International Airport Nikos Kazantzakis Reviews

This airport, does NOT deserve 1 star. I flew out at one of the busiest times and the queues were not as bad as described. The queue for check in was as usual long, however the queue for security was non-existant. We breezed through security, then passport control and were through in under 20 minutes. The reason I downgrade this airport is due to the general lack of cleanliness in many areas and terrible toilets. For an airport that spent so much money on a duty-free should spend money to fix the toilets. The staff were all friendly and this airport is not that bad.

Good airport but other traffic does not manage to maintain it

We have been there at 3rd of October. It was definitely not a high season but around our time there was 10 flights to departure so the airport was crowded. We have arrived 2h 15 min before departure. Baggage drop off was opened only 2 hrs before departure. We were almost the first in the queue and it took 20 min to drop the luggage. Another 20 min to pass security it was rather smooth. The only challenge is waiting hall there is clearly not enough seats for all passengers. To be honest it is the problem due to small size of the hall in bigger airports it is the same but you are not cramped like sardines there. Overall it was quite smooth and much better than in Paris, Orly.

Very dirty airport and not air conditioned in the heat of Crete !!!

Confirm the very bad restrooms!! But! After going through security it s a/c and more seating. There is just one place for snacks and sandwiches but wasn t as bad as I expected.

Small and not very clean, BUT I found the landing impressive from the plane. From the sea to the countryside ... is something special. PS: staff was friendly

The worst airport I have ever seen in my life. Total chaos and overload at check-in (the fact that we had checked in online beforehand and only had to drop off our luggage does not alleviate this). Together with our flight, several other planes could only be reached by pushing through the security checkpoint and the fact that we had to pay through the completely overcrowded check-in halls to pay for a few kilos overweight, brought the whole thing to the summit. If possible, I will avoid this airport in the future. Dear ferry and bus ...

Small and clear. You can quickly get to the rental car or on the return flight quickly to the gate. Generally, the airport is outdated and could be cleaner. The toilets on arrival are an impertinence, the on departure were reasonably ok.

The worst airport I have ever been to. At check in there is chaos and anarchy, the Absperrbaender, which would allow a regular queue, are indeed vorhanden.werden but not used. Unbearable heat, air conditioners, if one can call them so, are indeed present, but create, thanks to unspeakably poor placement, no cooling. Twice to check in (once weigh, once the suitcase) in very unfriendly staff. Particularly noteworthy I find the fact that despite common booking confirmation, very early check in and common check in the plane is not juxtaposed and about this fact is not even informed. The boarding area, as the entire airport is also very dirty and not inviting, a smoking area is looking for in vain, questions are answered with a terse No hand gestures to scare away one. During the boarding suddenly emerges a cleaning lady who stubbornly maneuvered their oversized car through the snakes, given the cleanliness of the airport, it almost looks like a camera. The toilets are only accessible via steps, these should be saved and go better in the plane, rarely so dirty unkempt toilet facilities seen.

On arrival, everything went well and the suitcases were also relatively fast on the tape It is a small and outdated airport which did not bother me. The disappointment gabs then finally. For the suitcase delivery we stood for over an hour. Everything was very chaotic and the hall was totally crowded. The staff very rude and the toilets an impertinence. It was a shame, Crete was just fantastic and the last impression unfortunately miserable

I agree with previous opinions. Experience unpleasant, dirty toilets, lack of paper, soap. Very stuffy throughout the entire property and an unpleasant smell. Overall, it could use a general renovation. When it comes to service, it's a positive impression, ladies, smiling.

Was expecting much worse. Check in was fine and didn't have to queue again to put luggage in. Was all done at same desk like normal. Duty free pretty decent. Airport is absolutely filthy though. By far the dirtiest airport I've been in. Not a cleaner in sight either!

Not enough seating at this airport. Obliged to sit on the ground for 1h30. Otherwise pretty cool

Most countries in Africa are better organised. And probably safer, less expensive and cleaner.

