International Airport Nikos Kazantzakis Reviews

Had Easyjet Speedy Plus and so minimal queueing at check-in and Bag Drop. However, the queues for usual check-in were long-ish, but nowhere near outwith experience of many airports at this time of year.

In reading other reviews, I was then worried about possible queues at Security, but there were none.

The Duty Free seemed new, no apparent queuing to obtain purchases etc, and varied.

There appeared to be seats available to sit to wait for your flight and places to eat. It was warm in the terminal but not especially so given that it is at least 34 degrees today.

When we asked directions from members of staff, they were helpful and courteous.

We then cleared passport control with absolutely no queuing also.

Our flight was around 1 pm, to help others gauge the helpfulness of this review.

The airport is, however, badly let down by its toilet facilities - things broken and unclean. They are usable after a bit of selection, but just cast a bad impression over your visit. They badly need updating or changing, and then maintaining and more rigorous cleaning. In reality, i could have marked the score down to three stars for this alone, but since I only used the facilities once, it seemed unfair to over-emphasise this aspect in my overall review.

I do appreciate that other people may have a different experience at other times, but, after reading previous reviews, I can honesty say I was almost dreading coming here, and it turned out to be more than okay.

If you come from Ffm, the holiday feeling is not particularly great. Just Schell gone.

If there is a hell on earth then that is here. TOTAL disaster. Info on the monitors is not correct. Double check-in. Long rows everywhere. Bizarre that this still exists in 2018.

The airport is small. The QR code was checked by police officers. That happened very quickly. In front of the door there are what feels like 1000 car rental companies.

This is probably the most disorganized airport ever. A new airport has to go here. BER is even better organized when it comes to building .... one star is too much.

It is very hot and there is no air conditioning in July !!

No more of this time. Food supply was limited and what was there was not tasty and far too expensive. With the bus to the plane, few seats and for the smokers among us; no smoking area after customs.

If you have to wait there make sure you buy some food somewhere else. It's ridiculously overpriced

Airport friendly large information boards, no delay in the flight. Many Taxis and car rental agencies.

Nothing wrong with it. You do not have to live here .. come on, it's just an airport. If you already have problems with this airport, you have not seen much in the world

One of the worst airports I've dealt with in my travels. Crammed and chaotic is fine- but no air conditioning on hotter than usual days? Facilities everywhere look as though they've not been cleaned since the days of drachmas. Garbage cans spilling over- as a solution they used shopping baskets as "extra" trash cans. No carts in the luggage arrival areas. Where is all the tax money going? It sure isn't going into running a trim and tidy airport.

Catastrophic conditions. Absolutely no distance, massively overcrowded, toilets completely run down, missing toilet seats and no toilet paper available. Are you even less inclined to come back.

Filthy toilet, no place to sit.
It deserves a good renovation.

So a rotz airport no smoking area after the security check unfriendly staff on the toilets I do not speak very very bad airport

Arrival OLD, departure a little more modern. But everything is disgusting and dirty ... toilets never cleaned. There was no paper in any loo (neither for hands nor for anything else).

A real suck! People crowded like animals in a row, gates that change constantly forcing you to change the queue when maybe you were almost there to check in, not an operator who speaks Italian, not to mention those with disability problems! Air conditioning does not exist ...
In the end they also changed the boarding gate after an hour in a row and two hours late. Insommare to embark in this airport is an unknown factor.

The airport is bursting at the seams, a chaotic mess of people.

If I could give zero stars I would. Horrible place.

Arrivals a total tragedy, looks like from the 70s, in addition a very long waiting for the suitcases 1h 15 min. It pays tribute to the Departure Hall, modern.

I was a bit shocked after reading all the negative reviews but hezl was better than expected in a busy period. Toilets indeed dirty, but enough shops and places to eat. Everything went smoothly and just drop off your bags when you go to your boarding pass. Kos is bad, but heraklion was not that bad.

Awful airport. Chaotic, overcrowded, polluted toilets. A total mess.

Must be the worst airport in Europe. Greece - 0 Points!

Run down, service slow, toilets in a deplorable condition

Such a bad experience. Got off transfer was told check in desks too busy had to queue outside in 37 degree heat. Once inside we had to queue to check in then again to X-ray our suitcases and bag drop. After this we had no clue what to do as security is either gate 1-8 or 8-12 when the gate was announced the queue for security was again out the door, the queue was probably an hour long and after about 30 mins we were told our flight for 2pm was rough forward to 13:20 how this is possible I do not know, we then had a mad rush still 15 mins from security in queue when they did last call and we got brought forward, the flight didn't leave until 2pm anyway stupid to stress people like that in addition did not have time to buy water which in this heat was ridiculous I thought I may pass out in the queue. Feel very sorry for the staff at check in and security and it's clearly not their fault and they have to deal with this.

