By Air
The main and easiest way to get to Greece is by air.
There are 15 airports in Greece, located in cities and islands, which receive direct international flights and 38 more that serve domestic flights.
The main airports with daily international arrivals and in cities with access to most universities, are the following:
Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”
It is the largest airport in the country. It is connected to the metro system of Athens as the one terminal station, so it is easy to access the urban center of Athens, as well as any other area, through the large and modern metro train network. There are also four city buses that travel to and from the airport (Χ95, Χ96, Χ97, Χ93) to and from several areas in Athens, including Syntagma Square (Center) and Piraeus. In addition, you can always get a taxi, one of many that are constantly stationed outside of the airport. It is important to know, as nine Higher Education Institutes are located in Athens.
Link: https://www.aia.gr/traveler/
Thessaloniki International Airport “Makedonia”
It is located in Thessaloniki, the second largest city of Greece. Thessaloniki hosts three Higher Education Institutes and it is also relatively near every other city in Northern Greece. There are two city bus lines (Χ1/Ν1, 79) that move to and from the airport and, in fact, they also connect to KTEL Thessaloniki (the bus center to and from other cities in Greece), the Railway Station (Greece Intercity Rail Network), where you can move to many cities in mainland Greece. Taxi cars are also available.
Heraklion State Airport “Nikos Kazantzakis”
It is the main airport in the island of Crete, where two Higher Education Institutes are located. You can move to the city of Heraklion by bus or taxi.
Furthermore, here are some exemples of cities with an airport and a University (or a School under a University): Ioannina, Kozani, Alexandroupolis, Volos, Corfu and more…
Greece has a vast transport network, with connection in every part within the region, by air, sea, bus and train.
AIR NETWORK
There are 38 airports that serve only domestic flights, while the 15 international ones carry out domestic flights too. The price of the tickets is reasonable and it gets even more convenient if the booking is made in advance.
Link: http://www.ypa.gr/en/our-airports
SEA NETWORK
There is a vast ferry network in Greece, with ferries of very high standards. The network’s high season is from the beginning of March to the mid of October. Most seaside Greek cities have ports, from where you can go to all the Greek islands, with which there is a connection.
Link: https://www.ferries.gr/en/
BUS NETWORK
Traveling between cities via KTEL buses is very common. KTEL stations exist in all cities of Greece and make stops in even more areas. The process of finding a ticket is very simple and can be done either online or in person at the station.
Link: https://ktelbus.com/en/
TRAIN NETWORK
Travelling throughout Greece via the railroad network is also very common. It is managed by OSE and is a very speedy way to travel between Athens and Thessaloniki. Although limited, the railway network covers most of Greek region, with the exception of most of Western Greece (like the city of Ioannina, for example).
The ticket prices vary, including very reasonable prices.
Link: https://tickets.trainose.gr/dromologia/
STUDENT PASS – DISCOUNT
It is also important to know that University students are entitled to the student pass, which allows a significant discount on Ferries, Trains and KTEL Buses.
Athens is the capital and by far the largest city of Greece. That is why we consider it important to give you additional information on how to get around the city. Public Transportation includes the following means:
CITY BUS
For the areas without a metro station, transportation via a city bus is also very common. Athens’ city bus network covers all areas, with no exception. It might be a bit difficult to learn it at first, but, by using Google Maps app, you can easily find out the bus line that suits you most.
METRO SYSTEM
Athens has a large metro system, which covers most of the city’s areas. It includes three lines and within the next decade a fourth one is expected, which will cover all the remaining areas. As has been said above, the one terminal station of one of the lines is “Eleftherios Venizelos” airport, which makes it very easy to move to and from the airport.
TRAM
The tram system (5:30 am to 12:00 am daily) connects central Athens with the coastal suburbs of Faliro, Voula and Piraeus.
There are two tram lines; T6 (Syntagma from/to Faliro) and T7 (Voula to/from Piraeus).
TICKET PRICES – DISCOUNT FOR STUDENTS – CONNECTION
The minimum ticket price is 1,20 € (all means of transport for 90 minutes), while you can also acquire a transport card, issued in your name, which can be recharged monthly and covers transport by all means (metro, city bus, tram).
It is also important to know that University students are entitled to the student pass, which allows a significant discount on public transportation tickets and cards.
Metro, City Bus and Tram lines have many points of connection with each other, thus creating a successful transportation network in all over Athens. You can always consult the Google Maps app, as well as individual apps (eg OASA for city buses), to find the easiest and fastest way to get to your destination.
TAXI
Athens is full of licensed taxi drivers (the color of the cars is yellow). Wherever you are in Athens, it is very easy to find a taxi, either on the street, at places where they are parked or by apps (such as FREE NOW, formerly BEAT). The price of the taxi transfer is always visible on a screen next to the driver so you can always see the cost.
The Organization of Urban Transportation of Thessaloniki (O.A.S.TH.), the second largest in Greece, connects the whole city via a dense network of bus lines. You can get your tickets at the O.A.S.TH.’s ticket booths, at the 1200 selling shops or by the vending machines inside the buses. Free service is offered to people with special needs.
Link: https://thessaloniki.travel/useful-information/moving-around-the-city/bus-public-transport/
Furthermore, Metro System in Thessaloniki is in development and is expected soon!
Greece has a vast transport network, with connections in every part within the region, by air, sea, bus, and train.
Public transportation is not free. However, it is important to know that Public University students are entitled to the student pass, which allows a significant discount on public transportation tickets and cards. Please note that persons eligible for discount fares, must issue or have a personalized ATH.ENA CARD, if they wish to use the specific products. Click here for issuing your personalized ATH.ENA CARD
Students with a valid driving license can rent a car and drive in Greece. Students outside the EU must obtain an International Driver’s Permit before traveling to Greece.