Greek Airport Cities: Exploring Greece's Aviation Network

Greece has several airports spread across its mainland and islands, with four main international airports serving Athens, Crete, Rhodes, and Thessaloniki. The largest and busiest of these is the International Airport of Athens, Eleftherios Venizelos, which is connected to all other Greek airports and also offers direct flights from most European capitals and some smaller European cities. The airport in Greece's second-largest city, Thessaloniki, is a popular entry point for those vacationing in the northern part of the country. Many of the Greek islands also have airports, with regular flights from Athens and Thessaloniki, and some offering direct flights from other European countries.

Athens: 'Eleftherios Venizelos' International Airport

Athens is served by the Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, the largest and busiest international airport in Greece. It is located near the city centre of Athens and is connected to all other Greek airports, while also offering direct flights from most European capitals and some smaller European cities. Intercontinental direct flights are also available from countries including the USA, Canada, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Tunisia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The airport is served by Greece's primary airline, Aegean Airlines, and its subsidiary, Olympic Air, which offer both national and international flights to and from Athens.

Athens is one of the four main international airports in Greece, along with those serving Crete, Rhodes and Thessaloniki. The airport in Athens is a popular entry point for visitors to Greece, with the vast majority of visitors arriving by aeroplane. Athens airport is well-connected to the city, with the train from the airport to the city centre taking around 40 minutes.

Athens is a popular tourist destination, with a blend of ancient history and modern culture. The city is known for its sunshine, coastline, cuisine, music, art and friendly locals. One of the city's best-known attractions is the Temple of Athena. Athens is also a good starting point for further travel within Greece, with many of the Greek islands accessible via domestic flights from Athens airport.

The islands of Kalymnos, Mykonos, Kythira, Paros, Naxos, Milos, Skiathos, Skyros, Lemnos, Santorini and Rhodes all have airports that are served by flights from Athens. Many of these are small airports that only operate during the summer season, with flights from Athens on Aegean Airlines or Olympic Air.

Thessaloniki: Makedonia International Airport

Greece's second-largest international airport, Thessaloniki: Makedonia International Airport, is a popular entry point for those visiting Northern Greece. The airport is located in the country's second-largest city, Thessaloniki, which is known for its ancient history, modern culture, and vibrant nightlife.

The airport offers a range of facilities and services to ensure a comfortable journey for its passengers. These include a variety of dining options, ranging from quick bites to sit-down meals, as well as a selection of shops, featuring both international brands and local specialties. Makedonia International Airport also provides essential services such as currency exchange, ATMs, and car rental services, catering to the needs of travellers from all over the world.

In addition to its role as a transportation hub, Thessaloniki: Makedonia International Airport also showcases the region's cultural heritage. The airport often displays exhibitions featuring local artists and highlights the rich history of Northern Greece. Visitors can enjoy a glimpse into the local culture while waiting for their flights, making their travel experience even more enriching.

Conveniently connected to the city centre, the airport provides easy access to Thessaloniki's vibrant urban life. The city boasts a lively waterfront, stunning architecture, and a thriving culinary scene. Visitors can explore ancient ruins, such as the White Tower and the Arch of Galerius, and immerse themselves in the city's vibrant nightlife, with bars and restaurants offering a variety of entertainment options.

Mykonos: Mykonos International Airport

Mykonos International Airport is one of the busiest airports in Greece, with regular year-round flights from Athens on Aegean Air. It is served by other airlines such as British Airways, Alitalia, Air Berlin, Austrian Airlines, easyJet, Condor, Scandinavian Airlines, Thomson Airways, and Transavia.com. Mykonos Airport is located on the island of Mykonos, which is part of the Cyclades, a group of Greek islands in the Aegean Sea. The Cyclades are known for their iconic, picturesque, whitewashed villages and blue-domed churches, as well as their stunning sunsets and unique local character.

