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Getting to Greece involves flying into one of its major international airports (like Athens or Heraklion) or taking a cross-border ferry from Italy. For North American travelers, the best way to get to Greece is via direct flights from New York, Chicago, or Montreal to Athens (ATH). If you are traveling from within Europe, budget airlines like Ryanair and easyJet offer direct flights to popular islands like Santorini, Mykonos, and Corfu. This guide covers all the major flight routes, ferry connections, and money-saving travel hacks for reaching Greece in 2026.
15+
International airports (Fraport operates 14 regional)
150+
From 45+ countries (9 US nonstop to Athens)
2-11h
From Europe/US
Nov-Mar
Off-season deals
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Consider flying into Athens and out of Thessaloniki (or vice versa). This can save money and time if you're exploring multiple regions. Example: NYC → Athens, Thessaloniki → NYC can be 30% cheaper than round-trip to Athens.
Greece can be reached by ferry from Italy, Turkey, and Albania, plus numerous cruise lines stop at Greek ports.
Tip: Book cabins early in summer. Deck passage is budget-friendly but bring a sleeping bag!
Busiest port, gateway to Athens
Tender port, cable car to town
Tender port, shuttle boats
Walk to medieval town
Greece shares land borders with Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Turkey. All borders are open to tourists with proper documentation.
Direct international trains to Greece are currently limited. Most routes require connections:
Greece is part of the Schengen Area. Residents of most Western countries (US, UK, Canada, Australia) do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days.
Visa-exempt travelers will need ETIAS authorization before entering Greece, confirmed for Q4 2026 launch. The fee is €20 per application (free for under 18 and over 71), valid for 3 years. Apply online at least 3 days before travel once available.
The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) becomes fully mandatory at all Schengen borders by April 10, 2026, with a 90-day flexibility period through early July for managing queues. Visit travel-europe.europa.eu/etias for the latest implementation dates.
Tourist Police
171
24/7 Multilingual support
Emergency Services
112
EU-wide emergency number
US Embassy (Athens)
+30 210 721 2951
91 Vas. Sophias Ave
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