I read many comments from people who think they are still living in the 90s. Check in is from the comfort of your home, with your smartphone, and without problems. Is it so difficult for the hold baggage to read the displays, which are the same in all airports, with the name of their company? Evidently yes. Clean and personal staff. Of course I will not eat inside, you know that the prices are absurd, but from those who are still in line to check in, which makes no sense now and again, it is clear that then spends eating too. At least 8 of the 10 negative reviews I've read are meaningless.

Old, shabby, dirty and disorganized. You can't really say more about this.
Nobody could tell us which gate we had to go to until we asked other passengers with a physical check-in card.
Gates are apparently dynamically distributed spontaneously here.

All the reviews are accurate, worst airport ever.
And this in turn makes the passengers the worst in the world.
People are peeing in trash cans!!!
People sit on conveyer belts.
Floors are super dirty all over.

Crete government, please use the tourism money to improve this airport!
I enjoyed Crete thoroughly but will less likely to return because of this airport that ruins the entire experience.

Here the vacation ends abruptly. Completely congested airport. Each hen has more space available.

Very badly organized, you have to go and take your tickets and check your luggage in one place then take it to another to have it loaded, with few competent staff. After you have to get back in a 3rd queue to go to the boarding.

Heraklion airport decadent! For such a big island, such an airport is a shame .. Small, narrow, cleanliness zero! The toilets are pentabromic !!!!! You must have made every kind of vaccine, just to get in, not to do anything else! Let's hope that they will soon build the new airport.

Slow service, too crowded, ancient building. Nobody can understand any announcements bc of poor English and even worse speakersystem.

Basic airport, but suited for its purpose. A great vacation destination.

On the outward flight we had the luggage half an hour after landing. Airport is very old.
The toilet are an impertinence they are dirty, no toilet seats, partly not lockable, faucets also partly broken and it stinks.
Hygiene can not be found there.
Shops are hardly a large duty free shop and an overpriced bakery I have seen.

Shame to have these toilets. Some refurbishment was done at the airport. The toilets did not think anyone would change them; A sense of dirt everywhere.

After the very bad reviews we had right jib before the return flight (Saturday 11:30 h). But in the end, with timely arrival before departure (120 minutes) everything had worked. It's logical that 20 starts per hour are a big crowd. The check-in was professional, the security check went fast and the toilets were reasonably bearable.

July 26, 2018: wait before departure for Toulouse: lack of seating. Toilets and climates acceptable. Be careful if you do not have checked baggage, the boarding gate was only displayed at the last moment: it is better to go ask travelers who have their boarding pass rather than waiting because you risk a sprint. Attention: morality dubious customs: honey (small pot, less than 100ml) confiscated without explanation. No pb if you have checked baggage and you put your gifts in it.

Prices through the clouds, uncomfortable seats, lack of control in the controls of the boarding gates.
Very dirty toilets.
1/2 liter of olive oil, 12, sandwiches, the cheapest, 7, a cappuccino, 3 and so on.
The outside, a chaotic and badly signposted area of rental cars

Organised chaos. The ques move fast but everything seems so confusing and chaoitic. Still, it's all part of the fun

After a wonderful holiday with friendly helpful people all around this place is awful. Aircon turned down, no wifi, expensive, uncared for, unsmiling and unhelpful staff. Avoid if possible. Greece will never get out of its economic problems with this attitude.

Disgusting! Sanitary facilities are in very poor condition. No seating and it is crowded too (low season).

Check-in went afloat on arrival. Short distances to the car rental station.

Still not a good place to stay if you have to wait a long time.

Tragedy, drama and failure. Crap and malaria. No organization whatsoever.

On arrival, the toilets were really a disgrace, starting with the lack of toilet paper and a completely messed up condition of the whole sanitary facility.
Outside, too, everything was very DIRTY.

Very chaotic and unprofessional airport. Be careful they charge 30 if you did not check online. 0 stars!

The worst airport where it has ever been ... Disorganized, lack of display boards x info and low assistance ... Given the amount of tourists that invade it every day it should absolutely be modernized

For an airport handling so many passengers every year to one of the busiest tourist destinations of Greece it is at least inadequate. People working do their best to handle the load but the building is old, facilities are from the 60s and certainly not a good first (or last) impression of the island. Talks of changing to a new location have been going on for decades but still nothing.

