Direct flight about 3 h 40
Crete from London Gatwick
Published 4 October 2026 · HolidayWow editors · Written with AI, numbers checked against our data ·
From London Gatwick, a nonstop flight gets you in Crete in about 3 h 40. You land at Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER), 16 miles from the destination, after 1,665 miles of flight. You can also fly nonstop to CHQ (about 3 h 35).
In Crete, the best time for a trip is June to October, with daytime highs up to 28 °C and the sea up to 25 °C.
7 days in Crete in August, Beach and hiking, from London Gatwick on your own
Plan a trip- Flight time from London Gatwick
- about 3 h 40
- Flight distance LGW to HER
- 1,665 miles
- Nonstop from LGW to 2 airports
- Direct flight
- Best time to go
- June to October
Flight times estimated from the distance, nonstop routes according to OpenTravelData.
Start with your London Gatwick connection
Check the available flights and connection options on the page, compare the practical details and choose a service that fits your holiday dates. Live airfare is shown through booking links, so you can review the current choices as you plan.
LondoniPhoto: Diliff · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsYour Gatwick itinerary can begin with a clear look at the whole journey. Add your onward travel, first accommodation and arrival area to a HolidayWow plan, then keep them together on the map. This gives everyone in your group one shared view of where the trip starts and how the first day takes shape.
Allow a practical buffer between the flight and your next connection. A clear separation between arrival and onward travel gives you room for luggage, terminal movement and any changes. Store tickets, confirmations and passports in the document vault so the relevant details stay close to the plan throughout the holiday.
LondoniPhoto: Diliff · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsChoose the Crete region that fits your holiday
Heraklion works well as a first base for travellers who want access to museums, the Minoan site at Knossos and a good selection of places to eat. It also suits an itinerary that continues to eastern Crete. Central locations make it easier to combine a city stay with coastal excursions and a later change of accommodation.
CreteiPhoto: Taxiarchos228 · FAL · Wikimedia Commons
HeraklioniPhoto: Taxiarchos228 · FAL · Wikimedia CommonsChania has its own appeal for old town lanes, a waterfront setting and access to beaches along the northern coast. Rethymno suits a slower combination of town time, nearby villages and coastal walks. For scenery and a quieter base, Agios Nikolaos and eastern Crete offer a different rhythm with mountain landscapes, coves and plenty of open space.
Choose the region around the experience you want rather than placing every stay in one spot. A week can include several nights by the coast and a short stay elsewhere, but each change should have a clear purpose. The planner can mark the bases, connect them on the map and help you keep each travel day easy to follow.
CreteiPhoto: Taxiarchos228 · FAL · Wikimedia CommonsHeraklioniPhoto: Taxiarchos228 · FAL · Wikimedia CommonsMatch the island to the season
July is the warmest month in Crete, with average daytime temperatures of 28 °C, sea temperatures of 25 °C and 13 sunshine hours. August remains warm, while September offers a sea temperature of 25 °C and 26 °C by day. These months suit travellers who want the strongest emphasis on swimming and long days outdoors.
RainiPhoto: Ermell · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsMay and June are comfortable for walking, sightseeing and time near the coast. May brings average daytime temperatures of 23 °C and sea temperatures of 19 °C. June is warmer and brighter, with 12 sunshine hours and an average sea temperature of 23 °C. October can suit people who enjoy warm days with a change in pace as summer ends.
January is the coolest and wettest month in the climate record, with average daytime temperatures of 15 °C and 15 rain days. It can suit a traveller seeking a quieter island experience, especially when village walks, food and local sightseeing form the centre of the trip. Check live conditions closer to departure for the dates you choose.
RainiPhoto: Ermell · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsFrom London Gatwick to Crete
From London Gatwick, Crete is {{dist.home:LGW}} away as the crow flies. From London Heathrow it is {{dist.home:LHR}}. From Manchester it is {{dist.home:MAN}}. From London Gatwick, the months that pay off most are May, June, July and August.
