Heraklion airport car rental is one of Europe's busiest holiday markets, and the desk geography is worth knowing before you land: Sixt, Alamo, Enterprise, Avis, Budget and Hertz staff the arrivals hall of the main terminal with cars parked a short walk away, while a second tier - Europcar, Centauro, Surprice and others - operates off-site with free shuttles, joined by a deep bench of Cretan locals from Abbycar to Autocandia. Crete rewards the wheels like few islands: Knossos minutes from the runway, the Lasithi plateau's windmills, Elounda and the east's beaches, and the Samaria-gorge west all within day-trip range. July and August discipline applies - book weeks ahead, expect queues at the budget desks on charter waves, and read fuel and excess terms on the cheapest offers. The new Kasteli airport project will eventually move this whole show; for now, HER remains Crete's front door.
We earn from qualifying purchases. Some links are affiliate — full disclosure.
Cross-trip essentials
Plan the rest of your trip
Vetted partners across the essentials. Bookings fulfilled by partner — Aurum earns commission on completed bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Need a ride?
Pre-book an airport transfer
Door-to-door private transfers in 100+ countries. Fixed prices, vetted drivers, instant confirmation.
Search transfers →Where you'll stay
Find a hotel or stay
Compare hotels, resorts, villas, and apartments through our trusted booking partners.
Browse stays →Travel covered
Get travel insurance
From about $1.50/day. Trip cancellation, medical, lost luggage — all from vetted partner underwriters.
Compare plans →