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Heraklion International Airport Nikos Kazantzakis
HER • LGIR
Logistics · Destination Guide
Mediterranean caverns, clear-water reefs, Minoan history, and big-island freedom
Updated Apr 26, 2026 • 26 sources
Use this travel brief to set arrival flow, local transit, and gear movement before you lock your itinerary.
Most travelers fly into Heraklion (HER) for central and eastern Crete or Chania (CHQ) for western Crete. Sitia (JSH) is a small east-Crete airport useful only for specific domestic routings. Crete also has year-round ferries from Piraeus to Heraklion and Chania, plus seasonal island links to ports such as Rethymno, Sitia, Kissamos, Santorini, and Cyclades routes. For dive trips, pick your arrival airport by the coast you actually plan to dive. Chania works for Cape Drapano, Akrotiri, and western beaches. Heraklion works for Agia Pelagia, Dia Island, Hersonissos, Knossos, and Elounda transfers.
Heraklion International Airport Nikos Kazantzakis
HER • LGIR
The main gateway for central and eastern Crete, close to Heraklion, Agia Pelagia, Hersonissos, Knossos, and Elounda transfers. Seasonal European capacity is high in summer.
Transport: Taxi, Private transfer, Hotel shuttle, Rental car, Urban bus, Regional KTEL bus connections
Chania International Airport Ioannis Daskalogiannis
CHQ • LGSA
14 km to Chania center • 20 to 45 minutesutes to Chania depending on traffic and bus schedules
Best gateway for Chania, Akrotiri, Cape Drapano, Elephant Cave operators, western beaches, Kissamos, and White Mountains itineraries.
Transport: Taxi, Private transfer, Rental car, Airport bus to Chania and Rethymno, Hotel shuttle
Sitia Public Airport Vitsentzos Kornaros
JSH • LGST
2 km to Sitia • Short local transfer to Sitia, but several hours by road to Heraklion or Chania
Small eastern Crete airport for Sitia, Vai, Palaikastro, Zakros, and remote east-coast itineraries. It is not the default choice for most dive travelers.
Transport: Taxi, Rental car, Regional bus connections when scheduled
A rental car is strongly recommended for dive travelers because Crete is large and dive bases, beaches, ruins, and ferries are spread out. KTEL buses connect major towns and some airports, but they are less convenient with dive bags or early boat departures. Taxis and private transfers are common around HER and CHQ. There is no island railway. Roads are mountainous outside the north-coast highway, so build buffer time for Plakias, Elafonisi, Balos, Samaria, and east-Crete drives.
Greece is in the Schengen Area. EU and Schengen travelers may use a valid national ID or passport. Many visa-exempt non-EU travelers can visit for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, but passport validity, visa status, EES biometric registration, and future ETIAS requirements depend on nationality. At the time of this research, ETIAS was scheduled to start in the last quarter of 2026. Check official Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, EU travel, or embassy guidance before booking non-refundable travel.
Most dive centers rent full scuba kits and provide tanks and weights; confirm whether the quoted price includes computer, exposure suit, nitrox, torch, and special boat surcharges. Bring certification cards, logbook or app, dive insurance details, and prescription mask if needed. A 5mm suit is useful in spring and autumn; 3mm to 5mm works for many summer divers; winter and repetitive divers may want 7mm. Freedivers should confirm float, line, weights, and suit rental before arrival.
Euro (EUR)
Cards are widely accepted at hotels, dive centers, restaurants, ferries, and larger shops, but carry cash for small tavernas, beach parking, local buses, tips, remote villages, and small boat extras. Ask dive centers whether special trips require a deposit or cash balance.
ATMs are common in Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, Plakias, Hersonissos, and larger resorts. Remote beaches, gorges, and small villages may not have reliable ATMs, so withdraw before day trips.
230V • 50Hz • C, F
Bring a Type C or F adapter if your plugs are different. Most modern camera, laptop, and phone chargers are dual voltage, but check labels before charging batteries or strobes.
Communications
4G and 5G coverage is strong around major towns, airports, ports, and resort corridors, but gaps appear in gorges, mountain villages, offshore islets, and cliff-backed beaches. EU roaming works for many European travelers. Others can use local SIMs or travel eSIMs. Download offline maps, dive-center directions, ferry confirmations, and weather or wind forecasts before remote days.
Language
Greek is the official language. English is widely spoken in tourism, dive centers, airports, ferries, and hotels, especially from May to October. In small villages, a few Greek greetings and patient communication help. Carry written hotel addresses for taxis and local buses.
Insurance
Carry travel insurance that covers scuba, freediving if relevant, emergency evacuation, hyperbaric treatment, rental-car incidents, hiking, ferry disruption, and trip cancellation. Dive-first travelers should consider DAN Europe or equivalent specialist cover and ensure depth limits, cavern limits, and repetitive-dive profiles match the planned activities.
Packing list