Naxos Airport, code JNX, is one of the smallest airports in the Cyclades and one of the closest to a main town. It sits on flat ground just south of Naxos Town, a short drive from the long sandy beaches of Agios Georgios, Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna. There are no international flights, only short hops from Athens and a few seasonal routes within Greece, so most visitors from the UK arrive by ferry. For those who do fly, this guide covers everything you need to know about Naxos Airport, from taxis and buses to car hire, flights, the terminal and the runway extension finished in 2026.
Naxos Airport at a glance
Naxos Airport (JNX) is about 3.5 km from Naxos Town and only has domestic flights, mainly from Athens.
- Airport code: JNX (IATA) and LGNX (ICAO)
- Official name: Naxos Island National Airport
- Location: south of Naxos Town, close to Agios Prokopios
- Taxi to Naxos Town: about 10 to 20 euros, a 10 minute drive
- Bus: the beach buses to Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna and Plaka pass nearby every 30 minutes in season
- Flights: Athens all year with Olympic Air and Sky Express, plus seasonal flights from Thessaloniki, Heraklion and Rhodes
Does Naxos Have an Airport?
Yes. Naxos has its own small airport, Naxos Island National Airport, which opened in 1992 and is run by the Greek Civil Aviation Authority. It is a domestic airport, so it does not have direct flights from the UK or anywhere else outside Greece. Naxos is the largest island in the Cyclades, but the airport is modest. It handled 86,210 passengers in 2018, a tiny number next to Santorini or Mykonos, because most people still reach the island by ferry from Piraeus, Rafina, Paros or Mykonos.
For years the runway was only 901 metres long, which meant the ATR 72 turboprops used by Sky Express could not take off with a full load. A 17 million euro upgrade has extended the runway to about 1,200 metres, widened the taxiway and added 2 new aircraft parking spaces, with the work completed for the 2026 season. During the construction in 2025 the runway lights were removed for several months, which limited evening flights, so if you read older reviews mentioning daytime only operations, that was the reason.
Naxos Airport Code and Name
The Naxos airport code is JNX, which you will see on your boarding pass and luggage tag. The ICAO code used by pilots is LGNX. Booking sites may call it Naxos Island National Airport, Naxos Airport or Naxos Greece Airport. Do not confuse it with Paros, the island next door, whose code is PAS, or with Giardini Naxos in Sicily, a completely different place that uses Catania Airport.
Where Is Naxos Airport?
The airport is on the west coast, about 3.5 km south of Naxos Town, in the flat farmland behind the beaches of Agios Georgios and Agios Prokopios. That makes it one of the most convenient island airports in Greece. The popular beach resorts are only a few minutes away by road, and even the ferry port in town is just 4 km from the terminal.
| From Naxos Airport to | Distance | By road | Typical taxi fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agios Prokopios | 3.3 km | About 5 to 10 minutes | About 20 euros |
| Naxos Town (Chora) | 3.5 km | About 10 minutes | 10 to 20 euros |
| Agia Anna | 3.8 km | About 10 minutes | About 20 euros |
| Naxos port | 4 km | About 10 minutes | 10 to 20 euros |
| Maragas | 4.9 km | About 10 to 15 minutes | About 20 euros |
| Plaka | 6.7 km | About 15 minutes | About 20 to 25 euros |
Fares are typical 2026 prices and rise late at night. For mountain villages such as Filoti, Halki or Apeiranthos, or the north coast at Apollonas, expect a much longer and more expensive ride, as Naxos is a big island with winding roads.
Naxos Airport to Naxos Town and the Beaches
Taxi
- To Naxos Town or the port
- Waits for arriving flights
- Limited numbers in summer
- Best for most arrivals
Beach bus
- Passes close to the airport
- Every 30 minutes in season
- Buy tickets before boarding
- Best if you travel light
Pre booked transfer
- Driver meets your flight
- No wait for a taxi
- Many hotels offer one
- Best for villages inland
Hire car
- Local firms meet flights
- Big island to explore
- Book ahead in summer
- Best for mountain villages
Naxos Airport Taxi
For most people the simplest way to leave Naxos Airport is a taxi. Taxis wait at the exit when flights are due, and the ride to Naxos Town takes about 10 minutes and usually costs 10 to 20 euros. Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna are about 20 euros. Naxos has a limited number of taxis for such a big island, and in July and August they can all be busy meeting ferries at the port, so if nobody is waiting, ask the airport staff or your hotel to call one. Our Naxos taxi guide has more fares and tips.
