Transportation in Greece

Information about getting around Greece & The Greek Islands

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Greek Ferries

Ferries from Athens leave from both Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrion to all the Greek Islands. For ferry tickets you will find lots of ticket booths and travel agencies around the ports. Prices for ferry tickets vary depending on the type of ferry you want to take. The older Greek ferries are cheaper but take longer.

The new high speed jet ferries, catamarans and flying dolphins are faster and cut travel time by half, but, are more expensive.

As an example a 1 way economy class ticket from piraeus to Santorini, by conventional ferry costs around 26 euros and takes 8 hours while a high speed ferry cost around 45 euros and only 4 hours. Some ferries make stops along the way to other islands so just make sure you dont get off on the wrong island.

Ferry travel in Greece can sometimes be unpredictable due to weather conditions or mechanical problems so be armed with patience. If its a long trip you might want to opt for a cabin which might be more expensive but worth it instead of running around the ship trying to find a place to stretch out and rest.

Most of the Greek ferries leave early in the morning so go a little earlier so you have time to find tickets and where the ferry leaves from. If you need help finding somthing just ask around you will usually find someone that speaks english to help you out.

Food and beverages can be a bit expensive on ferries so you may want bring some snacks and drinks with you if its a long ride. Another thing that might come in handy are seasick pills if your not used to sea travel because being trapped on a 9 hour ferry ride is not fun if your seasick.

Things to take along

bring some snacks since its a bit pricey onboard.

bring a windbreaker or sweater if your sitting on deck.

bring a magazine, walkman ect.. something to pass the time.

toilet paper or tissues, sometimes it runs out right when you need it.

Pireaus

To get to the port you can take the subway from Omonia square, which takes you to the last stop which is Piraeus and leaves you almost in front of the port in about 20 min.

If you have lots of luggage take a taxi (€10) which will save you? the walk to the port. You will find lots of ticket booths and travel agents for ferry tickets. In August the port is chaotic and? crowded with Greeks and tourists waiting for to board the ferries. Ferries leaving from Piraeus go to almost all of the Greek Islands.

Rafina

Rafina Port is is about 27 km. from Athens (1hour by bus) which leaves from Pedion tou Areos Square. From the airport its about 15 km. Rafina is less crowded than Piraeus and serves ferries to Andros, Mykonos, Evia and Tinos.

Lavrion

The port is about 55 km. from Athens and serves ferries to the islands of Kythnos & Kea (Tzia). Greek Island Hopping Most of the Greek islands have well connected and frequent routes for island hopping. Your best bet is to ask a local travel agency for ticket and route informat

Inter City Bus Travel

For travelling to destinations outside Athens you can take the KTEL Bus from one of the two terminals (Liossion and Kifisos Station). Liosion Bus Station

Buses to central and northern Greece (including Delphi, Thebes, Evia, and Meteora).

Kifisos Bus Station

Buses to Peloponnese, western, southern Greece and the Ionian islands

Taxis

Athens taxis are the cheapest of any EU capital - fares around the city centre will rarely run above €5.00, with the airport and Pireas only €11.50-14.40 - the exact amount determined by traffic and amount of luggage. The minimum fare is €1.50. All officially licensed cars are painted yellow and have a special red-on-white numberplate.

You can wave them down on the street, pick them up at the train station, airport or the National Gardens on the corner of Syndagma, or get your hotel to phone one for you (adding €1.20 surcharge to the fare). They are most elusive during the rush hours of 1.30-2.30pm and 7.30-8.30pm

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Athens Subway Train

www.isap.gr

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Athens Buses

www.oasa.gr

Athens Intercity Buses

www.ktel.org
KTEL Bus Tickets are sold only at the terminals. Their prices depend on the destinations.

Athens Tram

www.tramsa.gr

Athens Metro

www.ametro.gr

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Domestic Airlines in Greece

Athens International Airport

www.aia.gr

Olympic Airlines

www.olympicairlines.com

Aegean Airlines

www.aegeanair.com

Air Sea Lines

www.airsealines.com - seaplanes from corfu to paxos & mainland greece & future routes to the rest of the ionian islands

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Greek Ferries

www.ventouris.gr - Passengers service between Greece and Italy, schedules, prices and on-line booking.
www.bluestarferries.gr Ferries from Greece to Italy as well as domestic routes to the dodecannese & cyclades islands
www.fragline.gr - ferry routes from igoumenitsa corfu to brindisi italy
www.superfast.gr
www.hellenicseaways.gr
www.euroseas.com - high speed, catamarans from piraeus to the saronic islands of Poros, Hydra & Spetses
www.openseas.gr