Sleeping in Airports

Heraklion Airport Guide

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Heraklion Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit.  Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

my god was it fun! I got stuck in this lift trying to get to Pizza Hut so i recommend the stairs! -Lawrence

HER Airport Overview

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Heraklion International Airport Nikos Kazantzakis.

What to Expect

heraklion airport guideHeraklion Airport (code: HER) consists of a small, recently renovated, terminal that primarily offers seasonal flights. Terminal amenities include a couple of eateries, bars, gift shop and duty free store, though previous reviewers were critical of high prices at these establishments. Reviewers are also critical about the terminal’s cleanliness. Comfort can be found through fee-based access to one of the airport’s first class lounges. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for locations and access information.

Sleeping in Heraklion Airport

Renovations do not appear to have helped the sleeping situation at this airport. Previous reviewers cited some couches on the landside second floor as a good sleeping spot, and suggested having eyeshade and earplugs/noise-cancelling headphones to induce better sleep. A reader (June 2019) reported that there is a lot of garbage everywhere and the toilets are really dirty. For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels near the airport.  See locations in the Airport Hotels section below or read some traveller airport reviews for more tips.

Good to Know

According to the airport website, the free WiFi is available throughout the airport; however, access can be difficult during the high season.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos.  For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our Heraklion Airport Guide.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.  For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.

airport loungeAirport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!

  • Goldair Handling Lounge – Location: Airside, 1st Floor, after Immigration. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
  • Filoxenia Lounge – Location: Landside, 1st Floor, Departures Hall, opposite the Swissport Check-in. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door.

Related Pages: Heraklion Airport Lounges

airport hotelsAirport Hotels

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Heraklion Airport:

  • Sofia Hotel – No airport shuttle. The hotel advises against walking due to the high volume of traffic. A taxi is approx. 10,00€.  » Check Rates
  • Hotel Asterion Nea Alikarnassos – No airport shuttle.  » Check Rates
  • Pasiphae Hotel – No airport shuttle. The hotel suggests the bus which stops directly in front of the hotel.  » Check Rates

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Heraklion Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.

wifiAirport WiFi/Internet

Free WiFi is available throughout the Heraklion Airport. According to the airport website service can be quite slow at times, especially during high season. Internet access/workstations are also available at the Everest Restaurants.

airport infoMore Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport

ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs, operated by Piraeus Bank and National Bank, are available. Fees may apply, so be sure to check your bank’s fee schedule and your daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: unknown.

Baby Care Facilities – A “baby room” is located in the Departures Terminal, on the ground floor.

Currency Exchange – Yes. Location: Arrivals area.

Duty Free & Shopping – Duty-free shopping is available, along with a limited variety of retail and gift shops.

Food & Drinks – Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. The airport has one restaurant, five bars, and an ice cream shop. At the time of this update, we were not able to confirm the availability of 24-hour dining.

Information Desk – An information desk is located in the Arrivals Area. Hours: open 24 hours.

Luggage Storage & Lockers – Location: At the airport car park. Hours: open 7:00AM – 10:00PM. Sample rates are: small locker for €3,00/6 hours or €9,00/1 day or €23,50/1 week • large locker for €6,00/6 hours or €11,50/1 day or €42,50/1 week. Rates are available for medium size lockers and for longer term storage.

Luggage Wrapping – Location: Departures Terminal, Ground Floor.

Medical Services – The Airport Medical Center is open 24 hours a day.

Mobile Charging – A reader tells us “there are no charging stations as such, but there are possibilities to charge your mobile phone. Between the luggage drop-off and the gates A1-A7 there are several power sockets on the walls. Furthermore, right next to the luggage drop-off nr. 36 are some seats of which some have power outlets as well. I haven’t seen any real mobile charging stations though.” (June 2019)

Rest Zones – There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Showers – Not available

SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.

airport hoursAirport Hours

The airport is open 24 hours.

airlinesAirlines

Heraklion airport is served by the following airlines: Aegean Airlines • Air France • Astra Airlines • Bluebird Airlines • Cyprus Airways • EasyJet • Ellinair • Olympic Air • Sky Express • Volotea. Note: the airport is served by additional airlines on a seasonal-only basis.

transportationAirport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Buses

Bus line 1 serves Heraklion Airport. The bus runs approximately every 10-15 minutes and is available from 6:00AM – 12:00AM. At the time of this  update, a one-way ticket cost €3,00.

Car Rentals

There are 23 car rental agencies which offer service onsite, here are some of the options: Avis • Budget • Eurpdollar • Europcar • Firefly • Holiday Auto • Hertz • National • Sixt • Thrifty • Tourent.

Hotel Shuttles

See also Airport Hotels above.

Taxis

Taxis are readily available for hire in the ground transportation area. An airport surcharge of €2,50, extra luggage fees (over standard allowance) and overnight premiums are applicable.

Last updated: 2024-01-30

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning.  All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice.   The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or  write a review.