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VIE β HER
Which side of the plane to sit from Vienna International Airport (Vienna) to Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (Heraklion)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a spectacular aerial tour of the Adriatic coastline and the rugged Dinaric Alps, providing a high-contrast transition from Alpine peaks to Mediterranean islands.
Search flights from VIE to HER
Eastern Alps
Dramatic views of the snowy Schneeberg and Rax peaks immediately after leaving the Vienna terminal area.
Dalmatian Coast
The stunning turquoise waters and hundreds of islands along the Croatian coastline, including Hvar and BraΔ.
Dinaric Alps
The wild, limestone karst landscapes of Montenegro and Albania, characterized by sharp ridges and deep canyons.
Peloponnese Peninsula
The southern tip of mainland Greece, showing the rugged Mani and Messenia peninsulas jutting into the Mediterranean.
Sea of Crete
The deep indigo waters of the Cretan Sea as the plane crosses the final stretch of water before landing.
Choose the right side for afternoon flights to avoid direct glare while enjoying the golden hour over the Adriatic. The most scenic part occurs roughly 40-70 minutes into the flight over the Croatian islands. Keep your window shade up as you cross the coastline of the Peloponnese for excellent mountainous terrain photography.
Book Hotels in HeraklionLake Neusiedl
A large, shallow steppe lake on the Austrian-Hungarian border visible shortly after takeoff from Vienna.
Pannonian Basin
The vast, flat agricultural plains of Hungary and northern Serbia extending toward the horizon.
Balkan Mountains
The eastern stretches of the Balkan range, featuring deep green valleys and rugged ridges.
Cyclades Archipelago
Clusters of white-washed islands in the Aegean Sea, including views of Milos and potentially Santorini during the descent.
Heraklion Port
A clear view of the Venetian Koules Fortress and the modern harbor of Crete's capital during the final approach.
Early morning flights provide the best lighting on this side as the sun rises over the Aegean. During the descent into HER, look for the distinct volcanic caldera of Santorini to the southeast. It is the best side for spotting the intricate patterns of the Greek island chains.
Get eSIMs for Austria
Get eSIMs for GreeceDistance: 1,587 km (986 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 7 min
Departure: VIE (48.110298156738, 16.569700241089002)
Arrival: HER (35.3396987915, 25.1802997589)
Route Type: International
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