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How to Get to Athens Greece

Coming from Far Away

Athens - see the Acropolis from the rooftop cafe of the Acropolis Museum


How to get to Athens Greece
- for our fellow travellers coming to Greece from far away, we have prepared the following information so you can find great fares - with our tips for each journey.



Travelling from the USA

Statue of Liberty, New York (Image by Celso Flores)

Most routes are via New York. To find cheap flights from New York to Athens we suggest the routes below and to search for up-to-date fares using the codes NY and ATH.


Travelling from Canada

Aeroplane wing and blue sky

Take flights from Toronto (YTO) and Montreal (YMQ) to Athens (ATH), Greece all year round, and also direct to Heraklion, Crete in summer.


How to Get to Athens Greece
Travelling from Australia


Choose a comfortable stopover in Changi Airport en route from AustraliaChoose a comfortable stopover in Changi Airport en route from Australia


All sorts of airlines and options are available to get to Athens from Australia. You can use any European city as a hub, and fly that national airline.

Top Tips from We Love Crete

Our Top Tips - make sure you check the stopover duration and ensure the total travel time is as low as possible. With short stopovers, you should be able to arrive in Athens in around 24-27 hours, depending on your Australian departure city.


KLM has some very good fares; this would mean a stopover in Amsterdam. Singapore airlines have some good fares with a stopover at the very comfortable Changi Airport in Singapore.

After such a long haul flight and depending on the arrival time into Athens, consider booking at the Sofitel Athens Airport (see below) to rest before adventuring into the streets of down town Athens.



Arrive by Coach & Ferry from Europe

How to get to Athens Greece - Take a coach to Italy and from there take a ferry to Greece, into Patras. Patras port is linked to Brindisi, Bari, Ancona and Venice ports by boat. Then from Patras, it takes approximately 2 hours to get to Athens by coach.


Arrive by Ferry from Europe & Train to Athens

Arrive into Patras port, in the northern Peloponnese, and take a bus and train from there to Athens. The journey takes approx. 4 hours and cost is less than 20 Euro. The train goes via Corinth, where some services may end and a change of train may be required. Part of the journey between Patras and Kiato may be by coach, provided by the train company. Make sure to check when buying your ticket in Patras, as to the platforms where you will need to change.


Athens Airport Taxi

Taxi icon

Transport strikes are common in Athens. Traffic can be hairy. The airport is 27 km from the city centre. You have the options of metro, bus, regional train and taxi from the airport.

For peace of mind, we suggest booking an Athens taxi ahead of time, so that you know you will be met at the airport, all your luggage looked after and delivered to your destination with a pre-set price. After a long flight, that is the least of your worries!







Flights to Athens Greece
Accommodation

With views to the Acropolis - Adrian Hotel, Plaka, Athens
Zillers Boutique Hotel Athens Exterior

Athens Hotels - once you have saved on flights to Athens Greece, you will want good value for your hotel.

If this is your first time to Athens, we suggest choosing accommodation in the centre of Athens, in Plaka, at the base of the Acropolis. This area is within walking distance of all the historic sights and indeed, is an experience in itself, full of lane ways and atmosphere which will delight the first-time visitor.

If this is a short stay on the way to Crete or the Greek Islands, again we suggest making the most of your visit by staying in a small hotel in Plaka. We have chosen central small hotels with Acropolis views, perfect for a short stay and light on the wallet.




Athens Weather


Odeon Athens



Long Stays and Business Travel

Business Travel - if you need to stay longer in Athens for a language course or business, we suggest the leafy, green suburb of Kifissia in the north. This quiet area is stylish, with pedestrian malls, fashion boutiques and cafes, as well as wonderful upmarket hotels.

Kifissia is roughly the same distance from Athens Airport as the city, however the travel time is reduced because the traffic and congestion is not as severe, cutting down your taxi time.



Athens Airport Accommodation

Sofitel Athens Airport - lounge bar

Sofitel Athens Airport - if you are looking for cheap flights to Athens Greece. How about convenient accommodation after that flight? This is a great way to travel through Athens on your way to Crete or the Greek islands without risking the journey in and out of the city.

A good choice if you are arriving on a long haul flight to Greece from Australia.

"Rates on this five star hotel are really competitive with the inner city hotels, add to that the money you save on taxis and you are way ahead, showered and rested!"Very nice hotel with everything you need to be comfortable. We had just finished a three-week excursion in Greece and stayed at the Sofitel the night before our flight back to the US. It was perfect for two weary travelers."



Flights to Crete

Travel to Crete Tile

How to get to Athens Greece - after your long flight, transfer quickly within Athens airport for your connecting flight to Crete.

The flight times to both are around 1 hour in duration. Prices vary depending on the season and there are many flights per day.



Ferries to Crete

Ferry to Crete, Greece

How to get to Athens - after your long haul flights to Athens Greece, you may wish to rest in a hotel near the airport, then spend at least 3 days in Athens.

If you want to get on immediately with your Greek island hopping adventure, and not stop in the city, we have some tips for ferries right here.


Getting to Crete

Take a 1 hour flight from Athens to Heraklion with Aegean Airlines or Olympic Air, with many flights available per day.

Or take a 9.5 hour overnight ferry from Pireaus port of Athens to Heraklion port.

More on flights and ferries below.

Car hire in Crete is a really good idea as it is a large island 60 km by 260 km. There is so much to explore.

When you book with our car rental partners - Rental Centre Crete - you are supporting a local company with excellent service and easy online booking. We are sure you will be well looked after by the team. Choose from hybrid, electric or regular vehicles.


Green footprint logo

Electric rental car symbol

Book My Car



Eviva


We trust you have enjoyed these tips from the We Love Crete team. Evíva!

The We Love Crete team - Anastasi, Katia & Apostoli

Yiásas!
Anastasi, Apostoli & Katia are the We Love Crete team
We just love sharing our passion for Crete, Greece and travel
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About the Team

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Yiásas!
Anastasi, Apostoli & Katia are the
We Love Crete team
We just love sharing our passion for Crete, Greece and travel
About us

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Travel to Athens
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