Transportation in Greece
Getting around Greece varies dramatically between urban areas with public transit and the rest of the country where a car becomes essential.
Public Transportation
Athens:
- Metro: 3 lines, clean, efficient, €1.20 single / €30 monthly pass
- Buses/Trolleys: Extensive network, same tickets as metro
- Tram: Coastal areas from Syntagma to coast
- Suburban rail (Proastiakos): To airport and suburbs
- All public transport uses the same ticket/pass system
Thessaloniki:
- Metro: Finally opened 2024 after decades of construction
- Buses (OASTH): Main public transit, €1 single
- More compact city - walking/cycling viable
Other cities:
Limited public transit - local buses only. Car necessary.
Driving in Greece
Getting a license:
- EU licenses valid
- Non-EU licenses valid for 6 months (with IDP)
- After 6 months, must exchange for Greek license (if from eligible country) or take Greek test
Driving culture:
- Greeks drive aggressively by Northern European standards
- Parking is creative (double-parking common)
- Traffic in Athens can be severe
- Outside cities, roads are generally good but winding
Car costs:
| Expense | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Rental (long-term) | €400-600/month |
| Fuel | €1.70-1.90/liter |
| Insurance | €300-600/year |
| Road tax | €0-300/year (by emissions) |
| Parking (Athens) | €100-200/month |
Island Transportation
Ferries:
- Main way to reach islands
- Book in advance for summer/cars
- Operators: Blue Star, ANEK, SeaJets (fast ferries)
- Prices: €20-80 Athens-Cyclades depending on speed/class
- Ferry search: ferries.gr, ferryscanner.com
Flying:
- Domestic flights affordable (€40-100 one-way)
- Many islands have airports
- Olympic Air, Sky Express, Aegean Airlines
- Book early for summer savings
Getting to Greece
Airports:
- Athens (ATH): Main international hub
- Thessaloniki (SKG): Second largest
- Heraklion (HER), Rhodes (RHO), Corfu (CFU): Significant
- Many islands have small airports (seasonal flights)
By sea:
- Ferries from Italy (Ancona, Bari, Venice to Patras)
- From Turkey (Izmir, Cesme to various islands)
By land:
- Borders with Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Turkey
- Good highway network from Balkans
Taxis and Rideshare
Taxis:
- Yellow cabs in Athens, blue in Thessaloniki
- Metered fares (start €1.20, €0.70-1.20/km)
- Taxi apps: Beat (most popular), Uber (limited to taxis)
Rideshare:
- Uber banned for private cars in Greece
- Beat app connects to licensed taxis
- Private driver services available for longer trips
Cycling
- Growing cycling culture in Athens (bike lanes expanding)
- Thessaloniki more cycle-friendly
- E-bike rentals available
- Hills and heat can be challenging
- Bike theft is an issue - use good locks
Pro Tips
- •In Athens, the metro/bus monthly pass is excellent value
- •Book ferries early for summer travel, especially with a car
- •Driving in Athens is stressful - use public transit when possible
- •Beat app is the best way to get taxis
- •Consider renting a car only for island/rural exploration
Have questions about transportation in Greece?