Cheap flights to Greece

Flights from the UK to Greece take approximately 3–4 hours depending on your destination. London to Athens is around 3.5 hours. Flights to the popular islands — Crete (Heraklion), Corfu, Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos, Kos, and Zakynthos — are typically 3.5–4 hours from London. Flights from UK regional airports such as Manchester and Birmingham are similarly timed. Greece is one of the UK's most popular and accessible summer destinations.

The best time to visit Greece is during the shoulder season — May–June and September–October — when the weather is warm and sunny (22–30°C), the sea is swimmable, and tourist crowds are significantly smaller than peak July–August. July and August are the hottest months (30–38°C on the islands and mainland) and are very busy, particularly on Santorini and Mykonos. For Athens sightseeing, spring and autumn are ideal. Winter (November–March) is mild and quiet — good for culture but not beaches.

Greece's primary international airport is Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH), which handles year-round scheduled services and is the hub for Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air. Major island airports receiving direct flights from the UK include Heraklion (HER) and Chania (CHQ) in Crete, Rhodes (RHO), Corfu (CFU), Kos (KGS), Santorini (JTR), Mykonos (JMK), Zakynthos (ZTH), Kefalonia (EFL), Skiathos (JSI), and Thessaloniki (SKG) on the mainland. Many island airports are seasonal and have limited or no winter services.

The cheapest time to fly to Greece from the UK is in winter (November–March) for Athens, though many island airports close or reduce services dramatically in this period. For island destinations, the shoulder of the season — late April to early May or late September to October — offers the best combination of lower fares and genuinely good beach weather. October can be an excellent month, with warm seas and fewer crowds.

Greece (mainland and all islands) is 2 hours ahead of the UK during Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in winter (EET, UTC+2), and 2 hours ahead when both Greece and the UK shift clocks simultaneously in spring (EEST, UTC+3 vs BST). This consistent 2-hour difference throughout the year makes Greece very easy for UK travellers — no confusing time changes mid-stay.

Greek is the official language of Greece and has been spoken continuously for over 3,000 years. Modern Greek is used universally across the country. English is very widely spoken in tourist areas, hotels, restaurants, and on popular islands — particularly among younger Greeks. In Athens, English signage is common. On smaller, less touristy islands, Greek may be the primary language. Learning a few Greek phrases — 'Yassas' (hello/cheers), 'Efharisto' (thank you), 'Parakalo' (please/you're welcome) — is warmly appreciated.

UK driving licence holders can drive in Greece using their valid UK photocard driving licence — no International Driving Permit is required. Greece drives on the right. Roads in Athens can be busy and sometimes confusing, while roads on larger islands like Crete and Rhodes are generally well-maintained. On smaller islands, roads may be narrow, steep, and potholed — particularly inland. Quad bikes and scooters are popular for island exploration but carry significant injury risks; ensure your insurance covers motorised vehicles. Wearing a helmet on a scooter is legally required.

Yes — there are hundreds of direct non-stop flights from the UK to Greece each week during the summer season (typically April–October). Services operate from London Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, City, and from Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Bristol, Leeds Bradford, Glasgow, Newcastle, Cardiff, and many other UK regional airports. Athens receives year-round direct flights, while island airports operate seasonally. Greece is one of the most comprehensively served European destinations from UK airports.

Airlines flying directly from the UK to Greece include British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, TUI, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Aegean Airlines (Greece's national carrier), and Sky Express. Multiple UK airports — including London Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, and Leeds Bradford — offer direct services to Athens and popular Greek islands, particularly during the summer season (April–October).

British passport holders can visit Greece visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Greece is an EU and Schengen member. Your UK passport must have been issued less than 10 years before entry and must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date. Border checks are conducted at Greek entry points. A future European ETIAS pre-authorisation may eventually be required — check the latest UK government travel advice before booking.

Return flights from the UK to Greece are very competitively priced. Budget carriers like easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, and Wizz Air frequently offer fares of £80–£250 return to popular island and mainland destinations. Full-service options on British Airways or Aegean Airlines to Athens may cost £100–£350. Peak summer (July–August) and school holidays push fares considerably higher. Booking 3–5 months ahead for summer travel is strongly recommended.

Greece offers an extraordinary blend of ancient history, Mediterranean beauty, and island life. Highlights include Athens (the Acropolis and Parthenon, the Ancient Agora, the National Archaeological Museum, and the lively Monastiraki and Plaka districts), the iconic caldera views of Santorini, the cosmopolitan beaches and nightlife of Mykonos, the medieval Old Town of Rhodes (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Venetian harbour and gorges of Crete, the lush greenery and Venetian architecture of Corfu, the Palace of Knossos (Europe's oldest city), sailing the Cyclades, exploring ancient Delphi and Olympia, and experiencing authentic Greek cuisine and hospitality.

The currency in Greece is the Euro (€). Credit and debit cards (Visa and Mastercard) are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and larger shops across the mainland and popular islands. However, cash is essential in smaller island tavernas, local markets, beach bars, ferry terminals, and on smaller or less touristy islands. ATMs are available in most towns but can run out of cash on busy summer weekends on smaller islands — draw cash before heading to remote spots.

Travel insurance is recommended for Greece. UK travellers are entitled to access state-provided healthcare using the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), covering medically necessary emergency treatment in Greek state hospitals. However, GHIC does not cover private treatment, repatriation, trip cancellation, non-medical expenses, or activities such as water sports or quad biking (which are popular but can lead to costly injuries). A comprehensive travel insurance policy is strongly advised for a complete Greek island holiday.

Baggage allowances for flights to Greece vary by airline and fare type. Full-service carriers like British Airways and Aegean Airlines include one checked bag (23kg) plus hand luggage in standard economy. Budget airlines like easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, and Wizz Air include only a small cabin bag on cheapest fares — a larger carry-on bag and hold luggage cost extra. Package holiday bookings with Jet2 Holidays and TUI typically include 20–23kg checked luggage. For a beach holiday, packing light is manageable.

Greece enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. On the mainland and most islands, summers (June–September) are very hot and sunny — temperatures of 28–38°C with virtually no rain. July and August are the hottest months. Spring (April–May) and autumn (October–November) are warm, pleasant, and far less extreme (20–26°C). Winters (December–March) are mild on the coast (10–15°C) but can be cold and wet in the north and mountainous regions. The Meltemi wind blows across the Aegean in July–August — cooling but strong enough to affect ferry services and beach comfort on exposed islands.