Facts about Greece

In this section you will find useful information about Greece, concerning various aspects of the nation's services and sectors. This section could be particularly useful to travelers who have never been to Greece before. Browse through the various sectors of the page by using the anchored links of the index table, or scroll down to the bottom of the page to see them one by one.
Data provided by: gtp.gr

Index

General Information:	Greece on the map > Greek people > Institutions > Greece in the world > Statistics > Official holidays > Climate > Electricity supply
Communications - Media:	Telephone system > Useful Telephone numbers > Radio broadcast stations > Television broadcast stations > Internet > Post > Press
Money and shopping:	Currency > Money exchange > Credit cards > Shopping hours > Entertainment and culture
Traveling to Greece:	Information on entering Greece > Types of Visas > Vaccinations > Health certificates > Health precautions > Currency regulations > Traveling with pets > Traveling by Air > International airports > International Ports > International Railway schedules > Road
Traveling within Greece:	Urban transportation > Taxi > Air > Sea > Rail > Road > Bus > People with special needs

General Information

Greece on the map

Area
Total	131,957 sq km
Water	1,140 sq km
Land	130,800 sq km

Geographic coordinates
39° 00´ N	22° 00´ E

Capital

Athens

Land boundaries
Total	1,228 km
Albania	282 km
Bulgaria	494 km
Turkey	206 km
F.Y.R.OM	246 km
Coastline	13,676 km

Terrain

Mostly mountains with ranges extending into the sea as peninsulas or chains of islands

View Larger Map

Greek people

Population

10,815,197 (2011 census)

Religions
Greek Orthodox	97.6%
Muslim	1.3%
Roman Catholic	0,4%
Protestant	0,1%
Other (including Jewish)	0.6%
source: www.Greekembassy.org

Languages

• The official language is Greek (spoken by 99% of the population).
• The most commonly used foreign language is English.
• Most of Greek people dealing with tourism also speak some French, German or Italian.

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Institutions

Formal country name: Hellenic Republic
Regime: Parliamentary republic
Flag description: Nine equal horizontal stripes of blue alternating with white; there is a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white cross.

President of the Republic
Katerina Sakellaropoulou (since 13 March 2020)

Prime Minister
Kyriakos Mitsotakis (since 8 July 2019)

Greece in the world

International organization participation

Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC.

Environment - international agreements

Party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Bio diversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

Signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol.

Statistics

According to the latest information from the Hellenic National Statistics Service and the World Tourism Organization Greece was the 15th most popular destination regarding tourist arrivals in 2001.

Official Holidays

January 1, January 6, Lent Monday, March 25, Holy and Good Friday, Easter Monday, May 1, Whit Monday, August 15, October 28, December 25,26

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Climate

The climate varies according to region. In central and western Greece the temperature is higher than in Northern Greece. Generally mild winters and warm summers. From April to October, the winds vary significantly from area to area, in terms of direction, strength and duration. Long periods of sunshine.
Annual rainfall also varies according to region. The average annual rainfall in the Greek capital, Athens, is 400 mm. Snow is common on the mountains and in Northern Greece.

Average Temperatures	Month	Athens & Southern Greece	Thessaloniki & Northern Greece
	January	52°F - 12°C	45°F - 8°C
	February	54°F - 13°C	51°F - 11°C
	March	58°F - 15°C	54°F - 13°C
	April	65°F - 19°C	65°F - 19°C
	May	74°F - 24°C	74°F - 24°C
	June	86°F - 30°C	86°F - 30°C
	July	92°F - 33°C	90°F - 32°C
	August	92°F - 33°C	90°F - 32°C
	September	82°F - 28°C	80°F - 27°C
	October	72°F - 23°C	69°F - 21°C
	November	63°F - 18°C	58°F - 15°C
	December	56°F - 14°C	50°F - 10°C

Electricity supply

Alternating current, 220 volts, 50 Hz. Appliances for 110 or 120 volts may be operated by using step-down transformers of 220/110 volts connected to each outlet, provided that these transformers have two separate windings which will eliminate any danger of electric shock.

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Communications - Media

Telephone system

Adequate, modern networks reach all areas. IDD available throughout the country.

domestic: microwave radio relay trunk system; extensive open wire connections; submarine cable to offshore islands
international: tropospheric scatter; 8 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intel sat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region).

