Travel Guide: Cheap flights to Greece
Greece Airlines and Airports
Airline and airport information plus insider tips for Greece
Drinking ouzo, smashing plates, swimming in a warm sea at midnight, eating a late supper on a vine-drenched terrace, relaxing under olive trees, visiting the Minoan palaces or the ruins of the Acropolis, or even visiting the gods on Mount Olympus are all possible ways to spend your time in Greece.
Arguably the birthplace of the civilised world, Greek history spans four millennia. Greece gave the world literature, drama and philosophy, not to mention the Olympic Games. As well as the Ancient Greeks, the country contains the history of many other great powers, including the Romans, Arabs and the Byzantine Empire.
But the country is not just a museum of great civilisations. Mainland Greece contains some often overlooked wonders of spectacular natural beauty alongside historical sites. Lakes, mountains and volcanoes can all be explored.
More than 100 of the famed Greek islands are inhabited and hopping from one to another is the perfect beach holiday. Partying, quiet contemplation and everything in between is catered for somewhere on one of the islands.
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When to fly to Greece
Greece enjoys long, Mediterranean summers, with temperatures averaging 25-30 degrees and with an average of 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 10 degrees. However, there is normally snow on the mountains.
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 cheaper deals at this time of year though. Late August to mid-October is Greece's shoulder season. The temperatures are still high (substantially higher than the UK and Ireland) 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 the cheapest deals at this time, 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.
Getting Around
Trains run on the mainland only and have daily services to most destinations but the routes are limited. They are run by Hellenic Railways Organisation.
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.
Flights are easy to catch between islands or from Athens to the islands. Olympic Airlines and Aegean Airlines fly domestically.
Flying to Greece
Major Airports:
Athens International (ATH)
Mykonos (JMK)
Kefalonia (EFL)
Kos (KGS)
Samos (SMI)
Zante (ZTH)
Skiathos (JSI)
Rhodes (RHU)
Heraklion (HER)
Airlines serving Greece:
Greece is served well by charter and scheduled airlines. Many airlines fly direct to resorts on the islands, but it is always possible to fly in to Athens and either take a connecting flight or ferry. Major airlines serving Greece include:
British Airways
XL Airways
easyJet
flyglobespan
KLM
My Travel Airways
Olympic Airlines
Thomsonfly
Thomas Cook Airlines
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In-flight Reading
The Greek Myths
By Robert Graves
The stories behind the Greek gods and the legends that surround them.
Captain Corelli's Mandolin
By Louis de Bernieres
The hugely popular bestseller of a love affair on the Greek island of Cephalonia.
It's all Greek to Me!
By John Mole
A humorous account of living in a Hellenic village.
The Magus
John Fowles
Bored with his life in Britain, Nicholas Urfe takes a teaching post on the small Greek island of Phraxos, only to find himself embroiled in mystery...
The Classics
Take your pick - Homer, Plato, Sophocles, Socrates, Aristotle. Be it drama, philosophy or epic odes, the Ancient Greeks did it first.
Insider Information on Greece
Smoggy Athens is home to some of Greece’s most historic sites: the Acropolis, the theatre of Dionysus, the Roman Forum, the Temple of Zeus. But while you’re there, don’t forget to see some of living Athens. The 2004 Olympics gave the city a much-needed facelift, making the capital much more appealing to tourists. Visit the ancient neighbourhoods, 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. But though the northeast coast is getting overdeveloped, head inland and you’ll still find towns and villages largely undisturbed by holidaymakers. 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 holiday 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 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.
Travel Tips
- Finding Cheap FlightsOur golden rules for finding a cheap flight
- Airlines with low-cost ticketsAn essential guide to how the main carriers operate
- Before You GoAdvice on everything you need to do before you set off
- Regional UK and Irish AirportsFlying from the four corners of the UK and Ireland
- Glossary of Flying TermsAn A-Z of common terms you’ll need to know
- Travel Sickness and DVTHow to stay happy and healthy in the air
Travel links
- Destination GuideLonely Planet's guide to Greece
- MapInteractive map of France from Multimap
- MapInteractive map of Greece from Multimap
- EventsLocal events calendar
- Currency converterFind the current exchange rate