Here’s a comprehensive guide to flights in Greece, covering domestic flights, major airports, budget airlines, tips for booking, and more. Whether you’re planning to hop between islands or reach remote regions, this guide will help you navigate the Greek skies with ease.
✈️ Flights in Greece:
🏙️ 1. Major Airports in Greece
Greece has over 40 airports, but the key ones are:
International Airports
- Athens International Airport (ATH) – Main hub; connects Greece with Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
- Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) – Northern Greece’s main airport.
- Heraklion Airport (HER) – Main gateway to Crete.
- Rhodes (RHO), Corfu (CFU), Santorini (JTR), Mykonos (JMK), Chania (CHQ) – Busy during the summer.
Domestic Airports
These serve regional connections:
- Paros (PAS), Naxos (JNX), Milos (MLO), Kastoria (KSO), Ioannina (IOA), and others.
🛩️ 2. Domestic Flights in Greece
Why Take a Flight?
- Faster than ferries for long distances (e.g., Athens to Crete or Rhodes).
- Ideal for reaching distant islands or northern Greece.
Popular Domestic Routes
- Athens ⇄ Santorini/Mykonos/Crete/Rhodes
- Thessaloniki ⇄ Athens, Crete, Mytilene
- Inter-island flights: Limited, mostly via Athens.
🧳 3. Airlines Operating in Greece
Greek Airlines
- Aegean Airlines – Full-service, Star Alliance member, most reliable.
- Olympic Air – Regional subsidiary of Aegean.
- Sky Express – Fast-growing regional airline; services to small islands.
Low-Cost/European Carriers
- Ryanair – Cheap flights to/from major tourist spots (e.g., Athens, Thessaloniki).
- EasyJet, Wizz Air, Volotea – Seasonal routes, especially to islands.
💸 4. Booking Tips
- Book early in high season (June–September) – Domestic flights fill quickly.
- Compare prices on tools like Skyscanner, Google Flights, or Kayak.
- Check baggage rules – Budget airlines often charge for carry-on/checked bags.
- Consider ferries for scenic or short routes – Sometimes cheaper or more flexible.
🕐 5. Flight Times (Examples)
- Athens → Santorini: ~45 minutes
- Athens → Crete (Heraklion): ~50 minutes
- Thessaloniki → Rhodes: ~1 hour 20 minutes
🌅 6. Best Time to Fly
- Low season (Nov–Mar): Cheap flights but limited schedules.
- Shoulder seasons (Apr–May, Sept–Oct): Fewer crowds, decent flight availability.
- Peak season (Jun–Aug): Daily flights to most islands, but book early.
🚁 7. Helicopter & Private Flights
- Available for luxury or fast transport between islands like Mykonos, Santorini, or Crete.
- Companies: Superior Air, Greek Air Taxi Network, Airlift SA.
🧭 8. Alternatives to Flying
- Ferries: Ideal for Aegean and Ionian islands. Use Blue Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, or SeaJets.
- Buses (KTEL): Connect mainland cities and towns.
- Trains (OSE): Limited but scenic routes in northern/central Greece.