Small airport. Quickly come through Checkin and Security, directly after Security apparently newly built, plenty of clean and clean toilets. In the gate area A enough seats. Little food supply, expensive duty-free. Very good: water bottles very cheap: 750 ml = 75 cents, 500 ml = 50 cents. So cheap I have seen water at no airport. As of the beginning of May 2019.

The airport has a convenient location, and a good connection with the city. However, the terminal building is very small, which whilst not being much of a problem during the winter, is a huge problem in the summer, when lots of tourists are visiting as the terminal building gets very crowded, especially around the gates.

Total chaos ...
From the buses to the security check

The airport is disorganized, even by Mediterranean standards. The buses criss-cross, at the check-in you get your boarding pass and you have to HANDL your luggage to another station afterwards. During the security check everyone runs into confusion and the toilets stink terribly.

There is potential for improvement in it

Provincial airport which has absolutely not followed the evolution of the tourist flow on the island of Crete '

Pro: security check, duty free
Cons: too little capacity (very long queues for dinner), too few seats, very ascetic, 30 years behind the times

Staff stressed and very unpleasant or insulting, rare for Greeks in principle warm, whether at the level of control or boarding gates. Crowded airport, no place to drive, plane late without any announcement or updated billboards!
Me who takes the plane very often, it is for the moment the worst airport that I saw. If you can, land in Chania!

I have never seen an airport like this. Dirty, tired, amateurish, ...
The luggage straps were broken and everyone had to hand over the luggage to a poor man who had to put everything on it manually in the blazing sun.
Far too many people in too small warm spaces.
Almost all flights were delayed.
The toilets were not to be seen.
Terrible ... and especially a shame, because Crete was otherwise very neat and tidy.

Terrible experience, toilets were very dirty, like no one cleaned them for days. Massive amount of people and huge queues. As interest in Crete is growing I would consider some renovations.

This time, on arrival, despite Corona, everything was easy, uncomplicated and fast. Look how it will be again at departure ...

Toilets broken and dirty
Luggage delivery takes
Little seating

Bring time ...

Not exactly a nice reception. Crete is really nice, but that's not the case here. Most cretans are very friendly, all those who are not working well here.

The check on arrival was very quick despite the high number of corona tests on our plane.
The arrival hall and the toilets are nicely in need of renovation. But you don't stay long anyway. So it doesn't really matter. The departure and waiting hall, however, is state-of-the-art. Modern furnishings and clean toilets. Even here (as in practically every public toilet in Crete) the toilet seats are missing ...

Men's toilets an absolute disgrace. No seats on any of the toilets, no lids on the bins next to the toilets (filling the air with the putrid stench of used toilet paper). Soap, but no hot water and no paper towels and a broken air-dryer. All at a time we should be hygiene-centric given COVID, but would be absolutely disgusting at any time. You have no choice but to use them when you are here, they know this and so clearly don't care.

The airport was amazingly not as bad as I imagined ... I was told by stories. The toilets are a disaster as is the dark departure hall.
The security check went pretty quickly. The duty free was also very pretty. Staff was friendly everywhere and there was no problem.

It is small and the services are very bad but many important flights leave.

Airport too small, and no organization with long queues that go in all directions. The information provision is zero, so there is only 1 point where you can see which gate you should have.
Bad business card for Crete!

Heraklion Airport ....
Incredibly chaotic shop .....
On arrival 45 minutes outside in the sun in front of the passport and Covid 19 control ..... outside on the tarmac ... !!! in front of the building..
Then it went .... Except that suitcases for 3 flights arrived on a baggage carousel .....
Toilets absolutely not recommended ...
The toilets in Cologne's main train station are even more neat during Carnival ...

Return flight ....
Total chaos ...
Our flight was delayed ... and we were sent from gate to gate .. for 3 hours .. with zero information ..
The Greeks still have a lot to learn here.

Since the prices in duty free are still too high ... Almost ridiculous

Really disgusting airport! Dirty without end! I do not want to start from the toilets !!! Since you are probably better in the pants! The staff here are also extremely rude. I've never experienced something like that. Too bad that unfortunately you still need it ...