The telephone system supports international payphone cards usage.

OTE is the Greek Telecommunication Organization.

There are two different dialing systems in Greece. Tone and pulse. Therefore telephone sets must be able to change from one system to the other. Dual voltage (220/110 volts 50/60 hz) power adapters for wireless telephone sets are required.

Dialing codes

Country code: +30
Every city has a different area code (e.g. for Athens 210 or 211 for new numbers).

Call Information

• Call 11888 for telephone directory information
• Call 139 for international call information

Mobile telephony

Good mobile telephone service supported by GSM 900 and 1800 networks around the country

Greek cell phone companies
Cosmote	(+30) 697 plus seven digits
Vodafone	(+30) 694 or 695 plus seven digits
Wind	(+30) 693 plus seven digits
Q-telecom	(+30) 699 plus seven digits

Public telephones

Most public telephones do not accept coins. A telephone card is necessary. In some cases using your credit card is possible.

Fax services

Available at: Post offices, OTE shops, Hotels, Bookstores, photocopy shops etc

Telegram services

Available at: Post offices, OTE shops, Hotels etc
Call 136 to send a telegram or to obtain more information.

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Useful telephone numbers

Tourism police	171
Telephone Directory information (plus information on entertainment)	11888
OTE (Organization of Greek Telecommunications) customer service	134
Telegram service domestic - international	136
International calls information	139
Emergency police line	100
Fire Brigade	199 (forests 191)
Emergency port authority line	108
Emergency air police line	210 9642000
Ferry schedules , KTEL bus schedules and Railway schedule information (recorded messages)	14944
Telepost	210 3237051
National center of emergency Aid	166
Athens & Piraeus Pharmacy information	14944
Weather & Pollution report	14944
Time	14844
ELPA (Hellenic Automobile Touring Club) Tourism Information (08:00-15:00)	10400
Consumers Institute	1721
Consumer Protection Organization	210 3304444
European emergency service	112
GNTO (Hellenic Tourism Organization)	210 8707000
Olympic Games Committee	210 6878888
Tourist Protection Line	1572

Radio broadcast stations

AM 26, FM 88, short wave 4 (1998)

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Television broadcast stations

36 (plus 1,341 low-power repeaters); also two stations in the US Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (1995)

Internet

Easy access in many internet cafes all over the country.

Internet country code: .gr

Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 27 (2000)

Greek search engines: in.gr, google.gr

Post

There are Post offices in most towns and cities and on most of the islands.

Post office hours: Mon to Fri 0800 – 1400. There are some central Post Offices in big cities that are open Mon to Fri from 0800-2000 and Sat 0800 – 13.30

Press

27 Daily newspapers

International press available at many kiosks.

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Money and shopping

Currency

Euro (EUR) (since 1/1/2002)

Former currency: drachma (GRD) (1 euro=340.75 grd)

See also: Traveling to Greece > Currency regulations

Money exchange

There are many Bureaus de Change throughout the country open from morning until late evening. You can also exchange money at banks (commission varies). Banks are open Mon-Thu from 0800 - 1430 and Fri from 0800-1400. There are some banks in central locations in Athens (Omonia, Syntagma) open in the afternoon.

Credit cards

Visa, Diners Club, American Express, Master Card are accepted at most shops and restaurants.

Shopping hours

Shopping hours vary. In Athens and other big cities shopping hours are:

In winter
Mon., Wed and Sat	0900 - 1500
Tue, Thu and Fri	from 0900 - 1400 & 1700 - 2000
Biggest stores & Super markets
Mon. - Sat	0800 or 0900 - 2100

In summer
Mon., Wed and Sat	0900 - 1500
Tue, Thu and Fri	0900 - 1400 & 1700 - 2100
Biggest stores & Super markets
Mon. - Sat	0800 or 0900 - 2100

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Entertainment and culture

Nightlife

Restaurants and cafe bars are open until 0230 or 0300 on Friday and Saturday and until 0130 on other weekdays.
Usually, nightclubs are open from 10.00p.m until dawn.

Cultural Entertainment

There are many Theatres in Greece. Every summer, many festivals take place in different Greek ancient theatres . Greek Museums are one more attraction. Contact the Ministry of Culture for information on opening hours and ticket prices.

