Getting to Greece

There are two main ways to reach Greece: by air and, from Italy, by ferry. You can also drive through the Balkans or travel overland by train and bus, more slowly.

By air

The fastest way. Athens has direct flights from all over Europe and from the Middle East, North America and Asia; in summer many airlines also fly direct to Thessaloniki and the busiest islands, such as Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Kos, Santorini, Mykonos, Zakynthos and Kefalonia.

Airlines include Aegean, Sky Express and most European carriers, plus low-cost airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, Jet2 and Volotea. Summer fares rise sharply: book well ahead. From Athens continue to the islands by domestic flight or by ferry from Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio. See airports in Greece.

By ferry from Italy

The ferry is ideal if you want to bring a car or motorbike, or enjoy slow travel. Ships sail from Adriatic ports to Igoumenitsa in Epirus, Corfu and Patras in the Peloponnese.

Full details of companies, timetables and cabins are on the ferries to Greece page.

Driving through the Balkans

You can also drive to Greece along the Adriatic through Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia or Montenegro and Albania, or inland via Serbia and North Macedonia. Several borders lie outside Schengen and the EU: check insurance green card and ID requirements. Allow two or three days, with stops in places such as Dubrovnik, Kotor or Ohrid.

By train and bus

There are no through trains from western Europe. You can combine trains to the Italian ports with the ferry, then KTEL buses from Greek ports to Athens and other cities. From Patras trains and buses run to Athens in about three and a half hours. International coaches link some Balkan cities with Thessaloniki and Athens.

Which to choose

See also before you go and island ferries.