Heraklion Airport

✅ Trip Verified | Small, busy, and completely disorganized, this airport is a disgrace to Crete and Greece. The toilets are so dirty. No sufficient seating at the gates. Lots of other seating marked for people with disabilities. The bus that transferred us to the actual plane had no air conditioning even though it was over 40C hot outside. People bring billions to this island, only to be treated like cattle. The good news is there are plans to shut down this airport soon for good and transition to a new one. It'll be a tremendous relief when this finally becomes reality!

Not Verified | Arriving at this airport is a little chaotic but not too bad. However, the departures area is absolutely appalling. We departed from here last year (2022) and thought it was terrible (for example people cleaning their shoes when they came out of the toilets) but chalked that experience up to all the UK flights being delayed by at least 3 hours and therefore not the fault of the airport. One of our party was in a wheelchair and we had booked assistance, however none was given until we had to get shirty with someone, which we shouldn't have had to do and was an upsetting end to our holiday. We travelled to and from there again this year- no flight delays and not yet the height of the season and yet....just as bad. No seats available, people sitting all over the place on the floor, signage poor, layout terrible and confusing, toilets disgusting (no toilet seats, no dryer, no working locks, loo paper shoved in the hole where the flush should be to attempt to flush) and the final straw- passport control is right at the end by the gates and poorly organised so you can be stuck there waiting while your flight is boarding. We nearly missed our flight, as did others, and were being called on the tannoy, despite queueing for 40 minutes. The passport control staff didn't care, didn't prioritise the queues in order of flights, there weren't enough staff (when they know how many people are passing through) and it was absolute chaos. We love Crete but this airport badly lets tourists down and we will not use that airport again. We are experienced travellers but this is the worst we've ever been to.

✅ Trip Verified | Terrible! First the placement of the airport lounge, you can only go there in non Schengen flights which there are very few! Next there’s no seating anywhere. Most people just sit around on the floor waiting for their flights which are typically delayed. No good catering options and always crowded as gates are place right next to exits, seats. So poorly designed. Hopefully new airport will be better if it’s ever finished.

Not Verified | Arrival was ok, bit of a wait at passport control but nothing too bad. Departure is where it gets bad, I’ve been all over the world and this has to be the worst I’ve ever been to. Currently sitting waiting for my flight which has been delayed a couple of hours, not the airports fault but it’s chaos here and it’s far too overcrowded. Not enough seats, everyone sitting on the floor. Hardly anywhere to eat and the places that do have food have huge queues. Will never come back to crete just based off this airport experience, shame really as it’s a nice place.

✅ Trip Verified | It's a small airport, very overcrowded and in bad condition overall. There is nowhere to eat here either. Just a very overpriced takeaway. The airport obviously cannot cope with the number of people. Dirty toilets and wash facilities with lack of actual toilet paper and hand dryers. Air condition is useless. Staff can be rude and can't communicate properly. Not enough seats to rest in and you could be standing for hours.

✅ Trip Verified | The worst airport I have ever come across. Was supposed to depart on 15 October 22. Arrived to total chaos. Very few seats to sit down, people were sitting on suitcases in the middle of floor and conveyor belts. Our flight never even appeared on the two large departure boards which meant we missed our flight. Appeared on some small screen at other end of airport, giving us 5 minutes to check in luggage and was then denied boarding - not the only ones this happened to. The sky express desk was totally disorganised and unable to deal with the volume of angry customers. No one around to ask. Queues lengthy with customers complaining that they had been told to wait for shuttle us which would be 30 minutes and then queueing again as it had not arrived after 1hour so we’re told incorrect information. When finally got to counter we were asked why we missed our flight, then she ignored us and moved onto the next person. Loved Greece but there is no way I would fly to Heraklion again, it ruined our holiday.

Not Verified | Airport busy, completely overcrowded and stinking and filthy. Toilets disgusting, nowhere to sit. Rent a car at Airport (Budget/Avis) appalling service, rude and poorly signposted regarding drop off. Which added insult to injury having to repair a tyre because we would be charged for a call out despite already paying for the insurance for that. Thankfully we had wonderful Hotel staff who went out of their way taking us to a Garage to get a repair. Flight delayed but nobody kept you up to date. Never offered even a drink of water. Queueing for hours, to be turned away to another boarding gate. Staff, rude, unhelpful and threatening if you said anything to them. Basically you are at their mercy as you get threatened with not being allowed on the flight if you challenge their poor behaviour or useless communication skills. In general the local Greek people are absolutely lovely, kind and approachable until you get to the Airport. There was elderly people and families with small children and babies left wondering what was going on. Absolutely disgusted and the worst treatment ever. If there had have been a fire we’d never have got out. It was unsafe and frightening. They should be ashamed to call themselves an Airport. Only just got back to travelling post COVID and that’s the kind of bedlam and unclean environment you have to sit (if you get a seat) or stand in. It must be rife with infection it’s so unclean. Given you have saved, paid £100’s of pounds and looked forward all year to go on your holiday to have to endure that. Completely spoilt our holiday the staff were so rude, like they were doing you a favour by allowing you to get on a flight you’ve paid for. I will never return to Greece again and it completely ruined the holiday for many people in that Airport yesterday. All because of heavy rain, thunder and lightning! Really? Yet so many other countries manage with weather extremes. Even manage to clean the place and smile!

✅ Trip Verified | Arrived on the day with a heavy rain, roof is leaking. They put the railings around but there is no space for people whose flights were on delay from 11:00 till 15:00. Toilets are stinky and dirty, nowhere to sit at all. Shame on Greece and Crete.

✅ Trip Verified | Was genuinely worried about Heraklion airport after reading all the negative reviews. However it really was absolutely fine. Arrival was indeed via a hot un-airconditioned bus, but that was a 1 minute journey so people need to get a grip. Getting through customs took about twenty minutes which really isn’t bad for an incredibly busy Sunday in summer hols. Departure was absolutely fine as well. Took no time on a busy Sunday to get through security. Place was clean and fantastic viewing area of all the flights as the entire place has floor to ceiling glass. Got some bottles of water for the flight and was most expensive water I’ve ever paid for in my life, about €6 euro for 500ml total rip off. Gate side place was rammed with virtually no seats but you can get that at most airports, was the same if not worse at gatwick. So ignore all the negative comments. Oh air con in the terminal was struggling a bit on arrival but departures it was absolutely fine.

Not Verified | Never again. Crowded - too many People for such small airport. Big queues. Low standards of hygiene. When arrived to Crete - had to wait more than 1 hour for a baggage. Crete is a lovely place, but this airport smashed the impression.