Complete guide to parking at Heraklion International Airport Nikos Kazantzakis (HER): official HCAA car parks, low-cost private car parks with free shuttle, daily and weekly rates, comparison of short- and long-term options.
Heraklion Airport has a short-term car park located just 50 metres from the terminal, with a free option for drop-offs. However, it is not monitored at night, which is worth bearing in mind for overnight trips. For a longer stay, the HCAA long-term car park and numerous nearby private car parks offer competitive rates with a free shuttle.
In addition to these official car parks, there are around a dozen low-cost private car parks located within a 2-kilometre radius of the airport, on Leoforos Ikarou and in Nea Alikarnassos. They generally offer a free shuttle service 24/7, with a frequency of 15 to 20 minutes during the day.
| Car park | Type | Rate | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short-term car park (P1) | Drop-off | free for the first 15 minutes | 50 metres from the terminal, ideal for dropping off or picking up a passenger. |
| Medium-term car park (P2) | A few hours | from €2/hour | Opposite the terminal, for a wait of 1 to 6 hours. |
| HCAA long-term car park | Extended stay | from €10/day | 5 minutes from the terminal, weekly flat rate available. |
| Drop-off car park (arrivals) | Arrivals only | free for 10 min | Direct access facing the arrivals hall, not monitored at night. |
For a trip of several days or weeks, private car parks offer lower rates than the official HCAA car parks. They are located 500 metres to 2 km from the terminal, with a free shuttle included, and often offer additional services.
Leoforos Ikarou, 500m from the terminal
Nea Alikarnassos
800m from the terminal
Nea Alikarnassos
Leoforos Ikarou 75
1 km from the terminal
Nea Alikarnassos
Valet in front of the terminal
Nea Alikarnassos
2 km from the terminal
Nea Alikarnassos
Leoforos Ikarou
Note: customer ratings are sourced from Google Maps and may change. Rates correspond to the lowest prices observed in low season for daily parking. For a stay of 7 days or more, ask about the weekly package, which offers a discount of 15 to 30%.
The right choice depends on three criteria: the length of stay, the distance you're willing to walk from your vehicle, and your budget. Here are our recommendations based on your situation.
Use the Short-term car park (P1) in front of the terminal: the first 15 minutes are free. Perfect for dropping off or picking up a passenger at no cost. Beyond that, the rate rises quickly — the medium-term car park is then preferable.
The HCAA Medium-term car park (P2) is the best option for a longer wait: rates from €2/hour, with a location directly opposite the terminal. Preferable to the short-term car park, which quickly becomes expensive.
Head for the low-cost private car parks: expect to pay €12 to €25 for 3 days with a free shuttle, compared with €25-35 in the HCAA long-term car park. The highest-rated on Google Maps (Safe Park Crete, Olive Tree Parking, Caldera Parking) offer an excellent balance of security and price.
Private car parks become extremely cost-effective: €25 to €40 for 7 days, compared with €70 in the HCAA long-term car park. These rates include the shuttle and surveillance. Some even offer washing or minor mechanical services while you're away.
Beyond simple parking, Heraklion Airport car parks offer several practical services, particularly in the private sector where competition is strong.
Rates range from €3 to €6/day for long-term private parking with shuttle, up to €10/day for official HCAA parking. For a weekend, expect €12 to €25 privately or €30 to €50 with HCAA.
Yes, all official car parks and most private car parks operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, note that the official short-term car park is not monitored at night.
Yes, the Short-term car park (P1) offers the first 15 minutes free for dropping off or picking up a passenger, ideal for a quick drop-off.
Yes, almost all nearby private car parks offer a free shuttle 24/7, with a frequency of 15 to 20 minutes during the day. The service is included in the parking price.
Booking online is strongly recommended during high season (July-August). It guarantees a space and can get you up to 50% off the price displayed at the counter.
Yes, long-term private car parks accept stays of up to 2 months without any problem. Monthly packages exist from €60-80 for a standard vehicle, with 24/7 surveillance.
Yes, several private car parks offer covered spaces for an extra €2 to €4/day. Particularly recommended in summer to protect the vehicle from the intense Cretan heat.
Some private car parks have spaces suitable for motorhomes and tall vehicles. Specify the size when booking — an extra charge of €3 to €5/day may apply.