Greece is a beautiful country with many islands, historic cities, and scenic mountain roads. Transportation varies depending on whether you’re traveling between islands, exploring the mainland, or staying in a city. Here’s a complete guide to transportation in Greece, including fun, price, and best routes.
✈️ Plane – Best for Traveling Between Islands & Mainland
Fun: 🛫 Medium (Fast, but you miss the scenery)
Price: 💰💰💰 (Expensive last-minute, but budget airlines help)
Best for: Island hopping & long distances (Athens → Crete, Thessaloniki → Rhodes)
- Pros: Fastest way to reach faraway islands
- Cons: Airports can be far from city centers
- Best Airlines: Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air, Sky Express, Ryanair, Volotea
✈️ Example: Athens → Santorini (~50 min flight, $50–$150 USD) vs. Ferry (~5–8 hours, $30–$80 USD)
🚆 Train – Limited but Scenic
Fun: 🚞 Medium (Nice scenery, but slow & limited)
Price: 💰 (Affordable, but not as fast as buses)
Best for: Traveling between Athens, Thessaloniki, and central Greece
- Pros: Comfortable, scenic
- Cons: Few routes, delays common
- Best Train Routes:
- Athens → Thessaloniki (4–5 hours, fastest train in Greece!)
- Athens → Kalambaka (for Meteora, 4–5 hours)
🚆 Example: Athens → Thessaloniki train (~$30–$50 USD, 4.5 hours)
👉 Pro Tip: Book tickets in advance for the best prices on the TrainOSE (Hellenic Train) website.
🚌 Bus – Best for Budget Travel & Reaching Small Towns
Fun: 🏞️ Medium (Good scenery, but long rides)
Price: 💰 (Cheaper than flights, but slower)
Best for: Traveling between small towns, cities, and tourist destinations
- Pros: Cheap, reliable, and reaches places trains don’t
- Cons: Slow and crowded in summer
- Best Bus Companies: KTEL (nationwide bus network)
🚌 Example: Athens → Delphi (~3 hours, $15–$25 USD)
🚗 Car – Best for Road Trips & Exploring the Mainland
Fun: 🚙 Very High (Ultimate freedom, scenic routes)
Price: 💰💰💰 (Rentals, fuel, and tolls add up)
Best for: Exploring mainland Greece, hidden beaches, and mountain villages
- Pros: Best for visiting remote areas like Peloponnese, Meteora, and Vikos Gorge
- Cons: Narrow roads, high gas prices (~$2.00 USD per liter), expensive tolls
- Best Road Trips:
- Athens → Delphi → Meteora (Ancient sites & monasteries!)
- Peloponnese Loop (Olympia, Mycenae, Nafplio!)
- Crete Coastal Drive (Chania → Elafonissi Beach!)
🚗 Example: Renting a car in Athens (~$40–$80 USD/day + fuel)
👉 Pro Tip: If you’re visiting the Greek islands, check if the ferry allows rental cars—some companies don’t permit them on boats!
🚖 Taxi & Ride-Sharing – Best for Short City Trips
Fun: 🚕 Medium (Convenient but expensive)
Price: 💰💰 (More expensive than buses)
Best for: Short trips within Athens, Thessaloniki, and island towns
- Pros: Easy to find, safe, available 24/7
- Cons: Expensive, some drivers overcharge tourists
- Apps: Uber (only in Athens, for taxis), FreeNow, Beat
🚖 Example: Athens Airport → City Center (~$45–$60 USD fixed rate)
👉 Pro Tip: Always ask for the meter or use an app like Beat to avoid scams.
⛴️ Boat – Best for Island Hopping & Coastal Travel
Fun: ⛵ Very High (Scenic, relaxing experience)
Price: 💰💰 (Budget ferries available, but high-speed boats are expensive)
Best for: Island hopping, visiting Crete, Rhodes, and Cyclades
- Best Routes:
🛥 Example: Athens → Santorini ferry (~$30–$80 USD, 5–8 hours)
👉 Pro Tip: High-speed ferries are faster (~4–5 hours) but cost $70+ USD. Regular ferries are cheaper and more scenic.
🚲 Bike – Best for Islands & Small Towns
Fun: 🚴♂️ Medium (Great in some areas, but not for cities)
Price: 💰 (Very cheap, often free with rentals)
Best for: Cyclades Islands, Thessaloniki, Nafplio, Crete
- Pros: Eco-friendly, great for short distances
- Cons: Athens & Thessaloniki have bad traffic for cycling!
- Bike Rentals & Sharing:
- Cyclades (Santorini, Paros, Naxos) – Many bike rental shops
- Thessaloniki & Nafplio – Best for relaxed city cycling
🚴♂️ Example: Renting a bike in Nafplio (~$5–$10 USD per day)
🏆 Best Choice Based on Your Travel Style
- Fastest: ✈️ Plane (for long distances) / 🚆 Train
- Cheapest: 🚌 Bus / 🚲 Bike
- Most scenic: 🚞 Train to Meteora / 🚗 Peloponnese Road Trip / ⛴️ Island Ferry
- Best for city travel: 🚖 Taxi / 🚲 Bike / 🚍 Public Bus
- Best adventure: 🚗 Road Trip / 🚲 Bike / ⛴️ Greek Island Hopping
Greece has a mix of modern and traditional transport, offering amazing scenic journeys, cultural experiences, and island adventures! 🚀 What kind of trip are you planning? 😊
🇬🇷 Greece Transportation FAQ ✈️🚆🚗🚌🚖⛴️🚲
Here are the most frequently asked questions about getting around Greece!
