iLoveGreece

Transit & getting around

Greece, without the transport traps

Know which Athens terminal, which island bus stop and what a taxi should cost before you set off.
Travellers boarding a local bus in a Cycladic village

KTEL buses

Regional bus companies. Athens has two terminals — don't mix them up.

Kifissou

Peloponnese, Patras, Ionian

Liosion

Delphi, Central Greece

  • • Book mainland seats ahead, arrive 30 min early
  • • Island tickets: kiosk, mini-market or onboard
  • • Summer and winter timetables differ

Island buses

Full bus timetables →

Santorini

KTEL hub at Fira. Most routes require a change there; buses to Oia and beaches fill early.

Mykonos

Two stations: Fabrika for south beaches and Old Port for Ano Mera, Kalafatis and Elia.

Naxos

Buses leave Chora port for Agios Prokopios, Plaka and mountain villages; buy at the kiosk.

Paros

Parikia and Naoussa are the hubs. Summer beach routes run late; shoulder-season service drops sharply.

Crete

Separate KTEL networks cover Chania–Rethymno and Heraklion–Lasithi. Intercity coaches are reliable; remote beaches are not.

Trains

Limited network — check Hellenic Train notices before you go.

Athens ↔ Thessaloniki

Hellenic Train intercity mainline. Check current journey times and replacement-bus notices before booking.

Athens Airport ↔ centre

Proastiakos suburban trains run to Larissis Station; Metro M3 is usually simpler for Syntagma and Monastiraki.

Diakopto ↔ Kalavryta

Odontotos rack railway climbs the Vouraikos Gorge. Reserve ahead and confirm operation after severe weather.

Ano Lechonia ↔ Milies

The seasonal Pelion steam train is a scenic excursion, not practical transport. Advance booking is essential.

Taxis

On an island? See island taxis →

Athens airport → centre

€50 · €65

Day · night (00:00–05:00) flat rate

Use an app

FREENOW or Uber Taxi in Athens.

Stay safe

Insist on the meter, ask for a receipt. Cards must be accepted.

❄️ Winter travel

Snow chains
Needed in mountain areas.

Fewer ferries
Small islands: 1–3 boats a week.

Mountain roads
Passes can close in snow.

Winter guide →

A to B

Athens → Santorini ›
  1. 1Metro M1 or M3 to Piraeus; confirm your gate.
  2. 2Choose the 7–8h conventional ferry for comfort or a 5h fast boat.
  3. 3Alternative: fly from Athens Airport in about 50 minutes.
  4. 4Keep a buffer day before an international flight in Windy season.
Athens → Mykonos ›
  1. 1Rafina is closest to Athens Airport; take the KTEL bus or taxi.
  2. 2Fast ferries take roughly 2.5–3h but are wind-sensitive.
  3. 3Piraeus has slower conventional options and better metro access.
  4. 4At Mykonos New Port, use the SeaBus or KTEL—not an unmetered offer.
Athens → Meteora ›
  1. 1Travel from Athens Larissis rail station toward Kalambaka.
  2. 2Confirm whether the current timetable requires a train change or replacement coach.
  3. 3From Kalambaka, use the local bus, taxi or a tour for the monasteries.
  4. 4Stay overnight; a same-day return is long and leaves little visiting time.
Athens → Delphi ›
  1. 1Go to Liosion KTEL terminal—not Kifissos.
  2. 2Buy an assigned-seat ticket to Delphi and confirm the return bus.
  3. 3The ride is roughly 2.5–3h depending on traffic.
  4. 4For a calmer visit, sleep in Delphi or nearby Arachova.
Chania → Heraklion ›
  1. 1Board the KTEL coach at Chania's central bus station.
  2. 2Direct services usually run via Rethymno and take about 2h45–3h.
  3. 3For Heraklion airport, change to a city bus or taxi at the station.
  4. 4Allow extra time in summer; the north-coast road gets busy.

Times and fares change — check with the operator before travel.

Checked October 2026