Heraklion Airport (HER), also known as Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport or Iraklio Airport, is located about 5 km east of the main city centre. Upon arrival, you can reach downtown Heraklion and Heraklion Port by Public Bus, Taxi, Welcome Pickups (Private Transfer), Private Minibus (all Crete) or Rental Car.

This guide compares all available airport transfers at Heraklion Airport (HER) according to classic travel factors. This includes travel time, cost per person (pp), a short route description and links to book or buy tickets.

Transfer comparison from HER airport to downtown

Overview of all transfer options to the City Center & Port of Heraklion

	Transport	Travel time	Cost	More
	Bus	20 Min.	2 €	Details
	Taxi	15 Min.	10‑15 €	Details
	Private Transfer	15 Min.	15 €	Details
	Minibus (all Crete)	60‑120 Min.	110 €	Details
	Rental car	45 Min.	Individ.	Details

Notices:
• The optimal transfer depends on the number of travelers, budget and available time.
• There may be waiting times at the taxi rank if there are high volume of passengers. In this case, a pre-booked transfer (e.g. via Welcome Pickups) is the more faster and comfortable option.

Public bus

Info here, tickets at the driver ↗

Travel time:

20 minutes

Cost:

2 € pp

Description:

Blue KTEL city buses from Heraklion Airport (stop in front of the terminal building) to the center and the port of Heraklion, Timetables also on site/at the driver

---

Taxi

Official local taxis

Travel time:

15 minutes

Cost:

10-15 €

Description:

Taxi from Heraklion Airport (Taxis in front of the terminal building) to central Heraklion, to the port or directly to your accommodation in the city center

---

Welcome Pickups (AD)

Book a Private Transfer ↗

Travel time:

15 minutes

Cost:

15 €

Description:

Comfortable private transfer (via Welcome Pickups) from Heraklion Airport (Nameplate in Arrival Hall) to central Heraklion, to the port or to your accommodation in the city

---

Private Minibus (Crete) (AD)

Book a Minibus ↗

Travel time:

60-120 minutes

Cost:

110 €

Description:

Private transfer (Minibus via GetYourGuide) from Heraklion Airport (Nameplate in the Arrival Hall) to Chania, Rethymno and most destinations on the island

---

Rental Car (AD)

Hire a rental car ↗

Travel time:

15 minutes

Cost:

Depending on the Company

Description:

Rental Car (via rentalcars.com) from Heraklion Airport (Rental counters in the Arrival Hall and in front of the terminal building) to your accommodation & more

Things to know about Heraklion:

1. Heraklion is the capital of Crete and the fifth-largest Greek city
2. The air on Crete is said to have healing powers and can even perform miracles
3. Heraklion is near Knossos, the ancient capital of Crete and the center of Minoan civilization