All program attendees to fly into/out of Heraklion, Crete, Greece Airport (HER) on designated arrival and departure days.
Note that flights leaving the USA to Greece will arrive the next day. For instance, if you leave the USA on October 15, you will arrive in Greece on October 16.
Getting to Heraklion, Crete, Greece: We advise to always buy refundable tickets. And travel insurance.
Print AND scan your tickets before you depart. There may be options for self-check in to avoid lines.
USA to Heraklion, Crete: There are a few nonstop flights from East Coast USA airports to Athens. United Airlines, Delta and others.
Examples: 1) EWR-Newark to Athens nonstop. 2) Transfer on Aegean Airlines to Crete (one hour flight).
Flights straight to Crete from Euro Hubs, bypassing stop in Athens (via United or Lufthansa and Aegean Air):
Examples: IAD-Dulles to CDG Paris to HER-Heraklion or IAD to MUC to HER.
Upon arrival in Athens, you will need to go through customs and possibly collect your luggage and re-check it at the Aegean Airline counter. Then you'll need to go through security. Allow at least 3 hours for this process and book your flight to Crete accordingly.
Flights from Athens to Crete: Only domestic airlines fly from Athens to Crete: They include Aegean Airlines (recommended), Olympic Airways and Sky Express. They offer several daily flights to Heraklion, Crete. The flight takes about an hour.
Note the different fares and flex options. If you plan to check luggage, book the ticket that includes that cost and note rules on luggage weight costs.
Major hubs in Europe to Athens: Several airlines offer frequent flights to Athens (Frankfurt, London, Paris, Milan, Amsterdam, to name a few). Some also offer direct flights to Heraklion, Crete (from Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, London).
Review your itinerary carefully, including connection times to/from Crete: Many flights from Athens and other Euro Hubs leave early in the morning. The earliest flight from Crete to Athens is about 6:30 am. That may require an overnight stay in that hub. Try to avoid “deals” that have long layovers in airports or more than 2 stops. The presumed cost-savings might not add up after lingering for hours and purchasing expensive food and beverages in airports.
Note: Aegean Airlines is part of the Star Alliance. Check to see if the international airline you choose is part of this alliance. It will be useful for possibly checking your luggage to your final destination and also in making changes to your flights, should the need arise due to missed connections, etc. Also for using/accruing Miles.
Travel Agency Specializing in Greece with offices worldwide:
If you'd like to look into group or individual flight options. Their office in Washington, DC has handled CCS program flights for over 15 years. Konstantine Georgiadis, Amphitrion Holidays. Email: [email protected]. Tel: 800-424-2471. They can also handle issues pertaining to international travel. CCS does not handle any aspect of travel to Crete. We strongly recommend using a travel agent.
Airport transportation
1. CCS will arrange Heraklion airport shuttles or taxis to arranged accommodation on the designated program arrival and departure dates only. Taxi fare is about 35 Euro per taxi for prearranged pickups (for those traveling at other dates).
2. Travel Times: Taxis hold 4 passengers with minimal luggage (as per our travel notes luggage requirements). All taxis in Crete are Mercedes sedans.
3. Archanes Village Base Near Heraklion: 30 minutes away from Heraklion Airport by taxi or CCS private shuttle.
