Checked offer from Rhodes to Heraklion (Crete): Flight, about 0h 55min, from €84.
One option to get from Rhodes to Heraklion (Crete)
Select an option below to see the route details and compare prices. Secure booking via our partner 12go.asia.
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Practical tips
Seats between Rhodes and Heraklion fill up in July and August, just like summer ferries. Book your flight as soon as your dates are set, and compare a few days either side if your plans are flexible.
Worried about picking the wrong Athens port among Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio? This route doesn't involve one. You fly directly from Rhodes airport to Heraklion, so there is no port mix-up to risk.
Low fares often include only a small cabin bag. If you travel with a backpack or suitcase, add hold luggage during booking, which is usually cheaper than paying at the airport.
If you have an onward ferry from Heraklion port or an international flight, leave generous margin after landing. Delays happen, and a missed connection on an island with few sailings can cost you a day.
Strong meltemi winds can disrupt sea crossings in summer, especially fast catamarans. Flying is generally less exposed to this, which makes it the more reassuring choice if your schedule is tight.
The journey experience
Getting from Rhodes to Heraklion is one of those Dodecanese-to-Crete links where the answer is refreshingly simple: flying is the option to book. You skip the guesswork over seasonal ferry timetables, competing operators and crossings that only run a few days a week, and you can compare the facts directly in the table on this page.
The flight is a short hop across the southeastern Aegean, operated on a scheduled basis by Greek carriers that serve the Dodecanese and Crete. You check in at Rhodes airport, go through a standard security process, and land at Heraklion's Nikos Kazantzakis airport, which is close to the city centre. It is far more comfortable than a long sea journey with a change of boat, and you avoid the risk of a crossing being cancelled by strong summer winds.
My advice: book the flight online as soon as your dates are fixed, especially in July and August when seats fill up and fares rise. Check the baggage allowance before you pay, and leave a comfortable buffer if you have an onward ferry, coach or international flight from Heraklion. You do not need to worry about Piraeus, Rafina or Lavrio here, since this route does not involve an Athens port, and you will not be stranded waiting for the next sailing.
Frequently asked questions — Rhodes → Heraklion (Crete)
The best option listed for this route is the flight. It is direct, much faster than any multi-leg sea journey, and spares you from checking seasonal ferry schedules or worrying about wind disruption. Book online in advance for the summer season, when seats fill quickly and fares tend to increase.
The flight takes about 1 hour, with journeys ranging from 55 minutes to 1 hour. Remember to add time for getting to the airport, check-in, security and baggage collection, so your total door-to-door time will be longer than the time in the air.
Flights start from €84, and typical fares go up to €126. The price depends on the date, how early you book and your baggage options. In July and August, fares usually sit toward the upper end, so booking early is the best way to keep the cost down.
You depart from Rhodes International Airport, also known as Diagoras, and land at Heraklion's Nikos Kazantzakis airport in Crete. No Athens port is involved. Check your booking confirmation for the exact terminal and departure time, and arrive at the airport in good time before your flight.
The flight listed for this route takes you from Rhodes to Heraklion in one hop of about 1 hour, so you don't need to change on another island. That makes it a simple choice if you want to avoid missed connections or being stuck waiting for the next boat.
Why visit Heraklion (Crete)?
- ✓ Explore the Palace of Knossos, the Minoan capital with its restored frescoes, just 20 minutes from the city centre
- ✓ Discover the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, home to the world's finest Minoan collection, including the Phaistos Disc
- ✓ Walk the Venetian Koules Fortress at the harbour entrance and enjoy sunset views over the Cretan Sea
- ✓ Stroll Lions Square and the old town's Venetian loggia, then taste dakos and kalitsounia in the lively side streets
- ✓ Take a day trip to the Lasithi Plateau or the beaches of Agia Pelagia and Matala from the city
When to visit Heraklion (Crete)?
MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE
May to June and September to October — warm sunny weather, comfortable sea temperatures and far fewer crowds than in peak summer
What to do in Heraklion (Crete)?
Local experiences, must-see sights and activities selected for you
How long to visit Heraklion (Crete)?
Allow 2 to 3 days in Heraklion: day one for the Palace of Knossos (go at opening time to beat the crowds and heat) and the Archaeological Museum, day two for the Venetian fortress, Old Town and the markets. With a third day, rent a car or take a bus to Matala, Phaistos or the Lasithi plateau. Heraklion is mainly a base, so plan extra days if you want to explore the rest of Crete.
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