Heraklion Airport serves visitors heading to locations across Crete, from the city center to resorts 80+ km away. Costs vary significantly depending on your destination and transport choice.
Cost by destination
| Destination | Distance | Taxi | Transfer | Bus | |---|---|---|---|---| | Heraklion center | 5 km | 20-30 EUR | 25-35 EUR | 1.50-2 EUR | | Hersonissos | 25 km | 40-55 EUR | 35-50 EUR | ~4 EUR | | Malia | 35 km | 50-70 EUR | 45-65 EUR | ~5 EUR | | Agios Nikolaos | 65 km | 70-95 EUR | 65-90 EUR | ~8 EUR | | Elounda | 70 km | 80-110 EUR | 75-100 EUR | ~9 EUR | | Rethymno | 80 km | 90-130 EUR | 80-120 EUR | ~8 EUR | | Chania | 140 km | 160-220 EUR | 150-200 EUR | ~15 EUR |
All prices are approximate and subject to seasonal variation.
What affects the price
Time of day. Night taxi fares (after 24:00) carry a surcharge of roughly 20-40%. Transfer prices are usually fixed regardless of arrival time.
Season. Peak summer (July-August) can push prices up across all options. Demand is highest and taxi availability is lowest.
Vehicle type. A standard sedan taxi is the base price. If you need a minivan or larger vehicle, expect to pay 20-40% more for both taxis and transfers.
Negotiation vs meter. Heraklion taxis should use the meter. For short trips to the city, the meter is standard. For longer trips, some drivers prefer to quote a flat fare. Knowing the approximate price helps you evaluate these offers.
The bus: cheapest but limited
KTEL buses are by far the cheapest option. The fare to Heraklion city is about 1.50-2 EUR. Buses to other cities depart from the main bus station in Heraklion, meaning you first take a bus from the airport to the city (15-20 minutes), then transfer.
For budget travelers heading to Heraklion city, the bus is excellent. For resort destinations, the connection adds time and complexity, often 1-2 hours total depending on schedules.
Transfers: competitive for longer distances
An interesting pattern at Heraklion: for longer distances (Rethymno, Agios Nikolaos), transfer prices are sometimes lower than taxi fares. Transfer companies set competitive fixed rates for popular routes, while taxi fares accumulate with distance and time.
Tipping
Tipping taxi drivers in Greece is not mandatory but rounding up is customary. A 1-3 EUR tip on longer journeys is appreciated. For pre-booked transfers, a small tip for the driver is a nice gesture but not expected.
Currency and payment
Greece uses the euro. Airport ATMs dispense euros. Most taxis at Heraklion Airport now accept cards, but having cash is safer, especially for the bus. Transfer payments are usually handled online at booking.
The bottom line on cost
For Heraklion city, the bus is the cheapest and a taxi is the most convenient. For resort destinations 25+ km away, the price difference between taxis and transfers narrows, and transfers sometimes win on both price and convenience. The further you are going, the more a pre-booked transfer makes financial sense.