Chania International Airport

Chania International Airport "Ioannis Daskalogiannis" (CHQ) serves Chania, the second-largest city on Crete and gateway to western Crete's stunning beaches and historic Venetian harbor. Located 14 km northeast of Chania on the Akrotiri Peninsula.

The airport has a single terminal with limited facilities. Traffic is heavily seasonal—extremely busy May-October with European charter flights, much quieter in winter.

Key airlines: Ryanair, easyJet, Aegean Airlines, Sky Express, TUI, Jet2, Condor, and numerous seasonal European charter carriers.

CHQ is northeast of Chania:

• To Chania Old Town: 14 km, 20-25 minutes
• To Platanias/Agia Marina: 25 km, 30-35 minutes
• To Elafonisi Beach: 75 km, 90 minutes
• To Rethymno: 60 km, 60 minutes
• To Heraklion: 140 km, 2 hours

Uber does not operate on Crete. Use taxis or pre-booked transfers.

Taxis available from the rank:

• To Chania Old Town: €25-30 (fixed rate)
• To Platanias: €35-40
• To Georgioupolis: €55-65
• To Rethymno: €80-100

Night rates (midnight-05:00) are higher. Confirm price before departure.

Pre-booked transfers: Often cheaper than taxis for distant destinations; widely available online.

KTEL Bus

KTEL Chania operates buses to the city:

• Route: Airport → Chania City Center
• Journey time: 25-30 minutes
• Frequency: Hourly (limited; check schedule)
• Cost: €2.50
• Hours: Aligned with some flight arrivals

Bus stop is outside the terminal. Service is infrequent—taxi or pre-booked transfer is more reliable.

Type	Daily Rate	Notes
Short Stay	€12/day	Terminal adjacent
Long Stay	€8/day	Short walk

Affordable parking by European standards.

CHQ has very limited dining:

Terminal:

• Café/snack bar
• Basic sandwiches and drinks
• Vending machines

Eat before arriving or wait until you reach Chania—airport options are minimal.

Network: CHQ Free WiFi

• Cost: Free
• Speed: Basic
• Registration via email

Very limited at the airport. Purchase in Chania from Cosmote, Vodafone, or Wind stores.

Greek prepaid SIM: €10-15 for basic data package.

ATMs available in the terminal.

Currency: Euro (€)

Have cash for buses and small purchases; cards widely accepted at hotels and restaurants.

Minimal shopping:

• Small duty-free
• Basic souvenirs
• News/snacks

This is a regional airport with limited facilities.

Goldair Handling Lounge

• Location: Airside
• Access: Priority Pass, business class, or €25-30 walk-in
• Amenities: Snacks, drinks, WiFi
• Hours: Seasonal, aligned with flights

Small, basic lounge—welcome escape during busy summer departures.

Limited hotels near the airport. Most visitors stay in Chania Old Town or beach resorts.

Chania and western Crete offer Venetian history, stunning beaches, and dramatic gorges:

Top attractions (with travel time from airport):

• Chania Old Town: 25 min—Venetian harbor, lighthouse, narrow streets, excellent restaurants
• Venetian Lighthouse: 25 min—iconic symbol at harbor entrance
• Chania Archaeological Museum: 25 min—Minoan and Roman artifacts in a former monastery
• Samaria Gorge: 75 min—Europe's longest gorge, spectacular 16 km hike

Western Crete beaches (among Greece's best):

• Elafonisi: 90 min—pink sand, lagoon-like shallow waters, stunning
• Balos Lagoon: 75 min (plus 30-min walk or boat)—Caribbean-like turquoise waters
• Falassarna: 60 min—wide sandy beach, great sunsets
• Seitan Limania: 30 min—dramatic hidden cove (steep access)

Day trips:

• Samaria Gorge hike: Full day—16 km through dramatic canyon (May-October only)
• Gramvousa Island & Balos: Boat trip to fortress island and famous beach
• Lake Kournas: 45 min—Crete's only freshwater lake, swimming and pedal boats
• Rethymno: 60 min—another beautiful Venetian town

Cretan cuisine:

• Dakos: Barley rusk with tomatoes, feta, and olive oil
• Kalitsounia: Cretan cheese pastries
• Lamb with stamnagathi: Wild greens, local specialty
• Boureki: Zucchini and potato bake with cheese
• Raki/Tsikoudia: Local spirit, offered everywhere (often free after meals)
• Cretan olive oil: Some of the world's best

Local tips:

• Rent a car: Essential for exploring western Crete's beaches and villages
• Elafonisi and Balos fill up: Arrive early (before 10:00) in summer
• Samaria Gorge: Book through a tour or arrange return transport (one-way hike)
• Chania Old Town: Beautiful for evening strolling; stay for sunset at the harbor
• Beach clubs vs free beaches: Most beaches have both sections
• Greek island time: Things move slowly—embrace it
• May-June and September: Best months—warm enough for swimming, fewer crowds
• August: Extremely crowded; Greeks take their holidays
• Ferries: Chania is connected to Piraeus (Athens) by overnight ferry
• Heraklion (HER): Alternative airport if CHQ flights don't suit