🛫 How to Get There
Getting to and around Greece
✈️ Flying to Greece
Main Airports
Athens International Airport (ATH) - Greece's main international gateway, 20km from Athens city center. Modern, efficient, and well-connected to the city via metro, bus, and taxi.
Other International Airports:
- Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) - Northern Greece's main airport, gateway to Halkidiki
- Heraklion Airport (HER) - Crete's main airport, busy in summer
- Rhodes Airport (RHO) - Dodecanese islands gateway, seasonal traffic
💡 Insider Tip
Book flights to island airports direct for summer travel - often cheaper and faster than Athens connections plus ferry.
🚆 From Athens Airport to City Center
Metro (Fastest & Cheapest)
Metro Line 3 runs every 30 minutes between the airport and Syntagma Square. Journey time: 40 minutes. Ticket: €10.
Express Bus
X95 bus to Syntagma Square. Journey time: 60 minutes (traffic dependent). Ticket: €6.
Taxi
Fixed-price taxis available at the airport. Journey time: 35-50 minutes. Cost: €38 flat rate to city center.
⛴️ Other Ways In
Ferry from Italy—Ancona/Bari/Venice to Greek ports (Patras, Igoumenitsa). 16-24 hours, around €80-150. Minoan, Superfast, Anek. Mediterranean crossing, scenic option.
Ferry from Turkey—Çeşme to Chios, Bodrum to Kos, Marmaris to Rhodes. 1-2 hours, around €40-70. Seasonal service (Apr-Oct). Island hopping from Asia.
Land borders: Albania (northwest), North Macedonia (north), Bulgaria (northeast), Turkey (northeast). Road crossings open. EU/Schengen rules apply.
Train from Europe—through Balkans to Thessaloniki/Athens. Slow, scenic, budget option. Check schedules—irregular. Flying usually faster/cheaper.
Island accessibility—many islands summer-only flights. Winter access ferry-dependent. Plan seasonal limitations accordingly.
🛂 Visa & Entry Requirements
Greece is part of the Schengen Area. US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and many other passport holders can enter visa-free for tourism up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
Schengen visa rules apply—your 90 days cover all Schengen countries combined, not per country. Check your specific passport's requirements before booking flights.
Check visa requirements for Greece →🚗 Getting Around Greece
Ferries
Greece's ferry network connects all islands efficiently. Blue Star, Seajets, Hellenic Seaways main operators. Book in advance summer season at ferryhopper.com
Buses (KTEL)
Extensive bus network covering mainland areas. Main operator: KTEL. Essential for reaching mainland sites and smaller towns without rental car.
Domestic Flights
Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air operate domestic flights between Athens and major islands. Worth considering for time-pressed island hopping.
🎫 Travel Pass Tip
Consider island hopping passes if visiting multiple islands. Some ferry companies offer multi-island tickets at reduced rates.
🚋 Local Transportation in Athens
Athens has metro, buses, trams covering the city efficiently.
Tickets & Passes
- Single ticket: €1.40 (valid 90 minutes)
- Day ticket: €4.50 (unlimited travel 24 hours)
- Athens transport app: Buy tickets on your phone - easiest option
The metro, buses, and trams are clean, efficient, and easy to navigate. Most signage is in Greek and English.
🚙 Renting a Car
Recommended if you want to explore mainland Greece or larger islands (Crete, Rhodes) at your own pace.
Things to Know
- Drive on the right side of the road
- Mountain roads can be narrow and winding
- Watch for motorbikes - they're everywhere in Greece!
- Speed limits: 50 km/h (cities), 90 km/h (rural roads), 130 km/h (highways)
- Major rental companies available at airports and city centers
⚠️ Island Driving
If you're renting on islands, remember roads can be narrow with steep drops. Drive carefully, especially on Santorini and Mykonos.
🚗 Compare Rental Cars in Greece
Compare prices and book your rental car:
💰 Money-Saving Tips
- Book ferries early: Better rates when booked in advance, especially peak summer
- Use local buses: KTEL buses cheaper than taxis for mainland travel
- Athens transport card: Day passes save money if taking multiple trips
- Rent outside airports: Car rental from city locations often cheaper
- Compare ferry companies: Prices vary significantly between operators