Our Review of Heraklion Airport (HER)

Table of contents: Our Review of Heraklion Airport (HER) Pros and Cons of Heraklion Airport (HER) Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide) How we calculate On Time Performance Some Stats

Our Review of Heraklion Airport (HER)

At Plan Your Trips, we have analyzed hundreds of airports worldwide, including Heraklion Airport. Our extensive experience allows us to understand what users expect when visiting an airport. With this knowledge, we’ve created this guide to simplify and enhance the airport experience for passengers.

Heraklion Airport, as the main gateway to Crete, plays a crucial role in the island’s tourism industry. However, it faces significant challenges, particularly during peak seasons. The airport’s current infrastructure struggles to cope with the high volume of passengers, leading to congestion and potential delays.

Despite these challenges, the airport staff generally do their best to manage the flow of passengers. The airport’s proximity to Heraklion city and major tourist destinations is a significant advantage, allowing travelers quick access to their final destinations in Crete.

While the facilities may be limited compared to larger, more modern airports, Heraklion Airport does offer essential services including duty-free shopping, dining options, and lounges. However, passengers should be prepared for potential crowding and queues, especially during summer months.

It’s worth noting that plans are underway for a new airport at Kastelli, which aims to address many of the current airport’s limitations. Until then, we recommend that travelers allow extra time, particularly during peak seasons, to navigate the existing Heraklion Airport comfortably.

In this guide, we aim to provide quick and reliable information to help passengers make the most of their time at Heraklion Airport. We highlight both the strengths and weaknesses of the airport, offering practical recommendations to enhance the travel experience.

Pros and Cons of Heraklion Airport (HER)

PROS:

Location: Situated just 5 km east of Heraklion city center, offering easy access to popular tourist destinations in Crete.
Connectivity: Serves as a major gateway to Crete with numerous domestic and international flights.
Variety of Airlines: Hosts a wide range of airlines, including major carriers and budget options.
Year-round Operation: Maintains services throughout the year, with increased frequency during peak tourist seasons.
Duty-Free Shopping: Offers a range of duty-free shops for last-minute purchases.

CONS:

Overcrowding: Frequently experiences congestion, especially during summer months, leading to long queues and delays.
Limited Facilities: The current infrastructure is stretched beyond its capacity, resulting in a less comfortable experience for travelers.
Outdated Terminal: The single-level terminal can feel cramped and lacks modern amenities found in newer airports.
Parking Issues: Limited parking spaces can cause difficulties during peak seasons.
Potential for Delays: High traffic volumes can lead to flight delays, particularly in summer.

Mini-Guide of the Airport (2' Guide)

Single Terminal: Heraklion Airport operates with one main terminal divided into domestic and international sections.
Transport Options: Taxis, public buses, and car rentals are available. The airport is well-connected to Heraklion city and other popular destinations in Crete.
Check-in Areas: Located in the central part of the terminal. Arrive early during peak seasons to avoid long queues.
Amenities: Despite space limitations, the airport offers basic amenities including cafes, restaurants, and shops. Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal.
Lounges: Two lounges are available - Filoxenia Lounge and Goldair Handling Lounge, offering a more comfortable waiting experience.
Accessibility: The airport provides services for passengers with reduced mobility, including wheelchair assistance.
Important Tips: During summer months, arrive at least 2-3 hours before your flight due to potential congestion. Stay alert for any gate changes or delay announcements.

Note: A new airport at Kastelli is under construction to replace the current Heraklion Airport, expected to open in February 2027. This will significantly improve the travel experience with modern facilities and increased capacity.

Other Reviews

How we calculate On Time Performance

On various pages of our website, you will encounter a metric widely utilized in aviation and other forms of transportation known as OTP (On Time Performance). We believe that providing this metric assists passengers in planning their trips and exploring alternatives before purchasing their flight tickets.

We calculate the On Time Performance for all flights and airlines, when we have enough data to do so. In certain instances, it may not be feasible to accurately compute the On-Time Performance for a specific flight or airline due to inadequate or non-representative data, which could result in misleading conclusions.

Our calculation of On Time Performance and delay information solely relies on arrival times. This approach is chosen over calculating departure delays, as we consider arrival punctuality to be of primary concern to passengers.

The On Time Performance displayed on our website is calculated as follows:

On Time: Flights that arrive within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrival time, or earlier. In the absence of data for a specific flight, we assume the flight arrives on time, to avoid penalizing airlines for data unavailability.
Moderate Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 15 to 30 minutes.
Significant Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay of 30 to 60 minutes.
Major Delay: Flights that arrive with a delay exceeding 60 minutes.
Average Delay: The average delay is calculated by considering flights that arrive early as having a delay of 0 minutes. Early arrivals do not contribute to reducing the average delay calculation