Hire a car from Heraklion Airport
Crete’s roads will take you to vibrant coastal towns, ancient sites and incredibly scenic beaches—and Heraklion International Airport is your starting point. Discover every inch of this island at your leisure with an Avis hire car.
Our rental offices are located on site at Heraklion International Airport, so you can pick up your hire car conveniently upon landing and enjoy a hassle-free transition to your onward destination.
Pre-book your vehicle online to gain access to our full fleet of cars. Choose from a wide selection of models at the best rental prices, from economy and family to luxury. Don’t forget you can also add on extras such as additional drivers, child seats and sat nav.
Whatever you plan to do during your holiday in Crete, we’ll make sure you get there in comfort and style.
Plan your journey from Heraklion Airport
Heraklion Airport is the largest airport on the island, welcoming visitors from all over the world. To reach Heraklion city centre, exit the airport and follow Ikarou Avenue, which will bring you into the city centre in less than 10 minutes.
To travel to any of the other major cities of Crete—Rethymnon and Chania to the west and Malia and Agios Nikolaos to the east—you can bypass the traffic of Heraklion by following signs for the National Road E75/EO90. The route between Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos is particularly beautiful, and make sure you stop on the way at the charming city of Elounda, which boasts a lively scene and some of the island’s top beaches.
The region south of Heraklion is also superb, offering an altogether different adventure, with rugged terrain speckled with vineyards, enchanting stone villages and beautiful bays. 70km south of Heraklion airport lie the ancient caves of Matala with tombs that date back to the Greek and Roman times.
No matter which compass point of Crete you wish to uncover, picking up an Avis hire car at Heraklion Airport will give you the ultimate flexibility during your stay.
Exploring Heraklion and beyond
The port city of Heraklion (also known as Iraklion) is a booming metropolis with a long and compelling history. Evidence of its past invasions and colourful past under the control of the Byzantines, Moors, Venetians and Ottomans can still be seen today. Positioned on the north coast, it is the largest city on the island and offers much to see and do. A Bronze Age city built by the Minoan civilisation, the extensive Archaeological museum and Historical Museum are all good starting points for understanding its rich cultural past.
Heraklion also boasts a Venetian harbour which is guarded by the Koules fortress and was built to defend the city, much like the Venetian walls that surround the city. With its stunning ceiling frescoes, you should make time to see the Agios Minos Cathedral, one of the largest religious monuments in Greece. When you’re ready for a break in your explorations, take a dip in the sparkling blue sea at Amoudara Beach or head to the old town for a long leisurely lunch.
Day trips take you beyond the city on a tour of Samaria Gorge (three hours west of Heraklion via Chania), or to the gorgeous town of Agio Nikolaos that is bound to be love at first sight for any traveller.