Prepare yourself for hours of discomfort!
The dirtiest airport ever! They don't care!
The staff at the scanners were clashing with each other! Chaos!

No place to sit, toilets are dirty, food is awful, the worst place to wait for your plane

The women in the check-in service was super rude, almost agressive. Gave us paper to fill that were not readable because of bad printing. Not a great experience at all.

It was busy, but everything was handled well. For a flight to Frankfurt 2 people were called out at least 10 times. Respect for perseverance!

So you can arrive there and also depart. That was also the positive. The here many negatively criticized toilets are indeed an impertinence. Both on arrival and departure. You have to stop the air and float best. You can not lock the cabins. What is bred on bacterial strains would probably be banned by the Geneva Convention.

Old airport with listless staff and chaotic organization. Check in with us 1 hour (seems to be standard) for the condition of the toilets already everything was said.

Efficient service, unfortunately only one bar and a long queue

absolute disaster airport with zero organization - unfortunately. a little more staff and a little more organization would do the current tourism flow good. Rest of Crete - just great.

Airport overloaded disgusting toilet very average does not reflect the crest damage at all

Incredibly bad organization. Building unable to receive the crowd. Flights don't show up on the board or too late, unbelievable queues: 1 for baggage check in, then 1 for x ray scan and baggage drop-off and then 1 to enter the secure area and then another for the security check. Dirty toilets, dirty and old building. We took over 2 hours to complete the handling and were just in time for the flight, which was delayed due to the many late passengers (which is apparently the custom). In short, a blemish on this beautiful island !! Unheard of!! The only positive is the fact that the staff present try their best to remain friendly ....

Cramped, really poor facilities and to top it off they close off part of the seating area in the evening just when you think the place couldn't get anymore cramped. The airport isn't the deciding factor when choosing a holiday destination, but after this experience Crete is off the list. Zero investment, poor cleanliness and aging infrastructure make for a horrible passenger experience. Makes Luton airport look world class.

The airport is very small. Not reconstructed and not repaired for many years. In summer there are a lot of tourists. Due to constant flight delays, it's not something to sit down, but sometimes it's not there.
In the toilets is very dirty, not nice.
At the airport there are 2 cafes of the same brand "Everest". Due to the flight delay of 3 hours at the check-in desk, we were informed that we could take one free drink per person in this cafe.
However, it was not that easy. In the first cafe we were offered to go to another, and in the second one we were sent back to the first one.
But with the fight, shouting and indignation of many people in the queue, who also came for a free drink, we were able to achieve the result.
The drinks were ours. The staff of the cafe behaved rashly! Type you are already home to fly, then fly, nothing here to require a free bottle of water!
Cross all positive experiences from vacation in Crete !!!

Very old and very dirty. Really not a figurehead but something shabby is actually the whole island.

I given a 0 stars if I could . The the dirtiest airport I ve ever seen. Hope you like using the toilet with no toilet paper or locks...or soap

Omg! Worst airport in the world. You are think u can checkIn ... wrong line (change it always) luggage drop off is then at another place. 1000 of people waiting there in a single line. Security chaos.... no police. Bagdad and Kabul are 100% better

Return to France spoiled by this airport. Superb holidays but we wait for an hour because the "X-ray" to put our luggage did not work !! Hundreds of people like us waiting. An hour before they find a backup solution. We embarked 20 minutes before the departure of the plane. A huge mess !!! Organization rotten! And no excuses from them

Return to France spoiled by this airport. Superb vacation but a wait of about an hour because the "X-ray" to put our luggage did not work anymore !! Hundreds of people like us waiting. An hour before they find a backup solution. We embarked 20 minutes before the departure of the plane. A huge mess !!! Organization rotten! And no excuses from them

Chaotic, unorganized, and probably the worst airport in Europe

A small airport, an uncomfortable duty free zone, almost no one speaks Russian, or pretend that they do not understand.

I'm in this shambolic utter joke of a place at the moment.
Queues were horrendous going through security.
Myself and daughter sat on the floor outside the duty free and after a little while the girl serving lambert and butler came and told me to move. I asked her where to as we were all totally crushed. She then proceeded to get a security guard to.move me from her precious advert
Total lack of respect for visitors to this country.

One of the worst airports i have been. Overwhelmed staff, total chaos and far to small for the amount of passengers they have to handle. If zero points where possible, i would like to give zero points. Shame on you airport of Heraklion!

Small but correct airport, the toilets, the comments and the rest are the reflection of some travelers who use them .....

