Travel tips · Updated 11 October 2026 · 6 min read
Heraklion Airport with a baby: strollers, taxis and car seats
Heraklion Airport (Nikos Kazantzakis, HER) is the main gateway to Crete and it is small for the number of passengers it handles, so expect queues and limited space in summer. Plan for carrying your baby in a sling while your stroller is in transit, have a car seat arranged before you land, and you can be at most north coast resorts within 20 to 35 minutes.
| Airport | Heraklion Nikos Kazantzakis (HER), about 5 km east of Heraklion city |
|---|---|
| Busiest | Summer weekends and peak charter times |
| Stroller | Usually gate-checked; return point depends on the airline |
| Baby changing | Available in the terminal; ask staff for the nearest |
| Taxis | Outside arrivals; car seat not guaranteed, pre-book one |
| Buses | City buses to Heraklion centre; regional buses to some resorts |
What to expect at Heraklion Airport
Heraklion is one of the busiest airports in Greece, and its terminal is compact. On summer weekends many flights land and leave close together, so passport control, baggage reclaim and the departures hall can be crowded and warm. Seating is limited and the space around the belts fills quickly. None of this is a problem with a baby if you expect it and keep your hands free.
- Carry a sling or soft carrier in your hand luggage. It is the easiest way to move through passport control and reclaim if your stroller has not come back at the aircraft door.
- Keep a small changing kit with nappies, wipes, a spare outfit and a muslin within reach, not in the hold.
- Pack water and a snack for the queue. Summer queues can be long, and the terminal can feel hot.
- Non-EU passport holders may face longer checks as the EU entry and exit system rolls out, so allow extra time.
Strollers on the plane and gate-checked strollers
Most airlines let you use your stroller up to the aircraft door, where it is tagged and loaded into the hold. On arrival, it may be returned at the aircraft door, at the bottom of the steps, or at the oversized baggage point near reclaim. At Heraklion, passengers are often taken to the terminal by bus or walk across the apron, so be ready for steps and a short ride with your baby in your arms.
Airline rules differ on stroller size, weight and whether a car seat counts as a separate free item. Check your airline's current policy before you travel, and ask at check-in where the stroller will be returned.
Baby changing and feeding
The airport has baby changing facilities, but with crowds and queues it is usually easier to change your baby on the plane before landing, or once you reach your car or hotel. For take-off and landing, a feed, a dummy or a drink can help with ear pressure. If you need baby milk or water for the flight home, the usual liquid allowances for baby food and milk apply at security; check the current rules with your airline or the airport, and keep it in a separate bag to show at screening.
Getting from Heraklion Airport to your hotel
| Option | Good for | With a baby |
|---|---|---|
| Car hire | Most families, freedom to explore | Book a car seat in advance; check Isofix and fit before driving |
| Pre-booked taxi or transfer | Families staying in one resort | Request a seat for your child's age, weight and height when booking |
| Taxi from the rank | Last-minute trips | A suitable seat is not guaranteed |
| Public bus | Light travellers to Heraklion city or some resorts | Cheap but no car seats; tricky with luggage and a stroller in summer |
Heraklion city is about 5 km away. North coast resorts such as Amoudara, Gouves, Hersonissos and Stalis are roughly 20 to 35 minutes by car, and Elounda is about an hour. If you are still choosing a base, see where to stay in Crete with a baby.
Car seats at Heraklion Airport
This is the part that catches most families out. Car hire desks offer seats as an extra, but the model and condition often only become clear at the desk. Taxis outside arrivals may have no seat or one that does not fit a baby. Decide before you fly whether you will bring a seat, rent one from the car hire company, or rent an i-Size seat from a baby gear service. Our guide to car seats in Crete explains the options and what to ask.
Leaving from Heraklion Airport
- Arrive early. Check-in and security queues can be long in summer, and families with prams often need extra time.
- Return hire gear calmly. If you rented a car seat or stroller, agree the return time and place in advance so you are not rushing.
- Keep the sling handy again for boarding, especially if you board by bus and steps.
- Seating airside can be scarce at peak times, so bring something to keep a toddler busy.
The new Kastelli airport
A new international airport is being built at Kastelli, south-east of Heraklion, to replace the current one. Opening is currently expected in 2028, but large infrastructure projects often move, so treat any date as provisional. Until it opens, all Heraklion flights continue to use Nikos Kazantzakis Airport. When it does open, transfer times to the resorts will be longer, so check which airport your flight uses.
Meet Holiday Stork at arrivals
Holiday Stork meets families in Heraklion Airport arrivals with the baby gear they have booked. We track your flight, so a delay is not a problem, and we fit your i-Size car seat in your rental car at hand-over. Strollers and car seats start from €7.80 per day, VAT included, with a 4-day minimum rental, and delivery to Heraklion Airport is €13 per booking. Want nappies, wipes and baby SPF ready on arrival? Add our welcome box for €39.
