Places in Greece to add to your bucket list

Transportation: getting around Greece

Flights

If you want to travel fast, the plane is definitely your best option in Greece. Big cities and major islands are all connected by flights, most of them departing from Athens or Thessaloniki (and a few like Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, Corfu or Rhodes from international destinations). It’s usually worth it when islands like Karpathos take a full day to reach by ferry!

Ferries

The most popular option when it comes to visiting the islands! Many Greek islands do not have an airport (the unspoiled ones!) and the only way to get there is by ferry.

Blue Star Ferries and Minoan Lines are the two major ferry companies in Greece. To go to the Cyclades, Crete and Dodecanese islands, you will have to go to Athens to take the ferry. There, the port of Piraeus is the one operating most journeys, the port of Rafina also has ferries going to the nearby Cyclades (Andros, Tinos, Mykonos…). Finally, the port of Lavrio is where to take the ferry to Kea.

Buses

When in Greece, forget about trains (except for a couple of scenic train journeys)! The rail network is really underdeveloped (Athens is only linked by train to Patras, Thessaloniki and a few other destinations). If you want to travel around Greece using public transportation, you will have to use the KTEL buses which links many towns in Greece pretty well!

All regions and islands have their own network with their own website, so just type “KTEL” + where you want to go to find the address of the station and the bus timetables.

Renting a car

If you are interested in exploring mainland Greece, renting a car is bar far the most flexible option. Many villages and beaches in Greece are quite remote and not well served by public transportation. So if you want to discover the hidden gems, rent a car!

The same applies to the islands. While most of them have a bus network, it is not always reliable (buses come every hour/are late on schedule) and most islands have so much to offer apart from their port! You can also rent bikes on all islands.

I advise using the platform RentalCars.com to find the best deals, and book your car as early as possible to get cheap rates!

Accomodation

Depending on the type of stay you are looking for, the accommodation budget in Greece can change a lot! Whether you prefer budget hotels/hostels or a luxurious villa, prices per night usually go from around 30€ (not everywhere though!) up to a few thousand. I usually use Booking.com to find the perfect accommodation ☺️

Food

Get your taste buds ready for the delicious Greek cuisine! Seriously, food in Greece is to die for. They have the most tasty vegetables and fruits, making for excellent salads (you surely know about Greek salad!) as well as heavenly pies, grilled meat, dishes with sauces… The list is long, but if there are a few dishes you should try, here they are:

Suggested article: The difference between souvlaki, gyros and kebab

Check out my articles about Greece!