Traveling to Greece

Information on entering Greece

Greece is signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.

All E.U. citizens can enter Greece without a passport or visa. A valid ID card is required. British citizens should have their passport as they have no other ID card. Driving licenses are not accepted instead of an ID card. The following documents are also valid: a) Laissez-passer issued by the U.N., the E.U, the High Authority of European Coal and Steel Community or the E.E.C. and Laissez-passer issued according to the Dublin Convention of 1990, only valid for the transfer described therein. b) documents issued to stateless persons and refugees according to the Geneva convention of 1951 and the New York convention of 1954. c) Hong Kong certificate of Identity issued by the previous British Administration.
d)Expired passports of nationals of Austria, Belgium , France, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland (maximum five years) and nationals of Germany (maximum one year).

A Visa is not required for the following people if they intend to stay in Greece for up to three months:
a) Nationals of Andora, Argentina , Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria , Canada , Chile, Costa Rica , Croatia , Cyprus, Czech Republic , Ecuador, El Salvador , Estonia , Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland , Israel , Japan, Korea Rep ., Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malaysia , Malta, Mexico , Monaco, New Zealand , Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Romania, San Marino , Singapore, Slovak Rep ., Slovenia, Uruguay, U.S.A., Vatican City and Venezuela. b) holders of passports who are described as "British Subject, Citizen of the United Kingdom , Islands and Colonies" c) holders of Hong Kong , China or Macao and China passports.

For visits exceeding 3 months, authorization must be obtained in person by applying to the Aliens Bureau at least 20 days prior to the 3-month expiration date.

Information
Office	Address	Contact
Aliens Bureau	173, Alexandras Ave., 11522 Athens	(+30) 210 7705711-7
Aliens Center	37, Iroon Politechniou St., 185 10 Piraeus	(+30) 210 4122501, 210 4241333, 210 4128607
Aliens Center	25, Tsimiski St. Thessaloniki	(+30) 2310 521067
Aliens Center	73 D. Gounari, Maroussi (Athens Suburbs)	(+30) 210 8024808

In all nationality cases a Visa is required if the traveler does not hold a valid ID card or a valid passport.

Citizens of all other countries should contact the nearest Greek Consulate office or the Greek Embassy in order to be properly informed on visa requirements.

Entrance is refused to a) Nationals of Turkey whose passport indicates that they have visited or intend to visit North Cyprus and holders of documents issued by the Authorities of North Cyprus.
b) Holders of passports issued by Bophutaswana, Ciskei, Transkei or Venda, of Norwegian "Fremmedpass" or "Reisbevis", Somalian passports issued after 23/01/1991and Ethiopian Emergency passports.

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Types of Visas

• Tourist and business (single and multiple entry)
• Transit (single and double)

Processing Time and Fees

• A processing time of approximately five days should be anticipated in most cases.
• Fees depend on the nationality of the applicant, and are determined by reciprocity between Greece and the respective country.
• In addition to the visa fee, a non-refundable $4,65 application fee is required.

Requested supporting documents

• Visa application form duly filled out and signed by the applicant. Applications are available upon request, and may be photocopied or downloaded ( GREEK -- ENGLISH).
• Valid passport.
• Green card.
• One recent passport-size photograph of the applicant.
• Proof of availability of sufficient funds to support stay in Greece.
• Destination in Greece and references, if available.
• Money order, certified check, or cash payable to the consulate of Greece for the visa processing.
• Letter of reference from employer.

Note: The consulate reserves the right to ask for further documentation, in addition to the above mentioned.
The applicant must appear in person for an interview at the consulate nearest to his/her place of residence. In case the applicant is unable to appear in person he/she should contact the consulate for instructions.

Vaccinations

No vaccinations are required before entering the country.

For visitors at high risk of rabies infection, vaccination should be considered.

Health certificates

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travelers over six months of age coming from infected areas.

Health precautions

Although Greece is geographically situated in southeast Europe, health precaution measures that apply in this country’s case are the same as those for traveling to Western Europe.
Tourists visiting Greece in the summer must keep in mind that the sun radiation and the heat may be very intense.

Supplementary information: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/westeurp.htm

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Currency regulations

Importation of foreign currency, gold and gold coins are free and unlimited. Banknotes of more than €10000 and import of gold, gold plated objects or other precious metals must be declared at customs in order to avoid complications on departure.

