Heraklion or Chania Airport? Which to Choose for Your Crete Car Rental
Two airports, one big island. A practical comparison of flying into Heraklion (HER) vs Chania (CHQ) — and what each means for your car rental and road trip.
Written by Artemis Maninakis
Artemis Maninakis is the founder of IQ Car Rentals and runs its fleet from Kolymbari, West Crete — every guide is written from first-hand local experience on Crete's roads.
Crete has two international airports at opposite ends of the island, and which one you fly into shapes your whole trip. As a West-Crete rental company we collect guests at both every week, so here's our honest, practical comparison to help you choose — and to plan your car rental around it.
The two airports at a glance
- Chania (CHQ) — on the Akrotiri peninsula, about 14 km from Chania town (~20 min). The gateway to West Crete: Chania, Kolymbari, the western beaches and gorges.
- Heraklion (HER) — about 5 km from Heraklion city (~12 min). The gateway to central and east Crete: Knossos, the wine country, Hersonissos, Malia and the road east to Agios Nikolaos.
Crete is big — roughly 260 km end to end — so the gap between the two genuinely matters. Driving from Chania Airport to Heraklion is about 2 hours on the national road.
Fly into Chania (CHQ) if…
…your trip leans west. It's the natural choice for Chania town, the Apokoronas villages around Almyrida, and the famous western beaches — Falassarna, Elafonissi and the Balos area. It's also closest to our Kolymbari office, so pickup and delivery are quickest (and cheapest) from here. See Chania Airport car rental for how our meet & greet works.
Fly into Heraklion (HER) if…
…you want the archaeology and the centre/east. Heraklion puts you minutes from the Palace of Knossos and a short drive from the Lasithi plateau, Matala in the south, and the road to Agios Nikolaos and Elounda. See Heraklion Airport car rental for pickup details.
What if I want to see both ends?
Easy — fly into one and out of the other, and take a one-way rental. We can arrange a car collected at Chania (CHQ) and dropped at Heraklion (HER), or vice-versa, for a one-way fee quoted at booking. That lets you drive west-to-east without doubling back. It's the smart move for a first, see-everything trip.
Does the airport change the price of the car?
The car and our terms are the same wherever you collect — unlimited kilometres, no hidden fees, all taxes included. Only a one-way drop at a different airport adds a fee. Whichever airport you land at, you can start a booking in under a minute and pay at pickup.
Our honest take
If it's your first trip and you mainly want beaches, the old towns and a relaxed pace, Chania is hard to beat. If you're set on Knossos and the east, choose Heraklion. Seeing the whole island in one go? Fly into one, out of the other, and book a one-way. Still unsure? Our Crete overview maps the regions and distances.
FAQ
Which airport is bigger? Heraklion (HER) is Crete's busiest; Chania (CHQ) is smaller and quicker to get through.
How far apart are they? About 140 km — roughly a 2-hour drive on the north-coast national road.
Can I pick up at one airport and return at the other? Yes — one-way rentals between CHQ and HER are available; ask for the one-way fee when booking.
Know where you're landing? Chania Airport car rental · Heraklion Airport car rental — or just book your car now.
