Arrival & Transportation
There are all sorts of ways to travel to Athens since it is the capital of Greece and the largest of all the cities in the country. The city has an International Airport, three ferry ports, two intercity bus stations, and railway. Depending on your starting point, either the plane or the ferry is the most practical and efficient options to travel.
Below, you will find all the information needed to travel to Athens with ease!
Flights to Athens
The International Airport of Athens (AIA) is approximately 30km away from the city center, handling many domestic and international flights daily. There is a 24/7 connection to the city center and the ports, either by Metro, or by express bus lines and taxi (transfers). Apart from international flights, AIA also serves direct flights to most Greek islands year-round. No domestic flight is longer than 60 minutes.
Ferries to Athens
There are three ports around Athens. Piraeus, is the busiest ferry hub to and from the islands. The port of Rafina, on the northeastern side of Athens, is the closest to the airport. A few Ferry companies from/to some of the Cycladic Islands have Rafina as a home port as well as Piraeus. The port of Lavrion is located close to Cape Sounion and is connected to Kea and Kythnos all year round.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
We have gathered the most common questions regarding traveling to Athens and answered them for you. Yet, if you are you looking for additional information to organize your trip, let us know emailing at registrations@gcc2025.com. Our informative team members will be happy to assist you.
There are numerous direct flights from several European cities, as well as from USA, Africa, Middle East and Asia. The Airport of Athens serves plenty of flights throughout the year, yet flight frequency increases during summer in order to serve the millions of travelers who select Greece for their vacation.
All islands boasting airports are most likely to be connected to Athens by airplanes. Most of the popular destinations (Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes, Kos, Corfu, Kefalonia and many more) host an airport, from where direct flights to the Greek capital take off.
However, many guests prefer to reach Athens via a ferry in order to marvel at the beautiful seascape.
Cycladic Islands, the Dodecanese, Crete and the island of Eastern Aegean are all connected with Athens via ferries. The Ionian Islands and the islands of the Sporades are not, since they are served by airlines or by other ports located in the Greek mainland.
KTEL (Suburban) buses connect Athens with most cities and towns in Greece.
Holding a tourist VISA, is a prerequisite for many travelers to enter the country. Please visit the official webpage of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs (https://www.mfa.gr/en/visas/visas-for-foreigners-traveling-to-greece/ ), so as to get all the information you need. For any further assistance kindly contact our Registration Team at registrations@gcc2025.com. Our informative team members will be happy to assist you.