Traveling with pets

You can travel to Greece with your pet but you have to carry with you some health and vaccination certificates. Rabies inoculation must take place not more than 12 months (for cats six months) and not less than six days prior to arrival. You have to contact the company operating the schedule that interests you in order to be properly informed on all regulations.

Traveling by Air

Most of the major international airline companies operate flights to Greece.
Greece has 17 international airports. There are frequent direct flights to and from every major European City, to and from the USA, CANADA, Australia, Cyprus, Sofia, Istanbul and various Asian cities.

Flight duration

• From London to Athens: 3 hours 15 minutes
• From Los Angele s to Athens: 18 hours 35 minutes
• From New York to Athens: 10 hours 10 minutes
• From Singapore to Athens: 11 hours 25 minutes
• From Sydney to Athens: 22 hours 5 minutes

International airports

Athens (ATH)

• 27km (17 miles) northeast of the city center. This is the biggest airport in Greece and the only one serving the capital of the country. It received its first visitors in March 2001.
• Check in countries: 157
• Passengers per year:16.000.000
• Airport facilities: duty-free shops, car hire (Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar and Sixt), 24-hour banks, cash machines, bureau de change, bar and restaurant facilities, post office, business center and hotel.
• There are regular airport buses running 24 hours from the Centre (Syntagma) and the port of Piraeus. The ticket costs €3,20 and is valid for one trip to or from the airport and unlimited travel by all other public transport modes (buses, trolley buses, metro) for 90 minutes, except E22 bus line, from the time of its validation during first trip (validate only once). The airport ticket can be purchased from the drivers of the airport buses, at all metro stations and at bus ticket outlets.
• Athens International Airport is also accessible by Athens Metro line 3 (Blue).
• Attica Suburban Railway is also connected to Athens Metro line 1 in Neratziotissa station and Athens Metro line 3 in Doukissis Plakentias station. More info at tel. 210-5272000, www.proastiakos.gr.
• Athens Airport is also connected with Athens Railway station (Central-Northern Greece Terminal) by Metro Line 3 (Blue) up to Syntagma conjunction and boarding Line 2 (Red) towards Agios Antonios terminal station to Stathmos Larissis.
• Athens Airport is also connected with Rafina port by KTEL (regional) bus lines. More Info.

Other big airports	Thessaloniki (SKG) (Micra) is 16km (10 miles) from the city. Regular coach and taxi services are available. There is a duty-free shop, cafeteria and bar.
	Heraklion (HER) (Crete) is 5km (3 miles) from the city. Bus and taxi services are available. Airport facilities include a cafeteria and a duty-free shop.
	Corfu (CFU) (Kerkyra) is 3km (2 miles) from the city. Regular coach and taxi services are available. There is a duty-free shop, cafeteria and bar.
	Rhodes (RHO) (Paradisi) is 16km (10 miles) from the city. Coach and taxi services are available. Airport facilities include a duty-free shop, car hire (Avis, Rent-a-car), bank and bureau de change, cafe and a 24-hour bar.
	There are also international airports at Chania (CHQ), Kalamata (KLX), Karpathos (AOK), Kavala (KVA), Kefalonia (EFL), Kos (KGS), Lesvos (Mytilini) (MJT), Mykonos (JMK), Preveza (Lefkos) (PVK), Samos (SMI), Skiathos (JSI), Thira (Santorini) (JTR) and Zakynthos (ZTH), most of which serve predominantly summer traffic.

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International Ports

There are direct ferry connections between Greece and the following countries:
Italy (from and to Patra, Kerkyra (Corfu)and Igoumenitsa ) and Turkey.
Turkey (from and to Mytilini (Lesvos), Rhodes and Chios, Samos and Kos)
• Since 2001 there have been no more routes to Cyprus, Egypt and Israel operated by cruise lines .
• Other major Greek ports are Piraeus, Rafina, Lavrio, Thessaloniki, Volos and Heraklion .
• In summer there are more connections and it is possible that international schedules are operated to and from more Greek ports.
Find all available information on international ferry schedules through the Greek Travel Pages (GTP) website

Transportation to / from ports:

• Patra port: The port of Patra is next to the Railway station and to the Local and Intercity (KTEL) bus station. There are taxis serving passengers. Some shipping companies provide bus services from Athens.
• Kerkyra, Igoumenitsa, Lesvos, Rhodes, Chios, Kos, Samos, Mytilini: Bus services from 05.30 - 22.00 (approximately) and taxi services.

