Cheap Flights from Istanbul (ISTA) to Heraklion (HER)

Compare Istanbul to Crete Heraklion flight deals

Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Crete Heraklion

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Flight deals from Istanbul to Crete Heraklion

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Istanbul to Crete Heraklion Airport? If you want to travel next month, return fares start from $160. Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Istanbul to Crete Heraklion

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

Direct flights from Istanbul to Crete Heraklion

Istanbul to Crete Heraklion: Alternative routes

Compare routes from Istanbul to Heraklion below. You may find an airport to fly into that's cheaper, faster, or easier than Crete Heraklion.

Istanbul to Heraklion: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight found$150
Cheapest month to flyDecember
Average flight time1 hr, 30 mins
Most popular airlineAegean Airlines
Average flights per week5

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

The best price we found for a return flight from Istanbul to Crete Heraklion is $150. 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 30 minutes is the average flight time from Istanbul to Crete Heraklion.
Aegean Airlines flies direct from Istanbul to Crete Heraklion.
As of May 2026, there are 5 flights per week flying from Istanbul to Crete Heraklion.
The cheapest month to fly from Istanbul to Crete Heraklion is usually December.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it is currently cheapest to fly from Istanbul to Crete Heraklion Airport on Friday, 11 December 2026.
Yes – the average flight time is 1 hour and 30 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 Crete Heraklion 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 Heraklion is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.
The cheapest airline that flies to Crete Heraklion is Aegean Airlines .

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

  • Istanbul Airport (IST) is Istanbul's main airport. Check out your options for reserving a flight from Istanbul to Heraklion International Airport (HER) taking off from here.

  • Around 1 hour 35 minutes is the usual time it takes for a direct Istanbul to Heraklion International Airport flight.

  • Heraklion is one hour behind Istanbul. Heraklion International Airport is located in Heraklion, which runs on the UTC+2 timezone.

  • Take your pick of 4 direct services a week between Istanbul Airport (IST) and Heraklion International Airport (HER). This is the busiest route, with Aegean Airlines offering a 8:20am departure from IST to HER.

  • To ensure you get on your flight from Istanbul to HER, leave plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and an hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.

  • During popular months such as August, you'll want to get to the airport earlier than usual. Arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for international flights when you travel during a peak period in general.

Airports in Istanbul

Istanbul Airport (IST)

  • You can jump on a direct flight from Istanbul to Heraklion International Airport (HER) leaving from Istanbul Airport (IST).

  • Aegean Airlines is a well-known carrier that operates direct flights from Istanbul to Heraklion International Airport departing from IST.

  • Most passengers choose to fly with Aegean Airlines from IST to HER.

  • The journey from central Istanbul to IST takes about 1 hour 10 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or get a taxi, you'll cover the 40 kilometres in 45 minutes or so, depending on traffic.

  • Catching an early flight from Istanbul to Heraklion International Airport? Avoid rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by picking one of these hotels close to Istanbul Airport:

Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)

  • Add another location to your travels or just take some time to unwind with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your flight from Istanbul to Heraklion International Airport, check out these options when departing from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:

    • Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH)

    • Antalya Airport (AYT)

    • Sofia Airport (SOF)

  • SAW is about 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. It takes 1 hour 5 minutes or so to get to the airport driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 1 hour 40 minutes.

  • Start your holiday early with an additional night away from home. Before your Istanbul to HER flight, kick back in one of these hotels close to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:

  • Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time performance rate of 68%. This figure shows how often flights departing from this airport reach their destination on schedule.

About Heraklion International Airport (HER)

  • If you're coming in on a late flight from Istanbul to Heraklion International Airport, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your luggage at baggage claim and then be showered and sleeping soon after at one of these hotels near HER:

  • Booking your ride around three weeks in advance of your Istanbul to Heraklion International Airport flight can help you lock in a great deal.

Getting from Heraklion International Airport (HER) to central Heraklion

  • The centre of Heraklion is about 3 kilometres from Heraklion International Airport. Travel times by taxi or car hire will vary based on time of day and traffic conditions, so do some research before you go.

  • If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of about 25 minutes.

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

  • Right now, $83 is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to Heraklion International Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is $150. Remember fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.

  • Book five months before you travel. Research into pricing trends suggests this is the ideal window for finding cheap flights from Istanbul to HER.

  • The best month for picking up cheap Istanbul to Heraklion International Airport tickets is October. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare flight prices, then select the dates with the lowest fares.

  • Be the first to know about deals for plane tickets from Istanbul to HER by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when a lower fare pops up.

  • Discover the best deal on a flight from Istanbul to Heraklion International Airport with the help of the filters. Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best.'

The best time to fly from Istanbul to Heraklion International Airport (HER)

  • Picture the kind of break you want when deciding the best time to fly. January is the quietest month to visit Heraklion. August is when most people book flights from Istanbul to Heraklion International Airport (HER), which may be ideal if you're chasing more action.

  • Before locking in your Istanbul to HER plane ticket, consider the weather you're most comfortable in. July is the warmest month in Heraklion, with temperatures ranging from 20ºC (68ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).

  • If you like travelling in cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from Istanbul to Heraklion International Airport in January when temperatures are between 7ºC (45ºF) and 16ºC (61ºF).

More about Heraklion

  • Once you've booked your flight from Istanbul to Heraklion International Airport, find a hotel that offers a good mix of location and comfort. Make one of these options your base for exploring Heraklion:

  • All great journeys should include some sightseeing. Knossos Palace, Heraklion Archaeological Museum and Old Venetian Harbour of Heraklion are must-do's during your Heraklion adventure.

Explore more of Greece

  • You've seen Heraklion, now it's time to discover other parts of Greece. Journey around 105 kilometres west to Chania to tick off its top attractions. From Katholiko Bay to Kalamaki Beach and Tersanas Beach, there's plenty to keep you busy.

  • If you're looking to explore another major destination in Greece, consider Kos, roughly 257 kilometres northeast of Heraklion. Ancient Agora, Castle of the Knight of Saint John and Lambi Beach are key reasons to visit.

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