Getting To and From Heraklion Airport – Top Tips

Arriving for your holiday in Greece at Heraklion airport? Transfers to your accommodation don't need to be hard. Here are some tips on making them stress-free, depending on your particular circumstances.

Conventional package holidays

Although many people are very fond of this method of overseas holiday, it does have one or two drawbacks. One of the most commonplace is when you find that, for whatever reason, you are sitting in the hot sun on a coach or bus at the airport terminal waiting for what seems like hours for the last passenger to land so you can depart.

To be fair, that’s often not the operator’s fault or even necessarily the passengers’. There can be delays in clearing customs or lost luggage issues to resolve, and while that’s all going on your tour company can’t really authorise the departure of the bus, thereby leaving the other passengers behind.

It's for this reason significant numbers of people on package tours to Crete now make their own arrangements for direct Heraklion Airport transfers to their final resort destination. That way, everything runs to your timetable and convenience; you’re not one of perhaps 60 other people on the bus who need to be accommodated and ‘sorted out’ prior to departure. Direct Heraklion Airport transfers of this nature are easy to arrange online and typically quite cost-effective.

Private arrivals

The advent of the low-cost airline has meant that so-called ‘private holidays’ to Crete are now far more commonplace than they once were. If you're arriving on a flight you have arranged yourself, once again you’ll have plenty of options open to you. It might be sensible to book ahead, though, if you are to avoid panics, delays and confusion upon arrival.

If you are doing things yourself, you also have the option of renting a car at the airport. That’s a viable option but do remember that the headline advertised price on the Internet is not necessarily the final price you will end up paying. You'll have to take into account things such as enhanced collision damage waiver (CDW) insurance, as the cover that comes with the standard package will typically often leave you facing a very hefty excess unless you pay more. Likewise, remember that your car hire company may demand a credit card imprint with what is effectively a very substantial deposit; this will be reserved on your credit balance just in case there are problems with the car when returned. As an aside on the subject of car hire, if someone else is hiring a car in a resort to come and meet you in the airport, be sure it has been hired from a reputable company. Some small rental companies in Crete occasionally use vehicles that leave a little to be desired in terms of maintenance and safety.

Public transport

There are some public transport buses available in terms of Heraklion Airport transfers. They may typically go to one or two of the major towns nearby but again, research this thoroughly before departure as things change. Don’t assume that you can just wander around upon arrival asking where the public bus is for your final resort destination. You may find that you’re very disappointed, and taxis, whilst available, can be very expensive.

All in all, the most preferable way to arrive at your accommodation safely, quickly and in good spirits is with a pre-booked shuttle transfer. The system works, so why not use it?

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you’re looking for Heraklion airport transfers, Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don’t miss your car on your holiday abroad.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.