Getting to Greece Tips

Whether by plane, car, ferry or bus – there are many ways to get to beautiful Hellas. We’ll show you the different options for getting to Greece, so you can prepare for your upcoming holiday or planned round trip on the mainland.

In this article, we report on our own experiences during the journey. As an EU citizen, you do not need a visa to enter Hellas. The entering Greece is uncomplicated and at any time with the identity card or passport. Since 2024, however, a normal passport or identity card has been required for children.

For excursions to non-EU countries (e.g. Albania, Turkey) you may have to show your passport. A look at the website of the Federal Foreign Office helps here. If you are staying in Greece for more than 6 months, you will need to register with the local authorities.

#1 Greece Arrival by plane

Most holidaymakers reach Greece by plane. In recent years, more and more international airlines have Greece as a popular holiday destination. Almost all major European charter companies now offer at least one, if not several Greek destinations.

Most direct flights from Germany to Greece currently take off from the airports of Munich, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, as well as Berlin and Stuttgart. In total, the five major German airports control 18 Greek Destinations on the mainland and islands.

Among them are the cities Athens and Thessaloniki on the mainland. Via the airports of the two cities you can still reach the airport via a short stopover more Greek destinations. Kavala (Macedonia), Volos (Thessaly), Patras and Kalamata (both Peloponnese) are also occasionally served in summer.

For many travelers, the Greek islands are particularly popular. However, you should keep in mind that of the almost 3,000 islands, not even 150 are inhabited. Only 27 islands have an airport. The largest Greek island of Crete even has three airports. Enclosed we give you an overview of the islands with their own airport:

Greek Islands with Airport

• Astypalea, JTY
• Chios, JKH
• Ikaria, JIK
• Kalymnos, JKL
• Karpathos, AOK
• Kasos, KSJ
• Kastelorizo, KZS
• Kefalonia, EFL
• Corfu, CFU
• Kos, KGS
• Crete Chania , CHQ
• Crete Heraklion, HER
• Crete Sitia, JSH
• Kythira, KIT
• Lefkada (Preveza), PVK
• Leros, LRS
• Lesvos, MJT
• Limnos, LXS
• Milos, MLO
• Mykonos, JMK
• Naxos, JNX
• Paros, PAS
• Rhodes, RHO
• Samos, SMI
• Santorini, JTR
• Skiathos, JSI
• Skyros, SKU
• Syros, JSY
• Zakynthos, ZTH

Direct flights to Greece

The most convenient way to travel to Greece is by direct flight from your home country. Of course, this is usually in the interest of many holidaymakers, as they want to travel as relaxed as possible and without time stress during their summer holiday. On the flight search portal Skyscanner* you can find all direct flights to Greece:

➲ To cheap direct flights to Greece*

However, it is precisely these Greek destinations that attract the most tourists in the summer months. Of the less than 30 Greek island airports, less than half are operated by direct flights from Germany served. Among them are of course the most popular Greek islands, such as Corfu, Crete, Rhodes, Mykonos and Kos.

The airline Condor in particular has one of the best developed flight networks to Greece. From the major German airports of Frankfurt and Munich, many Greek destinations are even served 2-3 times a week.

TUI and Eurowings also offer direct flights to Greece several times a week. These airlines also serve airports such as Nuremberg or Hamburg. The main day of arrival is Saturday for most airlines. For German holidaymakers in the south or east of the republic, it may also be worthwhile to flight from Vienna or Prague.

Enclosed you will get an overview of which islands of German or surrounding airports directly served become:

• Karpathos
• Cephalonia
• Corfu
• Kos
• Chania Crete
• Heraklion Crete
• Lefkada (Preveza)
• Lesvos
• Mykonos
• Paros
• Rhodes
• Samos
• Santorini
• Skiathos
• Zakynthos

The two largest Greek cities Athens and Thessaloniki are also served by direct flight from almost all major German airports. Ideal for a city trip, a round trip on the Greek mainland or to cross over to one of the smaller Greek islands by ferry or domestic flight.

Flight prices for the two largest Greek cities are usually quite cheap. Via portals such as Skyscanner*or Momondo you can find cheap flights to Athens and Thessaloniki.

➲ To cheap direct flights to Athens*

➲ To cheap direct flights to Thessaloniki*

Flight prices to Greece

Prices for direct flights to Greece vary depending on the season and destination. For example, outside the high season (September to June) you can buy a return ticket for less than 200 euros. Providers such as RyanAir and EasyJet sometimes even undercut each other with bargain offers for flights to Greece of less than 50 euros per person (one way) and less.

However, keep in mind that for many places the season in Greece does not start until the end of April. The supposed bargain can quickly turn out to be a disappointment when you find out on site that hardly any restaurants and places worth seeing are open in the pre-season. In the high season, this costs round-trip ticket about 300 euros per person.

