Cheap flights from East Midlands to Heraklion from £68
Updated 2026-08-05
2845 km great-circle distance, typically flown in 3h 57m with 3 airlines operating direct service from East Midlands (EMA) to Heraklion (HER). Fares on this corridor stay relatively stable across the year — booking 4–8 weeks ahead and choosing a midweek departure typically secures the best price.
Flying from East Midlands
East Midlands Airport is a regional hub between Nottingham, Derby and Leicester, dominated by Ryanair and Jet2 with TUI adding charter and package routes. The terminal sits 15 miles southwest of Nottingham and 13 miles west of Derby, with Skylink bus services connecting both. The route network is short-haul-only and skews holiday-leisure — Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy are the strongest corridors. Long-haul travellers usually drive to Manchester or Birmingham for a wider choice.
Arriving in Crete
Heraklion Airport is 4 km east of central Heraklion, the largest city in Crete. Bus 1 runs every 15 minutes to the city centre. The May–October leisure schedule is intense; winter capacity drops sharply but doesn't disappear. Crete's size means you can fly into Heraklion (HER) or Chania (CHQ) — match the airport to your accommodation cluster to save the 2-hour cross-island drive.
Who flies EMA to HER?
| Airline | IATA | Flight time | Cabin |
| Ryanair | FR | 3h 57m | Economy |
| Jet2.com | LS | 3h 57m | Economy |
| TUI Airways | BY | 3h 57m | Economy |
3 carriers fly direct on this corridor. Frequencies vary by season — summer and winter holiday peaks see additional flights.
Nottingham to Crete FAQs
Direct flights from East Midlands (EMA) to Heraklion (HER) take approximately 3h 57m for the 2845 km journey, plus 30–60 minutes of taxi, climb and descent. Total airport-to-airport time depends on cruise winds and air-traffic queueing on approach.
3 carriers operate direct service from East Midlands (EMA) to Heraklion (HER): Ryanair, Jet2.com and TUI Airways. Frequencies vary by season and carrier — Ryanair typically operates the highest weekly count on this corridor.
UK passport holders generally do not need a visa for short stays in Greece (Schengen-area members allow 90 days in any 180-day window). ETIAS pre-authorisation will apply once live for European destinations. Always check gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece before booking.
Heraklion (HER) is the primary international airport for Crete. Allow 30–60 minutes for the ground transfer by train, express bus or taxi, depending on traffic and time of day. Most European hub airports sit 10–25 km from their host city centre. See the airport's official website for current train and shuttle timetables.
Anything at £82 or under sits in the cheapest quarter of recent fares on this route. The average return is £68, and the lowest we've tracked recently is £68. Fare data comes from Travelpayouts searches, refreshed on a 30-day cycle.