Transit Options from Heraklion Airport to Agios Nikolaos
The famous coastal city of Agios Nikolaos, with its rich historical background, Lake Voulismeni, and the idyllic nearby beaches, is 60km/37 miles away from Heraklion International Airport. Thus, many travelers with Agios Nikolaos as their journey’s end fly to HER Airport and find their way to Agios Nikolaos. Overall, the available transit options are various: airport taxis and private airport transfers efficiently link Heraklion airport to Agios Nikolaos, whereas DIY travelers greatly value airport car rentals. Last but not least, visitors looking for an affordable way to travel have no other choice but to opt for a cheap yet indirect bus ride to their destination.
| Options | Price (€) | Price ($) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | 73 | 79.40 | 60 min |
| Bus | 9.40 | 10.25 | 120 min |
Heraklion Airport to Agios Nikolaos by Taxi
Heraklion airport taxis are always available, queuing up at the official taxi stand right outside the HER terminal. Thus, whatever time or whichever day you are arriving at Nikos Kazantzakis Airport, you’ll find the gray vehicles waiting to get their passengers to their destinations. That being said, HER Airport gets crowded during the peak tourist season. At that time, there might be long waiting lines for a cab at the airport taxi rank.
The taxi journey from Heraklion International Airport to Agios Nikolaos lasts around one hour, depending on the road congestion. However, it doesn’t come with a fixed price. Hence, although some taxi drivers may negotiate an agreed-upon fare before the beginning of the ride, cab journeys are overall metered, meaning that their final price is formed by the taximeter. In any case, the average cost of the 22-minute ride should be around 73€/79.40$. Please note that each piece of luggage that weighs more than 10kg/22lbs is charged at 0.39€/0.42$ and that tipping is optional. You can pay for your transit fare in cash or via a bank card. However, although card payments should always be accepted, it is advisable to talk it over with the driver to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Heraklion Airport to Agios Nikolaos by Bus
Are you looking for an affordable way to travel from Heraklion Airport to Agios Nikolaos? The bus is your only option, as there isn’t a railway network in Crete. Although buses offer efficient services and are cheap, they are time-consuming and require a change of lines, adding hassle and time to the journey.
Thus, if you want to reach Agios Nikolaos by bus, you’ll have to get to downtown Heraklion. The intercity KTEL buses to Agios Nikolaos depart from the Central Bus Station, which is situated close to the Port. Various airport bus lines head to the Central Bus Station, calling at the airport bus stop, on the left side of the main road in front of HER terminal. The fastest and most convenient of them are Buses 6 (Ammoudara), 10 (Gazi), 11 (PAGNI), and 12 (EL.ME.PA.). Hence, once you reach the bus stop, you can hop on either of those buses, which connect the airport to the city of Heraklion from 06:00 am to 00:30 am on a 5-10-minute frequency. You should expect a 13-14-minute ride to the Central Bus Station, while you’ll pay 1.60€/1.74$ if you buy your ticket from the airport’s automatic machines (in cash or via a bank card) and 2.50€/2.72$ if you buy it onboard.
As soon as you reach the Central Bus Station, you’ll have to catch one of the KTEL Buses heading to Agios Nikolaos. KTEL Buses are comfortable coaches, equipped with luggage space in their lower compartment and offering free Wi-Fi to their passengers. Please note that each passenger can carry up to two pieces of luggage without being extra charged. Buses run from Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos every 45-60 minutes from 06:30 am to 10:00 pm. They take around 90 minutes to reach their destination. Their ticket costs 7.80€/9.50$ and can be bought from the station’s ticket offices (in cash or via a credit or debit card) or online. Children younger than 6 don’t have to pay a ticket fare.
Hence, your bus ride from Heraklion Airport to Agios Nikolaos will cost you a total of 9.40€/10.25$, and will last around 2 hours.
Car Rental from Heraklion Airport to Agios Nikolaos
One of the top recommended transit options for the ride from Heraklion Airport to Agios Nikolaos is by far a Heraklion airport car rental. Verily, rental cars at Heraklion Airport are widely preferred not only by travelers who seek independence during their rides but also by visitors who want to explore other Cretan destinations close or even further distanced from Agios Nikolaos. Fortunately, HER Airport houses several car hire agencies, while plenty of car rental providers have their desks at off-airport locations. As a result, the provided services are various, and the prices are reasonable. In any case, travelers who book their Heraklion car rental early in advance almost always ferret out lower prices and have access to more vehicle types.
Your ride from Heraklion Airport to Agios Nikolaos shouldn’t last more than one hour under normal traffic conditions. Once you reach the exact location of your destination, you’ll have to park your vehicle. To save time and money, you should check if your hotel provides parking services. If this is not the case, you’ll find a parking lot lying centrally in Agios Nikolaos as well as some other car parks around the city. Finally, street parking is also an option. That being said, you should have patience and time to spare, especially during the summer months. On the other hand, if you choose to leave the car outside the city center, you’ll find free parking spaces on the street as well.
Private Airport Transfers from Heraklion Airport to Agios Nikolaos
If you want to travel from Heraklion Airport to Agios Nikolaos in comfort and radically remove hassle and stress from your ride, you should book a private airport transfer. In that way, your driver will be waiting for you at HER Arrivals hall, ready to give you a hand with your luggage and escort you to the vehicle of your preference, parked right outside the terminal. From that moment, you should expect a smooth, door-to-door ride, as all drivers are experienced and highly skilled while vehicles are as good as new and well-maintained.
FAQs
What is the transfer time from Heraklion Airport to Agios Nikolaos?
The traveling time from Heraklion Airport to Agios Nikolaos varies depending on the chosen transit mode. Thus, car rides (airport taxis, private airport transfers, rental cars) last around one hour, whereas the duration of a bus journey is about 2 hours.
How to get from Heraklion Airport to Agios Nikolaos?
If you value comfort during your journeys, you should opt for an airport taxi ride or book a private airport transfer. Alternatively, airport car rentals are the ideal way to travel from Heraklion Airport to Agios Nikolaos at your own pace, whereas a bus ride is the most affordable way to go.
How much is a taxi from Heraklion Airport to Agios Nikolaos?
The taxi rides from Heraklion Airport to Agios Nikolaos are metered, dependent on the traffic levels and the traversed distance. In any case, the usual fare for the cab journey to Agios Nikolaos is about 73€/79.40$.