Crete’s new northern highway could change one of the key factors in choosing a villa or holiday home on the island: how easily guests can reach it from the airport.
For visitors, distance is measured in more than kilometres. Journey times, the ease of the drive and the freedom to explore the island from a single base all shape the appeal of a property. This is why the new Northern Road Axis of Crete, known as VOAK, and the airport under construction at Kastelli matter to short-term rental owners and property managers. Together, they could gradually reshape accessibility across the island and influence where visitors choose to stay.
The first step is expected in October, with the opening of the first 10 kilometres of the new highway on the Agios Nikolaos–Neapoli section. Greece’s Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Christos Dimas, announced the milestone at Prodexpo 2026, linking transport upgrades to investment and property market development.
The opening will mark an initial milestone rather than the completion of the new highway. Nevertheless, it is a tangible step in a project with direct implications for tourism across Crete.
Where construction stands on Crete’s new northern highway
According to the minister, work is progressing at a satisfactory pace on the Hersonissos–Neapoli section, which is being developed through a public-private partnership.
Studies and planning have begun for the Kissamos–Heraklion concession section. Road safety improvements and works on the Chania, Rethymno and Heraklion bypasses are also taking place.
For hospitality businesses, the benefits will emerge gradually as individual sections form a more effective transport network. A property that currently involves a tiring journey could become more attractive if access improves substantially. Easier travel could also allow visitors to combine beaches, villages and activities without changing their accommodation base.
These are potential benefits for the market. They do not yet represent a measured increase in bookings or property values.
Kastelli airport targets a November 2028 opening
The second major project of interest to holiday rental professionals is the new international airport at Kastelli.
Dimas said construction had reached approximately 73%–74%, while the contract for air navigation systems had also been signed. He identified November 2028 as the target for the start of regular operations, provided implementation proceeds smoothly.
The minister also stressed that the airport’s operation depends on upgraded road connections. For accommodation businesses, the effectiveness of an airport gateway also rests on the next stage of the journey: getting guests from the terminal to their front door.
The airport’s new location will require owners and property managers to reassess journey times and transfer options for each property. The impact will vary by area and cannot be judged solely by distance on a map.
What hosts and property managers should watch
For Crete’s short-term rental operators, the announcements offer a framework for planning ahead. The practical priority is to track which road sections open and assess how they change the journeys serving each property.
Where access improves materially, hosts can reflect that improvement in listings, arrival instructions and guest communications. Travel time estimates should, however, reflect the conditions guests will actually encounter during their stay, rather than the expected benefits of infrastructure still under construction.
The same applies to anyone considering buying or developing a holiday rental property. Better access is an important advantage, but it cannot guarantee higher occupancy or stronger returns on its own. Location, property quality, seasonality, services and operating costs will continue to determine performance.
Crete’s new northern highway and Kastelli airport could broaden the range of locations visitors consider for their holidays. For short-term rental businesses, the opportunity lies in turning easier access into a better guest experience and more reasons to choose a particular property.
