How to Travel in Greece: A Complete Guide

Greece is a dream destination known for its ancient ruins, stunning islands, delicious food, and rich history. Whether you’re exploring Athens’ historical sites, island-hopping in the Aegean, hiking in Meteora, or relaxing on Santorini’s beaches, this guide covers everything you need to know about traveling in Greece—how to get there, transportation options, costs, the best time to visit, and essential travel tips.

✈️ Getting to Greece

Major International Airports

Most international flights land in:

Athens International Airport (ATH) – Best for exploring mainland Greece & island connections.
Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) – Best for northern Greece & Halkidiki.
Heraklion Airport (HER) – Best for Crete.
Santorini Airport (JTR) – Best for the Cyclades.
Mykonos Airport (JMK) – Best for direct flights to the islands.

Popular Airlines Flying to Greece

✔️ Aegean Airlines & Olympic Air – Best for domestic & international routes.
✔️ Sky Express – Good for island-hopping flights.
✔️ Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air – Budget flights from Europe.
✔️ Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines – Best for Middle East & Asia.
✔️ American Airlines, Delta, Air Canada – Direct flights from North America.

Flight Costs

From the USA/Canada: $600–$1,500 (round trip).
From Europe: €50–€400 (budget airlines available).
From Asia: $700–$1,800.
From Australia/New Zealand: $1,200–$2,500.

💡 Tip: Flights to Athens are the cheapest, but consider Thessaloniki, Crete, or Santorini for direct island access.

🚢 Getting Around Greece

1️⃣ Ferries – Best for Island Hopping ⛴️

Best for: Traveling between the Greek islands.
Main ferry companies: Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, SeaJets.
Types of ferries:
- Slow ferries (cheaper) – Best for larger islands like Crete & Rhodes.
- High-speed ferries (expensive) – Best for shorter island routes.

💰 Ferry Prices:

Athens → Mykonos: €30–€80 (2–5 hours)
Athens → Santorini: €40–€90 (5–8 hours)
Santorini → Crete: €30–€60 (2–4 hours)

💡 Tip: Book ferries in advance during peak season (June–September) on FerryHopper.

2️⃣ Domestic Flights – Best for Saving Time ✈️

Best for: Long distances, such as Athens → Crete or Santorini.
Main airlines: Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air, Sky Express.
Flights take 40–60 minutes, much faster than ferries.

💰 Flight Prices:

Athens → Santorini: €50–€150 (1 hour)
Athens → Crete: €40–€120 (1 hour)

💡 Tip: Flights are best for short trips—avoid long ferry rides if time is limited.

3️⃣ Buses – Best for Mainland Travel 🚌

KTEL Buses operate intercity routes.
Affordable but slow compared to trains or flights.

💰 Bus Prices:

Athens → Delphi: €15–€25 (3 hours)
Athens → Meteora: €30–€50 (5 hours)

💡 Tip: Check KTEL Greece schedules before traveling—some routes have limited departures.

4️⃣ Car Rental – Best for Road Trips 🚗

Great for: Peloponnese, Meteora, Crete, and lesser-known areas.
Not needed for: Athens or islands with good public transport.

💰 Car Rental Costs:

€30–€80 per day
Gas Price: ~€2 per liter ($8 per gallon).

💡 Tip: Greece drives on the right-hand side—avoid city driving in Athens!

5️⃣ Public Transport in Cities 🚇🚋

Athens Metro – Best way to get around the capital.
Buses & Trams – Good for short distances.
Taxis & Uber – Available but Uber only operates with taxis in Athens.

💰 City Transport Costs:

Metro Ticket (Athens): €1.20 per ride.
Day Pass (Athens): €4.10 (unlimited travel for 24 hours).

💡 Tip: Use Google Maps for accurate metro & bus routes.

🌍 Best Ways to Travel for Popular Destinations

Athens 🏛️

🚇 Best option: Metro, buses, walking.
🚆 For day trips: Trains to Delphi or Corinth.

Santorini & Mykonos 🌅

✈️ Best option: Flights from Athens.
⛴️ For island hopping: Ferries to Naxos, Paros, Crete.

Crete 🏝️

🚗 Best option: Rent a car for exploring beaches & mountains.
🚌 KTEL buses available, but less flexible.

Meteora & Delphi ⛰️

🚌 Best option: KTEL buses from Athens.
🚗 For flexibility: Rent a car.