International Railway schedules

The national railway company is Hellenic Railways Organization Ltd (OSE) (web site: www.osenet.gr and www.ose.gr).

Services

• Transportation services for passengers, luggage, parcels and merchandise.
• Carriages with beds, restaurant, snack bar.

Tourism Information services

• Big time table boards at all stations, tourism information desks at major stations, free timetable leaflets distribution. For complaints passengers should address to the head-officers of the stations. Call 1110 for schedules information (recorded messages). More information: (+30) 210 3627947 and (+30) 210 5297777.
There are direct railway connections between Greece and the following countries: Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, FYROM, Czechia and Turkey.

Also, OSE offers bus transportation services between Greece and other countries by the following coach schedules:
Athens Thessaloniki Xanthi Patra to Istanbul, Tirana, Filipoupolis, Varna, Vernico Tarnovo Koritsa, Filipoupoli (via Ormenio) and Sofia (via Ormenio).
European tourists may contact Eurostar (tel: (01233) 617 599 (travel agents) or (08705) 186 186 (public; within the UK) or (01233) 617 575 (public; outside the UK); web site: www.eurostar.com), Rail Europe (tel: (08705) 848 848. Url: http://www.raileurope.com ) and SNCF in Paris (tel: (8) 36 353 535 in order to be informed on ways to reach Greece.
The central arrival and departure point for all international railway schedules is Thessaloniki railway station, next to Dimokratias (Democracy) Square. (Information: (+30) 2310 517517).
At the station there are restrooms, information office, restaurant and snack bar, press kiosks and some small gift shops.
Transportation to/from station: Taxi and public bus services.

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Road

Points of entry	Entry country	Entry point name	Distance from Athens
	FYROM	Evzoni	550 kms
	FYROM	Niki	633 kms
	Bulgaria	Promahonas	736 kms
	Turkey	Kastanies	985 kms
	Turkey	Kipi	892 kms

These five border stations operate and provide services 24 hours every day.
Drivers can also enter Greece by car-ferry (see “ International Ports ”).

Traveling within Greece

Urban transportation

Athens	In Athens there are trolley buses (ILPAP), regular buses (ETHEL) and three metro lines. Tickets for buses and trolley buses can be purchased from the Athens Urban Transport Organization (OASA) at various booths and kiosks situated around the city. Only Bus Line number 040 (Syntagma - Piraeus) and the bus lines to the Airport operate 24-hour schedules. For further information contact OASA at 15 Metsovou Street, 10682 Athens (tel: 210 883 6076; fax: 210 821 2219; e-mail: oasa@otenet.gr. The web site of the Organization of Urban Transportation of Athens (OASA) www.oasa.gr is a user-friendly site with much valuable information. Information is also available by phoning 185.
	Metro: Athens has a reliable subway system (ISAP) that consists of three major lines. Line 1 (Green) runs between Kifissia (Athens-NE) and Piraeus (SW) daily 05:00-00:15 and 05:00-02:00 every Friday and Saturday. Line 2 (Red) runs between Agios Antonios, Peristeri (Athens-N,NW) and Agios Dimitrios (Athens-S,SE) and Line 3 (Blue) runs between the Athens Airport at Spata (Attica-E) and Egaleo (Athens-W). Tickets can be purchased at every Metro and ISAP station. Information on timetables and schedules can be found at Athens Metro web site.
	Tram: Operating since 2004, the Tram is conducting urban transportation with two lines both starting at Syntagma square (Athens centre) and continuing via Paleo Faliro (Athens-S) to a. Piraeus (Attica SW) or b. Voula (Attica SE). Tickets can be purchased from the automatic sales machines located at each station, or from the Athens Urban Transport Organization (OASA) at various booths and kiosks situated around the city of Athens. For more information call (+30) 210-9978000, (+30) 210-9978035, (+30) 210-9978057. Website: www.tramsa.gr.
Thessaloniki	In Thessaloniki there is regular bus service. Tickets can be purchased from the Thessaloniki Urban Transport Organization (OASTH) desks from 0700 - 2100. For further information contact OASTH at 90, Papanastasiou St., Thessaloniki.(Web site: www.oasth.gr, tel. (+30) 2310 981100, (+30) 2310 981250. For complaints call (+30) 2310-981207 and (+30) 2310 949103. Bus schedule information is available by phoning 185.

