Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Heraklion Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
Quick Links
my god was it fun! I got stuck in this lift trying to get to Pizza Hut so i recommend the stairs! -Lawrence
HER Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Heraklion International Airport Nikos Kazantzakis.
What to Expect
Heraklion Airport (code: HER) consists of a small, recently renovated, terminal that primarily offers seasonal flights. Terminal amenities include a few eateries, bars, gift shop and duty free store, though previous reviewers were critical of high prices at these establishments. Reviewers are also critical about the terminal’s cleanliness. Comfort can be found through fee-based access to one of the airport’s first class lounges. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for locations and access information.
Sleeping in Heraklion Airport
Although the airport has recently undergone renovations, it would appear that these haven’t made it any more sleeper-friendly. Reviews of Heraklion Airport have gone downhill in recent years, with many travellers reporting a lot of garbage everywhere, dirty toilets and even stray cats and dogs wandering around the terminal building. The consensus is that this airport isn’t the best place to sleep overnight, so if you are unfortunate enough to get stuck here for long, you may want to consider a night at a hotel.
A few travellers say several couches are on the second floor on the landside/public area. The rest of the chairs available are uncomfortable and not suitable for sleeping.
One traveller has reported that due to the airport’s layout, there is plenty of space for you to hide away while you try to get some shut-eye, so that’s a positive. If you want to spend the night sleeping here, we’d recommend bringing a sleeping mat to make the floor a bit more comfortable and ensure you have plenty of layers and maybe a blanket.
Read traveller reviews for more tips on where to sleep in Heraklion Airport.
Good to Know
According to the airport website, free WiFi is available throughout the airport; however, access can be difficult during the high season.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Heraklion Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Heraklion Airport:
- Sofia Hotel – No airport shuttle. The hotel advises against walking due to the high volume of traffic. A taxi is approx. 10,00€. » Check Rates
- Hotel Asterion Nea Alikarnassos – No airport shuttle. » Check Rates
- Pasiphae Hotel – No airport shuttle. The hotel suggests the bus, which stops directly in front of the hotel. » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Heraklion Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!
- Goldair Handling Lounge – Location: Airside, 1st Floor, after Immigration. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
- Filoxenia Lounge – Location: Landside, 1st Floor, Departures Hall, opposite the Swissport Check-in. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door.
Related Pages: Heraklion Airport Lounges
Drinking Water
Information is unavailable. Does the airport have water fountains or water bottle refill stations? Click here to update this guide.
Food & Drinks
Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. The airport has one restaurant, five bars, and an ice cream shop. At the time of this update, we could not confirm the availability of 24-hour dining.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Location: At the airport car park. Hours: open 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Sample rates are: small locker for €3,00/6 hours or €9,00/1 day or €23,50/1 week • large locker for €6,00/6 hours or €11,50/1 day or €42,50/1 week. Rates are available for medium-size lockers and longer-term storage.
Mobile Charging
A reader tells us, “There are no charging stations as such, but there are possibilities to charge your mobile phone. Between the luggage drop-off and the gates A1-A7 there are several power sockets on the walls. Furthermore, right next to the luggage drop-off nr. 36 are some seats of which some have power outlets as well. I haven’t seen any real mobile charging stations though.” (June 2019)
Showers
Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available throughout the Heraklion Airport. According to the airport website, service can sometimes be quite slow, especially during high season. Internet access/workstations are also available at the Everest Restaurants.
Security & Safety
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Heraklion Airport. However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
More Airport Information
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs, operated by Piraeus Bank and National Bank, are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: unknown.
Baby Care Facilities – A “baby room” is located in the Departures Terminal on the ground floor.
Currency Exchange – Yes. Location: Arrivals area.
Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-free shopping and a limited variety of retail and gift shops are available.
Information Desk – An information desk is located in the Arrivals Area. Hours: open 24 hours.
Luggage Wrapping – Location: Departures Terminal, Ground Floor.
Medical Services – The Airport Medical Center is open 24 hours a day.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Buses
Bus line 1 serves Heraklion Airport. The bus runs approximately every 10-15 minutes and is available from 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM. At the time of this update, a one-way ticket cost €3,00.
Car Rentals
There are 23 car rental agencies which offer service on-site; here are some of the options: Avis • Budget • Eurpdollar • Europcar • Firefly • Holiday Auto • Hertz • National • Sixt • Thrifty • Tourent.
Hotel Shuttles
See also Airport Hotels above.
Taxis
Taxis are readily available for hire in the ground transportation area. An airport surcharge of €2,50, extra luggage fees (over standard allowance), and overnight premiums are applicable.
Last updated: 2024-08-26
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.