Logistics · Country Guide
Mediterranean clarity, island culture, turtle bays, caverns, and wrecks from Athens to the Aegean
Updated Apr 26, 2026 • 34 sources
Use this travel brief to set arrival flow, local transit, and gear movement before you lock your itinerary.
Most international travelers enter Greece through Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Chania, Rhodes, Corfu, Santorini, Mykonos, Kos, Zakynthos, or seasonal European island flights. Athens is the best all-purpose gateway, especially for the Saronic Gulf, ferries from Piraeus, and domestic connections. Thessaloniki serves Halkidiki, Thassos, and northern Greece. Crete is best served by Heraklion and Chania. The Ionian islands rely on Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, and sometimes Aktion/Preveza for Lefkada routes. Cyclades and Dodecanese trips often combine ferry and flight legs.
Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos
ATH • LGAV
33 km to central Athens; many Riviera bases are 20 km to 45 km away • 30 to 60 minutesute drive to Athens or Riviera bases depending on traffic
Primary national gateway for Athens, the Athens Riviera, Saronic Gulf ferries, Piraeus connections, and domestic island flights.
Transport: Metro, Suburban rail, Express buses, Airport taxis, Pre-booked vans, Car rentals
Thessaloniki Airport Makedonia
SKG • LGTS
16 km to Thessaloniki; Kassandra water hubs are often about 90 km or more • 20 to 40 minutesutes to Thessaloniki; 1.5 to 2.5 hourss to many Halkidiki bases
Gateway for northern Greece, Halkidiki, Ammouliani, Sithonia, Kassandra, Thassos via Kavala/Keramoti, and Thessaloniki culture.
Transport: Airport taxis, Rental cars, Pre-booked vans, Regional buses
Heraklion International Airport Nikos Kazantzakis
HER • LGIR
5 km to Heraklion center; about 25 km to Agia Pelagia • 10 to 30 minutesutes to Heraklion or Agia Pelagia; longer to Elounda, Rethymno, or the south coast
Main central and eastern Crete gateway for Heraklion, Agia Pelagia, Hersonissos, Elounda, Dia Island, and Knossos itineraries.
Transport: Airport taxis, Public buses, Car rentals, Pre-booked vans
Rental cars are highly useful in Crete, Corfu, Kefalonia, Rhodes, Naxos, Paros, Halkidiki, and Thassos. Athens has metro, buses, taxis, and suburban rail, but a car helps on the Riviera if you are moving between dive bases. Smaller islands may use buses, taxis, hotel vans, scooters, or boats. Ferry schedules can change with season and wind, so avoid tight ferry-to-flight or ferry-to-dive connections. For scooters or cars, carry the correct license documentation and check insurance coverage before signing.
Greece is in the Schengen Area. Many nationalities can visit visa-free for short stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period, while others need a Schengen visa before arrival. Travelers should confirm passport validity, visa status, Entry/Exit System procedures, ETIAS timing, and any airline document rules with the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the relevant consulate before booking non-refundable trips. Divers carrying technical equipment should also confirm airline baggage limits and cylinder or battery restrictions.
Most established Greek dive centers rent standard recreational gear and can arrange Discover Scuba, Open Water, guided dives, snorkeling, and sometimes nitrox. Do not assume large cylinders, drysuit support, sidemount, CCR, scooters, or technical gases are available without advance confirmation. A 5mm wetsuit is the safest default for divers from spring through autumn; warm-blooded divers may use 3mm in late summer shallows. Bring your own mask, computer, DSMB, whistle, exposure layer, prescription lenses, and any specialized freedive gear.
Euro (EUR)
Cards are widely accepted in cities, resorts, dive centers, ferries, airports, and larger restaurants. Carry cash for small tavernas, water taxis, tips, remote beach kiosks, local buses, and smaller islands where card terminals can fail.
ATMs are common in Athens, Thessaloniki, major islands, resort towns, and ferry ports. Outer villages and small islands may have limited machines or weekend cash shortages in peak season. Withdraw before ferry legs and avoid relying on one remote ATM.
230V • 50Hz • C, F
Most hotels and apartments use standard European sockets. Boats may have limited charging, so bring a power bank for cameras, phones, dive computers, and lights.
Communications
Mobile coverage is strong in cities, resorts, ferry ports, and many islands, but coves, mountain roads, and offshore sites can have gaps. EU roaming works for many European visitors. Others can use local SIMs or eSIMs. Keep operator phone numbers, ferry booking references, and emergency contacts available offline.
Language
Greek is the official language. English is widely used in tourism, dive centers, airports, ferries, and major islands. Learning a few Greek greetings helps, especially in villages and family-run tavernas.
Insurance
Use travel insurance that covers scuba diving, freediving if applicable, evacuation, recompression treatment, lost dive gear, ferry delays, and rental-car excess where relevant. Standard travel policies may exclude deeper dives, technical dives, solo diving, cave or cavern activities, scooters, or freediving competitions unless specifically added.
Packing list
Pack a 5mm wetsuit or rent one locally, plus booties, DSMB, whistle, dive computer, personal mask, reef-safe sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, rashguard, water shoes, dry bag, motion-sickness tablets, and a light layer for ferries. Freedivers should bring a low-volume mask, buoy, lanyard for line work, and exposure protection matched to session length.
