Flying from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Heraklion Airport (HER): what you need to know
The timezone in Heraklion is UTC+2, which is one hour behind Istanbul.
Get to the airport on time so you don't miss your IST to HER flight. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid the stress of rushing.
You can expect longer queues during popular months like April. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for a domestic departure is a wise move.
We make it a piece of cake to book a flight with a stopover. To see all your options for tickets from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Heraklion Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight offering a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Top stopovers between IST and HER include:
Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport
Thessaloniki International Airport
Antalya Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Heraklion Airport (HER)
Currently, R 1,179 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Heraklion Airport flight. The best price for a return ticket is R 2,191. Remember that fares could change due to demand when booking.
Don't wait until the last minute. You're more likely to find cheap tickets from IST to HER if you book early. Airlines often offer some excellent early bird discounts.
Finding cheap flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Heraklion Airport is more likely if you're flexible with your trip dates. Use the 'Whole month' search tool to see the lowest prices across every month and land a great deal.
Save time looking for cheap flights from IST to HER by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or push notification on the app when fares go down.
Select your ideal departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with the filters. Or sort your results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals on flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Heraklion Airport.
Handy information about Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Central Istanbul to Istanbul Ataturk Airport is approximately 48 kilometres. Depending on traffic, it'll take you about 50 minutes to get there if you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving.
Planning to catch public transport? Expect a journey time of around 1 hour 45 minutes.
Get your journey off to a stress-free start by staying near IST. Whether you're catching an early flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Heraklion Airport or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are ideal:
Arriving at Heraklion Airport (HER)
Book a hotel close to HER if you're catching a late Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Heraklion Airport flight. Pick one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Pick up a Heraklion Airport rental car and discover Heraklion and beyond with your own set of wheels. Surprice, Car & Go and Right Cars are popular outlets to choose from here.
Get the best deal by booking your ride from Heraklion Airport around three weeks before your departure date.
Getting from Heraklion Airport (HER) to central Heraklion
From Heraklion Airport, Heraklion is approximately 3 kilometres away. It takes around 10 minutes to reach the centre driving.
It typically takes 15 minutes to get there using public transport.
When to fly to Heraklion Airport (HER)
August is the busiest month for flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Heraklion Airport. To avoid the crowds, head to Heraklion in February.
The warmest month in Heraklion is July, with temperatures ranging between 20ºC (68ºF) and 33ºC (91ºF). Book your flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Heraklion Airport in this month if you like this kind of weather.
If you want cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from IST to HER in January. Temperatures average between 7ºC (45ºF) and 16ºC (61ºF) then.
Explore more of Greece
Athens is just one of the many places in Greece waiting to be discovered after you've seen Heraklion. Around 322 kilometres away to the north-west, its best attractions include Museum of the Centre for the Acropolis Studies, Acropolis of Athens and The Parthenon.
Next up? Journey to Acharnes. It's about 338 kilometres north of Heraklion and is known for highlights including Holy church of the Twelve Apostles and Amygdaleza Airsoft Field.