โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
International โ Domestic
90
minutes
International โ International
120
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Mytilene International Airport (MJT), also known as Odysseas Elytis Airport, is the primary aviation hub for the island of Lesvos, Greece. The terminal is a modern, multi-level facility following a major 2020 expansion, designed to handle a significant volume of domestic traffic from Athens and Thessaloniki, as well as a large seasonal influx of international charters from across Europe. Its contemporary architecture features a spacious departure hall with efficient check-in areas and a centralized security checkpoint that provide a welcoming entry point for travelers visiting this major Aegean cultural and tourism destination.
The terminal experience at Mytilene is professional and highly efficient, featuring climate-controlled waiting areas that provide comfort in the warm Mediterranean climate. Inside, passengers have access to comfortable waiting lounges, digital flight information systems, and clear signage in both Greek and English. The facility is managed with a focus on high-quality service, ensuring that both international holidaymakers and local residents can transition smoothly through the airport. The layout is optimized for efficiency, with dedicated areas for customs and immigration to manage the arrival of major international flights from hubs like London, Berlin, and Amsterdam.
Amenities within the Odysseas Elytis terminal are excellent, featuring a variety of duty-free shops offering local Lesvos products such as ouzo, olive oil, and traditional handicrafts, along with diverse dining options ranging from quick-service cafes to sit-down restaurants. The facility provides essential modern services such as free high-speed Wi-Fi, mobile charging stations, and dedicated family-friendly areas. Outside the main arrivals hall, a well-organized ground transport network is available, including dedicated taxi stands, public buses, and several car rental agencies providing reliable connections to the center of Mytilene and the various coastal resorts across the island of Lesvos.
๐ Connection Tips
Mytilene International Airport 'Odysseas Elytis' (MJT) is the primary and highly efficient aviation hub serving Lesvos Island, Greece. The journey takes about 25 minutes and costs approximately โฌ2. 00. Several major international and Greek car rental agencies, including Hertz, Sixt, and Budget, maintain well-staffed desks within the terminal's baggage claim area. Be aware that during the peak summer months (July and August), the airport handles a high volume of traffic from across Europe, and security queues can lengthen significantly.
Located approximately 8 kilometers south of the Mytilene city center, getting to and from the terminal is well-organized, especially following the major 2020 terminal expansion. Taxis are also readily available 24/7 at the designated stand directly in front of the terminal; a typical 15-minute ride to the city center costs roughly โฌ15 to โฌ20. The terminal itself is modern and spacious, featuring high-quality facilities such as several cafes serving traditional Greek snacks and a variety of retail shops offering local Lesvos products like olive oil and handicrafts. Always carry some Euro (EUR) in cash for bus and taxi fares, though the retail and car rental services readily accept major international credit cards.
For most travelers, the local bus service (KTEL) provides the most economical connection; the bus stop is situated just steps outside the arrivals exit, with frequent links to the central bus station in Mytilene. For those wishing to explore the island's world-class ouzo distilleries, traditional mountain villages, and the scenic resorts of Molyvos and Petra in the north, renting a car is highly recommended. Arriving at least 2 hours before an international charter departure and 90 minutes before a domestic flight to Athens (ATH) or Thessaloniki (SKG) is recommended.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
35
minutes
Domestic โ International
70
minutes
International โ Domestic
70
minutes
International โ International
85
minutes
Interline Connections
110
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Chania International Airport (CHQ), officially known as Ioannis Daskalogiannis Airport, is the primary aviation gateway to western Crete and the second-busiest airport on the island. Located on the Akrotiri peninsula, approximately 14 kilometers from central Chania, the airport acts as a critical link for the region's massive tourism sector and its strategic military importance. The facility is managed by Fraport Greece and has undergone significant recent expansions to improve its capacity and modernize its passenger services.
The airport features a modern and efficient two-story passenger terminal building that was significantly upgraded in 2018. The terminal spans nearly 15,000 square meters and is designed to manage up to 1.35 million passengers annually, though it can become very busy during the peak summer months. The ground floor houses the check-in counters and arrivals area, while the upper floor features security screening and a spacious departure lounge with 16 boarding gates. The terminal's layout is intuitive, ensuring that travelers can quickly navigate from the entrance to their flights, even during the high-frequency charter windows characteristic of the Cretan holiday season.
Amenities at Chania International are well-appointed and cater to a mix of international tourists and business travelers. Passengers have access to free high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the terminal and several dedicated charging stations for electronic devices. For premium travelers, a serviced VIP lounge is available, offering a quiet workspace and refreshments. The facility includes a variety of dining options, ranging from traditional Greek cafes to international snack bars, mostly located airside. Shopping is a highlight, with an expanded duty-free zone offering local Cretan products like olive oil, honey, and herbs, alongside a pop-art shop and newsagents. Essential services such as ATMs, a first-aid station, and baby care rooms are all conveniently located within the terminal.
CHQ provides extensive connectivity, serving as a major hub for Aegean Airlines and Ryanair, while hosting dozens of other European carriers including easyJet, Jet2, and Lufthansa. It offers non-stop flights to approximately 70 destinations across 24 countries, as well as multiple daily domestic links to Athens (ATH) and Thessaloniki (SKG). A unique operational aspect of the airport is its status as a joint civil-military facility, sharing its runway with the Hellenic Air Force's 115th Combat Wing at Souda Air Base. Ground transportation is well-developed, with regular KTEL bus services, official taxi ranks, and numerous car rental desks for brands like Avis and Budget located directly in the arrivals hall, ensuring easy access to the city and the island's many coastal resorts.
๐ Connection Tips
Chania International Airport (CHQ) is one of those airports where a single-terminal layout can be misleading. The building itself is not difficult to understand, but summer volumes on western Crete can make queues and processing times much more significant than the footprint suggests. That is especially true if the itinerary crosses the Schengen border or if you are stitching together separate tickets. In those cases, the issue is not the walk. It is the process.
For travelers ending the trip in Crete, CHQ is a very useful gateway because the road side is straightforward and KTEL buses and taxis make Chania accessible. If, however, your itinerary includes another flight, a ferry, or a same-day transfer farther into Crete, then the airport-to-road connection should be treated as part of the timing problem rather than assumed to be trivial after landing.
Season matters here more than travelers sometimes expect. A comfortable connection in shoulder season can become much tighter in the high summer peak when charter and leisure traffic is at its heaviest. CHQ works best when you respect the difference between a small building and a small process. The airport is manageable, but the right plan still leaves margin for summer volume, border control where relevant, and the onward road or ferry segment after arrival.
โ Back to Mytilene International Airport