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
Aktion National Airport (PVK), also known as Preveza Airport, is the primary international aviation hub serving northwestern Greece, including the Epirus region and the popular holiday island of Lefkada. The airport operates from a single, modern passenger terminal spanning over 13,000 square meters that underwent a major revitalization and expansion completed in 2021. It acts as a critical infrastructure link, connecting the historic Ambracian Gulf to major European cities via carriers such as Aegean Airlines, Ryanair, and easyJet, particularly during the high-traffic summer tourism season.
The terminal infrastructure provides a wide range of contemporary amenities across its two levels, with the ground floor housing check-in modules and arrivals, while the first floor is dedicated to the departures zone and boarding gates. Travelers have access to multiple cafรฉs and bars, alongside a dedicated Hellenic Duty Free shop offering local Greek delicacies, authentic olive oils, and regional spirits. The facility is fully accessible and offers free high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the building, featuring modernized security screening points and specialized 'Fast Lane' services for those seeking a more streamlined boarding experience.
Ground transportation to central Preveza is exceptionally unique, as the airport is linked to the city via the Aktio-Preveza Undersea Tunnelโthe only one of its kind in Greeceโproviding a quick 10 to 15-minute journey. Official taxi ranks are readily available curbside, and several major car rental agencies maintain desks within the terminal, which is the preferred choice for visitors exploring the nearby ancient ruins of Nikopolis or the white-sand beaches of Lefkada. Travelers are advised to arrive at least 3 hours before international departures during the peak summer months, as the terminal handles a significant volume of charter traffic from across Europe.
๐ Connection Tips
Aktion National is the airport for Lefkada and the surrounding Ionian coast, so the trip is all about the road bridge, the island beaches, and the taxi or rental-car handoff after landing. The airport works best when the hotel or ferry-side pickup is already set, because the rest of the journey is a short drive into the island corridor.
The airfield is really a bridge between mainland travel and island travel, which is why visitors think of the airport as the start of a short holiday sequence rather than a separate transport node. The airports island role is also why ferry schedules and resort check-in times are often discussed in the same breath as the flight.
In practical terms, Aktion is the airport that lets visitors skip the mainland drive and drop straight into island time. The road into Lefkada town is short enough that the airport feels like a mainland bypass. That short road leg is what makes the island arrival feel seamless for holiday travelers and charter guests alike. Aktion is a coastal regional airport, so taxis and rental cars are the most practical onward options, especially if you are heading for Preveza, Lefkada, or the Ionian coast after landing.
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 Aktion National Airport