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Taxi

Rates are per km. Taxi routes to/from stations, ports and airports, carriage of luggage heavier than 10kg and call taxi services are charged extra. All taxi drivers must have the official price list in their taxi and must turn on their counter. There is an additional charge from 0100-0600 (double fare). Taxi drivers tend to pick up passengers for more than one route. In order to do so, they must ask your permission.

Air

There are 37 airports in Greece

Olympic Air domestic destinations	From	To
	Athens	Alexandroupolis, Astypalea, Chania (Crete), Chios, Heraklion, Ikaria, Ioannina, Kalamata, Karpathos, Kassos, Kastellorizo, Kastoria, Kavala, Kefalonia, Kerkyra (Corfu), Kythira, Kos, Kozani, Limnos, Leros, Milos, Mykonos, Mytilini (Lesvos), Naxos, Paros, Preveza-Aktion, Rhodes, Samos, Santorini (Thira), Sitia, Skiathos, Skyros, Syros, Thessaloniki, Zakynthos (Zante)
	Rhodes	Heraklion, Karpathos, Kassos, Kastellorizo, Kos, Mykonos, Santorini (Thira)
	Chios	Mykonos, Samos, Thessaloniki
	Heraklion	Santorini (Thira), Mykonos, Paros
	Karpathos	Kassos, Sitia
	Kefalonia	Zakynthos
	Kos	Leros, Samos
	Mykonos	Mytilini
	Thessaloniki	Chania, Heraklion, Ioannina, Kavala, Kerkyra, Kos, Lemnos, Mykonos, Mytilini, Rhodes, Samos, Santorini.

Aegean Airlines domestic destinations	From	To
	Athens	Alexandroupolis, Chania (Crete), Chios, Heraklion, Ioannina, Kavala, Kefalonia, Kerkyra (Corfu), Kos, Limnos, Mykonos, Mytilini (Lesvos), Rhodes, Samos, Santorini (Thira), Thessaloniki
	Thessaloniki	All year: Chania, Heraklion, Mytilini, Rhodes Summer only: Kos, Mykonos, Santorini (Thira)

Sky Express domestic destinations	From	To
Sky Express domestic destinations	Heraklion (Crete)	Rhodes, Mytilini (Lesvos), Kos, Samos, Kalamata

There are also regular services to the Greek Aegean Islands (including Cyclades, Dodecanissa, North Aegean Sea and Sporades islands).
There are also private airline companies operating schedules to many islands.
At all airports there are bus and taxi services.

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Sea

There are 525 ports in Greece. There are many sea connections between the mainland and the islands (227 inhabited islands) as well as between islands. There are ships of many different types: Car ferries, catamarans, hydrofoils and high-speed ships. Certain types are for passengers only. The shipping companies announce their schedules a couple of months before operation begins. Schedule frequency is higher in summer.

The greatest and closest port to the Greek capital (Athens) is Piraeus. There are routes from Piraeus to most of the Aegean Sea islands (Cyclades, Dodekanissos, North Aegean, Argosaronicos Gulf, Crete, East Aegean) and to some Peloponnissos ports. Also there is a connection between Piraeus and Thessaloniki (Macedonia). More info about Piraeus Port and how to get there at www.gtp.gr.

There are two more ports serving Attica: Rafina port and Lavrio port.

Those ports are connected with Athens by KTEL orange bus lines . Information: Tel. (+30) 210 8808080 (to Lavrio and Rafina). Website: www.ktelattikis.gr

The main ports that connect the mainland with the Ionian Sea Islands (Kerkyra-Corfu, Lefkada, Paxi, Kefallonia, Zakynthos, Ithaki, Kythira) are Patra, Igoumenitsa , Kylini and Gythio.

The main ports that connect the mainland with Sporades islands (Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonnissos) are:Volos (Magnesia) and Agios Konstantinos (Fthiotida).

The main ports that connect northern Greece with some Aegean islands are Kavala, Alexandroupoli and Thessaloniki.