London Stansted lies {{dist.home:STN}} away. From Edinburgh it is {{dist.home:EDI}}. Door to door, the plan lines up the ride to the airport, the flight with live fares and the transfer on arrival.
Airports at the destination
From London Gatwick you fly nonstop to 2 airports nearby. Closest to the destination is Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport, at 16 miles.
- HERHeraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport16 miles to the destination, about 3 h 40 from LGW, 1,665 miles of flightDirect
- CHQChania International Airport45 miles to the destination, about 3 h 35 from LGW, 1,617 miles of flightDirect
Best time to travel in Crete
In Crete, the best time for a trip is June to October, with daytime highs up to 28 °C and the sea up to 25 °C. The sea reaches 25 °C in August.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day °C | 15 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 23 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 26 | 23 | 20 | 17 |
| Night °C | 12 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 22 | 24 | 25 | 23 | 20 | 17 | 14 |
| Sea °C | 16 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 19 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 20 | 18 |
| Sun h/day | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| Rain days | 15 | 12 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 14 |
The best months for Crete
Daytime highs range from 15 °C in January to 28 °C in July. Rain is rarest in July (1 days) and most frequent in January (15 days). The sunniest month is July with 13 hours a day.
The sea is warm enough for proper swimming in June, July, August, September and October, peaking at 25 °C in July. For walking and sightseeing in pleasant warmth, aim for May, June, July, August, September, October and November.
- January: 15 °C, sea 16 °C, 15 rain days, 4 h of sun
- February: 15 °C, sea 16 °C, 12 rain days, 5 h of sun
- March: 16 °C, sea 16 °C, 9 rain days, 7 h of sun
- April: 19 °C, sea 17 °C, 5 rain days, 9 h of sun
- May: 23 °C, sea 19 °C, 5 rain days, 10 h of sun
- June: 26 °C, sea 23 °C, 2 rain days, 12 h of sun
- July: 28 °C, sea 25 °C, 1 rain day, 13 h of sun
- August: 28 °C, sea 25 °C, 1 rain day, 11 h of sun
- September: 26 °C, sea 25 °C, 5 rain days, 9 h of sun
- October: 23 °C, sea 23 °C, 9 rain days, 7 h of sun
- November: 20 °C, sea 20 °C, 9 rain days, 5 h of sun
- December: 17 °C, sea 18 °C, 14 rain days, 4 h of sun
How to shape a May day in Crete
Mornings suit an unhurried walk through the old streets or along the water. The warmest hours, at 23 °C, are perfect for being outside. Evenings drop to 18 °C, so plan dinner outside and keep a layer handy.
Packing for Crete in July
With 28 °C by day and 24 °C at night and 1 rain days in July, pack for heat. Your plan builds this list for you and updates it when you change the dates.
- Light, breathable clothes for the day
- Sun hat and sunscreen
- A refillable water bottle
- A warm layer for the evenings
- Swimwear and a beach towel
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A travel adapter for your chargers
Prices for Crete
Stays, tours and flights for Crete show their live price from our partners, in your currency, right below. We never estimate a price: what you see is what the partner charges today.
Weather in Crete month by month
- January15 °C
16 °C - February15 °C16 °C
- March16 °C16 °C
- April19 °C17 °C
- May23 °C19 °C
- June26 °C23 °C
- July28 °C25 °C
- August28 °C25 °C
- September26 °C25 °C
- October23 °C23 °C
- November20 °C20 °C
- December17 °C18 °C
Nonstop flights in Crete from other airports
Besides London Gatwick, nonstop flights in Crete leave from 8 other airports; the closest to London Gatwick is London Heathrow, with a flight time of about 3 h 37.
