How to Get Around Greece: Ferries, Flights & Car Rentals

I spent three weeks island-hopping last summer, and the biggest headache wasn’t the heat—it was figuring out which ferry company was actually running on time and whether I should have just flown. Here’s what I learned about getting around Greece without losing your mind or your budget.

Should you take the ferry or fly between islands?

This is the first decision you’ll make, and it depends on your tolerance for seasickness versus your tolerance for airport security. Ferries are the classic Greek experience, but they’re not all the same.

For longer hauls—say, Athens to Crete (around 8 hours)—I’d fly. Aegean Airlines and Sky Express run frequent short hops from Athens’ Eleftherios Venizelos Airport to Heraklion and Chania. The flight is about 45 minutes, and you can often snag a ticket for €40-60 if you book a few weeks out. For shorter distances like Athens to Mykonos or Santorini, the ferry is fine—around 2-4 hours.

Blue Star Ferries are the workhorses: reliable, big ships with decent cafeterias. I took one from Piraeus to Heraklion and it was stable enough to read.
Seajets are the speed demons: smaller, faster catamarans that cut travel time by half but cost more and get bumpy in wind. I took one from Mykonos to Santorini and regretted not taking a Dramamine.
Hellenic Seaways is a solid middle ground, good for the Cyclades routes.

One practical tip: check Ferryhopper or Direct Ferries to compare schedules and prices, but book directly with the company if you want to avoid third-party fees. Also, ferries get canceled in high winds (common in August), so always have a backup plan.

How do you get from Athens airport to the port or city center?

Athens is actually well-connected for a chaotic city. From the airport, you have three options, and I’ve tried all of them.

The Athens Metro is the cheapest and most reliable. Line 3 (blue line) runs directly from the airport to Syntagma Square and Monastiraki in about 40 minutes. A one-way ticket costs €9 (as of 2024). It’s clean, air-conditioned, and runs every 30 minutes.

For the port, you need the X96 bus from the airport to Piraeus. It’s a slog—about 90 minutes in traffic—but it’s only €5.50. I did this once with a suitcase and a hangover; do not recommend if you’re in a hurry.

Taxis are plentiful but expensive (€40-55 flat rate from airport to city center). Uber works in Athens, but it’s just a licensed taxi with an app. I used it once when the metro was down and it was fine, but not worth the premium.

Metro: best for city center, cheap, fast.
X96 bus: only for Piraeus port, cheap but slow.
Taxi/Uber: good for groups or late arrivals, but pricey.

What’s the best way to get around Santorini?

Santorini is small but deceptive. The main towns—Fira and Oia—are about 10 km apart, and the road between them is a narrow, winding cliffside mess. I rented a car for two days and it was both the best and worst decision.

Renting a car gives you freedom to hit the quieter beaches like Perissa (black sand) and Red Beach without waiting for buses. I used Santorin Rent a Car near Fira—cost about €40/day for a small manual. The driving is stressful: locals park anywhere, and the roads have no shoulders. But you get to stop at Pyrgos for sunset without the Oia crowds.

ATVs are the tourist cliché, and honestly, they’re fun for a day. You can rent them everywhere in Fira for €25-30/day. Just know they’re loud, dusty, and you’ll smell like exhaust. I did one afternoon on an ATV to Akrotiri Lighthouse and it was worth it.

Buses are cheap (€1.80-2.50 per ride) and run from Fira to Oia, Perissa, and the port. They’re reliable but packed in peak season. I waited 40 minutes for a bus to Oia once and gave up.

Car rental: best for exploring, but drive carefully.
ATV: fun for short trips, not for long hauls.
Public bus: cheap but slow in summer.

How do you navigate Mykonos without a car?

Mykonos is tiny—you can walk across the main town, Mykonos Town (Chora), in 20 minutes. But the beaches are spread out, and taxis are a nightmare. I stayed in Platis Gialos and relied on the local bus system.