Mykonos is a popular tourist destination, known for its vibrant nightlife, beautiful beaches, and windmills. The island has a variety of bars, clubs, and restaurants, as well as a range of accommodation options, from luxury resorts to traditional guesthouses. Mykonos Town, the island's main settlement, is a labyrinth of narrow streets and whitewashed buildings, with a lively atmosphere and a variety of shops and cafes.

The airport is located just a few kilometers from Mykonos Town and is well-connected to the town and other parts of the island by bus and taxi services. The airport is relatively small but modern and efficient, with a range of facilities for passengers, including shops, cafes, and car rental services.

During the peak summer season, the airport can become quite busy, with many charter and seasonal flights operating in addition to the regular year-round services. However, outside of the peak season, the airport is much quieter, with mainly domestic flights operating to and from Athens and other Greek islands. Overall, Mykonos International Airport is a convenient and efficient gateway to the island of Mykonos and the Cyclades, offering a range of travel options for visitors from around the world.

Santorini: Santorini Airport

Santorini International Airport (JTR) is located in the southeastern part of the island, near Agia Paraskevi. The airport is about 5 km from the island's capital, Fira, and is approximately a 10-minute drive to the city centre. It is the largest airport in the southern Aegean Sea and also serves as a military aircraft base. The airport was built in 1972, with the terminal building constructed in 1989 to accommodate growing traffic.

Santorini Airport offers direct flights to and from Athens, Thessaloniki, and Heraklion. Flights to Athens take about 45 minutes, while Thessaloniki and Heraklion are 90 minutes and 30 minutes away, respectively. During the summer, the airport accommodates many international flights and charters from European airports, serving around 200,000 tourists. In the winter, the airport primarily operates flights from Athens and Thessaloniki through Olympic and Aegean Airlines. Aegean Airlines, along with its subsidiary, Olympic Air, are the primary airlines in Greece, offering both national and international flights.

The airport has a range of facilities, including a duty-free shop, restaurants, cafes, and travel and car rental agencies. ATM machines from various banks, such as Piraeus Bank, Eurobank, and Euronet, are also available in the airport area. Additionally, Santorini Airport provides free unlimited internet access (WiFi) within the terminal premises.

For transportation to and from the airport, there are regular bus services to Fira, with a bus station located near the airport entrance. Taxi services are also available at the taxi stand close to the entrance, although pre-booking is recommended during the high season to avoid potential waits.

Rhodes: Diagoras Airport

Rhodes is one of the biggest of the Greek islands, with plentiful beaches and a medieval old town that has been declared a UNESCO Heritage Site. It was once home to the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The island is served by Diagoras Airport, one of Greece's four main international airports. The airport is located on the island itself and is about 14km from the city of Rhodes.

Diagoras Airport (RHO) has year-round flights from Athens on Aegean Airlines and Ryanair, and from Munich on Aegean Airlines. There are also seasonal flights on a variety of airlines, including Air Berlin, British Airways, Alitalia, Condor, easyJet, Monarch Airlines, Thomas Cook Airlines, Thomson Airways, Transavia.com, and TUIfly.

The airport is relatively small, with just a few shops and restaurants, but it has a modern terminal building that opened in 2005. The terminal has two levels, with arrivals on the ground floor and departures on the upper floor. There are a number of car rental agencies located at the airport, as well as taxi stands and bus stops for those who want to use public transportation.

Rhodes Town, the island's capital and main port, is a popular destination for visitors. It's known for its medieval architecture, including the Palace of the Grand Masters and the Street of the Knights. The town also has a lively market, a marina, and a beach. Other popular destinations on the island include the ancient acropolis of Lindos, the Valley of the Butterflies, and the Seven Springs.

Diagoras Airport is an important gateway to the island of Rhodes and a convenient option for those who want to avoid the longer ferry journey from the Greek mainland. It offers a range of flight options, both year-round and seasonal, making it a popular choice for travellers visiting this historic and culturally rich island.

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