TRAVEL INFORMATION
Visa Information
Click the link to determine whether your country requires a visa application: https://www.mfa.gr/en/visas/visas-for-foreigners-traveling-to-greece/countries-requiring-or-not-requiring-visa.html
Greece belongs in the Schengen Area hence VALID Schengen visa Holders are allowed to travel to Greece for a maximum of 90 days in a 6-month period.
Flying to Crete
Crete is easily accessible, with numerous direct and connecting flights linking it to major international cities and countries, ensuring widespread availability. The two main airports of the island are:
- Heraklion International Airport “Nikos Kazantzakis” (IATA: HER) – Located near the city of Heraklion in north-central Crete. It is the main and busiest airport on the island, handling most international and charter flights, especially during the summer season. Airlines include Aegean Airlines, easyJet, Jet2, TUI, Lufthansa, Ryanair, British Airways, and many others. It serves as Crete’s primary gateway for tourists and is expected to be replaced in the future by the new Kastelli Airport.
- Chania International Airport “Ioannis Daskalogiannis” (IATA: CHQ) – Situated near the city of Chania on the Akrotiri Peninsula in northwestern Crete. This is the second-busiest airport on the island, serving mainly northern and western Crete. It is popular for flights from the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, and Central Europe. Airlines operating here include Ryanair, TUI Airways, Jet2, easyJet, and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS). It handles both international and domestic routes, with a high volume of seasonal charters.
| Airline | Departing Country | Arriving Airport in Crete |
| Aegean Airlines | Greece | Heraklion (HER) |
| Aer Lingus | Ireland | Heraklion (HER) |
| Air Baltic | Latvia | Heraklion (HER) |
| Air France | France | Heraklion (HER) |
| Air Serbia | Serbia | Heraklion (HER) |
| Austrian Airlines | Austria | Heraklion (HER) |
| British Airways | United Kingdom | Chania (CHQ) / Heraklion (HER) |
| Brussels Airlines | Belgium | Heraklion (HER) |
| Condor | Germany | Heraklion (HER) |
| Corendon Airlines Europe | Netherlands / Belgium | Heraklion (HER) |
| Cyprus Airways | Cyprus | Heraklion (HER) Cyprus Airways Flights+1 |
| easyJet | United Kingdom / France / Germany | Chania (CHQ) / Heraklion (HER) |
| Edelweiss Air | Switzerland | Heraklion (HER) |
| El Al | Israel | Heraklion (HER) |
| Eurowings | Germany | Heraklion (HER) |
| Finnair | Finland | Heraklion (HER) |
| Jet2.com | United Kingdom | Chania (CHQ) / Heraklion (HER) The Sun |
| Lufthansa | Germany | Heraklion (HER) |
| Luxair | Luxembourg | Heraklion (HER) |
| Marabu Airlines | Germany | Heraklion (HER) |
| Norwegian | Norway | Heraklion (HER) |
| Ryanair | Ireland / United Kingdom / other EU | Chania (CHQ) / Heraklion (HER) FlightsFrom |
| SAS Scandinavian Airlines | Sweden / Denmark | Heraklion (HER) |
| Sky Express | Greece | Heraklion (HER) |
| Smartwings | Czechia | Heraklion (HER) |
| SWISS | Switzerland | Heraklion (HER) |
| Transavia (Netherlands) | Netherlands | Heraklion (HER) |
| Transavia France | France | Heraklion (HER) |
| TUI fly (Germany) | Germany | Heraklion (HER) |
| TUIfly Netherlands | Netherlands | Heraklion (HER) |
| TUI Airways (UK) | United Kingdom | Heraklion (HER) |
| Vueling | Spain | Heraklion (HER) |
| Volotea | Italy / France | Heraklion (HER) |
| Wizz Air | Hungary / Poland / Romania etc. | Heraklion (HER) |
| Wizz Air Malta | Malta | Heraklion (HER) |
IMPORTANT NOTES
- The above table combines both airports in Crete (HER & CHQ). Many airlines fly to one or the other.
- Not every airline will operate every day in September 2026 — many routes are seasonal; some may not return for that season.
- It’s advisable to check each airline’s Summer 2026 published schedule specifically, and filter for “non-stop” direct flights (not connecting).
- Some routes may show up in databases but actually operate as charter or seasonal only, which matters for your September travel window.
Transportation options
From Heraklion International Airport (HER) to Elounda
Distance: approximately 65 km (40 miles)
Typical travel time: 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes
By car (rental or taxi)
The fastest and most convenient option. You can rent a car directly at the airport or take a taxi. The drive follows the E75 national road east to Agios Nikolaos and then continues north about 10 km to Elounda. A taxi or private transfer costs about €90–€120 depending on the season and time of day.
