Here’s a comprehensive guide to airports in Greece, including major international hubs, popular island airports, and tips for travelers.
Airports in Greece:
Greece has over 60 airports, including 15 international airports and numerous domestic or regional ones, especially serving the islands. Air travel is one of the best ways to reach and move between Greek islands quickly.
✈️ Major International Airports
These airports handle the bulk of international and domestic traffic.
1. Athens International Airport (ATH) – Eleftherios Venizelos
- 📍 Location: Spata, 20 km east of Athens city center
- 🛫 Hub for: Aegean Airlines, Sky Express
- 🚇 Transport: Metro Line 3, suburban rail, buses, taxis
- 📌 Notes: Main gateway to Greece, excellent facilities, good for connections
2. Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) – Makedonia
- 📍 Location: Northern Greece
- 🚕 Transport: Buses and taxis to the city center (13 km away)
- 📌 Notes: Major hub for northern Greece, growing number of international flights
3. Heraklion Airport (HER) – Nikos Kazantzakis
- 📍 Location: Crete
- 📌 Notes: Busiest airport on Crete, crowded in summer; a new airport (Kasteli) is under construction
4. Chania Airport (CHQ) – Daskalogiannis
- 📍 Location: Western Crete
- 📌 Notes: Popular for tourists going to western Crete (Elafonissi, Balos, etc.)
5. Rhodes Airport (RHO) – Diagoras
- 📍 Location: Island of Rhodes
- 📌 Notes: Serves eastern Aegean and international charters
🏝️ Popular Island Airports
Many Greek islands have small international airports. They mostly operate seasonal flights from European cities.
| Airport | Code | Island | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santorini | JTR | Santorini (Thira) | Very busy in summer, small terminal |
| Mykonos | JMK | Mykonos | Crowded but efficient |
| Corfu | CFU | Corfu (Kerkyra) | Northern Ionian, modern terminal |
| Zakynthos | ZTH | Zakynthos | Good for Ionian access |
| Kefalonia | EFL | Kefalonia | Small but scenic approach |
| Kos | KGS | Kos | Gateway to Dodecanese |
| Skiathos | JSI | Skiathos | Short runway, dramatic landings |
| Paros | PAS | Paros | Newer airport, limited flights |
| Naxos | JNX | Naxos | Domestic flights only, tiny runway |
| Karpathos | AOK | Karpathos | Seasonal flights, remote but beautiful |
🛫 Domestic Flights & Airlines
- Main Domestic Airlines:
- Aegean Airlines (Star Alliance, full-service)
- Olympic Air (subsidiary of Aegean)
- Sky Express (modern fleet, expanding routes)
- Ryanair, Volotea, EasyJet (some domestic routes in summer)
🔄 Island-Hopping by Air vs Ferry
- Flights: Faster but more expensive; some routes only exist in high season.
- Ferries: Scenic and flexible, but slower and subject to weather.
Tip: Book early in summer (June–September). Many flights sell out fast.
🧭 Travel Tips
- Passport Control: EU/Schengen applies. Non-Schengen flights (e.g., UK, Turkey) may require more time.
- Check-in Time: Arrive at least 2 hours early for domestic, 3 for international.
- Transfers: In Athens, allow at least 60–90 minutes for connections.
- Baggage: Many island airports have limited handling capacity — pack light!
- Flight Delays: Common in July–August; book morning flights to reduce risks.