- LGWCrete from London Gatwickabout 3 h 40 to HER, nonstop
- LHRCrete from London Heathrowabout 3 h 37 to CHQ, nonstop
- LTNCrete from London Lutonabout 3 h 44 to HER, nonstop
- STNCrete from London Stanstedabout 3 h 36 to CHQ, nonstop
- BRSCrete from Bristolabout 3 h 46 to CHQ, nonstop
- BHXCrete from Birminghamabout 3 h 46 to CHQ, nonstop
- MANCrete from Manchesterabout 3 h 52 to CHQ, nonstop
- EDICrete from Edinburghabout 4 h 12 to HER, nonstop
- GLACrete from Glasgowabout 4 h 11 to CHQ, nonstop
Flight times estimated from the distance, nonstop routes according to OpenTravelData.
Shape a balanced day on Crete
A balanced itinerary can begin with a market or old town, followed by one major sight and a beach or coastal walk later in the day. The relaxed pace fits travellers who value time to settle into a base, while the balanced pace gives you room for two or three stops without turning every day into a full schedule.
For seven days, you could spend a few nights in Chania, explore a coastal area on a clear walking day, then move towards Heraklion or Rethymno. Add a day for Knossos, another for a beach and a final day near your departure point. Keep the route simple by grouping nearby activities and leaving room for meals, rest and changing plans.
Sights worth considering include Knossos, the archaeological museum at Heraklion, the old Venetian harbour in Chania and the mountain settlement of Archanes. Coastal walks, boat trips and visits to local vineyards can fill lighter days. Use the map to place each stop and choose a pace that matches your group and the conditions.
Keep the island holiday flexible
Road travel gives Crete a sense of variety, but each day benefits from a sensible structure. Set the main destination, add nearby stops and leave the final part of the day open. The planner reads the place, month, group, pace and budget from your description, then presents every day as a route with stops pinned on the map.
You can move a stop to another day, replace an activity or make a day lighter. After each change, the plan checker reorders the route. This is useful when a family wants a slower day, a couple has a particular beach in mind or a group needs to keep its plans together.
Live prices for stays, tours, transport and flights are available through partner links, with a check live price option where appropriate. Share the itinerary with one link, set viewing or editing roles and invite comments. The packing list and checklist can reflect the island, the selected month and the activities in your plan.
Crete from London Gatwick: frequently asked questions
Which months are best for visiting Crete from London Gatwick?
June through September offers the strongest beach weather, with July and August reaching 28 °C during the day and sea temperatures of 25 °C. May is useful for sightseeing and walking, while October can suit a slower holiday after the summer season. Choose the month that matches your priorities.
Which part of Crete should I stay in?
Heraklion is convenient for Knossos, museums and access to eastern Crete. Chania suits an old town and northern beaches, while Rethymno works well for a mixed town and coast itinerary. Agios Nikolaos is a strong choice for a relaxed eastern Crete base. Pick the area that matches the sights and activities you value.
Can I plan a road trip around Crete?
Yes. Use a base in one region before moving to another, rather than changing accommodation every day. Place the main drives and nearby stops on the map, keep transfer days light and give yourself time for meals and rest. This creates a varied itinerary with a comfortable rhythm.
Can I find live flights from London Gatwick to Crete?
The page shows live flight choices through partner links, so you can check current routes and prices while planning. Use your preferred dates, compare the available services and confirm the final details during booking. A clear travel plan also makes it easier to connect the flight with your first stay.
How do I organise a group holiday to Crete?
Share one HolidayWow link with your group and set viewing or editing roles. Members can comment, vote and keep the same map, daily route and booking information in view. The plan checker helps reorder days after edits, while the document vault keeps tickets and confirmations with the trip.
More nonstop destinations from London Gatwick
iPhoto: Martin Falbisoner · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsGreeceCorfu- about 2 h 55 flight
- Sea 22 °C in October
GreeceRhodes- about 3 h 46 flight
- Sea 24 °C in October
GreeceZakynthos- about 3 h 09 flight
- Sea 23 °C in October
GreeceCephalonia- about 3 h 02 flight
- Sea 23 °C in October
iPhoto: kallerna · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsGreeceSantorini- about 3 h 35 flight
- Sea 22 °C in October
Plan your trip in Crete from London Gatwick
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