Crete can be reached by plane, ferry and cruise ship
The preferred way for most holidaymakers to get to Crete is by plane. Other options are regular ferry connections from the port of Piraeus near Athens and cruise ships.
There are two international airports in Crete: Heraklion Airport (HER) and Chania Airport (CHQ) with dense air traffic throughout the year. Direct flights to Crete are available from most major European airports from April to November. The duration of a direct flight between the UK and Crete averages at about 4 hours. Outside the tourist season, Crete can usually be reached by connecting flights via Athens.
Heraklion Airport is considered the larger airport and is currently served more frequently. However, Chania airport has been modernised and expanded in recent years, so that significantly more direct flights to Chania can be expected in the near future. Construction of a new international airport in Kastelli near Heraklion has already begun. It is to become the second largest airport in Greece after Athens.