Getting Around Greece

Although it is only about the size of England or the US state of Alabama, Greece's island groups and mountainous mainland can make travel within the country more complex than you might expect. Most travelers will fly into Athens, Greece's largest city and the best jumping-off point to other parts of the country.

For travelers looking to visit the Greek Islands, ferry connections are a great option. The most famous islands, such as Santorini and Mykonos, are connected to each other and to Athens by ferry, although routes and schedules vary seasonally and can be weather-dependent. For certain travelers, chartering a sailboat or motor yacht is also a great way to island-hop.

Driving is a good option on the Greek mainland, where main toll highways provide efficient access to destinations such as Thessaloniki or the Peloponnese, although it is important to exercise caution as local drivers can be aggressive. On the islands, however, roads can be extremely narrow, winding, and congested. Private transfers are a better way to move between on-island destinations for most travelers.

For travelers short on time, domestic flights allow for quick hops between the mainland and the islands in Greece. If traveling between islands, however, most flights require a connection in Athens, so depending on the route this option may not necessarily be a time-saving alternative to the ferry.
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The sandy beach and clear waters of Palaiokastritsa beach on Corfu.
Map of How to Get from Athens to Corfu
How to Get from Athens to Corfu

There are 234 miles (377 km) separating Athens and the island of Corfu, and the best way to close the gap is by air travel. Direct flights heading to Corfu's airport depart from... read more

Temple of Athena Pronaia in Delphi (Photo courtesy of Dalia Goldberg)
Map of How to Get from Athens to Delphi
How to Get from Athens to Delphi

The town of Delphi is about 100 miles (161 km) from Athens and can be visited as a day trip. The most comfortable way to get from Athens to Delphi is by private transfer, while... read more

Nafplio aerial view
Map of How to Get from Athens to Nafplio
How to Get from Athens to Nafplio

The distance from Athens to the Peloponnesian seaside town of Nafplio is about 85 miles (137 km). The easiest and most comfortable way to get from Athens to Nafplio is by rental... read more

"Shipwreck Beach" on Zakynthos (Photo courtesy of Pixabay)
Map of How to Get from Corfu to Zakynthos
How to Get from Corfu to Zakynthos

The distance between Corfu and Zakynthos (Zante) in the Ionian Islands is about 158 miles (255 km). The best way to travel between the two is by flying. While some small ferry... read more

Map of How to Get from Athens to Crete
How to Get from Athens to Crete

The trip from Athens to the largest and southern-most Greek island of Crete is 250 miles (402 km), with both by-air and by-sea options. The quickest way to travel from Athens to... read more

A typical narrow street in Paros
Map of How to Get to Paros
How to Get to Paros

As one of the quieter Cyclades islands, Paros is a perfect complement to bustling Mykonos and Santorini. It is popular for its nature, beaches, nightlife, and traditional... read more

The city center of modern Sparta. (Photo courtesy of GoodFreePhotos.com)
Map of How to Get from Athens to Sparta
How to Get from Athens to Sparta

The distance from Athens to Sparta in the Peloponnese region is about 132 miles (213 km). The most comfortable way to get from Athens to Sparta is by private transfer or rental... read more

Pink sand and turquoise waters of Elafonisi beach on the southwest side of Crete
How to Get to Crete

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands, a place rich in history, culture, and some of the best food in Greece. Travelers come here to see the Palace of Knossos outside of... read more

Ancient ruins in Olympia, Greece (Photo courtesy of Pixabay)
Map of How to Get from Athens to Olympia
How to Get from Athens to Olympia

The distance from Athens in the Attic Peninsula to the town of Olympia in the Peloponnese is about 180 miles (290 km). The most comfortable way to get from Athens to Olympia is... read more

Meteora Valley in Greece
Map of How to Get from Athens to Meteora
How to Get from Athens to Meteora

The distance from Athens to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Meteora is about 222 miles (357 km). The easiest and most comfortable way to get from Athens to Meteora is by... read more

The village of Loutro, on the south side of Crete
Map of How to Get from Mykonos to Crete
How to Get from Mykonos to Crete

The distance between the islands of Mykonos and Crete is 208 miles (335 km), and there are two ways to travel between them: by plane or ferry. Flying is the most convenient way... read more

Crete
Map of How to Get from Santorini to Crete
How to Get from Santorini to Crete

The journey from the stunning Cycladic island of Santorini to the larger, southern-most Greek island of Crete is 88 miles (141 km) across the glittering Aegean Sea. The fastest... read more

Pink sands of Elafonissi Beach
How to Get to Elafonissi Beach

With crystal-clear turquoise waters and rosy-hued sand, Elafonissi Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island of Crete. The best way to get there from other points... read more

Boats on the Greek islands
How to Get to the Greek Islands

The seas surrounding Greece are home to hundreds of inhabited islands, each offering a unique culture, landscape, and local cuisine. Some of the most popular islands for... read more

An aerial view of Nafplio
How to Get to Nafplio

The town of Nafplio in the Peloponnese peninsula is one of the most scenic towns in Greece. It is famous for its mix of beautiful and well-preserved Venetian, Ottoman, and... read more

