Crete is a beautiful island located in the Mediterranean Sea. It is considered the largest island in this part of Europe. Due to its ancient sights, it is famous all over the world.
With the mainland of Greece, and indeed the whole world, the island is connected by sea routes, as well as by air. Here it is very well developed.
Despite the fact that sea travel is very tempting, nevertheless, most tourists use airplanes to travel, because they are less tiring and take a tolerable amount of time.
The island welcomes more than six million people every year. The most famous Greek island enjoys such great popularity due to its favorable climate, long summers, famous sights (as mentioned above), as well as clean beaches. More than a hundred planes land on the island every day.
How many airports are there in Crete?
This question can be called the most popular. There are three airports in Crete, but the mostHeraklion is the most popular of them, it is he who receives most of the flights. Then comes the airport of Chania. Domestic flights land in Sitia.
To understand exactly how the map of Crete airports looks, just look at the photo.
Heraklion Airport
The airport of Crete whose name is Heraklion is located in the central part of the island. More than five million passengers pass through it every year. It deals not only with international flights, but also domestic ones. This became possible due to the fact that there are two terminals here, as well as two runways.
This air harbor began to fully exist in 1939. As you know, the war began that year, so this air terminal accepted only German and Italian aircraft in those years.
The airport began to function fully in 1946, after the end of the war.
During these years of existence, this airport of Crete called Heraklion has been reconstructed and restored several times. But despite this, in modern times it hardly accepts such a large passenger flow. Of course, this is most noticeable in the summer, since during this period, charter flights are added to regular flights.
Heraklion Airport Services
The airport complies with all international standards. Below is a list of what it can offer passengers as a service:
- Beautiful, bright and comfortable roomwaiting.
- Playroom for kids and teens.
- Racks with the necessary information, round-the-clock help desk.
- 24-hour first-aid post. Here, visitors can be given first aid, as well as advice about the flight.
- Exchange office. The current exchange rate, as well as available currencies, must be viewed on the airport website.
- Lots of restaurants, bars and cafes.
- Car rental. A very popular service among travelers and locals. A beautiful passenger car can easily brighten up your trip. It is believed that it is at this airport that the lowest price for rent.
Heraklion Airport Location
This airport terminal is located six kilometers from the center of the capital of Crete. This airport can be easily reached from anywhere on the island by comfortable buses or taxis.
Chania Airport
Another airport in Crete is called Chania. In terms of importance on the island of Crete, it ranks second. It accepts international and domestic flights. In addition, the most popular low-cost airlines land here.
This airport also handles the Hellenic Air Force in addition to regular passengers.
The airport has two runways. They are over three kilometers long.
The airport began to function in 1967, when the construction of the first passenger terminal with two parking lots was completed. Only eight years later, the terminal beginsaccept some international flights. In 1996, the second passenger terminal was opened.
Chania Airport Location
The airport is located in the western part of the island, on the Akrotiri peninsula. Buses run constantly to the central part, and stops are located on the territory of the airport terminal. In addition, you can use a taxi or car rental. The journey will take approximately twenty minutes.
Airport Services
There are practically no differences from Heraklion airport. Everything meets the standards. I would also like to note the presence of duty-free on the territory, where you can find a decent assortment of traditional products of the island.
Sitia Airport
This airport is considered the third most important on the island. He handles domestic flights.
Began working more than thirty years ago - in 1984. In 1993, the air harbor moved to a new building with a control tower. A building quite modern for those years was erected here, and an improved runway was built ten years later. Its length is just over two meters.
Despite the fact that the airport building is quite small, it has everything you need. For travelers around the clock there is a first-aid post, a help desk. In addition, there are various restaurants, bars, and cafeterias.
If you want to relax a little, you can use the break rooms.
Sitia Airport Location
Sitia Airport is located in the eastern partislands, just five kilometers from the city of the same name Sitia. You can get to the point you need using a rental car or taxi. Since Crete is quite small, the cost here will be reasonable.
In this part of the island there are a lot of ancient sights, beautiful monuments, as well as beautiful beaches. Moreover, all this can be found not only in Sitia itself, but also in its environs.
Conclusion
The island of Crete is quite small, but at the same time it fits three airports, thanks to which it can receive more and more tourists from different parts of the world.
We are confident that the flow of travelers will increase over the years and it will be necessary to build a fourth airport in Crete or expand the existing ones.
