Cheap flights to Greece

Drinking ouzo, smashing plates, swimming in a warm sea at midnight, eating a late supper on a vine-drenched terrace, relaxing under olive trees, visiting the Minoan palaces or the ruins of the Acropolis, or even visiting the gods on Mount Olympus are all possible ways to spend your time in Greece.

Arguably the birthplace of the civilised world, Greek history spans four millennia. Greece gave the world literature, drama and philosophy, not to mention the Olympic Games. As well as the Ancient Greeks, the country contains the history of many other great powers, including the Romans, Arabs and the Byzantine Empire.

But the country is not just a museum of great civilisations. Travellers book flights to mainland Greece to visit some often overlooked wonders of spectacular natural beauty alongside historical sites. Lakes, mountains and volcanoes can all be explored.

More than 100 of the famed Greek islands are inhabited and hopping from one to another is the perfect beach holiday. Partying, quiet contemplation and everything in between is catered for somewhere on one of the islands. Most Greece flights arrive via Athens, but many of the islands have their own airports and plenty of ferries operate between them. 

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Greece climate

Greece’s Mediterranean climate allows for long, warm summers with 11 hours of sunshine per day. The hottest days are made more bearable by seasonal winds called meltemi. Winters are mild in the low areas, but the mountains are cooler and snowy. Athens averages a temperature of 10 degrees in January and February.

When is the best time to fly to Greece?

Peak Season:

Mid-June to the end of August is high season for most of Greece, when the temperatures are hottest. Easter time to mid-June is also very popular as the weather is still very warm, though not unbearably hot. You may be able to pick up some cheaper deals at this time of year though. Late August to mid-October is Greece’s shoulder season. The temperatures are still high (substantially higher than the UK and Ireland) and most resorts and attractions still open, but prices are much lower than early or high summer so cheap flights and accommodation are easier to find.

Off Season:

October to April is off season. Though you will find the cheapest deals at this time, much of the tourist parts of Greece close down around this time. Unless you’re in Athens you may find that there is little to do and hardly any hotels or restaurants that are open.

Getting around Greece

Trains run on the mainland only and have daily services to most destinations but the routes are limited. They are run by Hellenic Railways Organisation.

Buses are the best method of public transport – even the smallest towns are connected to the bus network. KTEL is the intercity coach service.

Cars and scooters are readily available for hire.

Greece has an excellent network of connection by sea travel with ferries, hydrofoils and passenger boats. All of the islands and mainland are all well-connected and it is very easy to get a boat.

Flights are easy to catch between islands or from Athens to the islands. Olympic Airlines and Aegean Airlines both have domestic Greek flights.

How long is the flight to Greece?

If you are looking for cheap flights to Greece from the Philippines, you can expect your journey to last anywhere from about 17-26h. Flights to Greece’s capital, Athens, from Manila, for example, will take you around 17h if you are flying with Qatar Airways, but if you’re flying out from Cebu City, your journey will be a bit longer, up to 23h. Greece flight deals with Sky Express from Manila to Thessaloniki will take around 20h. Flying from Cebu City to Thessaloniki, you can expect to travel for about 26h if you fly with Philippine Airlines.

Where can you get direct flights to Greece from?

Unfortunately, direct flights from the Philippines to Greece are not currently available. If you’re flying to Thessaloniki from Manila with Qatar Airways, you can expect to have stopovers in Doha and Athens. For the most part, flights out of Manila and Cebu City to Athens use Turkish Airlines, so you can expect a stopover in Istanbul. Flights to Athens using KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will need you to stopover in Bangkok and Amsterdam before arriving in Athens. If you want to fly to Thessaloniki from Cebu City with Philippine Airlines, you can expect a stopover in Doha as well as Athens.

What is the best way to travel around Greece?

If you want to get to Santorini from Athens, it’s always good to use the ferries. It is around a four and a half hour journey to get from Athens to the island. You could also fly, which would only take around two hours. If you want to get around in the cities like Athens, you can use the metro system that’s distributed quite effectively throughout the cities. If you want to visit the Parthenon, a famous set of ancient Greek ruins, it would only take 20min to get there through Athens metro. You can hire a car in Greece although it isn't necessary since the cities have good public transport and the country has a collection of islands. However, if you want to hire a car, all you need is to have been licensed for over a year and possess an International Driver’s Permit and credit card.

What are some things to do in Greece?

The Parthenon is an important part of Greek history and culture, it is a freestanding connection to their ancient past and represents so much for Greece’s identity as the origins of western culture. You can book guided tours with people knowledgeable about the history and practises of the people who lived when the temple to the Greek god Athena was first built. There is also the island of Santorini, whose architecture will amaze you while you visit its unique black sand beaches. If anyone is interested in geology they might enjoy the rock formations created by the island’s volcanic past. The Greek carnival Apokries is celebrated around February or March and is a wonderful way to get to know the locals and have a fun time. All sorts of greek delicacies like souvlaki are made during this celebration.

Do I need a passport or visa to fly to Greece?

Greece is part of the Schengen agreement, which means that a citizen of the Philippines will need both a passport and a Schengen visa in order to visit the country. You will need two passport photos, proof of where you will be staying and your flight details, as well as proof that you have enough money to sustain you during your trip. The process for a Schengen visa takes about 15 days and around ₱4,600.

What is good to know if travelling to Greece?

• Mainland Greece is often overlooked, apart from Athens and Mount Olympus. One place worth discovering is the Peloponissos, which has a spectacular landscape of mountains, caves, volcanoes, the sea as well as beaches. The Diros Caves, five miles south of Aeropolis, are part of an underground river. Five thousand metres has been exposed and you can take a boat trip among the huge stalactites and stalagmites.
• Smoggy Athens is home to some of Greece’s most historic sites: the Acropolis, the theatre of Dionysus, the Roman Forum, the Temple of Zeus. But while you’re there, don’t forget to see some of living Athens. The 2004 Olympics gave the city a much-needed facelift, making the capital much more appealing to tourists. Visit the ancient neighbourhoods, especially Plaka, the oldest section of the city. A particularly lively time to visit is during Apokries, or carnival, in the run up to Lent.
• Crete is the largest and most popular of the Greek islands, with two international airports and a huge variety of tourist destinations. But though the northeast coast is getting overdeveloped, head inland and you’ll still find towns and villages largely undisturbed by tourists. It’s the perfect island if you want to combine lazing on a beach with exploration of historical sites – Crete was the home of King Minos who ruled the Ancient Greek world.
• Zante or Zakynthos, on the Ionian islands, is another popular holiday destination. The beautiful and verdant island is nothing short of idyllic – except if you’re stuck with hordes of tourists. To enjoy it on your own, stay clear of Laganas, the biggest resort on the island, and try to visit any popular attractions – such as the Blue Caves or Shipwreck Beach – in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday rush.
• Trivago is a useful website for information about accommodation in Greece. The site contains user reviews and recommendations on a range of hotels across the country, including those in Athens, Crete and Zakynthos.