Does Crete have two airports and which should I use?

Yes. Heraklion (HER) serves the east and centre of the island including Knossos, Heraklion city, Hersonissos, and Agios Nikolaos. Chania (CHQ) serves the west including Chania Old Town, Rethymno, and the Samaria Gorge area. Choose based on where you are staying.

What is Aegean Airlines cabin bag allowance on Crete routes?

Aegean Airlines allows one cabin bag of 55x40x23 cm weighing up to 8 kg on domestic and short-haul routes. This is a strict 8 kg limit that Aegean enforces with scales at the gate on busy summer flights.

Can I do the Samaria Gorge hike with a carry-on only trip?

Yes. Pack trail shoes in your cabin bag — never in checked luggage. The gorge is a 16 km descent and requires solid footwear. Everything else (water, snacks, sunscreen) you can buy the morning of the hike in Omalos or Chania.

Is the Chania Old Town manageable with a roller suitcase?

It depends on where you are staying. The Venetian harbour area and the alleys of the old city have significant cobblestone sections. A backpack is more comfortable for navigation. If your accommodation is on the edge of the old town or on a main road, a roller is manageable.

When is the best time to visit Crete?

May, June, and September are ideal. The weather is warm, the sea is swimmable, and crowds are significantly lower than July and August. The Samaria Gorge is open from May 1 to October 31 weather permitting.

Carry-On Only for Crete: Packing Guide 2026

Crete is Greece's largest island and a destination with genuinely diverse terrain: sandy beaches, ancient ruins, high-altitude gorges, and Venetian harbour towns. A carry-on only approach works well here — beach packing is inherently light, and the island's varied landscape rewards a bag you can carry rather than drag.

The first decision is which airport to use, because Crete has two.

Heraklion (HER) vs. Chania (CHQ)

Airport	Serves	Key Attractions Nearby
Heraklion (HER)	East and central Crete	Knossos Palace, Heraklion city, Hersonissos, Agios Nikolaos
Chania (CHQ)	Western Crete	Chania Old Town, Rethymno, Samaria Gorge, Balos Lagoon

If your main interest is beach resorts in the east, Hersonissos, or Knossos, fly into HER. If you're visiting Chania Old Town or planning the Samaria Gorge hike, fly into CHQ. Flying into one airport and out of the other (open-jaw) works well and avoids backtracking across the island.

Airline Cabin Bag Rules for Crete

Airline	Max Dimensions	Max Weight	Notes
Aegean Airlines	55x40x23 cm	8 kg	Athens–Crete domestic routes; 8 kg enforced
Sky Express	55x40x20 cm	8 kg	Domestic Greek routes; smaller regional aircraft
Ryanair (Priority)	55x40x20 cm	10 kg	Priority boarding required for overhead bin access
easyJet (cabin bag fare)	56x45x25 cm	15 kg	On fares including the cabin bag allowance
TUI/charter airlines	55x40x20 cm	10 kg	Varies by operator; check your booking confirmation

Flying Aegean or Sky Express from Athens into Crete: the 8 kg cabin bag limit is the tightest you'll encounter on European routes. A lightweight pack and disciplined packing are essential.

Packing for Crete's Mixed Terrain

Crete demands slightly more versatility than a pure beach destination. Plan for:

Beach and Sun (majority of packing)

2–3 swimwear pieces
3–4 lightweight outfits (shorts, linen shirts, sundresses, light trousers)
Sandals for beach and walking; one smarter pair for evening in Chania or Heraklion
Sunscreen — available on the island, cheaper than UK/EU pharmacies

Palace of Knossos and Archaeological Sites

Comfortable walking shoes (the ones you'd also use for light hiking)
Light layers for midday sun — a linen shirt or long-sleeve for UV protection
Water bottle — essential, the sites can be very hot in summer

Samaria Gorge Day Hike (16 km descent)

This is the most demanding activity in Crete and requires specific kit:

Trail shoes in your cabin bag — never risk these in checked luggage
Moisture-wicking socks (2 pairs)
Sunscreen, electrolytes or salty snacks, and a small daypack (which can compress into your cabin bag)
The hike ends at the seaside village of Agia Roumeli; bring a swimming costume for the post-hike swim — you've earned it

Mountain Villages

Villages like Anogia and Zaros in the Psiloritis mountains run noticeably cooler than the coast, even in August. A thin fleece or hoodie is worth packing if you plan to venture inland.

Cobblestones: Chania Old Town

Chania's Old Town and Venetian harbour is one of the most photographed places in Greece. It is also full of uneven stone streets and narrow alleys. A backpack is considerably more comfortable than a roller suitcase here. If you're staying in a more modern part of Chania or Rethymno, a roller bag is manageable. Anywhere inside the old city walls, carry it.

Practical Tips

Choose your airport carefully: Driving from HER to the Samaria Gorge takes around 2–2.5 hours. From CHQ it is around 45 minutes. Don't underestimate Crete's size.
Aegean 8 kg is real: Aegean scales bags on domestic summer routes. If you're flying Athens–Crete, pack to 7 kg and leave margin. A lightweight bag frame helps.
Open-jaw flights: Flying HER in, CHQ out (or vice versa) lets you see more of the island without retracing your steps. Works well for carry-on only travellers.
Water: Tap water in Crete is generally safe but tastes heavily mineralised. Buy a large bottle on arrival and refill at your accommodation.
Gorge timing: Start the Samaria Gorge as early as possible (buses from Chania leave at 6:15 am). The gorge gets very hot by mid-morning and is slowest at the narrow passage (the Iron Gates) later in the day.

Bottom Line

Crete suits carry-on travel well. The main complexity is choosing your airport and packing trail shoes if the Samaria Gorge is on the agenda. An 8 kg Aegean allowance is tight but achievable with a lightweight pack. Flying into one airport and out of the other is an underrated way to see more of the island without extra baggage.