Find the cheapest flights from Paris to Crete in 2026. Compare airlines, prices by month, and booking tips to save on your trip.
Route: Paris (CDG) → Crete (HER)
Distance: Direct flights not available
Flight Duration: 4h 30m – 7h
Prices by Month
| Month | Avg Price | Demand |
|---|---|---|
| January | €340 | low |
| February | €310 | low |
| March | €350 | low |
| April | €420 | medium |
| May | €480 | medium |
| June | €550 | high |
| July | €680 | high |
| August | €720 | high |
| September | €520 | medium |
| October | €380 | medium |
| November | €290 | low |
| December | €360 | low |
Airlines on This Route
- Transavia (direct): from €320 — Transavia offers the most consistent low fares on this route. Book directly on their website for cheapest rates – they don’t appear on all meta-search engines.
- easyJet (direct): from €350 — easyJet offers flexible fare types – Standard Plus includes 2 cabin bags and priority boarding. Check their app for flash sales.
- Air France (direct): from €420 — Air France includes checked baggage in base fares – better value than low-cost carriers when bags are needed. SkyTeam miles can be earned.
- Aegean Airlines (direct): from €380 — Aegean offers connecting flights via Athens too. Their Flex fare includes checked bag and is often cheaper than Air France with bag included.
- Lufthansa (connecting): from €450 — Lufthansa via Munich or Frankfurt offers reliable connections with generous baggage. Book 6+ weeks ahead for best connecting fares.
- Turkish Airlines (connecting): from €380 — Istanbul connections often have the lowest connecting fares. Turkish Airlines includes meals on all flights – good value for the price.
Booking Strategy
For Paris to Crete, the sweet spot for booking is 4-8 weeks ahead for summer travel (June-September) and 2-4 weeks for off-season. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are consistently €40-80 cheaper than Friday-Sunday. The cheapest time to fly is early morning (6-9am) or late evening (after 8pm). Use Google Flights to track price alerts – set it for CDG to HER. For budget carriers, check their websites directly as Transavia and easyJet often have lower fares than on Skyscanner. If flying in July-August, book at least 6 weeks ahead as prices rise sharply. November to March offers the best deals with €290-350 roundtrip being common. Consider flying into Chania (CHQ) instead – sometimes €50-100 cheaper and closer to western Crete beaches.
Route Tips
- Heraklion airport (HER) has limited food options – eat before your flight or bring snacks, especially for evening arrivals
- Both CDG and ORY serve Crete – Transavia often has cheaper fares from Orly, check both airports
- If visiting western Crete, compare prices to Chania (CHQ) – sometimes cheaper and saves a 2-hour drive
- EU citizens need only a passport or national ID – no visa required. Non-EU check Greek embassy for visa requirements
- Rent a car – Crete’s best beaches and mountain villages are not accessible by public transport. Book rental 2+ months ahead for summer
- Greek Outlet malls near Heraklion offer discounts – the brand lc Waikiki has quality textiles at low prices
- Airport taxi to Heraklion city: agree on price before (€15-20) or use the official taxi stand rates displayed
- Check if your airline flies to Chania instead – it’s closer to popular beaches like Falassarna and Elafonisi
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the flight from Paris to Crete?
The direct flight from Paris CDG to Heraklion (HER) takes approximately 3 hours 30 minutes. If you choose a connecting flight via Athens, Munich, or Istanbul, expect 4h 30m to 7h total travel time depending on layover duration. Aegean Airlines offers the shortest connections via Athens (typically 4h 30m), while Turkish Airlines via Istanbul can take 6-7 hours. During summer, Transavia and easyJet operate direct seasonal flights from Paris Orly (ORY) as well, taking the same 3h 30m.
How much does it cost to fly from Paris to Crete?
Roundtrip prices range from €290 in low season (November-February) to €720 in peak August. The average price across the year is around €450. Direct flights with budget carriers (Transavia, easyJet) start at €320 return in off-season, while premium economy or business class runs €1,500-3,000. Air France direct flights include checked baggage and start around €420. Connecting flights via Athens or other hubs can sometimes match or beat direct prices, especially through Turkish Airlines.
Are there direct flights from Paris to Crete?
Yes, direct flights operate seasonally from Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Paris Orly (ORY) to Heraklion (HER). Airlines include Air France (year-round, 1-2 daily in summer), Transavia (seasonal, daily May-October), easyJet (seasonal, multiple weekly in summer), Aegean Airlines (year-round via Athens), and Volotea (seasonal). The best direct flight deals typically come from Transavia and easyJet. Note that direct flights stop or reduce significantly from November through March, with most winter travel requiring a connection.
What is the cheapest month to fly from Paris to Crete?
February is the cheapest month with average roundtrip prices of €310, followed by November at €290. Low season runs November through March, excluding Christmas/New Year when prices spike to €400+. April sees €420 average, May €480, and June jumps to €550. July and August are most expensive at €680-720. September drops to €520, October to €380. For best value, book February or November – Crete is mild in winter (12-18°C) with fewer tourists, though some hotels and restaurants have limited hours.
Which airlines fly from Paris to Crete?
Direct carriers include Air France (premium, includes checked bag), Transavia (low-cost, cheapest base fares), easyJet (low-cost, good app), Aegean Airlines (direct and via Athens), and Volotea (seasonal). Connecting options via Athens are Aegean and Olympic Air; via hub cities use Lufthansa/Swiss (via Munich/Frankfurt), Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul), or Austrian (via Vienna). Budget carriers don’t include checked bags unless purchased separately – budget €35-50 each way for a checked bag.
What airport do I fly into in Crete?
You’ll fly into Heraklion International Airport (HER), located 5km east of Heraklion city center. Taxis to Heraklion cost €15-20, public bus (KTEL) costs €1.60 and takes 15 minutes. To reach Chania (old town), it’s 130km and 1h45 drive – taxis run €100-120, buses €8-10. Alternative airport is Chania (CHQ), 14km from Chania city – useful if staying in western Crete. Some budget flights land at Chania from Paris in summer. Both airports have car rental desks – book in advance for summer.
How far in advance should I book Paris to Crete flights?
For summer travel (June-September), book 6-8 weeks ahead for the best prices – 4 weeks is the minimum to secure reasonable fares. For peak August, 8+ weeks recommended as prices rise sharply. Off-season (November-March), 2-4 weeks ahead suffices as prices remain stable. Don’t book more than 3 months out – airlines don’t release their lowest fares that early. Christmas/New Year requires 2-3 months advance booking. Last-minute deals are rare on this route – book ahead for reliability.
Is it cheaper to fly from Paris to Crete on weekdays?
Yes, Tuesday and Wednesday are typically the cheapest days to fly, with savings of €40-80 compared to Friday-Sunday. Monday and Thursday fall in the middle. Weekend departures (Friday-Sunday) command premium prices, especially Sunday returns. For the best deal, fly midweek outbound and return. Early morning flights (6-9am) and late evening (after 8pm) are often €30-50 cheaper than afternoon departures. Use Skyscanner’s ‘whole month’ view to find the cheapest date combination.
Data updated: 2026-03
