Getting Around

Trains, roads, taxis and how to move around Greece.

National Trains [Τρένο]

• TrainOSE network — Greek Railways (TrainOSE) operates intercity services connecting major cities like Athens, Thessaloniki, and Patras. Book tickets via www.trainose.gr or at stations; advance booking offers discounts of 20-50% for most routes.
• Athens-Thessaloniki route — The main north-south corridor has multiple daily departures and takes 4.5-5 hours depending on the train type. IC (InterCity) trains are faster but cost more than regional services.
• Strikes by railway workers occur occasionally and can disrupt schedules with little notice; check the TrainOSE website or local news before traveling, especially during summer months.
• Regional coverage limits — Train service is limited outside major routes; ferries and buses are more practical for island access and smaller towns.

City Transport: Metro & Buses [Λεωφορείο]

• Athens metro system — Athens has a modern, clean metro (Lines 1, 2, 3) covering the city and suburbs; single tickets cost €1.40 and are valid for 90 minutes across metro, trams, and buses. The metro runs 5:30 AM to midnight daily.
• Multi-day passes — Buy a 3-day tourist pass (€22) or 7-day pass (€30) for unlimited travel on all public transport in Athens and Piraeus; these are the best value for visitors.
• Bus networks — Most Greek cities have bus systems operated by local companies; Athens uses OASA. Buses are affordable but can be crowded during peak hours; validate your ticket using machines on board.
• Pickpocketing is common on crowded buses and metro trains, especially on Line 3 to the airport and in tourist areas; keep bags zipped and valuables secure.
• Thessaloniki transport — Greece's second city has metro, buses, and trams; a single ticket costs €0.90 and day passes are €3, making it cheaper than Athens.

Taxis & Ride Apps [Ταξί]

• Metered taxis — Licensed yellow taxis in Athens and Thessaloniki use meters; rates start at €3.20 (night surcharge +€1) and charge approximately €0.65 per km. Always ask the driver to use the meter or agree on a price beforehand.
• Unlicensed taxis and ride-share hustlers operate at airports and ferry terminals offering inflated rates; use official taxi stands or ride-apps instead.
• Beat (ride-hailing app) — Beat is Greece's main ride-sharing app, similar to Uber; fares are transparent, cheaper than traditional taxis, and available in Athens, Thessaloniki, and other major cities. Payment via credit card is required.
• Airport transfers — From Athens Airport, expect €35-40 by metered taxi or €25-30 via Beat; the metro also connects to the airport for €10 (included in multi-day passes).
• Taxi drivers rarely speak English outside major cities; use a map app or Beat to show your destination clearly and avoid confusion.

Driving [Αυτοκίνητο]

• License & documents — International Driving Permit (IDP) plus your home country license are required; car rental also requires a credit card and minimum age (usually 21, sometimes 25 for luxury vehicles).
• Greek driving is aggressive; expect speeding, tailgating, and frequent horn use. Locals ignore some traffic laws, but tourists are heavily fined for violations—always wear seatbelts and obey speed limits.
• Mountain & island roads — Roads outside major cities are narrow, winding, and poorly lit at night; drive slowly, especially in summer when tourists crowd narrow village streets. Many island roads have gravel sections and steep drop-offs.
• Speed limits & cameras — Speed limits are 50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h on rural roads, and 130 km/h on highways; speeding fines start at €100 and are enforced by hidden cameras. Tourists can receive fines by mail after returning home.
• Parking & tolls — Parking in Athens city center is metered and expensive (€1-2/hour); use parking apps like ParkWhiz. Highway tolls apply on national roads and can be paid with cash or by tag.
• Rental cars are frequently targeted by thieves, especially in Athens; never leave valuables visible and use guarded parking. Car break-ins are common at popular tourist spots.

Airports [Αεροδρόμιο]

• Athens International Airport — Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) is Greece's largest hub, located 33 km east of the city. The metro Line 3 connects directly to central Athens in 40 minutes for €10; buses and taxis also serve the airport.
• Regional airports — Thessaloniki (SKG), Crete (HER), Rhodes (RHO), and other islands have international terminals with direct EU flights. Budget airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air operate many routes with tight connections.
• Airport taxis outside official stands are unlicensed; use the official white taxi rank or call ahead for a fixed-price transfer (€35-45 to central Athens).
• Baggage & connectivity — WiFi is free in terminals but slow; charge devices in the airport lounge or buy a local SIM for data before departure. Baggage storage is available but costs €5-8 per item.
• Summer delays are common due to high traffic; arrive 3 hours early for international flights and expect queues at security and boarding in July-August.

Ferries [Πλοίο]

• Ferry operators — Hellenic Seaways, Anek Lines, and Blue Star Ferries are the major operators; book via GTP.gr, Ferryhopper.com, or directly on operator websites. Advance booking saves money and guarantees seating.
• Popular routes — Athens (Piraeus) to Mykonos, Crete, and Santorini are daily services; Thessaloniki serves the Sporades islands. Journey times range from 2 hours (speedboats) to 12+ hours (slow ferries to Crete).
• Ferry classes — Standard seating is cheapest; cabins cost €30-80 extra but are worth it on overnight journeys. Speedboats cost 2-3× more but cut travel time in half.
• Summer seas can be rough; if prone to seasickness, take medication before boarding and sit on the lower deck. Ferries occasionally cancel due to weather with little notice.
• Port arrival — Piraeus (Athens main port) is chaotic; arrive early and follow signs to the correct terminal. Local buses connect Piraeus to central Athens or use a taxi/Beat.

Tickets & Passes [Εισιτήριο]

• Unified ticketing — Athens transport (metro, bus, tram) uses single integrated tickets; buy from kiosks, machines, or the Ticketland app. Tickets are cheaper bought in advance than on-board.
• Tourist passes value — The 3-day pass (€22) pays for itself after 4-5 journeys; if staying longer, the weekly pass (€30) covers unlimited travel including airport metro. Non-tourists can buy monthly passes (€50) via the Ticketland app.
• Ticket inspectors conduct random checks on buses and metro; fines for traveling without a valid ticket start at €50 and increase to €200 if inspectors suspect deliberate evasion.
• Ferry & train booking apps — Use GTP.gr, Ferryhopper, or Rome2Rio to compare all transport options and book directly; these apps show prices across operators in one place.
• Validation & validity — Validate paper tickets by scanning them on machines at entry (metro, tram) or on-board (buses); single tickets expire 90 minutes after validation, while passes are calendar-based.

Connectivity & SIM Cards [SIM]

• Local providers — Vodafone, Cosmote, and Wind are Greece's main carriers; all offer prepaid SIM cards at airport kiosks, supermarkets, and convenience stores for €5-10 with starter credit.
• Data plans — A 5GB prepaid plan costs €10-15 for 30 days; these are cheaper and faster than airport WiFi or roaming. Activate in-store or online; you'll receive an activation code via SMS.
• WiFi availability — Most hotels, restaurants, and cafes offer free WiFi, though speeds vary. Download offline maps (Google Maps, Maps.me) before traveling outside cities as connectivity drops in remote areas.
• International roaming is expensive; EU roaming rules apply for EU citizens but non-EU visitors face high per-GB charges. Always get a local SIM or enable airplane mode to avoid surprise bills.
• eSIM option — Major providers Vodafone and Cosmote offer eSIM activation online; purchase before arrival if your phone supports eSIM to avoid airport queues.