✈️ FLIGHTS & AIR TRAVEL
1. Is flying the best way to travel in Greece?
🚫 No, unless traveling to distant islands like Crete, Rhodes, or Corfu.
✅ Yes, if you want to save time on long-distance trips (Athens → Santorini, Thessaloniki → Crete).
2. What are the major airports in Greece?
🛫 The biggest airports are:
- Athens (ATH) – Main international hub
- Thessaloniki (SKG) – Northern Greece hub
- Heraklion (HER), Chania (CHQ) – Crete’s airports
- Santorini (JTR), Mykonos (JMK), Rhodes (RHO), Corfu (CFU) – Major island airports
3. How long are domestic flights in Greece?
✈️ Athens → Santorini (~50 min)
✈️ Athens → Crete (~1 hour)
✈️ Athens → Rhodes (~1 hour)
4. How much do domestic flights cost?
💰 $50–$150 USD one way, depending on the season.
5. What airlines fly within Greece?
🛫 Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air, Sky Express, Ryanair, Volotea
🚆 TRAINS (LIMITED BUT SCENIC)
6. Is the train system in Greece good?
⚠️ Not really. The network is limited, but some routes are scenic.
7. How much do train tickets cost?
💰 Athens → Thessaloniki (~$30–$50 USD, 4.5 hours)
8. What are the best train routes in Greece?
🚆 Athens → Thessaloniki (Fastest & most useful train!)
🚆 Athens → Meteora (Beautiful monastery views!)
9. Can I buy train tickets online?
✅ Yes! Use Hellenic Train (formerly TrainOSE) website.
10. Do trains have Wi-Fi and food?
🚂 Some long-distance trains have Wi-Fi and a dining car.
🚌 BUSES (BEST FOR BUDGET & SMALL TOWNS)
11. Are buses a good way to travel in Greece?
✅ Yes! Buses (KTEL) cover most of the country.
12. How much do bus tickets cost?
💰 Athens → Delphi (~$15–$25 USD, 3 hours)
💰 Athens → Thessaloniki (~$30 USD, 6 hours)
13. What are the best bus companies?
🚌 KTEL (national bus network) – Divided into regional KTEL services.
14. Do long-distance buses have Wi-Fi and bathrooms?
🚽 Some do, but not all. Bring tissues & water!
🚗 RENTING A CAR & DRIVING
15. Should I rent a car in Greece?
🚫 No, if staying in Athens or Thessaloniki.
✅ Yes, if exploring the countryside or islands (Crete, Peloponnese, Meteora).
16. How much does renting a car cost?
💰 $40–$80 USD/day + fuel (~$2.00 USD per liter)
17. Do I need an international driver’s license?
🔹 Yes, if you are from the US, Canada, or Australia. EU licenses work fine.
18. Is driving in Greece safe?
⚠️ Yes, but be prepared for:
- Narrow roads in villages
- Fast drivers on highways
- Expensive tolls (~$3–$10 per toll station)
19. What are the best road trips in Greece?
🚗 Athens → Delphi → Meteora (Ancient history & monasteries!)
🚗 Peloponnese (Olympia, Mycenae, Nafplio!)
🚗 Crete Road Trip (Chania → Elafonissi Beach!)
🚖 TAXIS & RIDESHARING
20. Is Uber available in Greece?
✅ Yes, but in Athens, Uber only works with taxis.
21. Are taxis expensive?
💰 Short rides (~$5–$15 USD)
💰 Athens Airport → City Center (~$45–$60 USD fixed price)
22. How do I avoid taxi scams?
✅ Use an app like Beat or FreeNow to get fair prices.
⛴️ BOATS & FERRIES (BEST FOR ISLAND TRAVEL)
23. Can I take a ferry in Greece?
✅ Yes! It’s the best way to travel between islands.
24. How much do ferry tickets cost?
💰 Athens → Santorini (~$30–$80 USD, 5–8 hours)
25. What are the best ferry routes?
🚢 Athens (Piraeus) → Mykonos → Santorini (Classic island-hopping!)
🚢 Athens → Crete (Overnight ferry!)
🚢 Corfu → Igoumenitsa (Northwestern Greece)
26. What’s the difference between normal and high-speed ferries?
⛴️ Normal ferry: Slower (5–8 hours), cheaper ($30–$50 USD)
⛴️ High-speed ferry: Faster (4–5 hours), more expensive ($60–$100 USD)
🚲 BIKES & PUBLIC TRANSPORT
27. Is Greece bike-friendly?
🚴♂️ Only in some places! Best for:
- Nafplio & Thessaloniki (Bike lanes!)
- Cyclades Islands (Santorini, Paros, Naxos)
28. Can I rent a bike in Greece?
✅ Yes! Bike rentals are common in islands & small towns.
29. What’s the best way to use public transport in Greece?
🚇 Athens Metro: Best way to move around Athens! (€1.20 per ride)
🏆 BEST TRANSPORT FOR YOUR TRIP
- Fastest: ✈️ Plane (for long distances) / 🚆 Train (Athens → Thessaloniki)
- Cheapest: 🚌 Bus / 🚲 Bike
- Most scenic: 🚞 Train to Meteora / 🚗 Peloponnese Road Trip / ⛴️ Greek Island Ferry
- Best for city travel: 🚖 Taxi / 🚲 Bike / 🚍 Public Bus
- Best adventure: 🚗 Road Trip / 🚲 Bike / ⛴️ Greek Island Hopping
Greece has a mix of modern and traditional transport, offering amazing scenic journeys, cultural experiences, and island adventures! 🚀 What kind of trip are you planning? 😊