When you arrive at the international airport of Heraklion, you will see chic views of both the sea and the island of Crete. After landing, customs pass very quickly, without problems, immediately get things, and then who is like: bus, taxi, transfer.

Small and usually crowded, long queues. Flying TO this airport is O.K., but flying FROM isn't the best experience.

As for a regional airport not that bad. I ve been to many many airports and I write reviews about them. This airport is a nice middle sized airport with helpful staff and plenty of room to ensure you have a pleasant wait for your plane. However when you arrive if you do have really bad epilepsy, try to ensure you have your eyes closed because the light does flicker. Ahh yes we can t go without mentioning the baggage claim belts. I would rate the baggage claim a fat 2 stars because it is vey confusing when you arrive. One minute your on belt 1 and the next minute your on belt 5, it s very confusing. Also, the belts usually (not always) have 2 airliners worth of suit cases, not to mention how many people are crowding around the belt. When you leave baggage reclaim we make your way to the entrance to the airport itself. We come to the coach/bus station. Now I really love the airport building itself. Very unique and very clean. The people are friendly at the bus stands and they will talk to you while you wait for your transfer. So that s my review for Heraklion Airport Nikos Kazatzakis and I m going to rate this airport a 3 star for the bathroom cleanliness, the flickery light and the baggage reclaim. Don t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for reviews and transport videos. My next review will be at Bristol airport.

Dirty airport, no air conditioning. Bathrooms are a total failure. Awful piston.

Small, old dirty. Queues of 30 people to the toilet. The funny thing is that luggage is checked in two steps - weighing, boarding pass in one gate and luggage in the gate at the other end of the hall. There are queues all the time and lots of people squeezing with suitcases. Could use a renovation or a new airport ....

I wasn t expecting this place to be particularly opulent (despite travelling club class); after all Greece has had its money problems of the last few years... but this airport is abysmal.

The Staff

The staff members who I encountered were a tad abrupt and their customer care was perfunctory.

Business Lounge

The business lounge is appalling, and almost an insult to premium-paying customers. This tiny space is dominated by a ridiculously large and overly grand reception desk, occupied by a single, slightly disinterested receptionist. The lounge food is worse than 1970s British Rail catering. The departure information board was unreadable from any distance over 10 feet.

Lavatories

I ll be brief: Terrible. These facilities do not meet the general EU standard of cleanliness or maintenance. Frankly, an embarrassment to the nation of Greece and the beautiful island of Crete.

Fast arrival, suitcases were there quickly, but also had priority luggage

What a mess airport. But the Greeks seem to have their chaos under control. But we left on time.

Toilets do not go, so stink and are very dirty.

BUT: drinks at the airport are acceptable from the price. A bottle of water 0.75 liters for 75 cents. Once the German airports should cut off a slice (Berlin 3,50 )

Nice quiet airport. Security is quick and easy. Had a big range of shops. Has an amazing view of the sea right next to the airport. It is very cold in parts which is good with the sweltering weather outside! I am quite sad to leave crete behind. It is a wonderful place. To see where I stayed look at my other reviews. The people who work the place is lovely!

In 100 years to open the new airport in Kastelli, which can then make much more tourists. A Greek - Indian consortium should then set it up.

very cramped and really hot, and some incredibly rude people in security (throughing phones and tablets, shouting at you for no reason etc) they must make a lot of miney from all the tourists but arent using a single penny!

When I was there in May of this year everything was supi.
It was clean, well organized and also without Greek knowledge you have found a great deal. The staff was very friendly and helpful and the food on the spot (albeit quite expensive) was delicious.

It has gotten a lot better. That's unfortunately the best I can testify here... Used to be much less organized (yes, hard to imagine, I know!) and a lot more dirty (again, hard to believe for anyone who has been there, I am aware of that). Yet I gotta give them some credit as they really get a huge amount of people in and out of crete safely. During the off-holiday season they still provide proper service too.

There is a few places to buy food and magazines, especially once you're through security. Check the gate on a regular frequency for changes as they may or may not be announced (usually are announced though but sometimes hard to understand!).

Little background story: one reason there seems to be no investment into improving this airport is the plan to build a completely new airport farther east of the city. It would be "wasted money" to invest in the "old" Airport if that project will ever happen ;)

Wow ... a lot has been redesigned here. The toilets are unfortunately still a total nightmare but the service is quick and helpful. And we had the suitcases faster than in some other parts of Europe.

WOW!! i can't believe what i just witnessed... just look at the picture.. on top of that - Dirty toilets, our flight is delayed but no updates at the gates. Staff is very rude. Proper animals...

