Getting Around Greece: Ferries, Buses, Flights, and Trains
Greece has one of the most complex internal transport networks in the Mediterranean — a consequence of an archipelago of 200+ inhabited islands spread across 400km of sea. Getting between islands efficiently is a skill in itself.
Ferries: The Core of Island Travel
The Greek ferry network is operated by multiple private companies, coordinated through the Ministry of Shipping. The main hub is Piraeus (the port of Athens, 10km from the city centre, Metro Line 1 Green to Piraeus station).
Types of ferry:
- Conventional ferry (Ro-Ro): Large vessels carrying passengers, vehicles, and cargo. Comfortable but slow — typically 8–16 hours for long routes. Cabins available for overnight crossings (from €30 supplement above deck ticket price). The cheapest way to travel.
- High-speed catamaran: Fast passenger vessels — Piraeus to Mykonos in 2.5 hours, to Santorini in 4–5 hours. Significantly more expensive (2–3× conventional fare). No vehicle transport. Weather-dependent — can be cancelled in rough seas.
- Flying Dolphin (hydrofoil): Smaller, faster vessels for shorter routes (Piraeus to Saronic islands in 1–2 hours). Being phased out in favour of catamarans on most routes.
Main routes and approximate conventional ferry fares (as of 2026):
| Route | Journey time | From |
|---|---|---|
| Piraeus → Mykonos | 5–6 hrs (conventional) / 2.5 hrs (cat) | €30 / €55 |
| Piraeus → Santorini | 8–9 hrs (conventional) / 5 hrs (cat) | €35 / €65 |
| Piraeus → Heraklion (Crete) | 8–9 hrs (overnight) | €38 |
| Piraeus → Rhodes | 14–17 hrs (overnight) | €45 |
| Piraeus → Corfu | 10–12 hrs (via Igoumenitsa) | €40 |
| Mykonos → Santorini | 3–4 hrs | €30 |
| Santorini → Crete | 2.5–3 hrs (cat) | €40 |
Booking: ferryscanner.com (aggregator) is the easiest starting point. Direct booking with operators is also reliable — Blue Star Ferries, Seajets, Hellenic Seaways, Minoan Lines (for Crete), and ANEK Lines.
Piraeus port: Large and sometimes confusing — different gates (E1–E12) serve different island groups. Confirm your gate when booking; allow 30–45 minutes before departure.
Domestic Flights
Greece has a well-developed domestic aviation market. Aegean Airlines is the main carrier; Sky Express operates many regional routes. Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air operate seasonal routes to major islands from European hubs (not all available from Athens).
Main domestic routes from Athens (ATH):
| Destination | Flight time | From |
|---|---|---|
| Heraklion (Crete) | 50 min | €35 |
| Thessaloniki | 55 min | €35 |
| Mykonos | 45 min | €40 |
| Santorini | 45 min | €40 |
| Rhodes | 60 min | €45 |
| Corfu | 55 min | €40 |
| Kefalonia | 60 min | €40 |
Prices vary significantly by date and booking lead time — €35 is a budget fare, peak season fares can reach €150+.
Regional connections: Thessaloniki has direct flights to several islands (Rhodes, Mykonos, Heraklion, Corfu) in summer. This allows Athens-free itineraries.
KTEL Buses: Intercity Travel
The KTEL network (regional bus system) covers the entire Greek mainland and is the backbone of intercity travel for locals.
Athens terminals:
- Kifissos (Terminal A, 100 Kifissos St): Services to northern Greece, Epirus (Ioannina), western Greece, the Peloponnese, and some island ports. Bus from city centre approximately 20 minutes (taxi recommended; bus connections are awkward).
- Liosion (Terminal B, 260 Liosion St): Services to central Greece — Delphi (3 hours, €18), Larissa, Volos, and Halkidiki.
Key KTEL routes from Athens:
| Destination | Journey time | From |
|---|---|---|
| Thessaloniki | 6 hrs | €35 |
| Ioannina | 6.5 hrs | €40 |
| Nafplio | 2.5 hrs | €16 |
| Delphi | 3 hrs | €18 |
| Patras | 3 hrs | €22 |
Book online at ktelbus.com or buy tickets at the terminal (arrive 30 minutes before departure).
Trains
The Hellenic Train (formerly TrainOSE) operates Greece’s rail network. Services are limited compared to Western Europe but improving.
Main routes:
- Athens (Larissa Station) → Thessaloniki: 4–4.5 hours, from €20 (IC trains), from €12 (slower regional). This is a genuinely competitive option against buses and worth taking.
- Athens → Patras: 2.5 hours, from €12. Connects to Igoumenitsa ferries for Corfu.
Book at hellenictrain.gr. The Athens–Thessaloniki route books up in peak season — reserve in advance.
Car Hire
Car hire is essential for many parts of Greece that lack good public transport — the Peloponnese interior, the mountain villages of Epirus, and most Greek islands.
Costs: From approximately €30–55/day for a small car from local operators; major international operators (Hertz, Avis, Europcar) charge €45–80/day. Full insurance (CDW + SCDW) is recommended — Greek roads and Greek parking practices make it worthwhile.
Important: Driving in Athens city centre is stressful — use it for mainland touring, not city exploration. On islands, a car unlocks beaches and villages that buses don’t serve; on Santorini and Mykonos, the roads are so congested in peak season that an ATV/quad is sometimes faster.
Driving rules: Right-hand drive (right side of road). Seatbelts compulsory. International driving licence required for non-EU licence holders. Beware narrow mountain roads — single-track roads with passing places are common.
City Transport
Athens: Metro (3 lines), tram, and bus network. The metro is the most useful for tourists — covers the Acropolis area (Acropolis station), Syntagma, Monastiraki, and Piraeus. Single ticket €1.40; day pass €4.50 (as of 2026). Taxi apps: Beat (the main local app), Uber (operates in Athens).
Thessaloniki: Bus network only (no metro as of 2026); taxis widely available.
Islands: Each island has KTEL bus services of varying quality. Mykonos, Santorini, and Crete have reasonably good services; smaller islands may have only 2–3 buses per day on main routes.
Book tours and transport packages across Greece with GetYourGuide.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best way to get around the Greek islands?
- Ferries — the Greek ferry network is extensive and connects almost all inhabited islands. High-speed catamarans cover popular routes (Athens–Mykonos, Athens–Santorini) in 2–4 hours; conventional ferries are slower but cheaper and run overnight routes (Athens–Crete, Athens–Rhodes). Book ferries in advance in July–August, especially car spaces.
- How do I book ferries in Greece?
- Online at ferryscanner.com or directly with operators (Blue Star Ferries, Seajets, Golden Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways). Tickets are also sold at port agencies. Book 4–8 weeks ahead for July–August travel. Outside peak season, you can book a few days in advance.
- Are there trains in Greece?
- Greece has a limited rail network focused on the Athens–Thessaloniki–Larissa corridor. The main Athens–Thessaloniki route is efficient (4 hours, from €20, Hellenic Train / trainose.gr). The Peloponnese rail network was severely reduced after the 2007 fires. There are no trains to the islands.
- How much does island hopping cost?
- A conventional ferry deck ticket from Piraeus to Mykonos costs approximately €25–35; to Santorini €30–45; to Rhodes €40–65. High-speed hydrofoils and catamarans cost 2–3× more. Accommodation and food costs are additional. Budget €300–400 per person per week for a standard Cyclades island-hopping trip (ferries + mid-range accommodation + food).