Getting Around Greece: Every Transport Option Explained

The challenge of getting around Greece is not that it is difficult — the systems are generally good and the infrastructure for an island nation of 11 million people plus 30 million annual visitors is impressive. The challenge is that Greece is a physically fragmented country where the right answer for one journey (ferry from Piraeus to Naxos: excellent) is completely wrong for another (trying to take a ferry from Corfu to Kefalonia directly: requires mainland connection, much longer than expected).

This guide works through each transport option systematically — what it is, where it works, costs, and how to book it.

For the specific ferry guide, see the Greece ferry guide. For the overall planning framework, see how to plan a trip to Greece.

Getting to Greece: International Arrivals

By Air

Athens International Airport (ATH, Eleftherios Venizelos) is the primary international hub, with direct flights from virtually every major European city and direct long-haul routes from the USA (JFK, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia), Canada, and the Gulf. Athens is approximately 3.5–4 hours from London, 3 hours from Paris, and 3.5 hours from Frankfurt.

Island airports with significant international traffic: Santorini (JTR), Mykonos (JMK), Heraklion/Crete (HER), Corfu (CFU), Rhodes (RHO), Kos (KGS), Kefalonia (EFL), Zakynthos (ZTH), Skiathos (JSI). Most of these handle direct charter flights from the UK, Germany, Netherlands, and Scandinavia from May through October.

By Ferry from Italy

Regular ferry services cross the Adriatic from Italian ports to the Ionian Islands and Patras on the Greek mainland. Main routes: Venice-Patras (22 hours), Ancona-Patras (21 hours), Bari-Corfu/Igoumenitsa (8 hours), Brindisi-Corfu (7 hours). Operators: Superfast Ferries, ANEK Lines, Grimaldi Lines. The Italy-Greece ferry is a popular choice for motorists and for travellers wanting to combine Greece with an Italian segment.

Getting Around Athens

The Athens Metro

The Athens Metro is the cornerstone of city transport — modern, clean, punctual, and cheap. Three lines cover the city:

Line 1 (Green): Runs from Kifissia in the north through central Athens to Piraeus port. The oldest line; connects the port to the city centre.

Line 2 (Red): East-west across the city, including Syntagma (the central hub), Monastiraki (for the Acropolis area and Ancient Agora), and the KTEL bus station at Attiki.

Line 3 (Blue): Connects the airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) to Syntagma in 40 minutes. Key stations: Evangelismos (National Gallery, upmarket hotels), Syntagma, Monastiraki, Egaleo.

Tickets:

• Single 90-minute ticket: €1.40 (covers metro, tram, and buses)
• 24-hour ticket: €4.50
• 5-day ticket: €9.00
• Airport single: €10.50; airport return: €18 (must be used within 48 hours)

Where the metro does NOT go: The Acropolis itself is not served by metro — the nearest stations are Acropolis (Line 2, 10-minute walk) and Monastiraki (Line 3, 15-minute walk through Plaka).

Athens Tram

The tram runs from Syntagma Square to the southern coastal suburbs (Glyfada, Voula, Vouliagmeni). Useful for reaching the beach at Glyfada. Included in the 90-minute metro ticket.

Athens Buses

An extensive network covering the entire city, included in the 90-minute ticket. Less useful for tourists focused on the main sites (metro is faster and simpler) but essential for reaching neighbourhoods outside the metro grid.

Taxis in Athens

Athens taxis are metered, relatively affordable by European standards, and numerous. The meter starts at €1.29, with a minimum fare of €4. Always confirm the meter is running when you get in. The taxi app Beat (formerly Taxibeat) works reliably in Athens and lets you book and track in advance — useful for airport runs.

Airport taxi: Fixed fare of €40 daytime / €55 at night (midnight-5am) from the airport to central Athens. This is the official regulated fare; agree it before getting in.

Ferries: The Heart of Greek Island Travel

Ferries are how most Greek islands are reached and how most island-hopping itineraries are constructed. The system is extensive but requires understanding.

Types of Ferry

Conventional (slow) ferries: Large car and passenger ferries taking 3–18 hours depending on route. Air-conditioned decks, cafeteria, seating areas, and cabins on overnight routes. Cheaper, carry cars, generally more comfortable for long journeys.

High-speed catamarans / Flying Dolphins: Fast vessels (50–70 km/h) that cut journey times by roughly half. More expensive, do not carry cars, can be rough in bad weather and may cancel more readily than conventional ferries. Better for shorter crossings.