Open-jaw flight over Athens or Thessaloniki

Much of the Greek islands can only be reached by ferry. However, 27 islands currently also have an airport. You can either reach it by direct flight from Germany or by Greek domestic flight, as described above. These islands are served by Athens or Thessaloniki, depending on their geographical location.

All islands of the South Aegean Sea with Airport are served by flights from Athens Airport Eleftherios Venizelos ATH. The few islands in the northern Aegean Sea can be reached from Makedonia Airport SKG in Thessaloniki.

Thessaloniki is also ideal for a short city trip. Enclosed we have provided you with an overview of which Islands only reached by domestic flight:

→ flights from Athens: Lesvos, Ikaria, Milos, Syros, Naxos, Astypalea, Kalymnos, Leros, Kythira

→ flights from Thessaloniki: Skyros, Limnos, Chios, Lesvos

As a rule, the Airlines Olympic and Sky Express the flights from Athens and Thessaloniki to the Greek islands. These are propeller planes and the prices are between 50 and 100 euros per flight, depending on demand.

The tiny islands Kasos and Kastellorizo are only approached from their large neighboring islands. Kasos is served by flights from Karpathos and Kastellorizo from Rhodes. Of course, both islands can also be reached by ferry.

If you fly directly to Athens, you can also fly from the Port of Piraeus explore the Greek islands by ferry. Here you can find out more about the topic: Island hopping Greece

#2 Arrival with your own car

Even though the majority of holidaymakers prefer to travel to Greece by plane, travelling with your own car for longer Holiday stays makes perfect sense.

Especially for explorations of the Greek mainland, it is a good idea to choose this type of travel. Also many camping Friends come to Greece every year with their own vehicle. The regions Pelion,Epirus Zagoriand Western Macedonia are ideal for an extended Hellas road trip with your own car.

However, you should plan enough time for a trip to Greece by car. If you have less than two weeks of travel time available, we advise against this. After all, depending on which route you choose to Greece, you will need at least 2-3 days travel time and of course the same travel time back.

We have also heard about a shorter travel time to Greece. Mostly, these are the stories of eager locals from Greece who have returned to their beloved homeland as quickly as possible…

What is the best route to Greece?

In principle, there are two main routes to Greece. The first option would be the crossing the Balkans. Depending on the place of departure in Germany, there are several variants here. The total distance travelled is at least 1,500–2,000 kilometres to the Greek border.

For this, you should at least plan two days by car and one or two overnight stays. The biggest advantage of the Balkan route is the low travel costs.

The second way to reach the holiday destination Greece would be via Italy and the sea route. Here you have several options to choose from when it comes to the departure ferry port in Italy. This way you can significantly shorten the travel time by car.

Most holidaymakers arrive at the port of Patras. However, the ferry crossing causes higher travel costs compared to the Balkan route.

Via the Balkan route to Greece

Even though the Balkan route did not have the best reputation in the past, we can reassure you with this. The days of the Autoput route with numerous accidents, criminal smuggling, car theft and the like are over. Driving your own car to Greece is not dangerous.

Personally, we have already driven this route several times and have not had any problems or dicey situations on the entire route. That motorway network is sufficiently good and the supply of rest areas and petrol stations is also guaranteed.

Depending on the place of departure and personal preferences, you should think about the days of travel and overnight stops in advance. Due to the many speed limits, daily driving distances of 500–700 km are realistic and sufficient in most countries.

Route options:

• Variant 1: Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia and North Macedonia
• Option 2: Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and North Macedonia

On our trips to Greece, we plan one night each in Hungary and Serbia. From southern Germany, an overnight stop in Croatia makes perfect sense. On the third day of travel at the latest, you will reach the Greek border. If you have to continue to Athens or Piraeus, you can make a stop here (see accommodation tips).

During the main holiday season in summer, there may be longer waiting times at the Balkan borders come. Especially the crossing from Hungary to Serbia can require longer waiting times. In spring and autumn, the forced breaks when crossing the border are shorter.

How can I avoid waiting times at the border?

Especially in summer, waiting times at the borders to Greece cannot be completely avoided. Nevertheless, there are good ways to significantly shorten standing times. Especially at the Hungary-Serbia border, it is worth taking a look at the traffic jam service from GoogleMaps or even better on the Webcams at the borders.

Also use the helpful portal Borderalarmto share the current waiting times at the borders with other drivers.