By bus
The cheapest option, but it involves one transfer.
- Take the KTEL bus from Heraklion Airport (or Heraklion Central Bus Station, 4 km away) to Agios Nikolaos.
- From Agios Nikolaos, take a local KTEL bus to Elounda.
Total cost is about €10–€15, and total travel time is around 2.5 to 3 hours depending on connections.
By private transfer
Available through hotels or local companies (Welcome Pickups, Cretan Transfer, etc.). Pre-booked private transfers are door-to-door and take about 1 hour 15 minutes.
From Chania International Airport (CHQ) to Elounda
Distance: approximately 210 km (130 miles)
Typical travel time: 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours
By car (rental or taxi)
You can rent a car at Chania Airport and drive across Crete via the E75 highway. The route passes through Rethymno, Heraklion, and Agios Nikolaos, then north to Elounda. It’s a long but scenic drive along the northern coast. Taxis or private transfers cost around €300–€350 one way.
By bus
- Take a KTEL bus from Chania Airport to Chania Central Bus Station (about 30 minutes).
- Then take a long-distance KTEL bus from Chania to Heraklion (about 3 hours).
- From Heraklion, transfer to a bus to Agios Nikolaos (about 1.5 hours).
- Finally, take the local bus to Elounda (about 20 minutes).
This option is inexpensive (around €25–€30 total) but takes 6–7 hours including transfers.
By private transfer
Some luxury hotels in Elounda offer direct private transfers from Chania Airport. The trip takes roughly 3.5 to 4 hours depending on traffic.
General Information
Time Zone: Crete is in the Eastern European Time Zone. The Standard Time is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2).
Language: Although Greek serves as the official language, English, French, and German are also commonly spoken.
Department Stores
- Monday to Friday – 10:00 am – 21:00 pm
- Saturday – 09:00 am – 20:00 pm OR 10:00 am – 21:00 PM (depends on the store):
Pharmacies and Hospitals on duty in Elounda: https://www.vrisko.gr/en/pharmacy-duties/elounda/
Useful phone numbers
- Emergency 112
- Police 100
- Police station in Elounda (Schisma) +30 28410 41348
- Ambulance 166
- Tourist Police 171
- Fire Department 199
- Pharmacies 107
- Hospitals 106
- Weather service 148
- International Phone Assistance 139
Covid 19 Info – Current Greek Restrictions
Greece has removed the mandatory requirement for travelers to fill out the Passenger Locator Form (PLF). Moreover, all arrivals, regardless of their origin, are no longer obligated to present proof of vaccination, recovery from COVID-19, or negative test results.
Dressing up
It is advised to dress light to fully embrace the delightful climate
Voltage frequency and plug outlet type
In Greece, power outlets utilize type C and type F plugs. The standard voltage is 230 V with a frequency of 50 Hz
Currency & Forms of Payment
- Greece, is a member of the European Union, and uses the Euro as its currency. All banks operating in Greece offer foreign currency exchange services and provide daily exchange rates for the Euro against major foreign currencies. More detailed information concerning exchange rates can be obtained from the Central Bank of Greece.
- Forms of payment:
- Available options: In Greece, you can pay with cash, credit/debit cards, or option for digital methods like PayPal, bank transfers, Google Pay and Apple Pay for convenient transactions. Credit cards: In Greece, major credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted, while American Express, Diners Club, Maestro, and Carte Blanche are likely to be accepted but may incur a transaction fee, typically ranging from 1% to 3%. It’s essential to be aware of potential fees associated with these cards when making transactions in the city.
Tipping
Tipping in Greece is appreciated but not strictly required. It’s seen as a gesture of goodwill rather than an obligation. Service staff are generally paid modestly, so tips are welcome, especially when service is good.
- Cash tips: Even if you pay by card, it’s better to leave cash for the tip directly on the table or hand it to your server.Tipping is optional but appreciated by service providers. A small tip is always welcomed by service professionals, including taxi drivers, porters, hairdressers, etc., as a gesture of gratitude.
- Full-service restaurants: A tip of 5–10% of the total bill is customary. For very good service, you can leave up to 10–15%, but that’s optional.
- Casual tavernas or cafés: Rounding up the bill or leaving €1–€3 per person is perfectly fine.
- Service charge: Some restaurants include a “service” or “cover” fee (usually €1–€3 per person) — this covers bread or table setting, not a tip for the waiter.