Chania Airport Arrivals (CHQ)

Flight Arrivals at Chania Airport

Chania Airport is the second largest airport on the island of Crete, in the Mediterranean, and is a short ferry trip from the mainland of Greece. The airport is fourteen kilometers from the city center of Chania, and nearby Souda Bay, on the Akrotiri peninsula. Another name for the airport is the Ioannis Daskalogiannis Airport, and it has the official airport code of CHQ. Chania Airport is a very popular arrival point for many local and international tourists, as well as for business professionals, as the city of Chania is the center of commerce for Western Crete, and is also considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Greece, with a number of attractions. Many passengers start their holiday in Chania, and then travel along the north coast to visit other interesting towns and cities on the island.

The Greek islands are well known for their warm summers and stunning beaches, with clear blue waters in which scuba diving and snorkeling are a pleasure. It is during these months that the island of Crete, and Chania Airport, is very busy. Arriving passengers should therefore ensure that they have rented a car in advance, should this be their chosen form of transport, as car hire can be in high demand during the summer. A rented car is by far the most convenient way to explore the island, as it allows tourists to travel to even the remoter beaches and attractions of Crete. The major car hire companies with offices at Chania Airport include Avis, Hertz, Sixt, Budget, Europcar and Easycar. Individuals in need of a rented car in Chania can search online in advance of their flight to the airport for the best car rental rates, as it is sometimes claimed that rental prices at the airport are quite expensive.

Alternatively, passengers can travel to their next destination by way of bus or taxi. The local and regional buses of KTEL provide transport in all towns and cities of Crete, and offer various longer distant journeys. This bus company has a local bus that operates from Chania Airport about three times a day, and travels to the bus company in the city center. From here, connections with other towns nearby can be made. Bus transport in Crete is considered very reliable, comfortable and cost efficient. Taxis are always available at Chania Airport, at the taxi rank, and will take you to anywhere in Chania, or to further afield destinations as well. Taxi fares are also very reasonably priced in Greece, and are actually quite cheap when compared to the fares charged in other European cities.

There are no train services on the island of Crete, but another form of transport is by ferry. Passengers arriving at Chania Airport can travel by bus to the port of Chania, and take a ferry to the various locations on Crete Island, or on the Greek mainland. Although no actual trains are available, there is the popular attraction of the ‘road trains’, or otherwise known as ‘the little trains of Crete’. They are vehicles built to look just like a train, but run on wheels, and operate from many of the towns along the north coast of the island. They are an excellent way to view some of the main attractions in the town's area.

Airline companies arriving at Chania Airport include Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air, from Athens and Thessaloniki, and low-cost airlines such as Easyjet, Ryanair, Berlin Air and Thomson Airways, which all offer seasonal flights to the airport from certain London and German airports. Low-cost airline services are very popular at smaller airports like Chania. Other airline carriers with flights to the airport are Austrian Airlines, Belle Air, Blue Air, Luxair, Smart Wings, Transavia, Norwegian Air Shuttle and Condor, while charter flight operators include Air Italy Polska, Finnair, Cimber Sterling, Novair, Iberworld and Travel Service Airlines.

Chania Airport arrivals passengers will find a single terminal building, which is relatively modern and well equipped with the necessary facilities. There are banking and currency exchange services, a post office, medical aid center and baby changing rooms, as well as a few shops and restaurants for those with some time to spare at the airport. The airport also provides an information desk in the arrivals area, and a tourist information desk for details on the surrounding area's attractions and forms of public transport. Chania Airport is accessible for disabled passengers, or individuals with reduced mobility, as there are pavement ramps, adapted toilet facilities and reserved parking areas. Passengers who will be requiring further assistance upon their arrival at the airport can make arrangements with their airline company in advance of their departure to Chania Airport. Capable staff will then be able to assist with Customs and baggage reclaim procedures.

Arriving at Chania Airport should provide all visitors or tourists with the perfect starting point for their holiday or business trip in Chania, and on Crete Island.