Greece, the beloved neighbor across the Mediterranean, is one of the most diverse and sought-after destinations for travelers worldwide. Its geographical proximity to major European and Asian hubs allows for landing in a sun-drenched destination in a very short time. The world of aviation connecting to Greece has undergone a real revolution in the last decade. While options were once limited to scheduled flights to Athens or charter flights to main islands during peak summer, today the skies are wide open.
The current flight network offers unprecedented flexibility: from luxury business flights to the capital, through an “air train” of low-cost flights to various destinations, to domestic flights within Greece that make remote small islands—which once required long hours of sailing—accessible. The ability to start your day in a busy metropolis and end it at a mountain tavern in Crete or watching the sunset in Santorini has turned Greece into both a quick getaway destination and a hub for complex, in-depth journeys.
The air connection to Greece has undergone significant changes over the years, reflecting the evolution of global tourism. In the past, flights were dominated mainly by the old national Greek carrier, “Olympic“. Flights focused primarily on Athens, and reaching the islands almost always required a long ferry ride from the Port of Piraeus. The 90s brought the news of charters, but these were limited to rigid “vacation packages.” The real turning point occurred with “Open Skies” agreements and the entry of private airlines, led by Aegean Airlines, which has won numerous awards for service and quality, alongside various European low-cost carriers.
Airports in Greece have undergone and are undergoing significant upgrades. If in the past, landing on the islands was sometimes accompanied by arriving at outdated and crowded terminals, the privatization of regional airports (many now managed by the German company Fraport) has wonderfully improved the passenger experience. Despite modernization, the atmosphere on flights to Greece remains unique: the feeling of freedom begins on the plane, and the landing is usually accompanied by blue views of the Aegean or Ionian Sea, and a warm welcome.
Transportation and Arrival: The Complete Guide to Greece’s Air Routes
The flight system to Greece consists of several layers: scheduled flights to major cities, seasonal charter flights to islands, low-cost flights, and an extensive network of domestic flights within Greece. Understanding this system is essential for proper vacation planning.
The Main Gateway: Athens
Athens International Airport, Eleftherios Venizelos, is the busiest and largest airport in Greece and the most central hub for international travelers.
- Airlines: Numerous airlines operate on this route year-round, including major international carriers, Aegean Airlines, and various low-cost companies.
- Importance as a Hub: Athens is not just a final destination. It serves as a central hub for connecting flights to destinations around Greece and neighboring countries like Albania. From here, you can continue with a domestic flight of 30-50 minutes to almost any island in Greece with an airstrip, including small islands that don’t have direct international flights, such as Naxos, Paros, Milos, Astypalaia, and more.
- Access to City and Ports: The airport is excellently connected to the city center and the Port of Piraeus via the Metro (Blue Line 3), the Suburban Railway (Proastiakos), and Express Buses (X95 to the center, X96 to Piraeus Port).
- Find flights to Athens here
The Northern Gateway: Thessaloniki
Macedonia Airport in Thessaloniki serves as the gateway to Northern Greece.
- Target Audience: Flights here are suitable for those planning a trip to the Macedonia region (North Central Greece), the Halkidiki Peninsula, Mount Olympus, or road trips in the mountainous areas.
- Availability: Direct scheduled and low-cost flights are available year-round from many European cities, with a significant increase in summer.
- Arrival: The airport is located southeast of the city, and access to the center is via taxis or buses. A metro system is also expected to open in the city in the future.
- Find flights to Thessaloniki here
Major Tourist Islands: Crete, Rhodes, and Kos
These destinations enjoy the highest volume of direct international flights during the summer season (April to October).
- Crete: The largest island in Greece has two main international airports. The largest is Heraklion in the center of the island, and the second is Chania in the west. It is very important to check which airport you are flying into, as the distance between them is about 140 km (about a 2.5-hour drive). Flights to Chania are recommended for those wanting to explore the wilder western part of Crete.
- Rhodes: Diagoras Airport receives dozens of weekly international flights. It is located about 14 km from Rhodes Town.
- Kos: Another popular destination with many direct flights, also serving as a departure point for ferries to neighboring islands like Kalymnos or Nisyros.
- Find flights to Crete here
- Find flights to Rhodes here
- Find flights to Kos here
The Ionian Islands and Western Greece
This region, characterized by lush green landscapes and emerald-turquoise waters, is also accessible via direct flights, though less frequently than the Aegean islands.
- Corfu: Direct flights are available during the summer season. The airport is located right inside Corfu Town, with a spectacular landing strip in the sea.
- Zakynthos and Lefkada: Direct flights to Zakynthos exist in peak season. For Lefkada, you fly via Aktion Airport located on the mainland, a short drive from the island (which is connected to the mainland by a bridge).
- Ioannina: Occasionally there are direct flights to Ioannina, the capital of the Epirus region, making access to the Zagori villages and Tzoumerka much easier.
- Find flights to Corfu here
- Find flights to Ioannina here
- Find flights to Zakynthos here
- Find flights to Lefkada here
Domestic Flights: The Bridge to Small Islands
One of the most efficient ways to reach islands that do not have direct international flights is via a domestic flight from Athens.
- The Airlines: The main players are Aegean Airlines (and its subsidiary Olympic Air) and Sky Express.
- The Aircraft: Usually small and efficient ATR propeller planes, capable of landing on the short runways of the islands.
- The Advantage: A 40-minute flight replaces a 4-8 hour ferry ride. This is an excellent solution for islands like Milos, Naxos, Paros, Syros, Kythira, and more.
- Find flights to the small Greek islands here
Additional Airports with Seasonal Direct Flights
- Santorini and Mykonos: The two most famous islands in the Cyclades receive direct international flights during the season. Note that these are luxury destinations and can be very busy.
- Kalamata: The gateway to the southern Peloponnese (Messinia and Mani regions). These direct flights save a drive of about 3 hours from Athens.
Important Tips for Flying to Greece
Seasons and Prices
Demand for flights to Greece is extremely seasonal. July and August are peak season, and prices reflect this. Trips in June or September offer perfect weather and significantly lower flight prices. In winter, direct charter flights to the islands (except for Crete and Rhodes on a limited basis) stop almost completely, and arrival is via Athens. Flights to Athens and flights to Thessaloniki in winter are significantly cheaper.
Baggage and Low-Cost Policy
On most flights to Greece, except for expensive classes on scheduled airlines, the basic ticket does not include a trolley or a checked suitcase. Airlines are very strict about carry-on dimensions and weight. It is recommended to purchase the baggage allowance when booking the ticket online, as payment at the airport will be much higher.
Independent Connections
Many travelers choose to assemble a vacation combining a flight to Athens and a domestic flight to an island in separate bookings. It is important to leave a safety buffer of at least 3 hours between landing in Athens and the connecting flight. Slight delays in the incoming flight, queues at passport control (in summer the pressure in Athens is high), and the need to collect baggage and check-in again can cause you to miss the next flight.
Strikes
Greece is known for strong labor unions, and strikes by air traffic controllers or port workers occur occasionally, often with short notice. It is recommended to follow the news close to the flight date and ensure your contact details are updated with the airline for updates.
Duty-Free and Food
On short intra-European flights to Greece, a full meal is usually not served, but rather a sandwich or snack only (and on low-cost carriers, even this is for a fee). It is recommended to stock up on water and a sandwich before boarding.
Access to Islands Without Airports
If your final destination is a small island without an airport like Sifnos, Hydra, or Amorgos, you will need to combine a flight with a ferry. In such a case, landing in Athens is the best option, continuing to the Port of Piraeus or Rafina. Take into account the transit times from the airport to the port (about an hour to an hour and a half).