How to Get Around Greece: Ferries, Flights, Buses & Cars

The best way to get from Athens to Santorini is by taking a 45-minute domestic flight from Athens International Airport (ATH). Flights start from €30 one-way with Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air, or Sky Express. If you prefer to travel by sea, you can take a 4.5-hour high-speed SeaJets catamaran (€70–€110) or an 8-hour conventional Blue Star ferry (€40–€60) from Piraeus Port.

Yes, but Uber in Greece usually works as a licensed taxi dispatcher, not private-driver UberX. You can use the Uber app in Athens and Santorini to request local taxis, but the ride is still handled by the local taxi fleet. For peak-season island transfers, pre-book airport and ferry port rides.

Yes. Uber works in Athens primarily through Uber Taxi, connecting riders to licensed yellow taxis rather than private cars. It is useful for airport transfers and city rides, but compare it with FREENOW and official taxi ranks when demand is high or app pickup locations are crowded.

Yes, Uber can request local taxis in Santorini, but availability is limited because the island taxi fleet is small compared with summer demand. Use it for flexible rides, but pre-book transfers for airport arrivals, ferry port pickups, sunset dinner returns, and late-night travel in July and August.

Check the local bus network for your island and accommodation area before choosing a car-free stay. Routes, fares and seasonal service vary by operator. Compare the last bus, the walk to your accommodation and any airport or port connection; do not assume a direct inter-island ferry or flight operates on your dates.

Use ferries for scenic hops under five hours and book two to four weeks ahead in summer. Switch to 45-minute domestic flights (Athens ↔ Santorini/Mykonos/Crete) when every hour counts or meltemi winds threaten to ground high-speed catamarans.

Check the relevant local KTEL operator for the current route, departure, ticketing method and luggage rules. Buying a ticket or arriving early does not by itself guarantee a reserved seat. Confirm reservation terms and allow for delays when connecting to a ferry or flight.

Rent a car for Crete, Peloponnese road trips, and bigger islands like Naxos or Kefalonia where buses are infrequent. UK photocard licence holders can usually drive in EU countries (including Greece) without an IDP, but UK paper licences and non-standard issuing territories may still require one—always confirm with your embassy and rental provider. US, Canada, and Australia travel advisories still recommend carrying an IDP with your home licence for Greece. Verify requirements again right before travel because rules and rental policies can change.

Greece's rail line runs Athens ↔ Thessaloniki with branches to Larissa, Kalambaka (Meteora), and Patras. Use trains for scenic rides to Meteora or northern Greece, but lean on KTEL buses for everywhere else.

Metro Line 3 connects Athens Airport directly with central Athens and Piraeus. Airport Express X95 serves Syntagma and X96 serves Piraeus. Check current fares and departures with the operator, and allow time to reach your ferry gate from the station or bus stop.

Card payments are accepted almost everywhere, but keep €50–€100 cash for small island taxis, beach buses, luggage porters, and kiosk snacks—especially when tap-to-pay terminals go offline during windy crossings.