Landing at new Kastelli Airport is not like Heraklion old. No city outside, no taxi queue chaos - you are on a plateau 360m elevation, 39km SE Heraklion, 5km from Kastelli village, 8km from Arkalochori (33km from Heraklion). First 2 hours define your trip. This guide covers fuel, food, ATMs, SIM and first drive with car rental Kastelli Airport.
Step 1: From Plane to P5 Rental Lot (20-35 min)
- Deplane & passport: New terminal 72k sqm, e-gates for EU, 10 min average
- Baggage: 20-30 min, 6 belts, new system
- Exit to P5: Sliding doors, follow green P5 signs, 2 min walk covered
- Comfy pickup: Tablet with name, yellow-green vests, no bus transfer like old airport
Comfy staff checks license, credit card, gives full-to-full fuel briefing. No deposit tricks - as per Kastelli Airport car hire terms.
Step 2: Fuel - Full-to-Full Policy (3-5km)
Cars leave full, return full. Fuel stations near airport:
| Station | Distance | Hours | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shell Myrtea | 3km towards Kastelli | 06:00-22:00 | Left side, AdBlue |
| EKO Arkalochori rd | 5km west | 24h | ATM inside |
Fill within 5km before return to avoid €20 refuel charge. Keep photo of receipt and dashboard fuel gauge - Comfy car rental Kastelli Airport asks for it.
Step 3: Money - ATMs & SIM Cards Inside Terminal
- ATMs: Piraeus, Alpha, Eurobank inside arrivals, no fee for EU cards. Withdraw €100-200 - villages prefer cash under €20
- SIM: Cosmote, Vodafone, Nova booths €10-20 for 15GB 7 days. Passport needed. Works in mountains better than eSIM
- Exchange: 1 booth, rate poor - use ATM
Step 4: Food - First Cretan Meal (5-8km)
Terminal has 2 cafes (overpriced). Real food is in villages:
- Kastelli village 5km: Taverna Kriti - dakos, kalitsounia, lamb €12. Bakery for tyropita €2.5
- Arkalochori 8km: To Kentro souvlaki €3, gyros €3.5, best on plateau. 61 hotels nearby
- Peza 15km: Wine + meze at Lyrarakis winery
If landing 14:00+, go straight to Hersonissos 35km for beach taverna. Drive 35 min, no stress.
First Drive Tips - Left-Hand Drive Greece, Mountain Roads
Pro Tip: Crete drives on right, left-hand drive cars like mainland Greece (not UK). Keep right, overtake left. Mountain rule: 50km = 1.5h due to curves. Half tank minimum always - stations close 22:00. Download offline maps - signal drops after Peza.
- Speed limits: 50km/h villages, 90km/h national, 110km/h A90
- Goats: Real hazard - they cross, especially dusk
- Road signs: Green for national, white for local. Example XANIA/CHANIA 28km sign in article image - authentic, no Hertz logos
- Fuel: Always half tank. Mountain stations close early
- Parking: Free in villages, blue line in Heraklion €1/h
Suggested First 2 Hours After Landing (3 Options)
Option A: Wine & Culture (15km + 25km)
Airport → Peza winery 15km (20 min) tasting 1h → Knossos 25km (35 min) → Heraklion 39km total. Perfect if landing morning, using rent a car at Kastelli Airport for culture.
Option B: Beach Fast (35km)
Airport → Hersonissos 35km 35 min → beach, food, sunset. Best for families with kids after flight - image family beach road trip shows exactly this.
Option C: Villages Slow (8km loop 55km)
Airport → Kastelli 5km coffee → Arkalochori 8km sign proof → Thrapsano 12km pottery (The village of potters 16th c) → Peza 15km wine → back. 3h authentic, no tourists.
What NOT to Do First Hour
- Don't drive to Chania 183km (2h25) immediately if tired - break at Rethymno 113km
- Don't trust old distance 25km to Heraklion - it's 39km official, 32km road 30.4km straight
- Don't return car empty - full-to-full saves €20
- Don't skip SIM - mountain navigation needs data
Start Your First Drive - Book Comfy Car →
FAQ - Arrival Guide
How far is fuel station from Kastelli Airport?
Shell Myrtea 3km, EKO 5km. Fill within 5km for full-to-full policy with Comfy. Is there food inside Kastelli Airport?
2 cafes but overpriced. Real food in Kastelli village 5km and Arkalochori 8km (33km from Heraklion). Left-hand drive in Crete?
Yes, Greece drives on right with left-hand drive cars. Keep right, overtake left. Not UK style.
