Travelling from Heraklion International Airport (HER) to Istanbul: what you need to know
The average time for a direct flight from Heraklion International Airport to Istanbul is 1 hour 35 minutes.
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3. The city is one hour ahead of Heraklion, where Heraklion International Airport is located.
The busiest route is from Heraklion International Airport (HER) to Istanbul Airport (IST). You can choose from four weekly services between these two airports. Aegean Airlines offers a 06:00 departure between HER and IST.
To avoid rushing for your HER to Istanbul flight, leave plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
During popular months like August, you'll want to get to the airport even earlier. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for international flights when you travel during a peak period in general.
Start your journey at HER and fly straight to Istanbul Airport (IST). That will be your arrival point when searching for Heraklion International Airport to Istanbul tickets.
Aegean Airlines is a popular airline that operates direct flights from Heraklion International Airport to Istanbul.
A stopover is the perfect opportunity to take a break from travelling and possibly even tick a new city off your list. When browsing for plane tickets from HER to Istanbul, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Here are some popular options to consider:
Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)
Vienna International Airport (VIE)
Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)
The journey from central Heraklion to HER takes around 25 minutes by public transport. If you drive, ride-share or take a taxi, you'll cover the 3 kilometres in 15 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
Want a relaxed start to your trip? Stay near HER. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Heraklion International Airport to Istanbul or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are all about convenience:
When it comes to the on-time performance of Heraklion International Airport, 77% of flights complete their journey on time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Heraklion International Airport (HER) to Istanbul
39 € is the cheapest price we've seen for a one-way Heraklion International Airport to Istanbul flight. A round-trip plane ticket right now is 95 €. Depending on when you book and the availability, these fares may change.
Get cheap flights from HER to Istanbul by booking five months ahead. According to our research, that's the best time for bagging a bargain.
October is the best month for nabbing an incredible deal on Heraklion International Airport to Istanbul tickets. If you want to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for each month.
Never miss a deal on cheap flights from HER to Istanbul by setting up a Price Alert. You'll get an email or push notification on the app when a lower fare becomes available.
Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Heraklion International Airport to Istanbul by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest.'
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
Istanbul Airport (IST) is around 40 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. If you're getting a taxi or a ride-share, the drive will take roughly 45 minutes.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 10 minutes.
Consider booking a hotel close to IST if you're coming in on a late flight from Heraklion International Airport to Istanbul. Settle into one of these options and make arrival day easier:
Lock in the best deal by reserving your ride from Istanbul Airport around two weeks before your flight from HER to Istanbul.
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Central Istanbul is about 48 kilometres from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). Once your flight from Heraklion International Airport to Istanbul has touched down and you've made your way to arrivals, the drive should take about 1 hour 5 minutes.
If you choose to travel on public transport, you'll reach the centre in 1 hour 40 minutes or so.
Following your HER to Istanbul flight, settle in at a hotel near SAW. These are some great accommodation options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Don't pay more than you need to. Reserving your ride four weeks ahead of your arrival at SAW will help you stay within budget.
Best time to go to Istanbul
It's time to choose your dates for your flight from Heraklion International Airport to Istanbul. August is the most popular month to travel to Istanbul. If you like a quieter vibe, go in February.
Before locking in your Heraklion International Airport to Istanbul plane ticket, think about the weather you're most comfortable in. July is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 21ºC (70ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
January sees average temperatures of between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF). Search for a cheap ticket from HER to Istanbul around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.
More about Istanbul
Start your Istanbul trip right by choosing the perfect place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Heraklion International Airport to Istanbul, check out our range of hotels including:
Historic Areas of Istanbul and Hagia Sophia Museum are a couple of top attractions to add to your Istanbul itinerary. Keep the adventure rolling by checking out Hagia Sophia History Museum.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
You've visited Istanbul, now it's time to explore more of Türkiye (Turkey). Journey about 354 kilometres east to Ankara to tick off its leading attractions. From The Roman Theatre to Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, your itinerary will be busy.
Izmir is another sought-after destination in Türkiye (Turkey) and is around 322 kilometres southwest of Istanbul. No journey is complete without a visit to Aegean Coast, Smyrna Basilika and Ataturk Konak Square.
