London to Heraklion (LHR–HER) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

British passport holders enter Greece visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day rolling period under Schengen rules. No fee, no advance application. Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned departure date with at least two blank pages. UK passports are stamped on entry and exit since Brexit.

No supporting documents are mandatory, but border officers can ask for proof of accommodation, onward travel, and sufficient funds (no published Greek minimum, but EUR 50 per day is the informal reference). The 90-day limit is shared across all 29 Schengen countries. ETIAS pre-travel authorization (EUR 7, valid 3 years) is expected to become mandatory in late 2026. Greek islands are part of the Schengen zone and count toward the same 90 days.

Direct flights from London to Athens run about 3 hours 30 minutes. Dozens of UK airports serve Greek islands (Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Santorini, Mykonos, Zakynthos) seasonally via easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, and TUI. Greece uses the euro. No vaccination requirements. UK driving licenses are valid for car rental on the islands, though some agencies ask for an International Driving Permit. Ferry connections between islands are frequent but pre-booking in July and August is critical for vehicle transport.

Heathrow Express runs from London Paddington to T5 and T2/T3 in 15–21 minutes (£37 single, cheaper booked online or via the Heathrow app). Elizabeth line (Crossrail) is a lower-cost alternative; Paddington to T5 in 34 minutes from £13.50 with an Oyster/contactless cap of £14.90. The Elizabeth line also serves central London stations including Bond Street, Farringdon, and Liverpool Street.London Underground Piccadilly line serves all terminals (T2/T3/T4/T5) from central London in 40–60 minutes (£6 with Oyster). Taxis (black cabs) from central London cost £55–90 depending on traffic. Coach services from Victoria Coach Station (National Express) cost from £10 booked in advance.