Naxos Airport Bus
There is no separate airport bus on the current KTEL Naxos timetable. Instead, the busy beach buses from Naxos Town to Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna and Plaka run past the airport area. On the official September 2026 timetable these leave Naxos Town every 30 minutes from 08:00 until 24:00. Ask the driver to let you off at the stop nearest the airport, which is by Naxos Camping, and walk the last 500 metres or so to the terminal. The same buses heading back into town stop there too.
A single fare is about 2 euros. Drivers on Naxos do not sell tickets, so buy yours before you board from the KTEL office at the port in Naxos Town or from shops and kiosks showing the bus ticket sign. That makes the bus awkward for arrivals, because there is nowhere to buy a ticket at the airport itself. In practice the bus works best for getting to the airport on the way home if you are travelling light. See our Naxos bus timetable for every route.
Naxos Airport Transfers
A pre booked transfer is worth it if you are staying away from the west coast, in the mountain villages such as Filoti or Halki, or on the east coast, where a taxi ride is long and you do not want to wait around for one. The driver meets you as you walk out of the terminal and takes you straight to your accommodation for a price agreed in advance. Many Naxos hotels and villa owners arrange airport pick ups, so ask when you book.
Car Hire at Naxos Airport
Naxos is big, and a car makes it much easier to explore the marble villages, the Tragaea valley and the quieter beaches on the south and east coasts. There are no large car hire halls at the tiny terminal, but several rental firms are based close by and many local companies will meet your flight with the car. Book ahead for July and August. UK visitors can drive in Greece on a UK photocard licence. Our guide to getting around Naxos covers driving, parking and scooters in more detail.
Flights to Naxos Airport
All flights to Naxos are domestic. Athens is the main route, with flights all year taking about 45 to 50 minutes, and a few extra routes run in the summer season.
| Route | Airlines | Flight time |
|---|---|---|
| Athens to Naxos | Olympic Air, Sky Express | About 45 to 50 minutes |
| Thessaloniki to Naxos | Aegean Airlines, seasonal | About 1 hour 25 minutes |
| Heraklion, Crete to Naxos | Aegean Airlines, seasonal | About 50 minutes |
| Rhodes to Naxos | Aegean Airlines, occasional | About 55 minutes |
There are no direct flights from the UK to Naxos. You can fly to Athens and connect onto a Naxos flight, ideally on one booking so your bags go straight through, or fly to Athens and take the ferry from Piraeus or Rafina. In summer, another good option is to fly direct to Mykonos or Santorini and take a ferry to Naxos. Our guide on how to get to Naxos compares every option, and the Athens to Naxos ferry guide has the sailing times.
Inside the Terminal
Naxos Airport is tiny, with just the essentials needed to handle a few small aircraft a day. You will be through it in minutes, but do not expect to kill time here.
| Facility | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Food and drink | A small snack bar |
| Shops and duty free | None, as all flights are domestic |
| Lounge | None |
| Car hire | No large desks in the terminal, but local firms deliver cars to arriving flights |
| Money | Bring cash or withdraw it in Naxos Town, where there are plenty of ATMs |
| Waiting area | A small hall that fills up quickly when a flight is about to leave |
Naxos Airport Arrivals and Departures
Arriving at Naxos is about as quick as flying gets. You walk from the plane to the terminal, pick up your bags and are outside within minutes, as there is no passport control on domestic flights. For departures, around 1 hour before your flight is normally plenty, as check in and security only take a few minutes.
Two things to watch. First, the propeller aircraft used on Naxos routes have tight baggage allowances and weight limits, so check yours before you pack. Second, strong summer winds occasionally delay or cancel flights on this short, exposed runway, so if you are connecting to an international flight in Athens, give yourself a generous gap or travel the day before. You can check live Naxos Airport arrivals and departures on your airline’s website or app.