Local caiques and water taxis: Small wooden boats connecting neighbouring islands and reaching beaches inaccessible by road. Typically no online booking; show up at the harbour and ask.

Main Ferry Hubs

Piraeus (Athens): The primary hub for the Cyclades, Crete, Dodecanese, and Eastern Aegean islands. Most ferries leave from the massive Piraeus port complex; specific gates are assigned by destination group. The metro Line 1 connects Piraeus directly to central Athens.

Rafina (east of Athens, 30 min from airport): Second Athens hub, slightly closer to some Cyclades (Mykonos, Naxos, Paros). Useful if flying into Athens and heading straight to the islands. Taxi from airport approximately €30.

Heraklion (Crete): Hub for eastern Crete and connections between Crete and the Cyclades.

Rhodes: Hub for the southern Dodecanese.

Kos: Hub for the northern Dodecanese.

Igoumenitsa: Hub for Corfu and the Ionian Islands from the north.

Booking Ferries

Ferryhopper (ferryhopper.com) is the most comprehensive cross-operator booking platform for Greek ferries. Book as early as possible for summer travel — car spaces on the Piraeus-Santorini, Piraeus-Crete, and Piraeus-Rhodes routes fill 4–6 weeks ahead in July-August. Passenger spaces also fill on popular morning departures.

Costs (approximate, one-way):

• Piraeus to Naxos (conventional): €35–50 passenger / €110–150 car
• Piraeus to Heraklion (overnight, cabin): €50–90 passenger / €120–180 car
• Athens to Santorini (high-speed): €60–85 passenger
• Rhodes to Symi (high-speed): €25–35

Domestic Flights

For distances that make ferry journeys impractical, domestic flights are the right answer.

Airlines

Aegean Airlines and its subsidiary Olympic Air are the dominant operators, covering the main island airports with reliable service. Good booking site; frequent flyer programme.

Sky Express covers regional routes including some smaller island airports not served by Aegean. Often significantly cheaper for routes like Athens-Heraklion or Athens-Rhodes.

Costs and When to Fly

Book 4–8 weeks ahead for the best prices; domestic flights in Greece range from €35–120 one-way depending on route and timing. Last-minute domestic flights can be expensive. Off-peak domestic flights (non-summer, non-Friday/Sunday) are often very cheap.

When domestic flights beat ferries: Athens to Rhodes (45 min flight vs 16–18 hours ferry), Athens to Thessaloniki (50 min vs 6 hours by road or 5–6 hours bus), Athens to Heraklion (45 min vs 8–9 hours overnight ferry). The ferry overnight from Athens to Crete is actually excellent (cabin accommodation, saves a hotel night) — but the 45-minute flight is undeniably more practical for many trips.

Athens airport code: ATH. Domestic terminal is Terminal A, international is Terminal B (connected by shuttle).

KTEL Intercity Buses

KTEL is the national intercity bus network — the most underused quality transport option in Greece for tourists. Air-conditioned coaches, assigned seating, generally punctual, and significantly cheaper than trains or domestic flights for many mainland routes.

Key routes and costs (approximate):

• Athens to Thessaloniki: ~€35, 6 hours
• Athens to Patra (Peloponnese): ~€18, 2.5 hours
• Athens to Nafplio (Peloponnese): ~€15, 2.5 hours
• Athens to Delphi: ~€18, 2.5 hours
• Athens to Ioannina: ~€30, 5 hours

Athens KTEL terminals: There are two main Athens KTEL terminals. Kifissos Station (also called Terminal A) handles buses to the Peloponnese, western Greece, Epirus, Ionian Islands connection, and north-west routes. Liossion Station (Terminal B) handles central and northern Greece including Delphi, Thessaloniki, and Meteora. The terminals are not adjacent — confirm which one serves your route.

Booking: KTEL tickets can be booked online via ktel.org or at the terminal. Some inter-regional routes still require in-person purchase. Popular routes (Athens-Thessaloniki) fill on weekend mornings.

Hellenic Trains (Rail)

Greece's rail network is limited compared to western European countries and has historically been unreliable. The 2023 Tempi train disaster led to significant operational reviews. The main viable route for tourists is the Athens-Thessaloniki intercity express (3.5–4 hours, comfortable, scenic), which is competitive with the bus. The Peloponnese no longer has operational passenger rail north of Kalamata.

Recommendation: KTEL buses are generally more practical than trains for most Greek mainland itineraries.

Rental Cars

A rental car transforms travel on the mainland and large islands. Greek roads range from excellent toll motorways to narrow village tracks — a mid-size car handles most situations comfortably; anything larger than a mid-size becomes awkward on island roads.