→ With these tips you can reduce the long waiting times when arriving in Greece:

• Crossing the border in the early morning or at night, instead of in the afternoon
• Avoid driving on weekends (especially on Saturdays)
• avoid the main border crossings, e.g. at Hungary-Serbia not Röszke-Horgoš but Tompa-Kelebija
• If possible, plan a trip to Greece outside the main holiday season
• Arrival via Italy or along the Adriatic Sea

Vignettes and tolls on the Balkan route

• Vignette Czech Republic 1 day: 210 CZK (8,43 €)
• Vignette Slovakia 1 day: €8.10
• Vignette Hungary 10 days: 6.620 HUF (16,33 €)
• Toll Serbia: approx. RSD 2,470 (€21.22)
• North Macedonia toll: 380 MKD (€6.19)
• Toll Greece (route Evzoni-Athens): €38.55

Total fees: approx. 100 €

Hotel recommendations for the Balkan route

Not every Greece lover wants to travel 1,000 km a day to get to the country of his dreams as quickly as possible. If you want to do without the immediate highway noise of the sometimes spartan motels, you will find quiet and cheap hotels just a few minutes away from the highway.

Enclosed we list our personal recommendations for overnight stops (Booking.com*) along the Balkan route for the journey to Greece:

Accommodation tips in Hungary

• City/Region: Győr – Apartment: Raba92 Apartments House*
• City/Region: Győr – Hotel: Gyirmot Sport Hotel*
• City/ Region: Budapest – Hotel: Lovag Apartments*

Accommodation tips in Serbia

• City/Region: Smederevo – Hotel: Harizma 013 Hotel*
• City/Region: Nis – Hotel: Astor16 Apartments*

Accommodation tip in North Macedonia

• City/Region: Demir Kapija – Hotel: Belov Rooms and Apartments*

Accommodation tips in Northern Greece

• City/Region: Halkidona – Hotel: Maison Hotel*

Greece Arrival along the Adriatic Sea

One alternative route to Greece leads via Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania. Although the route is estimated to be almost the same kilometres, the journey along the Adriatic coast takes much longer.

On the one hand, this is because you pass another country and its border controls. On the other hand, there is no continuous and well-developed motorway network on this route.

You also have to expect higher tolls here due to the long drive through Croatia. On the other hand, if you have a lot of time (including a camper road trip), this overland route is probably the most scenic route to Greece.

#3 By ferry from Italy to Greece

The most convenient way to get to Greece by car is definitely by taking the ferry from Italy. Unnecessary border controls and the resulting long waiting times are no longer necessary due to the Schengen Agreement of the EU countries.

With this route, you can significantly shorten the pure travel time by car. There are only tolls for Switzerland or Austria and the use of the Italian motorway.

Most holidaymakers take the Autostrada A14 from Bologna heading south and heading directly for one of the Italian ferry ports. If you have little travel time or if you are traveling to Greece with children, this can be an advantage. If you have a little more time, the scenic drive through Tuscany and Umbria is also worthwhile.

How long does it take to get to Greece?

When crossing from Italy to Greece by ferry, you can choose from four Italian ferry ports choose. The departure points are spread from northern to southern Italy.

“The following applies: The further north the port is, the longer the travel time and the higher the ferry fees.”

There are three different ports of call on the Greek side. The journey times vary from 8 to 31 hours. Of course, you will spend less time in the car.

Basically, the only question is: Do you want to spend more time in the car or on the ferry? You can at least use the time on the ferry much more effectively. There is also some Internet or WLAN on the ferries. Unfortunately, the connection is unreliable.

On the large ferries there are plenty of lounges, restaurants and bars, as well as a sun deck. You can also book an own cabin with shower and toilet for the crossing from Italy to Greece.

Cabins are available in different sizes and equipment. This makes perfect sense on a long journey, as sleeping in the common rooms can be very exhausting and uncomfortable. On Ferryhopper* you can view suitable connections and book your ticket online:

➲ To the ferry search with Ferryhopper*

Ferries and prices from Italy to Greece

You can choose from different combinations regarding the port of departure in Italy and the port of arrival in Greece. Ferries depart from the following Italian ports (from north to south):

• Venice
• Ancona
• Bari
• Brindisi

In Greece, the ports of Corfu, Igoumenitsa and Patras are served. The arrival and departure locations vary depending on the ferry company. For example, the small ferry port of Brindisi in the very south of Italy is not served by all shipping companies.

Ancona, one of the largest ports in the Mediterranean, is considered a popular departure point for the ferry to Greece. We have given you the approximate Ferry times and prices per deck passenger.

Venice to Greece

Ancona to Greece

Bari to Greece

Brindisi to Greece

The prices for taking your car to Greece depend on the size of the vehicle. The ticket for a normal car costs on the distance from Venice to Patras from 149 euros, from Ancona to Patras from 130 euros and from Bari to Patras it is about 95 euros.

In the high season, it is recommended to purchase vehicle and passenger tickets online a few weeks in advance, e.g. on Ferryhopper*:

➲ To the ferry booking for Greece*

How to book the ferry to Greece

With the help of the Ferryhopper* search portal, you have the opportunity to search for ferry connections for your journey to Greece to research.

Our partner Ferryhopper cooperates with almost all major ferry companies in Greece. So you can see the individual ferries and their prices from Italy to Greece great comparison.