New business lounge is great, unfortunately it ends there.
The loos & facilities for the lounge are very very very poor.
I ve never seen such unkempt toilets etc.
Staff at the lounge were helpful & staff dealing with fast track were professional, no complaints regarding the staff helping us.
Passport control is a nightmare.
If you can pay for fast track please do, it saves standing in a queue for best part of 45 minutes minimum.
Overall the public places in this airport are dated & tatty

After a nice stay in the south of Crete an absolutely negative highlight. I have experienced some airports, this was by far the most overstrained. The check-in counter completely overfilled, several flights were handled simultaneously. Unfortunately, the check-in began about 110 minutes before the flight, only then was the switch announced. Everything clenched around a few open switches, though the hall would offer you more room. On the one hand, one of two ladies' toilets was broken down, merged with the men's room, on which one of four cabins was broken. Stand in line. Security checks, queue up. We were already about 4 hours. Before departure there (unfortunately there is hardly any seating) had by the very tight times of the Condor Condor but then hardly time to visit the Duty Free Shop, in the narrow corridors of overcrowding did not do well , Also at the cheese, then long lines again. The large waiting room at the gates overflowing. Boarding started very early, you were controlled and then waited down and outside a good fifteen minutes on the bus. Sure, the airport itself could be bigger, but with a slightly better structure and a longer window of airlines, the overall situation would probably be a little bit softened. Presumably, this is deliberately handled as people would clog the boarding area after check-in. About the prices are the snack bars I can only say that they should actually be appropriate for the country, which is not the case here. Overall, a disaster, which I think is a pity.

No smoking area after security check
Small and lively

Not sure if they only changed the layout for Gates A bit the experience we had today was worlds apart from last year. More space, modern duty free and fairly quick check in

The airport is crowded, it is impossible to pass through the corridors. Everything is dirty, especially the floor. Horror simply! The worst airport I've ever been to. Old Airport! The food is terrible!

Seeing the previous comments I was scared but ultimately it is exactly what is written in comment.

Airport too small, too crowded really dirty, the toilet is poor.

The food is not great and the world there is for such a small airport is really shocking you almost walk on it.

Really not a nice airport ... Many things look extremely worn out and until the luggage gets on the band it takes a very long time. In other airports, it sometimes takes a little longer, but I've been at this airport several times and constantly it was the same ...

Small. Confusing. Baggage collection took 45 minutes. At the end 3 flights in the same band.

Same crowd like a hysterical justin bieber concert!!! And btw Take a taxi thereto/from! Awfully organised and illegal overcrowding - even flights show wrong gates - not necessary to show up more than 90 minutes before your flight, cuz the check-im doesn't open before - no air condition - no seats in gates - extremely overcrowded (june 2017) - bizarre security procedures - don't take the hotel-bus, it's too expensive: we took a taxi ordered online it's about 33 euros for 20 minutes drive to Hersonissos.
Only + side, is that you can have your baby STROLLER all the way to the plane :-)
If you fly SAS, be aware that your check-in is cery likely to be at checkin counter #6 and 7.

Much too small and confusing. You can't fall over at all, people push and push from all sides. The loudspeaker announcements could hardly be heard. You have to look for seating. However, the staff was very nice compared to two years ago

It is impressive to have this airport in 2020, with so much tourist traffic everywhere !!! As if it came out of a 60's movie !!! Worst of all, if you have a big luggage that doesn't fit into the strap, you have to go it alone to the luggage compartment !!!!! Around the airport, with no help from an employee, they just accompany you ...

I have found Greece getting more expensive by the year, but starting taxing you on how many stars your hotel has is the final straw. Anyway I would not pay it and the hotel manager wasn't very happy. But I told him you are asking me to pay your debt to the European Union, I don't think so. I also told him that I am exempt from tax in the UK so why should I pay tax in Greece. I am also mad that if it is a tax then why is it not added on to the price of the holiday at the time of booking your holiday?
I am also very mad that the hotel upgraded itself from a two star to a four star when they tried to get their money. As I understand it you are supposed to pay 50 cents a night for two star, 1 a night for a three star and going up for a four and five star. Well I was in a 2star and for 14 nights I should have paid 7. The hotel said that it was a 4 star and wanted 21. So that is another reason for not paying this so called tax, there is no one to regulate the amount paid. So Greece if you want to get greedy, remember that is what got you in this position in the first place. Your government got greedy and stole your money so get at them and not the tourists.

Because of the new form / code, much more regulated and faster than usual.
However, zero clearance at the baggage carousel. Total crush. No towels, no disinfectant in the toilets

By far the dirtiest airport I've been in. Currently under renovation works, however I wouldn't expect the cleanliness to change. In fact, with more spaces in use, it will probably never be cleaned again.
Plus, the staff is moody and doesn't pay much attention to customers, let alone offer assistance