🚐 Private door-to-door transfer
How much is a transfer from the airport?
Fixed price for the whole car (not per person), a driver waiting with a sign, child seat on request. Often the smart choice in a group, with luggage, over a long distance or on a night arrival — exactly where the metered taxi climbs fast.
On Kiwitaxi, enter your exact route and passenger count for the firm price.
Per-vehicle prices checked in August 2026 on Kiwitaxi (whole car, one way). Indicative: the exact fare depends on date and availability. Partner link — commission at no extra cost to you.
Transport options
Bus 1: €1.70, stop directly in front of the terminal, every 10–15 minutes during the day, 20–25 minutes to the centre. The line continues to the ferry port (departures to the islands) and the main KTEL bus station.
Metered taxi: €10–15 to the centre, €20–25 to the ferry port. 20–25 minutes depending on traffic. Official, picked up outside the terminal. No negotiation — the meter is mandatory.
Private transfer: fixed price, driver waiting with a sign. Useful if you arrive late, or if you're heading straight to another town (Rethymno, Chania, Agios Nikolaos) without going through the centre.
Car hire: agencies are at the airport or a few minutes by shuttle. If you're planning to head straight into a road trip from the airport, this is often the best first move.
Heraklion as a transit hub
Many travellers land in Heraklion and don't stop there — they head straight on to Chania, Rethymno or Agios Nikolaos. In that case, collecting a hire car at the airport is by far the smoothest option. The E75 motorway starts directly from the airport.
Heraklion's ferry port is 4km from the airport — 20 minutes by taxi or bus 1. If you're taking a ferry to Santorini, Mykonos or Piraeus that same evening, there's no need to go through the city centre.
Knossos is 5km from the airport, on the way to the centre. Some travellers stop there directly on arrival before heading to their hotel — a good option if you land in the morning.
What nobody tells you about Heraklion airport
The airport is functional but ageing. Car hire counter queues can be long in August. Booking online in advance, with a precise time slot, avoids 30–45 minutes of waiting.
In high season, taxis are plentiful in front of the terminal — no need to pre-book. Off-season or late at night, they can take a while.
There's no luggage storage at the airport. If you have time to kill between flights, Heraklion city centre by bus 1 is 20 minutes — a left-luggage shop in the old town can help.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Heraklion city centre from the airport?
Bus 1 from the stop outside the terminal (€1.70, 20 min, every 10–15 min). Metered taxi: €10–15 for the centre. Private transfer recommended if heading straight to another town.
Can you go directly from Heraklion airport to the ferry port?
Yes, bus 1 also serves the ferry port (end of line). By taxi: around €20–25. If you're catching a ferry shortly after landing, a direct transfer from the airport can make sense.
Is Knossos accessible directly from Heraklion airport?
Yes — about 5km, by taxi (€8–12) or local bus. A good option if you arrive in the morning and want to make the most of your arrival day.