Getting around in Greece

Think of travel in Greece and you might think of ferries crossing the Aegean Sea.

If you want to hop between the Greek islands, you need to take the water, but there are many other ways to get there. In Greece, we have a guide to get around.

Cruise to the Greek islands by boat

Traveling in Greece is like standing on the deck of a ferry with the warm sun on your face. During the summer months, there are many connections between islands and the mainland via ferries. It's easy to hop on a ferry in Greece.

Fast car ferries, slower traditional boats, sleek catamarans and flying dolphins are some of the boats that go between the islands. Food is served on all but the smallest boats on overnight services. There are large restaurants on the ferries.

High-speed car ferries often have limited outside deck space or none at all, so if the idea of sunbathing on deck is part of your Greek fantasy, choose the slower, traditional boats.

High winds and storms can cause delays or postponements. Worker strikes can cause a lot of trouble. You can hop from one island to another on most ferries in the summer.

There are often boats that serve major islands in the winter, but schedules are more limited. There are no services between the smaller islands in the Aegean during the winter and spring.

The fares are usually cheap. Slower boats are usually cheaper than popular ones. You can check the websites of individual ferry companies for deals.

You can only guarantee space on the deck or inside the public lounge on larger boats. It is worth paying extra for a guaranteed seat, access to a separate lounge, and an overnight cabin at busy times.

Summer timetables are not announced until just before the start of the peak travel season, and services can change a lot each year. The major companies are Anek Lines, Blue Star Ferries, Golden Star Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, and Minoan Lines.

Check for deals when flying domestically in Greece

Most of the domestic flights in the country are handled by Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air. Sky Express is one of the smaller airlines that provides competition on major routes in Greece.

On weekends, when Greeks travel from Athens to the islands, the cheapest seats are sold out early. It can be cheaper to book each segment of your itinerary separately because of quirks in government subsidies.

Take the train to get across the Greek mainland

While the railway network in Greece is limited, trains are an enjoyable and relaxing way to explore the Greek mainland.

There are two types of train service in Greece: regular slow trains that stop at all stations and faster Intercity trains that link major cities. The train fares are the same in Europe and the carriages of the trains are comfortable.

After a long time, the main line from Athens to Thessaloniki has been improved. The two cities can be reached in a little over four hours. There is a line going north across the border with North Macedonia.

There are bus services to Plata for ferry connections in the Peloponnese. The short line from Pyrgos to Olympia is a small service on the peninsula.

Travel far on Greece's wide-ranging bus network

Greek buses are inexpensive and convenient. Regional collectives operate most buses on the mainland and the islands. Buses run to the main towns of other prefectures from each of the KTEL collectives.

Most major towns have a daily service to Athens. Smaller towns and villages usually have a daily bus service. The buses leave the villages early in the morning and return early in the afternoon so that people can go to town to shop.

Many big cities have more than one bus station. It's important to find the correct station for your location. The "bus station" in smaller towns and villages may be more of a coffee house than a booking office.

You can board a KTEL bus without a ticket and pay with your credit or debit card. It's not certain if you'll get a seat. You might have to stand on popular routes. It's a good idea to turn up for your bus around 20 minutes before you leave.

Go off the beaten track in a car, but be wary of traffic

You will be able to explore Greece at your own pace if you own a car. There aren't many highways, so the going can be slow. A car isn't an impediment to island hopping because regular car-ferry services go to most islands.

Summer congestion is a problem in popular islands. A vacation can be ruined by parking and traffic issues. Some rural sights and beaches are only accessible by dirt tracks. A standard car rental policy doesn't cover damage on dirt roads.

Multinational agencies can be found in Athens and other major towns as well as at most airports when it comes to choosing a car rental company. Local companies may have better rates. You can always rent a car for a single day, avoiding the hassle of having a car for the whole trip. Rentals are cheaper when reserved far in advance. Rental cars can be booked out in August on some islands.

Build up your leg muscles on a bike ride around Greece

The best time to ride a bike in Greece is in the spring or fall. If you want to tackle the mountains, you need strong leg muscles. Santorini has steep and perilous roads that are not recommended for bicycle riding.

The cycling infrastructure around Greece is not good. There is a real danger from speeding cars and bike lanes are rare.

On some ferries, bicycles can be carried for free, while on others, there may be a fee or they may not be allowed at all.

Bicycles can be rented in most tourist hangouts, but they aren't as popular as cars and motorcycles. Depending on the type of bike, prices range from 10 to 20. Rental costs should include the use of a helmet.

Accessible transportation in Greece

In Athens, there are a lot of accessible places to stay and eat. Many of the rest of Greece is difficult to navigate for people with reduced mobility.

Many modern resorts are accessible and some public beaches have ramps for wheelchairs. People with accessibility needs are accommodated by flights, ferries and trains. Buses don't usually do that. Bus drivers with technically accessible buses have been known to drive past people in wheelchairs at stops to avoid the extra work of bringing them on board.

Travel Guide to Greece and accessible Greece are good resources for accessible travel in Greece. The accessible travel guide is available for download.

About 21 hours ago, this article was updated.