Why take a flight to Greece?

Flights to Greece unveil a realm of ancient history and natural beauty, where renowned archaeological sites blend with rugged coastlines, olive groves, and seas adorned with breathtaking islands.

Whether you want to get away from it all on the dazzling Ionian islands, experience sophisticated cafe culture in Athens, or dive headfirst into the all-night party scene of Mykonos, it's time to fly to Greece.

When to book flights to Greece?

During the school summer holiday period of mid-July to the end of August, cheap flights to Greece are very difficult to find indeed. It's not just the airfares that soar either: the temperature is at its hottest and crowds are at their thickest. June and September offer better options for cheaper flights, and the weather on the islands is also more welcoming. In October you are likely to hit a stormy spell, especially in western Greece or in the mountains, but the southerly Dodecanese islands and Crete are extremely pleasant.

December to March are the coldest months, and many restaurants and attractions close down for the season. Tickets to Greece are often at their cheapest during these months and there are many fine days to enjoy if you visit in winter. The mildest winter climate can be found on Rhodes and in the southeast of Crete.

As spring slowly warms up, April and May are superb for wildflowers and green landscapes: it's a great time to visit to avoid the crowds and take advantage of some of the cheapest flights to Greece from £60*.

How to find cheap flights to Greece?

While the season you book your flights to Greece does affect the cost of your plane ticket, there are ways you can search for flights on Expedia that will help you find some of the best deals.

When you search for Greece cheap flights, you can compare prices on other days by clicking 'Show flexible dates'. Choosing a flight date just a day or 2 away from your initial selection can often dramatically reduce the cost.

It is also possible to include 'All London airports' in your search, rather than just Heathrow, for example. This helps to include several other options for cheap Greece flights. Similarly, clicking on 'Nearby airports' will show you other flights from airports close to the one you have selected.

Flights to Greece from UK

There are international airports located on the Greek mainland and every major Greek island, so you'll have no trouble finding direct flights to Greece for destinations such as Kos, Corfu, Kefalonia or Rhodes. For other destinations, you may need to fly into Athens before taking a connecting flight to a smaller domestic airport.

Here are some flight times from the UK to Greece:

• London to Athens – 3 hours 40 minutes
• London to Santorini – 3 hours 55 minutes
• London to Zakynthos – 3 hours 30 minutes
• London to Corfu – 3 hours 5 minutes

Main airports in Greece

Greece is served by 15 international airports, and the one in the capital of Athens is the largest by far. The Athens airport sees 22 million passengers arrive and depart each year.

Over three million passengers pass through each of the airports in Heraklion, Thessaloniki and Rhodes annually, with Chania, Corfu, Kos, Santorini, Zakynthos and Mykonos all serving between one and 2 million passengers each year.

If you are looking to connect on a local flight to reach a domestic airport, then Athens is the key hub for transfers.

What airlines fly to Greece?

The carriers offering flights to Greece from the UK include:

• Ryanair
• easyJet
• Norwegian Air
• Lufthansa
• Swiss International Air Lines
• British Airways
• Aegean
• Vueling Airlines

Get around in Greece

Train networks are limited, but buses cover most mainland routes and provide basic connections on the islands. For shorter trips, there is a plentiful supply of taxis, but the best way to explore is to hire a scooter or car in Greece. Having your own transport on the islands can help you make the most of their coast and interior.

If you are looking to island-hop, there are many ferries, catamarans or hydrofoils that will eventually get you to any of the 60-plus inhabited Greek islands. These do, however, get booked up in the peak season, so make sure you reserve your passage in advance.

Greece flights within the country can be costly and are also in high demand during the summer months, but they offer significant time savings. For instance, you can travel from Athens to Rhodes in just one hour by plane, as opposed to a 12-hour journey by boat.

Must-see attractions in Greece

Just a stone's throw from ancient Sparta, the stunning medieval ruins of Mystras never fail to impress. Equally captivating are the cobbled streets and whitewashed houses of Lindos on Rhodes, with views of the surrounding harbours and a beautiful coastline from its iconic acropolis.

If you fancy staying active on holiday, the 10-mile-long Samaria Gorge in southwest Crete offers a pleasant few hours of strolling through forests of ancient cypresses and pines between vertical cliffs down to the quaint village of Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea.

If it's a taste of the ancient Greek history that you are looking for, then you should feast your eyes on the ancient theatre of Delphi. Built on a hill, it was designed to give spectators a view of the entire sanctuary and the spectacular landscape below.

Tips for travelling in Greece

Tourists from the UK do not need a visa to visit Greece for stays of up to 90 days.

Remember to pack sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and lightweight clothing for the warm Mediterranean climate. Embrace Greek hospitality, explore ancient ruins, and savour delicious Greek cuisine.

* Prices and availability are subject to change. Additional terms apply.