Know Before You Go – Top Tips for Heraklion Airport Transfers

When you arrive in Crete, Heraklion airport transfers, of whatever type you choose, should be routine. Unfortunately, though, that’s not always the case. You need to think very carefully before you arrive as to how you intend getting to your final destination – it can make the difference between a good and a bad start to your holiday.

Here are some top tips that might help.

1. If you are arriving on a package tour with a pre-booked tour company transfer to your hotel, be realistic and anticipate some delays. There may be 40, 50 or 60 people coming off the flight on to your coach and it might only take one of them to incur a delay in finding their luggage or clearing customs and you are going to be held up. This isn’t anybody’s fault, so be fatalistic and live with it rather than ranting. If you don’t like the idea of waiting, the best bet by far is to arrange your own private shuttle transfers online - it’s easy to do and far from expensive.
2. You can also pre-book a hire car if that’s your preferred method. Note the words "pre-book" here. Don’t just assume you can turn up at one of the hire company’s desks and find a vehicle immediately available and suitable for your requirements. You may get lucky but on the other hand you might not and therefore you'll almost certainly encounter delays.
3. If you are hiring a car and have pre-booked it, clever you! But make absolutely sure that you have all prerequisite documentation (as outlined on their website) required to complete the deal upon arrival. Turning up without the right credit card or driving licence may well prove to be a showstopper. Be aware that car hire companies typically won’t take cash or cheques because they will need your credit card details as a deposit against subsequent damage or problems with the vehicle.
4. In situations where your tour company is arranging for coach-based Heraklion Airport transfers, make sure that you have some water with you. If you are forced to wait on the coach, and it’s daytime, it’s going to be hot. For a number of reasons, including pollution controls and cost reduction, not all drivers will necessarily keep the engine running and the air conditioning going if you are stuck for extended periods while waiting for other passengers to join you. Keep some distractions to hand if you have young children with you, as well, as their patience in such situations is likely to be limited.
5. Arranging your own Heraklion Airport transfers is a sound way of getting to your destination quickly and efficiently, but remember not to shock the driver by arriving unannounced with outsized pieces of luggage or special requirements that they didn’t anticipate. In other words, if you are bringing things like a surfboard or if you use a wheelchair, make sure you clearly highlight the fact when you make your booking.
6. Once you are out of customs and in the main arrivals hall of the airport, make your way to your chosen method of transport as soon as possible, rather than making deviations and self-guided tours to explore the shops or bars. You may find such a thought absurd, but it really does happen and can cause delays and irritation for other passengers or concerns for your own dedicated shuttle service.

Your Heraklion Airport transfers should just be a means to an end: a great start to your experience of Crete. Following some of the above tips might help ensure that all goes well.

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.