Greece is a beautiful country with a rich history, culture, and natural beauty. It has hundreds of islands, ancient ruins, charming villages, and stunning beaches. Whether you want to explore the iconic Acropolis in Athens, the volcanic landscape of Santorini, the party scene of Mykonos, or the serene monasteries of Meteora, you will need to know how to get around in Greece by different modes of transportation.
In this blog post, we will give you an overview of the best ways to travel around Greece by plane, ferry, bus, train, car, or taxi and how much they cost. We will also share some tips and tricks to help you plan your trip and save money on transportation in Greece.
Plane
The plane is the fastest and most convenient way to travel between the mainland and the islands or between different regions of Greece. There are many domestic airports in Greece that serve flights from Athens or other international hubs. Some of the most popular destinations that have an international airport are Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, and Thessaloniki.
The main airline that operates domestic flights in Greece is Aegean Airlines, which is a member of Star Alliance. Other airlines that offer domestic flights are Olympic Air, Sky Express, Astra Airlines, and Ellinair. You can book your flights online or through a travel agent.
The cost of flying in Greece depends on the destination, the season, the demand, and how far in advance you book your tickets. Generally speaking, flying in Greece is not very cheap compared to other European countries. A one-way flight from Athens to Santorini can cost anywhere from 40 to 200 euros depending on the factors mentioned above. A round-trip flight from Athens to Thessaloniki can cost around 100 euros on average.
Some tips to save money on flying in Greece are:
- Book your flights as early as possible to get the best deals.
- Use a flight comparison website like Skyscanner or Kayak to find the cheapest flights.
- Travel during the low or shoulder season (October to April) when flights are cheaper and less crowded.
- Consider flying to a nearby island and then taking a ferry to your final destination. For example, you can fly to Naxos and then take a ferry to Santorini or Mykonos.
- Check if there are any discounts or offers for students, seniors, or groups.
Ferry
The ferry is the most popular and scenic way to travel between the islands or from the mainland to the islands. There are many ports in Greece that serve ferries to different destinations. The main port of Athens is Piraeus, which connects to most of the islands in the Aegean Sea. Other ports near Athens are Rafina and Lavrion, which serve some of the Cyclades and Dodecanese islands. There are also ferries from Thessaloniki to some of the northern Aegean islands.
The main ferry companies that operate in Greece are Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, SeaJets, Golden Star Ferries, Minoan Lines, ANEK Lines, and Superfast Ferries. You can book your ferry tickets online or at the port.
The cost of taking a ferry in Greece depends on the destination, the distance, the type of ferry, and the class of seat. Generally speaking, taking a ferry in Greece is cheaper than flying but more expensive than taking a bus or a train. A one-way ferry ticket from Piraeus to Santorini can cost anywhere from 20 to 80 euros depending on the factors mentioned above. A round-trip ferry ticket from Piraeus to Mykonos can cost around 50 euros on average.
Some tips to save money on taking a ferry in Greece are:
- Book your ferry tickets as early as possible to get the best deals.
- Use a ferry comparison website like Ferryhopper or Direct Ferries to find the cheapest ferries.
- Travel during the low or shoulder season (October to April) when ferries are cheaper and less crowded.
- Consider taking a slower or smaller ferry instead of a fast or large one. For example, you can take a conventional ferry instead of a high-speed catamaran.
- Check if there are any discounts or offers for students, seniors, or groups.
Bus
The bus is the most affordable and reliable way to travel around the mainland or within an island. There are two types of buses in Greece: the urban buses (ASTY) that operate within a city or town and the intercity buses (KTEL) that connect different cities or towns. The KTEL buses are operated by private companies that form a national network. They are modern, comfortable, and air-conditioned. They have luggage compartments and sometimes offer free Wi-Fi.
You can find the bus stations in every city or town in Greece. You can buy your bus tickets at the station or on the bus. You can also book your bus tickets online for some routes.
The cost of taking a bus in Greece depends on the destination, the distance, and the type of bus. Generally speaking, taking a bus in Greece is very cheap compared to other European countries. A one-way bus ticket from Athens to Thessaloniki can cost around 30 euros. A round-trip bus ticket from Athens to Delphi can cost around 20 euros.
Some tips to save money on taking a bus in Greece are:
- Book your bus tickets as early as possible to get the best deals.
- Use a bus comparison website like Busbud or CheckMyBus to find the cheapest buses.
- Travel during the low or shoulder season (October to April) when buses are cheaper and less crowded.
- Check if there are any discounts or offers for students, seniors, or groups.
Train
The train is another way to travel around the mainland or within some islands. The train network in Greece is operated by TrainOSE, which is a subsidiary of Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane. The trains are modern, comfortable, and air-conditioned. They have luggage racks and sometimes offer free Wi-Fi.
You can find the train stations in every major city or town in Greece. You can buy your train tickets at the station or online. You can also book your train tickets online for some routes.
The cost of taking a train in Greece depends on the destination, the distance, and the type of train. Generally speaking, taking a train in Greece is cheaper than flying but more expensive than taking a bus or a ferry. A one-way train ticket from Athens to Thessaloniki can cost around 40 euros. A round-trip train ticket from Athens to Meteora can cost around 50 euros.
Some tips to save money on taking a train in Greece are:
- Book your train tickets as early as possible to get the best deals.
- Use a train comparison website like Trainline or Omio to find the cheapest trains.
- Travel during the low or shoulder season (October to April) when trains are cheaper and less crowded.
- Check if there are any discounts or offers for students, seniors, or groups.
Car
The car is another way to travel around Greece if you want more freedom, flexibility, and privacy. You can rent a car from many car rental agencies in Greece, either online or at the airport, port, or city center. You will need a valid driver’s license and a credit card to rent a car in Greece. You will also need to be at least 21 years old and have at least one year of driving experience.
The cost of renting a car in Greece depends on the type of car, the duration of rental, the season, and the insurance. Generally speaking, renting a car in Greece is not very cheap compared to other European countries. A compact car can cost around 30 euros per day on average. A full-size car can cost around 50 euros per day on average.
Some tips to save money on renting a car in Greece are:
- Book your car rental as early as possible to get the best deals.
- Use a car rental comparison website like Rentalcars.com or Auto Europe to find the cheapest cars.
- Rent a smaller or older car instead of a larger or newer one.
- Avoid renting a car from the airport or port as they usually charge higher fees.
- Check if there are any discounts or offers for students, seniors, or groups.
Taxi
The taxi is another way to travel around Greece if you want more convenience, comfort, and speed. You can find taxis everywhere in Greece, especially in urban areas. They are usually yellow with a TAXI sign on top. You can hail a taxi on the street, call one by