View of the famous windmills of Mykonos
How to Get to Mykonos

Mykonos is one of the most popular destinations to visit in Greece. Although known as a "party island," this island has something for everyone, whether you're interested in a... read more

Castle in Rhodes, Greece (Photo courtesy of Pixabay)
Map of How to Get from Crete to Rhodes
How to Get from Crete to Rhodes

The distance between the Greek islands of Crete and Rhodes is about 300 miles (483 km). To reach Rhodes from Crete, you can leave from either Heraklion, Crete’s capital, or... read more

Map of How to Get from Athens to Mykonos
How to Get from Athens to Mykonos

Mykonos is roughly 114 miles from Athens, and there are two transport options to reach it: ferries and flights. There are two types of ferries: "fast ferries," which offer more... read more

Crystal clear waters
How to Get to Balos

With stunning white sand beaches and a beautiful turquoise lagoon, Balos Beach is considered one of the top beaches in Greece. For many travelers, driving is the best way to get... read more

A scenic shot of the city of Corfu.
Map of How to Get to Corfu
How to Get to Corfu

Before officially becoming part of Greece in 1864, Corfu had been ruled by the Venetian, French, and British, which explains its rich history and diverse cultural influence seen... read more

Windmills on the island of Ios
Map of How to Get from Athens to Ios
How to Get from Athens to Ios

The distance between Athens and the Cycladic island of Ios, is 163 miles (263 km). The most convenient way to travel between them is by high-speed ferry, which takes 4 hours... read more

Porteara, the remains of the ancient temple of Delian Apollo, on Naxos
Map of How to Get from Crete to Naxos
How to Get from Crete to Naxos

The distance between the Greek islands of Crete and Naxos is 177 miles (285 km), and the best way to travel between them is by ferry. The fast ferry takes 3 hours and 30 minutes... read more

Sunset overlooking the vaporia district of Ermoupoli town on Syros
Map of How to Get from Athens to Syros
How to Get from Athens to Syros

The distance between Athens and Syros is 110 miles (177 km). The most convenient way to travel to Syros is by ferry. During the high season (mid-June through mid-September),... read more

Lindos in Rhodes, Greece. (Photo courtesy of Pixabay)
Map of How to Get from Athens to Rhodes
How to Get from Athens to Rhodes

The distance between central Athens and the port of Rhodes is around 377 miles (607 km). The most comfortable way to make the trip is to fly. Flying to Rhodes is quick, and it... read more

Saint Paul Bay in Rhodes
How to Get to Rhodes

Rhodes, in the Dodecanese islands, can easily be reached by plane from the Greek mainland. Direct flights leave regularly from Athens and Thessaloniki. Some other European... read more

Map of How to Get from Athens to Naxos
How to Get from Athens to Naxos

The journey from Athens to the large island of Naxos in the center of the Cyclades, is 109 miles (176 km), with both by-air and by-sea options. The fastest way to travel from... read more

Map of How to Get from Athens to Tinos
How to Get from Athens to Tinos

The journey from the Greek capital of Athens to the tiny and picturesque Cycladic island of Tinos is about 100 miles (161 km). Traveling between the city and the island can take... read more

How to Get to Santorini

The most convenient way to get to Santorini, one of the most popular destinations to visit in Greece, is to fly from Athens, although flights are available from a number of... read more

The old port of Mykonos, Greece
Map of How to Get from Mykonos to Rhodes
How to Get from Mykonos to Rhodes

The distance between Mykonos in the Cyclades and Rhodes in the Dodecanese Islands is 172 miles (277 km). Unless you have private water transport, there is no direct way to get... read more

How to Get to Ios

Ios is one of the more popular islands to visit in the Cycladic islands, trailing not far behind Mykonos, and Santorini as a must-see destination for tourists. Although Ios has... read more

The old Venetian harbor of Chania at night
How to Get to Chania

Chania is the second largest city on Crete and the island's former capital. Chania is known for its intersection of histories and cultures. Once under Byzantine rule, Chania was... read more

The waterfront of Thessaloniki, Greece
How to Get to Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is the second-largest city in Greece. Located in the historic region of Macedonia, Thessaloniki is in proximity to some interesting archaeological sites. The city... read more

A cityscape of Corfu's old town
How to Get to the Ionian Islands

Located in the Ionian Sea to the west of Greece’s mainland, the Ionian islands enjoy a temperate climate, plus beautiful mountains and beaches. This island group is not... read more

Rock formations of Kleftiko, off the island of Milos
How to Get to the Cycladic Islands

The Cycladic Islands are one of the most popular destinations in Greece for travelers and locals alike. This island group refers to the islands surrounding Delos, one the most... read more

Historic architecture in Paros (Photo courtesy of Pixabay)
Map of How to Get from Athens to Paros
How to Get from Athens to Paros

The distance between Athens and the island of Paros in the Cyclades is about 135 miles (217 km). Flying is the quickest and easiest way to get to Paros. You also have the option... read more