Peloponnese (Olympia, Nafplio, Sparta) 🏺

🚗 Best option: Road trip.
🚌 Buses available but slow.

💰 Budget & Travel Costs in Greece

Backpacker Budget (Hostels + buses + cheap food): €50–€80/day
Mid-Range Budget (Hotels + ferries + restaurants): €120–€250/day
Luxury Budget (5-star hotels + tours + fine dining): €300+/day

Accommodation Costs

Hostels: €20–€50 per night.
Budget hotels: €50–€120 per night.
Mid-range hotels: €120–€250 per night.
Luxury hotels: €300+ per night.
Airbnb: €70–€200 per night.

💡 Tip: Book early for summer stays—prices rise fast!

Food Costs

Street food (gyros, souvlaki): €3–€6.
Casual restaurants: €10–€20 per meal.
Mid-range restaurants: €25–€50 per meal.
Fine dining: €80+ per person.

💡 Tip: Try Greek salad, moussaka, seafood, and baklava!

☀️ Best Time to Visit Greece

✔️ April–June (Spring) – Warm weather, fewer crowds.
✔️ July–August (Summer) – Best for beaches, but crowded & expensive.
✔️ September–October (Autumn) – Warm seas, fewer tourists.
✔️ November–March (Winter) – Best for Athens, Meteora, & cultural sites.

💡 Tip: Visit in May or September for good weather & lower prices!

🎒 Travel Tips for Greece

✔️ Currency: Euro (€).
✔️ Language: Greek (but English is widely spoken).
✔️ Tipping: Not required, but rounding up is polite.
✔️ SIM Cards: Get Cosmote, Vodafone, or Wind for fast internet.
✔️ Cultural Tip: Say “Yasou” (Hello) and “Efharisto” (Thank you)—locals appreciate it!

🎉 Final Thoughts

Greece is a must-visit destination full of history, stunning islands, and delicious food. Whether you’re exploring Athens, relaxing on Santorini, or driving through Crete, there’s something for everyone. Plan ahead, embrace Greek hospitality, and enjoy your trip! 🇬🇷✨

Greece Travel Guide: Where History, Culture, and Nature Collide — Greece Travel Guide

🔥 Which Greek destination are you most excited to visit? 😃

🇬🇷 How to Travel in Greece – FAQ

Planning a trip to Greece? Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about traveling in this beautiful Mediterranean country, covering transportation, budget tips, and travel advice.

✈️ Getting to Greece

1. Do I need a visa to visit Greece?

Visa Requirements by Country

USA, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea – No visa required for stays up to 90 days.
EU/Schengen countries – No visa required.
Most other countries – Need a Schengen Visa (€80, valid for 90 days).

💡 Tip: Check your visa eligibility on the Greece Visa Website.

2. What are the major international airports in Greece?

Athens International Airport (ATH) – Best for mainland Greece & island connections.
Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) – Best for northern Greece & Halkidiki.
Heraklion Airport (HER) – Best for Crete.
Santorini Airport (JTR) – Best for the Cyclades.
Mykonos Airport (JMK) – Best for direct flights to the islands.

3. How much do flights to Greece cost?

Average Flight Prices

From the USA/Canada: $600–$1,500 (round trip).
From Europe: €50–€400 (budget airlines available).
From Asia: $700–$1,800.
From Australia/New Zealand: $1,200–$2,500.

💡 Tip: Flights to Athens are cheapest, but Thessaloniki, Crete, or Santorini can be good alternatives.

🚢 Getting Around Greece

4. What’s the best way to travel between the Greek islands?

Ferries ⛴️ – Best for scenic travel between islands.
Flights ✈️ – Best for saving time (Athens → Santorini or Crete).

💰 Ferry Ticket Prices:

Athens → Mykonos: €30–€80 (2–5 hours)
Athens → Santorini: €40–€90 (5–8 hours)
Santorini → Crete: €30–€60 (2–4 hours)

💡 Tip: Book ferries in advance on FerryHopper during peak season (June–September).

5. Should I take a ferry or a flight?

🚢 Take a ferry if:
✔️ You want scenic views.
✔️ You’re not in a rush.
✔️ You’re traveling between islands (Santorini → Crete, Mykonos → Naxos, etc.).

✈️ Take a flight if:
✔️ You’re short on time.
✔️ You’re going from Athens to an island (Santorini, Crete).
✔️ You want faster travel (1 hour vs. 5+ hours by ferry).

