During the past few decades the transportation network of the country was modernised and impressively upgraded and, as a result, Greece today has an integrated transportation structure allowing for fast and safe travelling all over the country. Moreover, new projects are continuously being programmed, so that the infrastructures of the transportation grid of the country become more and more reliable.
The operation of the Rio-Antirrio Bridge (connecting the western Peloponnese with western Central Greece), the longest cable-stayed suspension bridge in Europe, and of the motorway “Egnatia Odos” are of great importance for the improvement of road transportation in Greece; the motorway (total length: 670 km) crosses Northern Greece and connects the port of Igoumenitsa (Epirus) on the west and the district of Thrace on the east.
Travelling between cities and the villages is ensured by a very good network of modern buses (KTEL), with a plethora of scheduled routes throughout the 24-hour period. A large part of the mainland is covered by the Greek railroad network, where existing lines were upgraded, new ones created and highly modern and fast-rolling stock was introduced.
In the sea transport sector, many improved ports exist throughout the country, linking Mainland Greece with the Aegean and Ionian Islands, and Crete.
By air
Moreover, 44 airports are operating in Greece which fall into three categories:
Apart from the 15 State International Airports, which cater for domestic flights as well, there are also 25 State Domestic Airports all over the country handling domestic flights (more info).
Domestic flights are conducted by Olympic Air, Aegean Airlines, Athens Airways and Sky Express.
During the summer months, due to the increased passenger traffic, the above-mentioned companies carry out extra flights to the existing destinations while they also include in their programmed flights direct connections between popular tourist destinations.
For this reason, it would be wise to obtain information either from the air companies or your tour operator before booking.
By sea
The country boasts a particularly extensive coastal transportation network serving all Greek islands , the majority of coastal destinations in mainland Greece and certain international ports.
The Greek fleet, consisting of all types of vessels (passengers ships, ferry boats, hydrofoils, etc) operating on domestic and international routes, has undergone major refurbishment, thus ensuring travellers speedy, reliable and enjoyable travel.
Aegean and Argosarosikos islands and Crete are linked mainly with Piraeus and Rafinas port.
Ionian Islands are linked with Patras, Killinis, Igoumenitsas and Astakos port.
More info about Piraeus port, Patras port and Igoumenitsa port.
By car
During the past few decades the transportation network of the country was modernised and impressively upgraded and, as a result, Greece today has an integrated transportation structure allowing for fast and safe travelling all over the country.
Moreover, new projects are continuously being programmed, so that the infrastructures of the transportation grid of the country become more and more reliable.
The operation of the Rio-Andirrio Bridge (connecting the western Peloponnese with western Central Greece), the longest cable-stayed suspension bridge in Europe, and of the motorway “Egnatia Odos” in Northern Greece are of great importance for the improvement of road transportation in Greece.
The main road axes in Greece are listed below, followed by the European road number in brackets:
Athens - Thessaloniki (E 75 )
Athens - Corinth (E 94 )
Corinth - Patras (E 65 )
Corinth -Tripoli - Kalamata (E 65 )
Patras - Pyrgos - Olympia (E 55 )
Thessaloniki - Kavala - Alexandroupoli (E 90 )
Igoumenitsa - Alexandroupoli (Egnatia Odos Motorway)
Chania - Agios Nikolaos ( Crete E 75)
By bus
The capitals of most of the Prefectures are connected to each other in a thick network of scheduled routes by intercity buses (KTEL), which comply with all modern specifications for the safer and more enjoyable transportation of passengers.
For more information call 14 505. It is a phone service providing official itinerary information of interurban busses (KTEL) all over Greece. The premium phone service can be reached from land and mobile phones of Greek telecom networks.
For further details concerning connections routes, ticket prices and bus departure and arrival times from Athens station to all over Greece, call 210-5124910/11
By train
Greece’s railway network is approximately 2,500 km long, covering the greater part of the mainland. The transportation of passengers, luggage and driver-accompanied vehicles is carried out through regularly scheduled routes that are amended every year.
The routes are carried out by high-quality Intercity-type trains (express and regular) and by regular trains (high-speed), etc). When traveling by train, it is worth looking at the architecture of the old stations along the line, most of which had been built at the end of the 19th C. and are of unique workmanship and symbols of early industrial architecture.
The Greek railway network passes through many scenic areas of unique beauty. In fact, O.S.E. (Hellenic Railways Organization) passengers have the exclusive privilege of seeing most of these landscapes, as one cane pass through these regions only by train.
Hellenic Railways Organization (O.S.E.):
Other than regular O.S.E. routes, there are also special routes served by excursion trains (conventional or museum steam-powered trains upon request), where passengers can travel through Greece’s splendid interior.
These routes are:
Diakopto - Kalavryta (Peloponnese)
Pilio (Thessaly)
Nestos (Eastern Macedonia)
Suburban Railway (Proastiakos)
The routes include Athens - Athens “Eleftherios Venizelos” International Airport (with 7 intermediate stations)
Athens - City of Corinth (84 km west of Athens – with 7 intermediate stations)
Corinth - Kiato (24 km)
Corinth - Athens “Eleftherios Venizelos” International Airport (with 11 intermediate stations).
When completed, the city of Piraeus and its port will be connected to Athens, the Airport and other large urban centers in neighboring Prefectures (Thiva, Chalkis, Loutraki).
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