Having recently taken a trip to Crete, I flew in and out of Heraklion Airport, and was quite surprised to discover that it has been named Europe’s worst airport by other travellers. Take a look at Google reviews and you’ll see plenty of negative reviews, especially from those travelling in the peak of summer.
Admittedly, I travelled in June during term time for school, so perhaps it was more tolerable thanks to that. But even then, one recent traveller, who visited the airport in May, wrote: “Worst airport on the planet… extremely rude staff. Nowhere nearly enough seats for the vast amount of passengers. Very stuffy and dirty airport. Staff laugh at you instead of doing their job correctly.”
While another, who flew from Heraklion just last week, wrote: “This airport makes Greece feel like a 4th world country. I have been to over 100 airports in myself.
“Never have I seen such a disorganized and frankly incompetent staff anywhere. I would rather walk or swim, than fly through this airport again. The people in charge of this airport should be put in prison, this is a crime of an airport.”
However, while it’s certainly a small airport, I thought it was still perfectly fine. It took no time to check in and get through security, the only hold up being some debate among the desk staff if I needed to pay for extra hand luggage. Luckily, it was decided I would not have to be charged for it.
Once through security, it was time to check out of duty-free, where I purchased several items for my family and some for myself.
While Heraklion doesn’t have many shops or food outlets, I was still able to grab some food before my flight.
And although some others who have left reviews claim that their food was horrible, it was again, something I felt was okay (I mean, does anyone expect amazing food from a small airport?)
Either way, it certainly wasn’t the worst airport I’ve been to. That designation goes to Marrakesh Airport in Morocco, where I had to queue to both enter and leave the building!
And I did enjoy the ocean views while waiting for boarding, the speed of which was fairy standard for an international flight.
Heraklion Airport is certainly dated, with its first opening in the 1930s, and the last major update taking place in 1972, and if you were hoping for something along the lines of Singapore Changi Airport, you’d be sorely disappointed.
However, I wouldn’t agree that the people running it need to be “in prison” as one review reads.
While I believe it is an overly-hated airport, I would likely try to avoid flying in and out of it during the peak summer season, with its size perhaps not the best for hordes of summer tourists.