77 € Cheap Flights from Crete Heraklion to Istanbul

Compare Crete Heraklion to Istanbul flight deals

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Flight deals from Crete Heraklion to Istanbul

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Crete Heraklion to Istanbul? Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Crete Heraklion to Istanbul

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Crete Heraklion to Istanbul flights are currently cheapest in December.

Direct flights from Crete Heraklion to Istanbul

Alternative Crete Heraklion to Istanbul routes

Looking for the cheapest, fastest or easiest route from Crete Heraklion to Istanbul? You could fly into the following airports instead.

Heraklion to Istanbul: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight found77 €
Cheapest month to flyDecember
Average flight time1 hr, 27 mins
Most popular airlineAegean Airlines
Average flights per week3

Finding cheap flights from Crete Heraklion to Istanbul: Frequently asked questions

There are 2 airports in Istanbul: Istanbul Sabiha and Istanbul.
The best price we found for a return flight from Crete Heraklion to Istanbul is 77 €. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.
1 hour and 27 minutes is the average flight time from Crete Heraklion to Istanbul.
Aegean Airlines flies direct from Crete Heraklion to Istanbul.
As of October 2025, there are 3 flights per week flying from Crete Heraklion to Istanbul.
The cheapest month to fly from Crete Heraklion to Istanbul is usually December.
If you're flying from Crete Heraklion Airport, the cheapest airport near Istanbul is Istanbul – which is 34.4 km away from the centre of Istanbul. We've found flights into this airport from 77 €.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it's currently cheapest to fly from Crete Heraklion Airport to Istanbul on Monday, 1 December 2025.
Yes – the average flight time is 1 hour and 27 minutes.
We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Istanbul but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.
We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Istanbul is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.
In October, the average temperature is usually around 17°C. August is typically the warmest month in Istanbul, when it usually averages around 27°C. You can expect the least rain in August. The coldest month is January, with temperatures averaging 4°C. The rainiest month is December.
Currently, Aegean Airlines offers the cheapest flight tickets to Istanbul.

Flying from Heraklion Airport (HER) to Istanbul: what you need to know

  • The average time for a direct flight from Heraklion Airport to Istanbul is 1 hour 25 minutes.

  • The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3. The city is one hour ahead of Heraklion, where Heraklion Airport is located.

  • The most popular route is from Heraklion Airport (HER) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). You can choose from three services every week between these two airports. If you want to get going as soon as possible, the earliest flight from HER to IST is the 06:00 Aegean Airlines service. If you're planning to fly out later on, the final departure is at 20:05 with Aegean Airlines.

  • For a relaxed start to your HER to Istanbul flight, leave plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Arriving two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the general rule.

  • If you're heading away during a major holiday or another peak period, allow extra time. A good rule is two hours before domestic flights and up to four hours before international departures. Lines at security and check-in will be longer.

  • Begin your trip at HER and fly nonstop to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). That's where you can expect to land when searching for Heraklion Airport to Istanbul tickets.

  • Aegean Airlines is a popular carrier that offers direct flights from Heraklion Airport to Istanbul.

  • Consider adding a stopover to potentially score a cheaper plane ticket from HER to Istanbul. Simply deselect 'Direct flights only' during your search. Take a break (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular options:

    • Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)

    • Vienna International Airport (VIE)

    • Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD)

  • Located around 3 kilometres from the centre of Heraklion, HER can be reached in about 10 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport takes roughly 15 minutes.

  • Have an early flight from Heraklion Airport to Istanbul? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these hotels close to HER:

  • 80.18% of flights departing from Heraklion Airport reach their destination on schedule. Given its strong on-time performance, you're unlikely to be delayed when taking off from HER.

How to find the cheapest flights from Heraklion Airport (HER) to Istanbul

  • The best price we've found for a one-way Heraklion Airport to Istanbul flight is 30 €. The cheapest price for a return flight is 77 €. Bear in mind fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.

  • Get cheap flights from HER to Istanbul by booking six months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for finding a bargain.

  • October is the best month for scoring an awesome deal on Heraklion 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 across every month.

  • Locking in a cheap flight from HER to Istanbul is a breeze with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic notifications and we'll get in touch when there's a better deal.

  • Tailor your flights with filters. Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Heraklion Airport to Istanbul.

Airports in Istanbul

Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)

  • The distance from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul is roughly 48 kilometres. It takes about 50 minutes to get to the centre driving.

  • When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 45 minutes.

  • The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Heraklion Airport to Istanbul. Check in to one of these accommodation options near IST instead:

  • Get your adventure underway by picking up an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and explore beyond Istanbul's usual tourist stops.

  • Reserving your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport about two weeks ahead of your flight from HER to Istanbul can help you lock in the best possible rate.

Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)

  • Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) is about 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. Following your flight from Heraklion Airport to Istanbul, it'll take you around 55 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a cab or ride-share.

  • If you're catching public transport, it'll take around 1 hour 30 minutes.

  • Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and rest at a hotel near SAW. Here are a few options where you can check in after your HER to Istanbul flight:

  • Forget about public transport schedules or cab lines. Pick up a Sabiha Gokcen International Airport rental car and blaze your own trail. Compare rates and availability from Essence, Eren Rent a Car and 724 Rent.

  • Call dibs on the best options. Reserving your ride from SAW four weeks in advance often means more savings and a greater range of vehicles.

Best time to go to Istanbul

  • Carefully consider your travel dates before locking in your flight from Heraklion Airport to Istanbul. The city comes alive in peak season, but prices are usually higher and major attractions can get crowded. Go to Istanbul in the low season for a quieter vibe.

  • When booking your Heraklion Airport to Istanbul plane ticket, think about what kind of weather you prefer. August is the warmest month in Istanbul, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC (68ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).

  • January has 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 when it's cooler.

More about Istanbul

  • Once you've booked your flight from Heraklion Airport to Istanbul, choose a hotel that combines comfort with a great location. Make one of these options your base for exploring Istanbul:

  • There are so many things to discover in this city it can be hard to figure out where to start. The Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace and Galata Tower are major attractions which should feature on every Istanbul itinerary.

Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)

  • Ankara is just one of the many places in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be explored after you've experienced Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres away to the east, popular attractions include Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.

  • Izmir is another well-known destination in Türkiye (Turkey) and is around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. No journey is complete without a visit to Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Alsancak.

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 45 days.