Kia Picando

Review for summer 2025: Good parking area and drop-off area outside, plenty of car rentals nearby, world known as well as local car rental companies. There are free trolleys for your luggage, you do require a 1 Euro coin to use it, afterwards you'll get back the coin. Small in size as a whole airport, limited options after security control however you could find duty free shops (with inflated prices) and some coffee shops and get something to eat. As with most airports you better eat BEFORE arriving at the airport. A SIGNIFICANT PLUS: immediately after the security check, there is a water disposable point (fountain) FREE OF CHARGE. Either keep your empty containers after you are forced to empty or bring a dedicated empty water bottle. At the moment I've passed, more than 90 thousand plastics bottles were avoided to be purchased by using this water dispenser. We need more similar approaches in all European airports. Rest assured, bottled water, both sparkling and flat were still available to be purchased at around 2-3 € per 500ml in the shops. Bathrooms are a bit hidden, only 1 location after security check, somehow place right in the middle of the duty-free shop. They were all spotlessly clean in an early morning. Transfer to airplane, to a Ryanair was allowed on foot, there was only a 50m distance. Transfer from the airplane to arrivals terminal was carried out with a bus. If you found this information useful, please react to this review!

Chania Airport has made significant improvements in recent years. The proximity of the aircraft to the terminal, the hassle-free entry, and finding rental cars are all very straightforward. Unfortunately, on my last visit, the enthusiasm for baggage tracing was limited when, after losing my suitcase, I was handed a meager, photocopied slip of paper. On the day of departure, I finally got my suitcase back in time for check-in for the return flight, but that was also due to Discover Airlines, which hadn't taken the suitcase from Frankfurt (late evening checkin). Otherwise, the departure area at the gates has been well redesigned, with good snacks in the morning. Departure and security are friendly and uncomplicated. During peak season, be at the check-in counter in good time to drop off your luggage, as spaces are limited. Everything is very clean, friendly, and well signposted. The rental car area is across the street from the exit. Some rental car companies are located on the far left side of the terminal. For me, it's a better alternative than Heraklion, as it's more clearly laid out. I'm looking forward to arriving in LGSA / CHQ next time this year.

Luckily our checked in baggage was collected at the hotel before departure from the hotel to the airport. Smooth security as it was a midnight flight. Decent tax free, too many flights at the same time for the departure hall. Lots of people not having the place to sit. Even parents with breastfeeding children had challenges to get a seat. Too few restaurants and absolutely no bars in the departure hall. Seats from the time I was born, not maintained and cleaned. Poor cleaning, but again, I see the challenge as it’s too many people for the departure hall. Positive thing is the friendly staff at the airport. Poor air quality as well of course due to the amount of people. But hey, it’s a charter airport…..

Quite a small airport for amount of people not loads of seats but should be able to find one! Few restaurants. All pretty similar. There is a burger and pizza place towards gates 15 which are easily missed if you fancy something that isn't a sandwich. Big duty free with lots of products both local and the usual culprits. There is only one water fountain that we saw just after security. You can go back once in the gate area, back through duty free. UK flights go from 13-16 id suggest getting watter bottles filled and food purchased before going through the passport booths. As no fountains and only 1 food option. There is a small duty free. On a positive note we left our suitcase on the plane and was in left luggage before we got through passport control so can't fault the lost property operation!

Small airport. Arrival experience quite fast in getting through passport control and picking up checked baggage. Water fountain for refilling water bottles available through secure area in arrivals. Very little in the arrivals hall - maybe one shop/cafe and car rentals. Departure areas not huge either, with 4-5 very expensive food places and duty free (eg pastries and beverages typically over €4-5). Not tons of seating but able to find a spot. A couple of charging spots (particularly at gate 11).