From the top of Mount Olympus to the beaches of Mykonos, Greece has something to share with everyone. Whether your flight to Greece is for a tour of Athens or a honeymoon on Santorini, you won’t be without things to do. There are few places in the world that offer so much in the way of art, literature, history and culture as this beautiful country, so book a flight to Greece to see it all.
When your flight to Greece arrives, you’ll be in the country that brought us Greek mythology and the very first Olympic Games, which still captivates visitors with magnificent sunsets, architectural ruins and ancient treasures. Explore the Acropolis in Athens, the Parthenon and the Epidaurus amphitheater. Sit in the same spot as Socrates and philosophize like Plato before heading to the sun-stroked beaches of the Greek islands. With so much to do in Greece it’s hard to know where to begin. Start with a cheap flight to Greece and the rest of your trip will fall into place.
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Greece enjoys long, Mediterranean summers, with temperatures averaging 77-86F and around 11 hours sunshine a day. But even the hottest days are generally tempered by seasonal winds, called meltemi. The mountainous regions are cooler. Winters are mild in the low lying areas. The average temperature in January and February in Athens is 50F. However, there is normally snow on the mountains.
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Peak season:
Mid-June to the end of August is high season for most of Greece, when the temperatures are hottest. Easter time to mid-June is also very popular as the weather is still very warm, though not unbearably hot. You may be able to pick up some cheap flights to Greece at this time of year though. Late August to mid-October is Greece's mid-travel season -- the temperatures are still high and most resorts and attractions still open, but prices are much cheaper than early or high summer.
Off season:
October to April is off season. Though you will find cheap flights to Greece and discounted hotel rates, much of the tourist parts of Greece close down around this time. Unless you're in Athens you may find that there is little to do and hardly any hotels or restaurants that are open.
Find cheap flights to Greece
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Trains run on the mainland only and have daily services to most destinations but the routes are limited. They are run by Hellenic Railways Organization.
Buses are the best method of public transport – even the smallest towns are connected to the bus network. KTEL is the intercity coach service.
Cars and scooters are readily available for hire.
Greece has an excellent network of connection by sea travel with ferries, hydrofoils and passenger boats. All of the islands and mainland are all well-connected and it is very easy to get a boat. More information about the sea network is available on the tourist information site.
Greece flights are easy to catch between islands or from Athens to the islands. Olympic Airlines and Aegean Airlines fly domestically.
The following chart gives approximate journey times from
Athens (in hours and minutes) to other major cities and towns in Greece.
| | Air | Road | Water | Rail |
|---|
| Corfu | 0.50 | 11.00* | - | - |
|---|
| Crete | 0.50 | - | 6.00-12.00 | - |
|---|
| Rhodes | 0.55 | - | 14.00 | - |
|---|
| Thessaloniki | 0.50 | 6.00 | 14.00 | 5.00 |
|---|
Note: *The journey time by road to Corfu includes a sea crossing from Patras.
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- Mainland Greece is often overlooked, apart from Athens and Mount Olympus. One place worth discovering is the Peloponissos, which has a spectacular landscape of mountains, caves, volcanoes, the sea as well as beaches. The Diros Caves, five miles south of Aeropolis, are part of an underground river. Sixteen-thousand feet have been exposed and you can take a boat trip among the huge stalactites and stalagmites. Details of all the caves throughout Greece and much more are available on the nature page of the tourist Web site.
- Athens is home to some of Greece’s most historic sites: the Acropolis, the theater of Dionysus, the Roman Forum, the Temple of Zeus. But while you’re there, don’t forget to see some of living Athens, outside of your Athens hotel. The 2004 Olympics gave the city a much-needed facelift, making the capital much more appealing to tourists. Visit the ancient neighborhoods, especially Plaka, the oldest section of the city. A particularly lively time to visit is during Apokries, or carnival, in the run up to Lent.
- Crete is the largest and most popular of the Greek islands, with two international airports and a huge variety of tourist destinations and Crete hotels. But though the northeast coast is getting overdeveloped, head inland and you’ll still find towns and villages largely undisturbed by vacationers. It’s the perfect island if you want to combine lazing on a beach with exploration of historical sites – Crete was the home of King Minos who ruled the Ancient Greek world.
- Zante or Zakynthos, on the Ionian islands, is another popular vacation destination. The beautiful and verdant island is nothing short of idyllic – except if you’re stuck with hordes of tourists. To enjoy it on your own, stay clear of Laganas, the biggest resort on the island and home to many of the Zakynthos hotels. Try to visit any popular attractions – such as the Blue Caves or Shipwreck Beach – in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday rush.
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Athens (ATH) (Elfetherios Veniselos) is located 23 miles northeast of the city.
Thessaloniki (SKG) (Macedonia) is 10 miles from the city.
Corfu (CFU) (Kerkira) is 2 miles from the city.
Rhodes (RHO) (Paradisi) is 10 miles from the city.
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The borderless region known as the Schengen area includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. All these countries issue a standard Schengen visa that allows the holder, in principal, to travel freely within the borders of all. Travelers to Greece must hold visible means of support. It is recommended to hold return/onward ticket. If arriving with a one-way ticket, passengers may be asked for proof of sufficient funds for the return/onward journey.
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U.S. citizens require a passport valid for at least three months after the end of their stay. No visa is required for a stay of up to three months, but a return ticket and proof of sufficient funds are advisable.
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