The KTEL Mykonos buses run from Fabrika Square in Chora to all major beaches: Paradise Beach, Super Paradise, Elia, and Agios Ioannis. Tickets cost €1.80-2.50 and buses run every 30 minutes in summer. They’re cramped but efficient. I took the bus to Super Paradise for a day and it was fine—just get there early to avoid the line.

Taxis are scarce and expensive. I tried calling a taxi once; the driver quoted €25 for a 5-minute ride from Chora to Platis Gialos. I walked instead.

Renting a car is possible, but parking in Chora is a nightmare. I saw people circling for 20 minutes. Scooters and ATVs are popular, but the roads are narrow and drivers are aggressive. I skipped it.

KTEL bus: reliable for beaches, cheap.
Walking: best for Chora, but wear comfortable shoes.
Taxi: only for emergencies or groups splitting the fare.

What about Crete? Do you need a rental car?

Crete is huge—the largest Greek island—and you absolutely need a car if you want to see more than the resort strip. I spent five days there and split my time between Heraklion and Chania.

Public buses (KTEL Crete) connect the main towns: Heraklion to Chania takes about 2.5 hours and costs €15. They’re clean and air-conditioned, but they don’t go to the beaches or mountain villages. I took the bus from Heraklion to Chania once and it was fine for a transfer, but useless for exploring.

Renting a car is the way to go. I rented from Hertz at Heraklion Airport for €35/day. Driving in Crete is easier than Santorini—wider roads, less chaos. I drove to Balos Lagoon (dirt road, but doable in a regular car), Elafonisi Beach (paved most of the way), and the Samaria Gorge trailhead. The mountain roads are twisty, but the views are worth it.

Taxis are available in towns but expensive for long distances. A taxi from Heraklion to Chania costs around €100.

Rental car: essential for beaches and gorges.
KTEL bus: good for town-to-town, not for exploration.
Private transfer: pricey but convenient for airport runs.

When should you book ferries and flights?

Book early. I learned this the hard way when I tried to book a ferry from Santorini to Mykonos three days in advance in July and found only €100+ Seajets tickets left.

Ferries: book at least 2-3 weeks in advance for summer. High season (June-September) sells out, especially on popular routes like Athens-Santorini and Mykonos-Crete. Use Ferryhopper to check availability, then book directly on the company site to avoid fees.

Flights: book 4-6 weeks ahead for the best prices. Aegean Airlines and Sky Express both have dynamic pricing. I paid €45 for a one-way Athens to Heraklion booking a month out; a friend paid €120 booking the week before.

Car rentals: book online in advance, especially on islands. I reserved a car in Santorini two weeks ahead and got a good rate; walk-up rentals at the port were double the price.

Ferries: 2-3 weeks ahead in summer.
Flights: 4-6 weeks ahead for deals.
Cars: book online at least a week before.

FAQ

Is it worth getting a Greek ferry pass like the Eurail for islands? No. The Greek Island Pass from Ferryhopper or Aegean Airlines multi-ticket options sound convenient, but they’re rarely cheaper than booking individual tickets. I priced out a 3-island pass and it was €20 more than my separate bookings. Stick to pay-as-you-go and book early.

Can you use Uber in Greece? Uber exists in Athens, but it’s just a taxi-hailing app—no UberX or private cars. In the islands, forget it. Mykonos and Santorini have local taxi apps like Mykonos Taxi and Santorini Taxi, but they’re unreliable. I ended up walking more than I planned.

Do I need an International Driving Permit for Greece? Yes, if you’re from outside the EU. I rented cars in both Santorini and Crete and was asked for my IDP both times. You can get one at your local AAA or equivalent before you leave. Without it, rental agencies may refuse you—I saw a couple turned away in Heraklion.

Conclusion

Ferries are fine for short hops (Athens to Mykonos or Santorini), but fly for Crete or longer distances.
Rent a car on Crete and Santorini; use buses on Mykonos.
Book everything early in summer—ferries, flights, and cars sell out.
Avoid taxis on the islands unless you’re splitting with a group.
Get an International Driving Permit if you plan to drive.