Flights to Greece — Booking Tips, Airlines & Best Deals

Greece is well-connected from most of Europe, and direct transatlantic service to Athens is growing. Athens handles the bulk of year-round international traffic, but during summer a network of island airports allows direct entry to the Cyclades, Crete, the Dodecanese, and the Ionian Islands without routing through the capital.

Athens: The Main Hub

Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH) is located at Spata, approximately 35 km east of central Athens. It is a modern, single-terminal airport with a satellite pier. More than 60 airlines serve Athens, making it the strongest international gateway.

Flight times: approximately 3.5 hours from London, 4 hours from Frankfurt, 10.5 hours from New York (non-stop), 3.5 hours from Dubai.

Getting to the city centre: Metro Line 3 (blue line) runs direct to Syntagma Square in approximately 40 minutes — EUR 9 per person. Express bus X95 to Syntagma costs approximately EUR 6 and takes 60–90 minutes. Licensed taxis from the rank have a fixed rate of approximately EUR 38 to central Athens during the day (6am–midnight) and EUR 54 at night. The 72-hour tourist metro ticket (EUR 22) covers the airport link plus all Athens urban transport.

Island Airports with International Service

During summer (roughly May–October), several Greek islands have direct flights from European cities:

Island	Code	Key Connections
Heraklion, Crete	HER	Year-round EU service; Greece’s 2nd busiest airport
Chania, Crete	CHQ	Strong summer charter service from the UK and Germany
Rhodes	RHO	Direct from most European markets
Corfu	CFU	Strong UK service; one of the busier island airports
Santorini	JTR	Direct summer flights from many EU cities; small terminal
Mykonos	JMK	Busy in peak season; limited winter service
Zakynthos	ZTH	Strong UK and German charter market
Kos	KGS	Northern European service in summer
Kefalonia	EFL	Mainly UK connections in summer
Thessaloniki	SKG	Northern Greece hub; year-round international service

Outside summer (October–April), most island airports reduce or suspend international service. Athens becomes the necessary transit point, with domestic flights or ferries connecting to the islands.

Airlines Serving Greece

Aegean Airlines

The Greek flag carrier and Star Alliance member. Aegean connects Athens to a wide range of European capitals and regional cities. It is also the dominant domestic airline, linking Athens to island airports year-round. Service is reliable, and the Star Alliance membership allows frequent flyer earn-and-burn across partner airlines.

Budget Carriers

Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air all serve Athens and major island airports from across Europe. Prices are competitive, particularly from the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Poland. Check baggage policies carefully — all three have different allowances and fees.

Transavia (KLM subsidiary) and Vueling (IAG/Iberia group) also serve Greek airports from their respective hubs.

Long-Haul to Athens

Direct transatlantic service is growing. As of 2026: United (Newark to Athens, year-round), Delta (Atlanta to Athens, seasonal), Air Canada (Montreal, seasonal), and American (various seasonal routes). Flight time New York to Athens is approximately 10.5 hours.

Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad connect Athens through their Gulf hubs — useful for connections from Asia, Australia, and parts of Africa.

Regional and Domestic

Olympic Air (owned by Aegean) covers domestic routes to smaller island airports. Sky Express is an independent Greek carrier covering domestic routes including direct island-to-island connections that bypass Athens — Rhodes to Heraklion, Corfu to Thessaloniki, and others.

When to Book for the Best Deals

Peak summer (July–August): Book 3–6 months ahead. Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete flights from major European cities fill quickly and prices rise steeply toward departure.

Shoulder season (May–June, September–October): More flexibility — 4–8 weeks ahead is generally sufficient. This is the best value window for Greece: good weather, lower fares, and fewer crowds.

Winter travel (November–March): Low demand keeps prices down, but domestic connections to islands become limited. Verify island airports are operating before planning connections.

Flexible dates: Being flexible by 2–3 days can save EUR 50–150 on a return trip, particularly with budget carriers. Mid-week departures are cheaper than weekends on most European routes to Athens.

Domestic Flights Within Greece

Flying between Athens and the islands is practical and often necessary for tight itineraries.

• Athens to Santorini: 45 minutes, approximately EUR 50–80 each way booked in advance, rising to EUR 120–160 near departure in peak season
• Athens to Mykonos: 35–40 minutes, similar pricing to Santorini
• Athens to Heraklion (Crete): 45 minutes, approximately EUR 45–70
• Athens to Rhodes: 55 minutes, approximately EUR 60–90
• Athens to Corfu: 50 minutes, approximately EUR 50–80
• Athens to Thessaloniki: 55 minutes, approximately EUR 40–70

Sky Express operates direct island-to-island routes (Rhodes to Heraklion, Corfu to Thessaloniki) that bypass Athens — worth checking before assuming a connection through the capital is necessary.

Book domestic flights 4–8 weeks ahead for best prices on popular summer routes. Aegean and Olympic Air are the most reliable; Sky Express is useful for inter-island hops.

Budget Tips

• Shoulder season is the sweet spot — May, June, September, and October combine reasonable fares with good weather and fewer crowds than July–August
• Budget carriers to Athens (Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air) are often 40–60% cheaper than Aegean on European routes, but factor in baggage fees
• Fly direct to islands in summer — a direct Ryanair flight to Santorini from London can be cheaper than routing through Athens and buying a separate domestic connection
• Open-jaw routing (fly into Athens, out of an island airport, or vice versa) avoids backtracking and saves a ferry or domestic flight. Compare prices on Aviasales
• Ferries vs. domestic flights: Athens to Santorini by ferry is 5–8 hours (EUR 40–70); the flight is 45 minutes (EUR 50–80). For Crete, the overnight ferry from Piraeus saves a night of accommodation
• Book transatlantic early — United and Delta to Athens have limited capacity and prices rise significantly within 6 weeks of departure

Getting from Athens Airport to the City

Four main options from the arrivals hall:

1. Metro Line 3 (Blue Line): Direct to Syntagma Square in approximately 40 minutes. EUR 9 per person. Trains run every 30 minutes.
2. Express Bus X95: To Syntagma Square, approximately 60–90 minutes. EUR 6. Runs 24 hours.
3. Express Bus X96: Direct to Piraeus port — useful if heading straight for a ferry. EUR 6.
4. Licensed Taxi: Fixed rate EUR 38 to central Athens (day), EUR 54 (night). No negotiation needed.

For island arrivals: pre-book transfers at Santorini and Mykonos (taxis are unreliable in peak season). Heraklion, Rhodes, and Corfu have better taxi and car rental infrastructure at the airport.

All prices are approximate as of 2026 and subject to change.