Chania International Airport Ioannis Daskalogiannis

Chania Airport is about 14 km (9 miles) from Chania's old town, on the Akrotiri peninsula above Souda Bay. A taxi or pre-booked car takes about 20 minutes, and the KTEL bus reaches Chania bus station in about 25 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic and stops along the way.

Its official name is Chania International Airport "Ioannis Daskalogiannis", after the leader of the 1770 Cretan revolt; it was given the name in 2000. Most travelers simply call it Chania Airport or CHQ, its IATA code, and some still call it Souda Airport after the bay and air base beside it.

Chania has one passenger terminal for domestic and international flights. Arrivals and baggage claim are on the ground floor, and check-in and departures are on the first floor, reached by escalator or elevator. The departures area is split into Schengen and non-Schengen zones, with passport control for flights outside the Schengen area.

Yes. KTEL buses run between the airport and Chania bus station, near 1866 Square, in about 25 to 30 minutes. The stop is across the departures area on the east side of the terminal, and you buy your ticket from the driver. Times change with the season and flight schedules, so check the KTEL timetable before you travel.

Official taxis wait at the taxi stand across from the Arrivals B exit of the terminal. A taxi takes about 20 minutes to Chania's old town and goes door to door to hotels and villas across western Crete. On busy summer afternoons, when several flights land together, there can be a line at the rank.

Aegean Airlines and Sky Express fly to Athens all year, and Aegean also serves Thessaloniki. In summer, Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2.com, TUI, Transavia, Eurowings, Condor, Norwegian, SAS, Wizz Air, British Airways and others add seasonal flights from the UK, Ireland, Germany, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Italy and Central Europe.

Fly into Chania if you are staying in western Crete: Chania town, Agia Marina, Platanias, the Akrotiri peninsula, Kissamos or Georgioupoli. Heraklion Airport is on the north coast in central Crete and is closer to Heraklion, Knossos, Hersonissos, Malia and the east of the island. Pick the airport nearest your hotel to keep the drive short.

Chania is a joint civil and military airport. The passenger terminal is run by Fraport Greece, while the Hellenic Air Force uses the same runway, next to the Souda Bay naval and air base. Military aircraft may be on the field, and photographing military aircraft and installations is not allowed.

Greece is in the Schengen area, so flights from Athens and other Schengen countries arrive without passport checks. Arrivals from outside it, such as the UK, go through passport control, where non-EU travelers are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES). Check the visa rules for your nationality before you fly.

The airport's own shop and dine listings do not include a lounge, so do not count on one. The departures area has cafes and restaurants such as Forno Luca, Goody's, Gregory's, CREAT and Labyrinth Flavors on the Schengen side, and Refill in the non-Schengen area. Check with your airline or lounge program before you travel.

No. Chania airport has no left-luggage office or lockers, so plan to keep your bags with you or arrange storage in Chania town. If you have a late flight after checking out, ask your hotel whether it can hold your luggage, or book a transfer timed for your check-in.

There is one parking lot inside the airport grounds, beside the terminal, open 24 hours a day all year. It serves both short stops to drop off or pick up passengers and longer stays, and you can pay by cash or card. Check the airport website for current rates before you travel.

Chania is busiest from May to October, and especially in July and August, when seasonal flights from across Europe land close together. Expect lines at passport control and security at peak times, and arrive early for departures. In winter traffic is much lighter, with flights mainly to Athens and Thessaloniki.