Naxos Airport to the Port
Naxos port is right beside Naxos Town, about 4 km from the airport, so connecting between a flight and a ferry is easy. A taxi takes about 10 minutes and costs 10 to 20 euros. The port is also where you buy bus tickets at the KTEL office, and where ferries leave for Paros, Mykonos, Santorini, the Small Cyclades and Athens. See our ferry guides from Naxos to Paros and from Mykonos to Naxos, and the full list of Cyclades ferry routes.
Nearest Airport to Naxos
The nearest airport is the island’s own, JNX, but as it has no international flights, most UK visitors start from one of these.
| Airport | How to reach Naxos | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Athens (ATH) | Connecting flight of about 45 to 50 minutes, or a ferry from Piraeus or Rafina | All year travel and the most UK flights |
| Mykonos (JMK) | Direct summer flights from London and Manchester, then a ferry to Naxos | Summer trips combining 2 islands |
| Santorini (JTR) | Direct summer flights from 8 UK airports, then a ferry to Naxos | Island hopping in the southern Cyclades |
| Paros (PAS) | Domestic flights from Athens, then a short ferry to Naxos | A back up when Naxos flights are full |
Our guides to Santorini Airport, Mykonos Airport and Paros Airport explain how each one works if you plan to fly in there instead.
Frequently Asked Questions About Naxos Airport
Does Naxos have an airport?
Yes. Naxos Island National Airport opened in 1992 and sits about 3.5 km south of Naxos Town, close to Agios Prokopios. It only has domestic flights, mainly from Athens, so there are no direct flights from the UK.
Does Naxos have an international airport?
No. Naxos Airport only handles domestic flights within Greece. UK visitors usually fly to Athens and connect onto a Naxos flight or ferry, or fly direct to Mykonos or Santorini in summer and continue by ferry.
What is the airport code for Naxos?
The IATA code for Naxos Airport is JNX, and the ICAO code is LGNX. Do not confuse it with Paros, the neighbouring island, whose airport code is PAS.
How far is Naxos Airport from Naxos Town?
Naxos Airport is about 3.5 km from Naxos Town and 4 km from the ferry port, around 10 minutes by taxi. The beach resorts of Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna are 3.3 km and 3.8 km away.
How much is a taxi from Naxos Airport?
A taxi from Naxos Airport to Naxos Town or the port usually costs 10 to 20 euros, and to Agios Prokopios or Agia Anna about 20 euros. Fares are higher late at night, and mountain villages cost much more.
Is there a bus from Naxos Airport?
There is no separate airport bus on the current timetable. The beach buses from Naxos Town to Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna and Plaka pass nearby every 30 minutes from 08:00 to 24:00 in September 2026, stopping by Naxos Camping, about 500 metres from the terminal. Tickets cost about 2 euros and must be bought before boarding.
Which airlines fly to Naxos?
Olympic Air and Sky Express fly from Athens all year, taking about 45 to 50 minutes. Aegean Airlines adds seasonal flights from Thessaloniki and Heraklion, and occasional flights from Rhodes.
Has the Naxos Airport runway been extended?
Yes. A 17 million euro upgrade extended the runway from 901 metres to about 1,200 metres, widened the taxiway and added 2 aircraft parking spaces, with the work completed for the 2026 season. It allows the ATR 72 turboprops used on the Athens route to fly with a full load.
Can I hire a car at Naxos Airport?
Yes. There are no large desks inside the tiny terminal, but several rental firms are based nearby and many local companies deliver cars to arriving flights. Book ahead for July and August.
How early should I arrive at Naxos Airport?
Around 1 hour before a domestic flight is usually enough, as the terminal is tiny and check in is quick. Check your baggage allowance, as the small aircraft on Naxos routes have strict weight limits.
What is the nearest airport to Naxos with flights from the UK?
In summer, Mykonos and Santorini both have direct flights from the UK and ferries to Naxos. All year, Athens is the best option, with connecting flights and ferries to the island.
Final Thoughts
Naxos Airport is tiny, quick and very close to town, which makes it one of the easiest airports in the Cyclades once you are on the island. The two things to plan for are the lack of direct flights from the UK and the lack of a proper airport bus. A taxi into Naxos Town or out to the beaches at Agios Prokopios and Agia Anna costs little and takes minutes, and for the mountain villages a transfer or hire car makes more sense. Before you travel, take a look at our Naxos weather guide so you know what to pack.
