Tbilisi to Crete Flights: Airlines, Flight Time and Cheap Tickets

Crete is the largest and most astonishing island in Greece. It is famous for its white beaches, turquoise sea, stunning scenery and legendary sites, as well as for its distinctive aromas and wonderfully varied local cuisine.

Visit this beautiful island, which is tied to so many love legends, and enjoy memorable, relaxing days on your holiday. Crete has three airports – Chania, Heraklion and Sitia – and all of them can be reached from Tbilisi with a single stopover.

Which airlines fly from Tbilisi to Crete?

There are no direct flights from Tbilisi International Airport to Crete, but that should not stop you from visiting the island – one connection is all it takes to get to your destination.

Flights from Tbilisi to Crete’s two main airports, Chania and Heraklion, are offered with a single stop by Aegean Airlines, routing through Athens.

To reach Crete’s third airport, Sitia, you can put the trip together like this: fly from Tbilisi to Athens with Aegean Airlines, then continue from Athens to Sitia with Olympic Airlines.

How long is the flight from Tbilisi to Crete?

The total travel time on indirect Tbilisi – Crete routes depends mainly on the length of your layover. The Tbilisi–Athens leg takes about 3 hours, while Athens–Chania and Athens–Heraklion take around 50 minutes, plus the waiting time between the two flights.

 

What to see in Crete?

The island is packed with historic fortresses, breathtaking landscapes and delicious Greek food, and there is a long list of things to do here.

• Visit the village of Loutro

Set on Crete’s southern coast, Loutro is a tiny fishing village that is well worth the detour. The place feels like a trip back to ancient Greece, and part of what makes it special is that it cannot be reached by road at all – you have to arrive by boat. Once there, take your time on the beach, enjoy the views and taste the freshest seafood.

• Stroll through Chania

This is one of the largest island cities you will find anywhere in Greece, which means it has a great deal to offer. Be sure to walk around the Venetian harbour, visit the old lighthouse and the Agora market, where you can taste freshly picked figs.

• Discover the Monastery of the Holy Trinity

Not far from Akrotiri stands the Monastery of the Holy Trinity, and a visit there will leave a lasting impression if you are looking for a short break from seaside life. Make sure you step inside as well, because it has the finest gilded interior you will see on the island.

• Visit the oldest city in Europe

The Palace of Knossos is the largest Bronze Age site on the island and is often described as the oldest city in Europe.

If you are interested in archaeology and in the island’s history, do not miss it – pay particular attention to the astonishing frescoes and the remarkable throne room.

• See the Holy Monastery of Arkadi

About 20 kilometres outside the city lies the beautiful Holy Monastery of Arkadi.

Do not miss the bell tower and the Corinthian columns – this really is one of the most special and sacred sights on Crete.

How to buy cheap flight tickets from Tbilisi to Crete

1. Book your tickets 1.5–2 months in advance.
2. Choose a mid-week departure rather than a weekend: demand is lower on working days, so fares tend to be cheaper.
3. Buy both legs at the same time. Airlines and agencies usually offer better prices for a return ticket than for two one-way tickets bought separately.
4. Use a search engine that brings almost every airline and flight together in one place, so booking the ticket you want is as simple as possible.

You can buy cheap flight tickets from Tbilisi to Crete quickly and comfortably online through our search engine. Simply choose your departure and destination cities, enter the dates you want, and the system will show you every available flight, so you can pick the ticket that fits your budget.

Crete’s airports – which one should you fly into?

Crete has three airports, and the right choice depends on which part of the island you are heading for:

• Heraklion (HER) – “Nikos Kazantzakis”: the island’s main and busiest airport, about 5 km from the city centre. It is the most convenient gateway for Knossos, Malia, Agios Nikolaos and Rethymno.
• Chania (CHQ) – “Daskalogiannis”: located on the Akrotiri peninsula, around 14 km from the centre of Chania. Choose it if you are staying in the west of the island – Chania, Platanias, Elafonissi or Balos.
• Sitia (JSH): a small airport in the east of the island, close to the town centre. It handles relatively few flights, mostly from Athens and other Greek islands. The Athens – Sitia route is served by Greek domestic carriers such as Sky Express and Olympic Air.

Heraklion and Chania are roughly 140 km apart and the bus journey between them takes about 3 hours, so it is worth deciding where you will be staying before you book.

Other convenient connections

Athens is not the only way to reach Crete from Tbilisi:

• Via Istanbul: the Tbilisi – Istanbul flight takes around 2 hours 20 minutes, and from Istanbul there are seasonal services to both Heraklion and Chania. In summer this is often the shortest routing, although the schedule depends on the time of year and should be checked before you book.
• Via European hubs: in the summer season Warsaw, Vienna, Munich, Rome and Milan all have plenty of flights to Crete, so a “Tbilisi – Europe – Crete” itinerary often works out cheaper, especially with low-cost carriers.
• By ferry from Athens: if you have time to spare, overnight ferries run from the port of Piraeus to Heraklion and to Chania (Souda port). The crossing takes around 8–9 hours and is often cheaper than the domestic flight.

When is the best time to go to Crete?

The swimming season on Crete is long – roughly from May to October. July and August are the hottest and busiest months, which is exactly when flights and hotels cost the most. May, early June, September and the first half of October bring far more comfortable weather and noticeably lower prices. In winter the number of flights to Crete drops sharply and convenient connections become harder to find.

Useful information before you travel

• Documents: Greece is part of the Schengen area. Georgian citizens with a biometric passport do not need a visa and may stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. The EU is gradually rolling out new border systems (EES and ETIAS), so check the rules that apply before you set off.
• Baggage: on a connecting itinerary, confirm whether your bags are checked through to the final destination. If you buy the flights separately you will have to collect and re-check them yourself.
• Layover time: in Athens, 1.5–2 hours is enough on a single ticket; on separately booked flights it is safer to leave at least 3 hours.
• Currency and time: Greece uses the euro. The time difference with Georgia is 1 hour in summer and 2 hours in winter, with Georgia ahead.
• Getting into town: regular buses link both Heraklion and Chania airports with their city centres, and taxis and car rental are also available – a rental car is the most practical way to get around the island.

Tbilisi – Crete flights: frequently asked questions

Are there direct flights from Tbilisi to Crete?

There is no scheduled direct service – you will need at least one connection, most often in Athens or Istanbul.

How long does the whole journey take?

Pure flying time is about 4 hours (Tbilisi – Athens 3 hours and Athens – Crete 50–55 minutes); with the layover included you should realistically allow 6 to 9 hours.

Heraklion or Chania – which airport is better?

If Knossos, Malia or Agios Nikolaos are on your list, choose Heraklion. If you are heading for western Crete – Chania, Elafonissi or Balos – Chania airport is the more convenient option.

When are flight tickets cheapest?

On average you will find the best fares by booking 1.5–2 months ahead, travelling at the start or the end of the season (May, September, October) and departing mid-week.

Or contact us to book your flights: 551 907 907 Viber is available too.