The ancient theater in Delphi, Greece
How to Get to Delphi

Delphi is a very important site in ancient Greek history. It is best known as the former home of the famous Oracle of Delphi. Modern Delphi offers a fabulous museum and... read more

View from the beach on Aegina (Photo courtesy of Pixabay)
Map of How to Get from Athens to Aegina
How to Get from Athens to Aegina

The island of Aegina is a popular day trip or weekend getaway from Athens. The distance between downtown Athens and the port of Aegina is just 30 miles (48 km). Getting from... read more

Map of How to Get from Santorini to Ios
How to Get from Santorini to Ios

The distance from Santorini to Ios is 32 miles (53 km). The only way to get from Santorini to Ios is by ferry, but there are a variety of options available to travelers. The... read more

Boats in the harbor of Heraklion
How to Get to Heraklion

Heraklion is the capital of Crete and the island's largest city. Known for the ruins of the Minoan Palace of Knossos, Heraklion also has an attractive port and a large... read more

View of Mykonos in Greece (Photo courtesy of Pixabay)
Map of How to Get from Mykonos to Paros
How to Get from Mykonos to Paros

The distance between the islands of Mykonos and Paros in the Cyclades is just 27 miles (43 km). Unless you have private water transport or are taking a boat tour, the only way... read more

Map of How to Get from Athens to Kalabaka
How to Get from Athens to Kalabaka

The journey from Athens to the city of Kalabaka, located in the stunning mountainous area of Meteora, is 221 miles (355 km), with car, bus, train, and combination plane-and-land... read more

Ruins in Rhodes, Greece (Photo courtesy of Pixabay)
Map of How to Get from Paros to Rhodes
How to Get from Paros to Rhodes

The distance between Paros in the Cyclades and Rhodes in the Dodecanese is 176 miles (283 km). It’s rare to find direct flights running between Greek islands, and the route from... read more

View of the Tinos port
Map of How to Get from Mykonos to Tinos
How to Get from Mykonos to Tinos

The distance between the Greek islands of Mykonos and Tinos is 16 miles (26 km). The most convenient way to travel to Tinos is by ferry, which departs from the old harbor of... read more

Octopus drying in the sun at Milopotas Beach on Ios
Map of How to Get from Mykonos to Ios
How to Get from Mykonos to Ios

The distance from Mykonos to the island of Ios is 63 miles (102 km). The most convenient way to get to Ios is by taking a high-speed ferry. For a more leisurely trip, slow ferry... read more

Map of How to Get from Mykonos to Naxos
How to Get from Mykonos to Naxos

The journey from the northern Cycladic island of Mykonos to the southern and larger island of Naxos is approximately 30 miles (50 km), stretching across the glowing waters of... read more

Aliko Beach, Naxos
How to Get to Naxos

Naxos is the largest and greenest of the Cycladic islands and, as such, offers experiences and adventures for all different types of travelers. Naxos is a rich site of... read more

Naxos
Map of How to Get from Paros to Naxos
How to Get from Paros to Naxos

The journey from the central Cycladic island of Paros to the neighboring Naxos is 25 miles (39 km) across a small stretch of the Aegean Sea. Traveling between the two... read more

The archipelago of three islands, including Tinos.
How to Get to Tinos

The small island of Tinos is part of the Cyclades islands, the same cluster that is home to Santorini and Mykonos. If you're coming from Athens, head to the port of Piraeus and... read more

Columns at the ruins of Olympia in Greece (Photo courtesy of Pixabay)
How to Get to Olympia

As the site of the ancient Olympic games, the town of Olympia is very important in Greek history. Modern Olympia offers a well-preserved archaeological site, as well as a large... read more

Amazing sunset on the island of Ios
Map of How to Get from Naxos to Ios
How to Get from Naxos to Ios

The distance between Naxos and Ios is 35 miles (56 km). The most common way to travel between them is by ferry, and during the high summer season (mid-June through... read more

Landscape of Hydra in the Saronic islands
How to Get to the Saronic Islands

Conveniently located near Athens, the Saronic islands are a popular day trip from the Greek capital for travelers and locals alike. The southernmost islands in this group can be... read more

Missios Bridge, one of many arched stone bridges in Zagori
Map of How to Get from Corfu to Zagori
How to Get from Corfu to Zagori

The distance from the island of Corfu to the Zagori region on the Greek mainland is about 93 miles (150 km). The most convenient way to travel to Zagori is to take a ferry from... read more

Pigeon houses on Tinos
Map of How to Get from Syros to Tinos
How to Get from Syros to Tinos

The distance between the islands of Syros and Tinos is 18 miles (30 km). The best way to get to Tinos is by direct ferry, which takes 30 minutes from Syros. Alternatively, if... read more

Map of How to Get from Tinos to Naxos
How to Get from Tinos to Naxos

The journey from the northern Cycladic island of Tinos to the larger, more central island of Naxos is 45 miles (72 km). The trek across the Aegean takes fewer than two hours,... read more