From Heraklion Airport to Your Villa near Rethymno
Heraklion may be the more practical airport when its available flight schedule better suits your journey. From Heraklion Airport the villas in Asteri Village are about 73 km away (70 km to Villa Argiris in Stavromenos), around 60 minutes without stops.
If that is you, this guide covers the arrival day from landing to unpacking. It assumes your flights are booked; if you are still choosing between the two airports, our airport comparison guide is the better starting point.
By Argyris Skordilis, owner and host · Updated
Why Heraklion May Suit Your Itinerary
The practical reason to choose Heraklion is usually the flight itself: its departure point, connection, arrival time or fare. Flight schedules change by season, so compare the current options for both Heraklion and Chania before booking. Once the airport is chosen, plan the transfer or rental-car journey around the confirmed itinerary.
Before You Leave the Airport
Do everything airport-related first. Complete the airport formalities, luggage collection and any vehicle or child-seat arrangements before setting off.
Send Argyris a message when you set off. It lets him estimate when you will reach the villa and coordinate your welcome, and it is the single most useful thing you can do on the day.
Build in more time than you expect to need. Disembarking, passport control where it applies, luggage, car hire queues in season, seat fitting, and a shopping stop all add up. Plan the day generously.
Use the Map Link We Send You
Roughly two weeks before arrival you receive your arrival information, and it includes a map link for the specific villa you have booked.
Use that link rather than searching our name in a map application. A brand search cannot tell four separate houses apart, and two of our bases are in different places entirely. The link is the reliable route.
Save it before you travel, and download the offline map area if you can.
If You Are Driving
From Heraklion the drive runs west along the north coast.
Plan any essential shopping stop before the final approach to the villa. Use current opening information and the specific route sent for your villa rather than assuming that one fixed stop will suit every arrival.
After a flight, drive at your own pace. An unfamiliar road deserves more attention than the same distance at home.
If You Are Arriving by Private Transfer
Arrange it before you travel. Ask Argyris and he can suggest a transfer company. Final availability, vehicle, price and terms are confirmed with the provider.
Provide the flight details requested by the transfer company so that the transfer can be coordinated around the confirmed itinerary. If you would like an essential supermarket stop, ask when making the request. It remains subject to confirmation.
If the flight is delayed, tell both the transfer company and Argyris. They are separate businesses and do not share your messages.
Where You Are Actually Going
Villa Asteri, Villa Kitron and Villa Myrrini are in Asteri, an inland village east of Rethymno. Villa Argiris is in Stavromenos, on the coastal side.
The final approach differs between Asteri Village and Villa Argiris in Stavromenos. They are separate places with different approaches, entrances and parking arrangements, which is why your directions and access notes are written for your villa rather than for the collection.
Check-in, and Arriving Early
Check-in is from 15:30. Check-out is at 11:00.
If your flight lands in the morning, tell Argyris in advance and he will say what is possible on your dates. An early luggage drop can sometimes be arranged, depending on when the previous guests leave and on that day’s cleaning schedule.
A luggage drop is not early check-in, and early access cannot be guaranteed.
Morning, Evening and Delayed Arrivals
An arrival before 15:30 does not guarantee access to the villa. Plan the time before check-in and ask about a possible luggage drop in advance.
For evening or delayed arrivals, send Argyris an update as soon as practical and do not rely on shops or restaurants being open after a late arrival. If you have booked an independent transfer, update the transfer company separately.
Facts checked against our four villa pages · Last reviewed by Argyris Skordilis, owner of Amazing Villas in Crete.
Frequently asked questions
Why fly into Heraklion rather than Chania?
The practical reason is usually the flight itself: its departure point, connection, arrival time or fare. Flight schedules change by season, so compare the current options for both airports before booking.
Can Argyris suggest a transfer from Heraklion Airport?
Yes. Ask Argyris and he can suggest a transfer company, and arrange it before you travel. Final availability, vehicle, price and terms are confirmed with the provider.
Where exactly are the villas?
Villa Asteri, Villa Kitron and Villa Myrrini are in Asteri, an inland village east of Rethymno, and Villa Argiris is in Stavromenos on the coastal side. Your directions and access notes are written for the villa you have booked.
What if my flight lands in Heraklion in the morning?
Tell Argyris in advance and he will say what is possible on your dates. An early luggage drop can sometimes be arranged, but it is not early check-in.
What should I do if my Heraklion flight is delayed?
Tell both the transfer company and Argyris, because they are separate businesses and do not share your messages. Do not rely on shops or restaurants being open after a late arrival.
If You Are Still Deciding
Our airport comparison guide covers the choice between Chania and Heraklion for a Rethymno villa stay. Ask Argyris how each airport option fits the practical arrival plan for your villa.
More Plan Your Stay guides
- From Chania Airport to Your Villa near Rethymno
- Private Transfer or Car Hire for Your Crete Villa Stay?
- Long-Haul Arrival Planning for Your Crete Villa Stay
- All Plan Your Stay guides
- Villa AsteriThe Carpenter’s House · 8 guests · children’s pool · Asteri Village
- Villa Kitron6 guests · every bedroom en-suite · Asteri Village
- Villa Myrrini6 guests · children’s pool · Asteri Village
- Villa Argiris8 guests · one level, sea views · Stavromenos
- Compare the villasAll the facts side by side
