London to Crete is a classic summer-holiday route, and the good news is that it’s a straightforward non-stop hop of about four hours. easyJet, Jet2, TUI and British Airways all fly direct to Heraklion, mainly between spring and autumn, so with a little flexibility the fares stay refreshingly low. This guide covers who flies the route, what a fair return costs in pounds, and when to book.
Route: London (LGW / LTN / STN) → Heraklion (HER); some flights use Chania (CHQ) in western Crete
Distance: approximately 2,800 km (1,740 miles)
Non-stop flight time: about 4h 00m – 4h 15m
Direct flights: Yes — easyJet, Jet2, TUI and British Airways (Euroflyer) fly non-stop to Heraklion, mainly from Gatwick, Luton and Stansted. It’s a seasonal route, busiest from roughly late March to early November.
Fares from London to Crete (GBP)
Crete is overwhelmingly a summer destination, and the fare pattern follows the sunshine. Direct flights run thick and fast from late spring to autumn, peaking — and pricing highest — in July and August and over the school holidays. In the depths of winter direct services thin right out, so an off-season trip usually means connecting through Athens with Aegean. The table below shows when the route is busiest. We no longer print per-month fare estimates here, because they were never measured.
| Month | Demand |
|---|---|
| January | off-season |
| February | off-season |
| March | low (season starting) |
| April | low-medium |
| May | medium |
| June | medium-high |
| July | very high |
| August | very high |
| September | high |
| October | medium (season ending) |
| November | low |
| December | off-season |
Reference points from our own deal tracking: a genuinely good return lands around £65–£90, a typical fair shoulder-season price is roughly £120, and anything under about £70 is worth booking quickly. High-summer weekends push toward £200 or more.
Airlines on this route
Non-stop (about 4 hours, mainly late March–early November):
- easyJet — direct from Gatwick and Luton; often the widest choice of dates and usually the cheapest headline fares.
- Jet2 — direct from Stansted and Luton; a checked bag and generous cabin allowance are included, so compare the all-in price.
- TUI — direct from Gatwick, geared to package holidays but sells flight-only too.
- British Airways (Euroflyer) — direct from Gatwick; a full-service option on the route.
Off-season / one-stop:
- Aegean Airlines via Athens — the reliable year-round routing when direct flights aren’t running, with a short onward hop to Heraklion or Chania.
Because several carriers compete on the direct route in summer, being flexible on dates and airport is the single biggest saving. The low-cost fares can look very cheap until you add a checked bag — always compare the total.
When to book & how to save
- Book 6–12 weeks ahead for the best summer fares; the cheapest seats on popular July and August dates sell out first.
- Travel in the shoulder season (May, June, late September and October) for warm weather, quieter beaches and fares well below the peak.
- Avoid July and August weekends if you can — midweek departures are noticeably cheaper.
- Watch the bag rules: easyJet and BA sell “hand-baggage only” fares, while Jet2 tends to include a checked bag — factor luggage into the comparison.
- Be flexible on London airport: Gatwick, Luton and Stansted all serve Crete, and prices between them can differ by £30 or more.
Arriving in Crete
Most flights land at Heraklion (HER), on the north coast about 5 km east of the city centre. A public bus runs to the centre for a couple of pounds, and a metered taxi to central Heraklion costs roughly £12–£18. If you’re staying in the west of the island (Chania, Rethymno), some flights use Chania (CHQ) instead, which is closer to those resorts — check which airport your ticket uses, as they’re about two hours apart by road. Hiring a car at the airport is popular and often the easiest way to explore Crete’s beaches and mountain villages.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from London to Crete?
The non-stop flight to Heraklion takes about 4 hours to 4 hours 15 minutes. If you connect through Athens in the off-season, allow around 6 to 8 hours in total including the layover and the short onward hop to Crete.
Are there direct flights from London to Crete?
Yes — in season. easyJet, Jet2, TUI and British Airways fly non-stop to Heraklion, mostly from Gatwick, Luton and Stansted, from roughly late March to early November. In winter direct flights largely pause, so you’d usually connect via Athens with Aegean.
How much does it cost to fly from London to Crete?
A typical economy return runs about £60–£180 depending on the month. Good deals dip to around £65–£90 in the shoulder season, while July and August weekends can climb past £200. Remember to add a checked bag on the low-cost fares.
What is the cheapest month to fly from London to Crete?
The shoulder months — late March, April, October and early November — are usually the cheapest months to fly. Avoid July and August, the busiest and priciest weeks.
Which airlines fly from London to Crete?
Direct: easyJet (Gatwick, Luton), Jet2 (Stansted, Luton), TUI and British Airways (Gatwick). Off-season, Aegean Airlines connects year-round through Athens. easyJet is often competitively priced; Jet2 tends to include baggage.
Which airport do I fly into in Crete?
Most flights land at Heraklion (HER) on the north coast, near the island’s biggest city. Some services — handy for the west of the island — use Chania (CHQ) instead. They’re about two hours apart by road, so check your ticket before booking transfers.
How far in advance should I book London to Crete flights?
Aim for 6 to 12 weeks ahead for summer travel. The cheapest seats on the busy July and August dates go early, and fares tend to climb as the departure nears. Shoulder-season trips are more forgiving and often bookable closer in.
Is it cheaper to fly on weekdays?
Yes — midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) are usually cheaper than Friday–Sunday, when holidaymakers travel. On a peak-summer return, shifting to weekday flights save a little and it’s one of the easiest ways to cut the fare.
Fare guidance based on aifly.one deal tracking and current airline schedules; last reviewed July 2026. Indicative economy returns — always check the live fare before booking.
