Why rent a car at Heraklion Airport?
Heraklion Airport (HER), also known as Nikos Kazantzakis Airport, is the largest airport on Crete. Renting a car directly at the airport allows you to start your trip immediately after landing and reach your hotel or resort without waiting for taxis or transfer buses.
From the airport, you can easily drive to destinations such as Heraklion city, Hersonissos, Agios Nikolaos, and the archaeological site of Knossos. If you would like to explore more of the island, visit our main page for car rental in Crete.
Picking up your rental car at Heraklion Airport
About Heraklion Airport (HER)
Heraklion Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (IATA: HER) is Crete’s busiest airport and one of the most active in Greece during the summer season. The airport operates from a single terminal and handles a large volume of charter and scheduled flights from across Europe. Car rental desks are located in the arrivals hall, and vehicles are collected in the rental car area directly outside the terminal building. During July and August, the airport is extremely busy, so completing your rental paperwork online in advance is strongly recommended to reduce waiting time at the desk.
Getting on the road from Heraklion Airport
The airport is located approximately 5 km east of Heraklion city centre, directly along the northern coastal road. From the rental exit, the E75 national road runs westbound toward Rethymno (about 75 km) and Chania (about 140 km), and eastbound toward Agios Nikolaos (about 65 km) and the Lasithi Plateau. The Palace of Knossos, one of the most visited ancient sites in Greece, is just 5 km south of the airport. The road network from Heraklion puts most of the island’s major destinations within one to two hours of driving.
Why pick up at the airport rather than in the city
Heraklion Airport is the most convenient collection point for exploring Crete by car. Picking up directly on arrival means you can load your bags and head to your accommodation or the first sight of the day without any intermediate steps. Most visitors to Crete use the airport as the natural start of their road trip around the island. If you prefer to start from the city, see car rental in Heraklion and car rental in Crete for more options.
Car rental price at Heraklion Airport
The table below shows the lowest all-inclusive weekly rate for renting a car at Heraklion Airport, with full insurance and zero excess included. What you actually pay depends on the supplier, availability and how far ahead you book. Check the current price in the search above.
| Car type | From, 7 days |
|---|---|
| Small car (economy) | from €150 |
| Mid-size car | from €479 |
| Large car / SUV | from €519 |
Measured at 23 airports in September 2026, for a 7-day rental starting 10–17 October 2026. All-inclusive, zero excess, no credit card required. Prices vary by supplier, availability and how far ahead you book.
These prices typically include full insurance and zero excess when booking an all-inclusive rental. Prices can vary significantly between providers. If you want to avoid hidden costs, it’s worth taking a moment to compare car rental companies and rental conditions before booking. At MarSoleil, you can also find options without a credit card and no deposit.
