Istanbul to Heraklion (IST–HER) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
IST–HER is served by 1 airline with nonstop service. Aegean Airlines leads the route. The flight covers 453 miles in approximately 1h 41m. Beyond nonstop, 47 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A3 Aegean Airlines | 7 | 320 | 1h41 | – | Star Alliance | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Travel Essentials
IST: +03 · HER: EEST
When it's 6:00 PM in Istanbul, it's 6:00 PM in Heraklion.
Turkish passport holders need a Schengen visa to enter Greece. Apply at the Greek Embassy in Ankara, the consulate in Istanbul, or through a VFS Global center. The short-stay visa costs EUR 80 (about TRY 2,960) and allows stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period across the Schengen area. Required documents include a completed application form, passport photos, travel insurance covering at least EUR 30,000, proof of accommodation, a return ticket, and bank statements. Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned departure from the Schengen area. Processing takes 10 to 15 working days.
Greece also issues limited-validity visas for Greek islands near the Turkish coast (Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Rhodes, Kos, and others) directly at the island port of entry for Turkish citizens arriving by ferry from designated Turkish ports. These island visas are valid for the specific island only, cost about EUR 35, and allow stays of up to 7 days. This is a unique arrangement not available to other Schengen visa-requiring nationalities.
Direct flights from Istanbul (IST) to Athens (ATH) run about 1 hour 30 minutes on Turkish Airlines and Aegean Airlines. Istanbul to Thessaloniki (SKG) runs about 1 hour 15 minutes. Ferries connect Cesme to Chios, Kusadasi to Samos, Bodrum to Kos, and Marmaris to Rhodes. Greece uses the euro (EUR), trading at roughly 37 TRY per EUR 1. Card payments work at most businesses. Athens Metro costs EUR 1.20 per single ride. Island ferries range from EUR 20 to EUR 60 for deck seats between nearby islands.
Istanbul Metro M11 Gayrettepe–İstanbul Havalimanı line connects the airport to the broader metro network; from Gayrettepe (Mecidiyeköy/Levent area) the journey is about 35 minutes (₺60–70 with Istanbulkart). The line runs roughly 5am to midnight.Havaist express buses serve Taksim, Kadıköy, and other major hubs (₺50–80, 45–90 minutes depending on traffic). Taxis use a meter; expect ₺400–600 from Taksim or Sultanahmet. The airport is 35km northwest of the city; traffic on the O-7 motorway can be severe during peak hours.
IST–HER Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from IST to HER
İstanbul Airport (IST) and Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER) are connected by nonstop service from Aegean Airlines. With 7 weekly departures, this is a regularly served route.
IST to HER Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from IST to HER ranges from 1 hours 41 minutes. The route covers a distance of 453 miles (729 km). There are approximately 7 weekly flights outbound and 7 return, totaling 14 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
47 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 3 hours via JTR. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.