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How to reach Greece
Athens’ Elefthérios Venizélos International Airport is the main airport that handles International flights. Not only does it enjoy a good connectivity with Europe, USA and far East, but it also has regular, direct as well as connecting, flights operating from Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru. The average flying time from India is around 10 to 12 hours for a direct flight. Flying is the fastest way to reach Greece from India.
Once you land in Athens, you can easily make your way around the other islands. The airport has excellent connectivity with Athens city centre. You can choose between the Metro, taxis, 24-hour express buses and suburban trains to reach the city.
The Metro Line 3 connects the airport to the city centre. From 6:30 until 11:30, there’s a train every 30 minutes, every day of the week. You can get a taxi from the designated area near Exit 3 on the Arrivals level. They charge a flat rate to get into the city. Do note that the fare increases from midnight until 5:00 am. The 24-hour express buses depart from the airport between Exits 4 and 5. You can buy tickets at the information kiosk. The suburban trains connect the airport with Athens Central Railway Station with a service that runs every 15 to 25 minutes.
Greece has a very good rail network connecting it with its neighbouring countries. If you’re in Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria or North Macedonia, Greece is just a train ride away. Though slower than flying, it is much more pocket friendly. And the rail journey has its perks too. The scenery alone makes it worth the extra time, but it also gives you a chance to interact with the locals.
The international railway service runs up to Thessaloniki. From there you can reach Athens using the local suburban rail network. Once you reach Athens Central Station, you can make your way to any part of the country. Do remember that a reservation is mandatory. Once you book a one-way ticket, it is valid for 15 days, while a return ticket is valid for 1 month.
A road trip is a fun way of getting into Greece from surrounding countries. Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Georgia, Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey have international bus services that will take you into Greece. You can reserve your tickets in advance, but you can also get them on the spot, subject to availability. It is hassle-free way to reach Greece by road.
The other way into Greece by road is by car. You can drive in from the surrounding countries provided you have a valid international driving license. The road network in Greece is excellent and maintained well. Get ready for a scenic drive through Greece as your route takes you through stunning sceneries and quaint little villages.
The sea is a big part of Greece’s identity. In fact, Greece is one of the most-travelled international cruise destinations. You can book cruises that start from far-off countries like India, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, USA, Croatia, Turkey, The UK, France, Portugal, Monaco and Malta. If you hop abroad a cruise to Italy, it will be your holiday before the main holiday.
Although it is the slowest way to reach Greece, you arrive in style. If a cruise is not your style, there are regular international ferries that will take you into Greece from countries like Cyprus, Egypt, Israel and Turkey. Whichever means you choose to reach Greece by the sea, you will be treated to some stunning seascapes along the way. If you do choose a cruise, it will take you around the main Greek islands before dropping you off to your destination.
Like every other EU country, Greece has an extensive and well-maintained transport network that connects it internally. Except for the deep interiors, the roads are clearly marked and will take you around with minimal hassles. Every city has its own bus operator. However, all long-distance, intercity buses are operated by KTEL, which has excellent connectivity.
The rail network of Greece connects the bigger cities but is not as comprehensive as the road network. A Eurail Global Pass is valid in Greece and can be used on its suburban network as well. Domestic ferries operate regularly between islands and are a convenient and pocket-friendly way to get around.
KTEL’s long-distance buses cover the length and breadth of the Greek islands with regular services. But the travel within a city or a village is handled by the local bus services. While most cities and villages have a daily service, some far-off areas may have it once or twice a week.
Now that the transportation options are sorted, we will help you with your Greece Visa Application as well. There are also amazing Greece Tour Packages to choose from, here at Thomas Cook.
