal and how carriers operate helps you plan smarter.

How to use HER and mix carriers wisely

Heraklion International Airport IATA code HER sits roughly 5 kilometers east of the city. Public buses link the airport and city center in about 15 minutes, while taxis take around 10 minutes depending on traffic. The airport has a single terminal with domestic and international sections, free Wi Fi, duty free and cafes, plus a lounge operated by Sky Express. Facilities and services are subject to change, especially in peak season.

Kiwi.com tips and disruption coverage

Airlines flying from Heraklion span full service and low cost options. Full service Greek carriers focus on domestic staples such as Athens and inter island links, while low cost operators like Ryanair and others ramp up seasonal routes to major European cities. Schedules, carriers, and frequencies vary by month, with more options from June to August. Kiwi.com can combine separate carriers into one self transfer itinerary to reach places that are not offered as a single ticket by airlines. Add the Kiwi.com Guarantee for extra peace of mind. If carrier changes affect your trip, the Guarantee includes Disruption Protection with instant compensation in Kiwi.com Credit to rebook a replacement flight or help applying for refunds from carriers, plus automatic check in and 24 by 7 instant chat support. You can also explore additional ways to save with Kiwi.com Travel Hacks, such as self transfer, hidden cities, and throwaway ticketing where available.

Smart travel tips for flights from Heraklion that save time

• In summer, arrive about 2 hours before international departures and about 1 hour before domestic flights to clear check in and security without stress, especially on weekend mornings.
• The airport is close to town. Buses usually take about 15 minutes and taxis about 10 minutes, but leave extra time during peak season and rush hours.
• If dates are flexible, search a few days either side of your target and set a price alert before you buy. When the fare drops, book fast.
• Use self transfer itineraries to reach cities not served on a single ticket and consider adding the Kiwi.com Guarantee for those plans.
• Pack smart when mixing low cost and full service carriers, since baggage rules and fees can differ on each segment.
• Keep everything in one place with the Kiwi.com App. If you add the Guarantee, we handle online check in and put boarding passes in the app.