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Air Travel
Compared to other countries, airfares in Greece are relatively reasonable, but compared to ferries, buses, and trains, flying is still quite expensive (a plane ticket costs more than three times a train ticket and is slightly cheaper than two ferry tickets). For example, a round-trip flight between Thessaloniki and Athens takes only 45 minutes and costs $80.
Greece's national airline, Olympic Airlines, has had management and labor issues for many years. In the past, many flights were canceled or delayed (a situation that shows no signs of changing) due to strikes or rigid adherence to rules. Therefore, be sure to pay attention to the flight schedule before flying. You can book tickets or request a flight schedule from Olympic Airlines. Alternatively, you can choose a smaller airline, Aegean Airlines. It mainly operates domestic flights between Athens and Thessaloniki, Rhodes, Heraklion, and Chania on the island of Crete, as well as between Heraklion and Thessaloniki.
Flights to various islands are often fully booked during the summer, so it is best to book your tickets a week in advance.
Buses
A large bus network known as KTEL covers all parts of Greece. KTEL is a consortium of various bus companies. Their ticket prices are low, departures are punctual, and they can reach any place accessible by road. This is a very convenient way to travel in Greece, and we believe KTEL will be a good companion for your travels.
KTEL buses have unique characteristics, especially well-suited for rural roads. Many drivers take great care of these vehicles, enjoy decorating them, and take pride in driving them. Another point in favor of KTEL, and an important one, is that in many large cities, there are different stops for different destinations. For example, buses from Thessaloniki to Halkidiki depart from one station, while those heading to Ioannina depart from another. Athens has two terminals, while Heraklion on the island of Crete has three.
OSE is the national railway organization, which provides an additional bus service. Their buses only run on a few major routes, and the frequency often overlaps with KTEL. City buses: Although Greece now has many types of efficient transportation, taking the ordinary blue buses in Athens for city sightseeing is still a viable option. They are usually crowded, the cabins are very hot, and the routes are quite strange and difficult to figure out, even for Greeks. The price is very cheap, at 100 drachmas per ticket. These tickets and tram tickets are sold separately, mainly at stations, subway stations, some special newsstands, kiosks, and some less busy areas in the city; you can also order 10 or more at a time. Most buses run until midnight.
Buses to the airport and ports are separate. Express bus 091 runs from Omonoia or Syntagma Square to the airport at regular intervals, with a daytime fare of 170-200 drachmas. The green bus 040 runs from Filellinon Street (near Syntagma Square) to Piraeus 24 hours a day, with a departure every 20 minutes (every hour after 13:00). The orange KTEL bus runs from Pedion tou Areos Park at 14 Mavromateon Street to Rafina, taking only 90 minutes.
Trams: Although Athens trams are not as comfortable as blue buses, they are much faster and more convenient, and are of great interest to tourists. Tram line 1 connects the city center with the subway station, lines 5 and 9 pass through the Archaeological Museum, and line 7 travels around the city in an approximately triangular shape. Trains
The most satisfying thing about taking a train in Greece is the price, which is even cheaper than taking a bus. The Greek railway network is quite limited; not only are there few areas reached by rail and infrequent service, but the speed is also quite slow. Therefore, except for the express trains from Athens to Thessaloniki and Patras, you will find that traveling by car is much more convenient and faster.
You can pay extra for direct express trains. If you are on a tight budget, you might want to take a round-trip train, which offers a 20% discount. Students under 26 usually receive discounts. In Greece, people are proud of their train stations, although you often have to wait in long lines and pay a lot of money to buy a seat ticket in advance there. Subway: The construction of the Athens subway system is underway, and the new lines are expected to be completed before the 2004 Olympic Games. The currently operating line from Piraeus to Kifisia is clean and reliable, with city center stations located at Thiseio, Monastiraki, and Omonoia. Subway tickets are different from bus and tram tickets and can only be used in subway stations. Ferries
It is impossible to imagine traveling to Greece without taking a boat. Almost all Greek islands are accessible by sea, whether by large cruise ship, small boat, or hydrofoil; there is always one that will take you to the island you want to visit.
Ferries
Piraeus is the center of the Greek ferry network, and tourists usually pass through there at least once. During the peak tourist season, the port is very busy, and you should really take a good look before buying a ticket. It is best not to buy tickets too early: ferry tickets are rarely sold out, and the departure time.