💡 Tip: Ferries can be delayed due to weather, while flights are more reliable.

6. What is the best way to travel around mainland Greece?

Buses (KTEL) 🚌 – Cheapest, good for long distances.
Car rental 🚗 – Best for road trips (Peloponnese, Meteora, Delphi).
Trains 🚆 – Limited but available between Athens, Thessaloniki, and Meteora.

💰 Bus Ticket Prices:

Athens → Delphi: €15–€25 (3 hours)
Athens → Meteora: €30–€50 (5 hours)

💡 Tip: Driving is best for flexibility in rural areas like the Peloponnese.

7. Is renting a car in Greece worth it?

🚗 Best for: Mainland Greece, Crete, Peloponnese, Meteora.
🚫 Not needed in: Athens, Santorini, Mykonos (narrow roads & limited parking).

💰 Car Rental Costs:

€30–€80 per day
Gas Price: ~€2 per liter ($8 per gallon).

💡 Tip: Avoid city driving in Athens—traffic is chaotic!

8. How do I get around Athens?

🚇 Best option: Metro, buses, trams.
💳 **Use an Athens Transport Ticket for cheaper fares.

💰 Athens Metro Prices:

Single Ticket: €1.20 per ride.
Day Pass: €4.10 (unlimited travel for 24 hours).

💡 Tip: Uber only operates with taxis in Greece—use FreeNow (Greek taxi app) instead.

💰 Budget & Money

9. Is Greece expensive to travel?

Estimated Daily Budgets

Backpacker: €50–€80/day (hostels, buses, cheap food).
Mid-range: €120–€250/day (hotels, ferries, restaurants).
Luxury: €300+/day (5-star hotels, private tours, fine dining).

10. What currency does Greece use?

Euro (€)

💡 Tip: Cash is still widely used—carry small bills for taxis, cafes, and markets.

11. Are credit cards widely accepted?

Yes, but some small businesses prefer cash.
No need for cash in big cities, but good to have €10–€20 for small purchases.

💡 Tip: Use ATMs inside banks to avoid high withdrawal fees.

🌍 Best Destinations & Travel Tips

12. What are the must-visit places in Greece?

Athens – Acropolis, Parthenon, Plaka district.
Santorini – Blue domes, sunset views, volcanic beaches.
Mykonos – Nightlife, beaches, charming old town.
Crete – Ancient ruins, stunning beaches, gorges.
Meteora – Monasteries on rock formations.
Delphi – Ancient temple of Apollo.
Rhodes & Kos – Medieval castles & beautiful beaches.

💡 Tip: Greece is bigger than expected—focus on one or two regions per trip!

13. When is the best time to visit Greece?

✔️ April–June (Spring) – Perfect weather, fewer crowds.
✔️ July–August (Summer) – Best for beaches, but crowded & expensive.
✔️ September–October (Autumn) – Warm seas, fewer tourists.
✔️ November–March (Winter) – Best for Athens, Meteora, & cultural sites.

💡 Tip: Avoid August if possible—prices are high, and it’s extremely crowded.

🏝️ Safety & Travel Tips

14. Is Greece safe for travelers?

Yes, very safe, even for solo travelers.
Pickpocketing happens in busy areas (Athens metro, tourist spots).

💡 Tip: Keep an eye on your belongings in Athens, Santorini, & Mykonos.

15. Can I drink tap water in Greece?

Yes, in Athens & Thessaloniki.
No, on most islands—buy bottled water.

💡 Tip: Bring a refillable water bottle for eco-friendly travel.

16. What language is spoken in Greece?

Greek (but English is widely spoken in tourist areas).

💡 Basic Greek Phrases:

Yasou! (Γεια σου!) – Hello
Efharisto! (Ευχαριστώ!) – Thank you
Poso kostizi? (Πόσο κοστίζει;) – How much does it cost?
Pou einai…? (Που είναι…;) – Where is…?
Ena gyros, parakalo! (One gyro, please! 🥙).

🎉 Final Thoughts

Greece is a top travel destination with stunning islands, ancient history, and incredible food. Whether you’re exploring Athens, Santorini, Crete, or Meteora, there’s something for everyone. Plan ahead, embrace Greek hospitality, and enjoy your adventure! 🇬🇷✨

🔥 Which part of Greece are you most excited to visit? 😃