You have to see it in a relaxed way and look past a lot, then that works. Anyone who makes any comparisons with German standards fails mercilessly here.
Greek just. Mythical

Very busy in the summer. Waiting area borderline has little seats to offer, and not many shops / restaurants

Slow check- in, so many people it's hard to stand, long queues, you have to pay even if you want to weight your bag.. The worst airport ever.

Passing through security was relatively quick and straightforward. Once past there is a terrible food counter with nothing else on offer so be sure to feed yourself before you arrive at the airport.

A very small airport, thanks to the managed air traffic, I thought it bigger and more efficient, also considering that it serves one of the largest cities in Greece.

Gave me NO information about the flight I was looking for. Their Site is absolutely pointless. Spent a few hours to find their email adress.

Help! Are they checking negative covid tests for passengers from EU? Flying tomorrow and dont have one due to it being too expensive

airport was ok considering it s size... I was So happy to find a taxi driver... he saved me a lot of trouble and showed me around and told me stories while taking me to the hotel and asked him to pick me for my departure too...check his details for c
As per airport For a small airport there a lots of stores so you can get gifts Incase yojust make sure you don t miss your flights because the system is poor, the staff know even less and no clear instructions are provided. Do not trust any given info and check and double check and do not shop for a long time your boarding will come very quickly and you will have to run like a zombie...

Not that clean airport

...

A star is definitely too much for this place. This airport is probably the dirtiest place I've ever visited! Although I realize that public toilets are never 100% clean, this is an absolute imposition and disgusting! More

Although the airport has blossomed from the "Busch landing site" to a small airport in the past 25 years, everything remains the same. The Greeks are poorly organized, processing is tedious and lengthy. In the departure hall there are 2 small displays for the departure times. The screen in my bedroom is bigger. I love Crete, but the airport for "departures" in Heraklion is just unreasonable.

Old airport not great place but easy checkin close to gates and only ever takes 10-20 mins to get bags ...been to worse

7 euros for donut and "cappuccino" in the ONLY bar in the area. run by 4 ladies ... a little slowed down. EAT BEFORE ARRIVING!
Very dirty bathrooms

The airport is a bit backward and looks like from the last century. However, it fulfills its role so it is not bad.

The toilet floor was flooded.
I was to scared to go into the cubicles.
One bottle of hand gel for four sinks.
The one hand drier was not working.
How do they expect people to practise social hygiene, if they do not provide the facilities.
Outside of the airport was poorly lit
Worse airport i have ever been to.

Dro yzna i syf.Junene what is in the store you can buy something cheaper. A hot dog costs 5 euros as a small beer pack

Bad is still nice expressed!
Messy, rude, old & dirty. The queues at the check-in desks block the entire passage through the terminal, in the waiting area of the gates there are far too few seats for the number of passengers. No smoking area in the security area, dirty sanitary facilities without paper and the staff is on top of that on friendly requests also rude and cheeky.

The airport certainly serves its purpose, after all we have landed safely back home. But not more!

We flew out of Crete to Paris and stayed in the A gates, it s busy but nothing nuts. There are toilet seats, toilet paper, soap and water. Don t worry. Literally I ve seen worse airports in the US (Miami, New Jersey). A little grimes but meh what airport isnt

The airport is very old. They have no gates. So you will transported by als bus thats brings you to the arrival terminal. And especially it is very hot inside the airport.
The building outside looks like a commander center of NAVO from the 50"s

Despite Covid crowds everywhere, every flight felt like gate changes. Apparently the airport was built for a third of the passenger volume.

Disgust and confusion. Probably the Greek standard ...

Airport type 90s to close as soon as possible designed by an inept .. But Dubai type prices three brioche and 2 latte macchiato 18.50 positive water at duty free from half a liter 0.50 cents and pleasant view see photo.

There were cleaning staff who simply skipped the toilets. No toilet paper or soap and the condition was disastrous. Be sure to take disinfectant wipes and toilet paper replacement with you!

On the whole, alright. The toilets are partly broken and not exactly clean. The toilets are the same in the Duty Free area, but the Duty Free Shop is very clean and there are enough staff present.

The luggage delivery and admission went quickly and without complications.