Where a car is essential or strongly recommended: The Peloponnese (Mycenae, Nafplio, Epidaurus, Olympia, Mystras, Monemvasia — all require a car to visit comfortably), Crete, Kefalonia, Lefkada, and mainland routes like Epirus and Zagori.

Major international operators (Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Sixt) all operate in Greece with airport pick-up at major airports. Local operators are cheaper but vary in quality. The booking platform Discover Cars aggregates both and provides price comparison.

Costs: From €35–50/day for a small car in shoulder season; €60–90/day in July-August. Check whether the quoted price includes CDW (Collision Damage Waiver) insurance and what the excess is.

Driving in Greece: Toll motorways are well-maintained; drive on the right. Greek drivers are assertive; Greek road markings are occasionally optimistic about lane widths. Mountain roads require care. Parking in Greek cities is genuinely difficult — do not rent a car for an Athens-only trip.

Note on car ferries: Taking a rental car on a ferry is generally permitted by Greek operators but may require notifying the rental company in advance. Most companies have specific terms — check before booking.

Scooters, Quads, and ATVs on Islands

On islands under 60–70 km², a scooter or quad is the most practical and enjoyable way to get around. Scooters reach beaches that cars cannot, park anywhere, and cost €15–25/day compared to €40–60 for a car.

Legal requirements: A motorcycle licence (or a licence with motorcycle endorsement) is technically required for scooters over 50cc in Greece. In practice, rental operators on smaller islands are more flexible. However: accidents on rental scooters without appropriate licences typically invalidate travel insurance and rental insurance. Helmets are legally required — wear them.

Where scooters are ideal: Naxos, Paros, Milos, Santorini (careful on the narrow caldera-edge roads), Rhodes (coast road only — the interior needs a car), Kos (almost flat — perfect for scooters), smaller Sporades and Dodecanese islands.

Where scooters do NOT work: Kefalonia and Crete (too large and hilly for comfortable all-day scooter use), Hydra (no motor vehicles allowed), Ithaca (steep and narrow roads).

Water Taxis and Local Boats

Throughout Greece, water taxis (taxiboats) and local caiques connect beaches, coves, and neighbouring islands not served by scheduled ferry. These are found at most larger island ports and some beach towns.

Typical uses: Reaching beaches accessible only by sea (common on Rhodes, Lefkada, Kefalonia, and many smaller islands), day trips to uninhabited nearby islands, cross-harbour connections on large ports.

Pricing: Negotiated directly with the captain. Typically €8–20 per person for short crossings; day-trip boats (with multiple stops) cost €20–45 per person including stops.

City Buses on Islands

Most Greek islands have a basic KTEL-style local bus service (astiko or hyperastiko) connecting the port or main town to major beaches and villages. Frequency varies from reliable (Corfu, Crete, Rhodes) to very limited (one or two buses daily on smaller islands). The island bus is an excellent way to reach Paleokastritsa from Corfu Town or the Samaria Gorge trailhead from Chania — and a frustrating way to reach a beach in the afternoon on a small island with two buses daily.

Check schedules locally on arrival; timetables are rarely comprehensive online.

Summary: What to Use Where

Journey type | Best option

Within Athens | Metro + tram

Athens to/from airport | Metro Line 3

Athens to Piraeus | Metro Line 1

Athens to islands | Ferry (Piraeus or Rafina)

Athens to Thessaloniki | KTEL bus or domestic flight

Athens to Peloponnese | KTEL bus + rental car

Athens to Delphi / Meteora | KTEL bus

Between Cycladic islands | Ferry (high-speed or conventional)

Between Ionian islands | Ferry (via mainland connection mostly)

Within large islands (Crete, Kefalonia) | Rental car

Within small/medium islands | Scooter or local bus

Car-free islands (Hydra) | Donkey, boat, or feet

Plan Your Trip

• Greece Ferry Guide — the complete ferry booking guide
• How to Plan a Trip to Greece — full planning framework
• 25 Greece Travel Tips — practical tips including transport
• Greece Road Trip Guide — driving the mainland
• Athens Airport Guide — arrivals and onward connections
• Trip to Athens Greece — the city transport context
• Ionian Islands Guide — island-hopping logistics in the Ionians
• Dodecanese Islands Guide — island-hopping in the Dodecanese

🚢 Ready to plan your Greece trip? Use our AI Trip Planner to build an itinerary with all the transport connections worked out — or take our quiz to find the right Greek destination for your travel style.