South coast · Airport to resort
Heraklion Airport to Matala across the island.
- Road distance
- 66.9 km
- Drive time, no traffic
- 1 h 11 min
- Public bus
- KTEL Heraklion–Lasithi
- Checked
Photo: Giannis Tsoumetis / Pexels
Quick answer
Matala is about 67 km from Heraklion Airport by road, roughly an hour and ten minutes across the middle of Crete on the road towards Phaistos. The simplest way is a licensed taxi or a private driver booked ahead. There is no bus from the airport itself: KTEL buses to Matala leave from the Chanioporta station in Heraklion, with 2 weekday departures in the November 2026 timetable.
Key points
- Road distance: 66.9 km from the airport, 61.2 km from Heraklion city (OSRM, free-flow, no stops).
- Matala buses start at Chanioporta, on the west side of Heraklion’s old city, not at the airport.
- November 2026 timetable: 2 weekday departures to Matala, and only 1 at weekends.
- We have not checked a private transfer listing for this route; book a licensed taxi or driver ahead.
Across Crete on the Heraklion–Phaistos road
From the terminal you join the A90 for a short stretch around the edge of Heraklion, then turn south onto the EO97, the Heraklion–Phaistos road. It climbs out of the city through the hills of central Crete before dropping into the Messara, the wide farming plain that runs down towards the Libyan Sea. Near the Gortyna and Phaistos area you leave the main road for the Gortyna–Matala road and the final run to the coast.
OpenStreetMap routing puts the trip at 66.9 km and about 71 minutes from the airport, or 61.2 km and 66 minutes from Heraklion centre, with no traffic or stops. Getting clear of the airport and the city ring is the slowest part at busy times. In summer the villages along the way are busier too, so plan on a little more than the computed figure before you promise anyone a check-in time.
Arriving in Matala below the cliff caves
Matala is a small village at the end of the road, built around a sandy bay. The caves cut into the cliff above the beach are what most people come to see, and you notice them as soon as you reach the seafront. Red Beach is a walk away from the village, so once you have checked in you can leave the car or skip further rides for the rest of the day.
Rooms and small hotels sit in the lanes behind the beach and along the approach road, so give your driver the exact name of your accommodation rather than just "Matala". If you are staying elsewhere in the Messara, Phaistos is close by and has its own Heraklion–Phaistos bus, which makes the Minoan palace site an easy outing even without a car.
Luggage, child seats and late landings at HER
A licensed taxi from the rank outside arrivals, or a driver you booked in advance, takes you door to door, which matters on a 70-minute run with suitcases. If you travel with children, ask for child seats when you book, because a car taken from the rank may not have one. List bags and buggies in your request so the right size of vehicle turns up.
By bus this is a two-step journey. First get from the airport to Chanioporta by taxi or city bus, then take the KTEL Heraklion–Matala service. Each passenger can put two pieces of luggage in the hold free; extra items are charged. With so few departures, a late flight usually means a night in Heraklion or a car, and a pre-booked driver can track your flight.
Heraklion Airport to Matala
Pickup and drop-off points
Heraklion Airport (HER), arrivals
Licensed taxis queue at the rank outside the arrivals hall. A driver you book ahead will usually meet you inside with a name sign.
Chanioporta bus station, Heraklion
The KTEL station for Matala, Phaistos and the other Messara buses, at the Chania Gate on the west side of the old city.
Heraklion city hotels
After a first night in Heraklion, a taxi or private driver can collect you from the hotel for the 61 km drive south to Matala.
Matala village
Taxis and private drivers stop at your accommodation. The village is small, so the beach and the cliff caves are a short walk from most rooms.
Compare your options
Ways to make this trip
Taxi from the airport rank
The most direct option on arrival: no change of vehicle and no timetable. Check the meter is running or settle the fare at the rank, and say Matala clearly rather than "the south coast".
Private driver booked ahead
Arrange a licensed driver for your landing time, with child seats if needed. A driver who tracks your flight is the calm choice when you land late or travel as a family.
KTEL bus from Chanioporta
Cheaper but slower: reach Chanioporta first, then ride south. The November 2026 timetable shows 2 weekday departures and only 1 at weekends, so check your day before you rely on it.
Rental car
Useful if you want Phaistos, Gortyna and other south-coast beaches at your own pace. The EO97 is the main road south, and Matala itself is small, so park once and walk.
Heraklion Airport to Matala
Local tips
Landing late? Book a room in Heraklion and catch the Matala bus from Chanioporta the next day rather than racing a thin timetable.
Phaistos is on the way. With a rental car, or a driver happy to wait, you can see the Minoan palace site before checking in.
Weekend arrivals take note: the November 2026 timetable had only 1 Matala departure on Saturdays and Sundays.
Red Beach is a walk from the village, so pack sturdy sandals or trainers rather than planning another ride once you are there.
FAQ
Questions about this route.
How far is Matala from Heraklion Airport?
About 67 km by road. OpenStreetMap routing gives 66.9 km and roughly 71 minutes from the airport, and 61.2 km and 66 minutes from Heraklion city, with no traffic or stops. Most of the drive is on the EO97 Heraklion–Phaistos road across the island.Is there a bus from Heraklion Airport to Matala?
Not directly. KTEL buses to Matala leave from the Chanioporta station on the west side of Heraklion’s old city. The November 2026 timetable shows 2 weekday departures and 1 at weekends. Get to Chanioporta by taxi or city bus first.How do I get from Heraklion Airport to Chanioporta bus station?
Take a taxi from the rank outside arrivals or a city bus into Heraklion. Chanioporta is on the west side of the old city, so ask for the Messara bus station, not the KTEL station at the port. Our Heraklion Airport to Heraklion guide covers this city leg.Can I book a private transfer from Heraklion Airport to Matala?
We have not verified a private transfer listing for this route. Book a licensed taxi or a private driver in advance instead, give them your flight number, and ask for child seats if you need them. Taxis also wait at the rank outside arrivals.How long is the taxi ride from Heraklion Airport to Matala?
Roughly an hour and ten minutes in free-flowing traffic for 66.9 km. Leaving the airport at a busy time and summer traffic in the villages can stretch that, so allow extra if you are meeting a host at a set time.Can I stay in Matala without a car?
Yes, if you want a beach base. The caves, the bay and Red Beach are all on foot from the village. A taxi or rental car helps mainly for Phaistos, Gortyna and other beaches along the Messara coast.