→ Use the Ferryhopper search mask to enter your desired ferry connection:

Important car accessories for Greece

When driving to Greece with your own car or campervan, you should inquire about the traffic regulations of the countries you want to drive through. The white oval Country Stickers on the rear window, the Country-Shield is still mandatory for non-EU countries. If it is not present, a fine can be imposed.

The following documents on vehicle driving and vehicle safety aids are available in Greece required by law (Links to Amazon*):

• Driver’s license and vehicle documents
• Green insurance card (check validity!)
• High-visibility vests for every passenger*
• Small fire extinguisher*
• Towrope*
• First-aid kit*
• Warning triangle*
• Child seat under 12 years*

#4 Getting to Greece by bus

If you want to take the bus, it’s not necessarily the easiest way to get to Greece, but of course it’s possible! From Germany you can take the bus via Bulgaria to Greeceto the cities of Thessaloniki or Athens.

Numerous connections, including with the long-distance bus company Arda Tur, are possible from Germany to Bulgaria’s capital Sofia. You have to plan at least one travel day for this. There is also the possibility to travel by night bus.

Bulgaria Capital Sofia is very nice and well worth a little stopover. After that, it takes just over 12 hours from Sofia to the capital Athens or the port of Piraeus. Alternatively, you can reach the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki in 5 hours.

Cost of bus travel to Greece

About the portal Omio you can imagine possible Bus routes to Greece and compare the prices with each other: Omio – Train, bus and plane ticket comparison portal

Germany – Bulgaria

Bulgaria – Greece

By the way, in Greece the bus companies are called KTEL, which means something like “Local bus transport company”. There is a KTEL association for each major region. The regions are connected by intercity buses. You can use Google Maps to search for the bus station of a city with the search term “KTEL”.

From the large bus station »Macedonia Intercity Bus Station« you can already reach many Destinations in Greece by bus. From the Athens Bus Stations Kifissos and Liossion you can continue south and west by bus.

#5 Travel to Greece by train

Unfortunately, there are currently no direct train connection to Greecewithout changing trains. The days of the nostalgic Orient Express, which ran from Paris to Greece, are over. Unfortunately, this direct train connection was discontinued in 2009.

Nevertheless, there is a good way to travel to Greece cheaply by train, and that is with Interrail. With a Interrail Pass you have the opportunity to use all trains in Europe and travel as far as Greece and even use all train connections locally.

There are regular trains between Athens and Thessaloniki, and you can travel through Greece within 5 hours. Islandhoppers can also look forward to playing with the Interrail Greek Islands Pass (4- or 6-day ticket) you can even get discounts on the Greek ferries.

→ You can find more information about the island pass here: Interrail Pass

Train routes to Greece

Admittedly, there is no direct connection and your journey takes longer than by plane, but you can expect a real adventure along the way. For this reason, backpacking enthusiasts in particular use Interrail. The countless possibilities and the flexibility of the train routes make travelling by train so popular.

“The motto for train travel is very clear: The journey is the destination!”

By train across the Balkans: If you travel exclusively by land, you have to put up with transfer stops in Vienna and, depending on the train route, in Belgrade (Serbia) or Budapest (Hungary), as well as Sofia (Bulgaria) or Skopje (North Macedonia).

Alternatively and much faster, you can use night trains, which run from Munich and Vienna to Budapest and Bucharest. From there, you can then continue towards Greece. You can find a map of the possible train routes here: Interrail Map

By train via Italy: Alternatively, you can travel through Italy and take a ferry from one of the many ports towards Greek Islands or the mainland. For example, you can easily get from Bari (Italy) to Patras or Igoumenitsa in Greece. The good thing is that with the Interrail Pass, you also get a big saving compared to the regular ticket price.

Journey duration and cost of train tickets

For the Greece journey by train you should plan at least two days. However, a few extra days are recommended, because then you have longer stopovers at the respective transfer points.

Interrail passes for Greece are available from as little as €129 (4 days in a month) and you can use the travel days flexibly within a month with the digital pass. Alternatively, you can of course book separate train tickets, but this is not recommended due to the lack of flexibility and the more expensive prices.

If you arrive by plane and want to explore Greece by train, there are already passes from €80. Information and ticket prices can be found on the official homepage of Interrail.

• 6 days in a month from 175 €
• 8 days in a month from 216 €

Train connections within Greece

The transport company “Hellenic Train” (formerly TrainOSE) operates the railway network in Greece, which has been permanently expanded in recent years. You can find out about possible train connections and ticket prices here: Hellenic Train

Even though the route network within Greece is not yet too large, you can still find some Things to do in Greece achieve. In three hours, for example, you can get from Thessaloniki to theMeteora Monasteries in Kalambaka or from Athens to the Oracle of Delphi.

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