Rail

The main railway station in Athens is situated at Diligianni & Filadelfias St. There are two terminals, one serving northern Greece, Evia and Europe (Larissis Station) and the other serving Peloponnissos (Peloponissou Station).

Train information & tickets	Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE), 1 Karolou Street, 104 37 Athens, tel: (+30) 210 5297002
Train information & tickets	Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE), 6 Sina Street, Athens, tel: (+30) 210 3624405
Rail information	(+30) 210 529 7777, 1110 (recorded messages), Web site: www.osenet.gr
Car/Vehicle transportation	Call (+30) 210 529 7777 in order to obtain more information
Pets	Pets, carried in baskets or other suitable containers, are allowed aboard railway carriages. Small dogs may be hand-carried, provided they do not annoy fellow passengers
Reaching Athens R/w stations	There are many different bus lines to the Railway Station: 024, 057, 714, 719, 732, A10, A11, A12, B10, B11, B12, B5, Γ10, Γ12, Ε12. There is also a metro line stop (Stathmos Larissis) below the Station.

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Road

The Greek road network covers a total of about 116,150 km..

Car

Distances from Athens

To	Kilometers	Miles
Thessaloniki	511	318
Korinthos	85	53
Igoumenitsa	587	365
Delphi	165	103

Road signs

Road signs are written in Greek and Latin characters (according to Greek pronunciation).

Tolls

There are tollgates on many spots both to Northern Greece and to the Peloponnese. There are tollgates on the highway that leads to Athens airport

Importing vehicles

EU citizens may import their car, caravan, motorcycle, boat or trailer for a maximum of six months. This period may be extended to 15 months for a fee and further paperwork.

Rent-a-car / Gas stations

There are many rent-a-car offices all over Greece. Gas stations are easy to reach but tourists must note that in most cases credit cards are not accepted.

Road conditions / Safety

The road conditions are very different from place to place. The main arterial roads and the national highways are generally safe but there are several motorways considered unsatisfactory. On countryside roads sharp turns are very common. Drivers must be very careful, especially at night. They must remember to have their safety belts on, to drive without exceeding the speed limits (100-120 km/h on highways unless otherwise posted and 50 km/h in residential areas unless otherwise posted) and to drive on the right. Persons up to 18 years old are not allowed to drive. Children under 10 must sit in the back seat. Traffic and signaling are the same as in most European countries. Special care should be taken in Greece when crossing unguarded railway crossings. There are high fines for breaking traffic regulations.

Driving License

EU citizens can use their national driving license. All other visitors must carry an International Driving License.

Useful contacts

Information on insurance matters:
International Insurance Office
10, Xenofontos street, Athens
Tel. (+30) 210 3334100, Fax. (+30) 210 3334149, Website: www.eaee.gr.

Free assistance for certain repairs, general information on driving around Greece and legal advice:
ELPA Road Assistance Service.
Address: 395 Messogion Street, 153 43 Athens
Call center: 10400, Tel: (+30) 210 6068800, Fax: (+30) 210 6068981, Website: www.elpa.gr

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Bus

KTEL buses (web site: www.ktel.org) are the public buses that operate schedules around the country. There are many routes that connect many different locations. In every prefecture there are local KTEL buses serving inhabitants and tourists. Service on the islands depends on demand, and timetables should be checked carefully. There are two main KTEL Trunk Routes Stations in Athens:

A. At 100 Kifissou Street, Athens (2nd entrance Drakontos & Pappou Streets). Tel.+30 210 5124910, (+30) 210 5124911, (+30) 210 5124914). Kifissou Trunk Routes station is connected with Piraeus by bus line 420 and with Athens (Omonia) by bus line number 051.
B. At 260 Liossion Street. Tel. (+30) 210 8317179. The bus lines that serve transportation to this Terminal are 024, 701, 704, 714, 717, 719, 747, Α10, Α11, Α12, Β10, Β11, Β12, Γ10, Γ12.

For KTEL Bus schedules call: 14505. Taxi service is available at both stations 24h a day.

Useful information for people with special needs

In big cities there are special platforms at every bus/trolley stop so that people in wheelchairs can easily board. The metro stations and lines are very easy to access. Many of the cruise ships are equipped to accommodate people with special needs. People with special needs have priority at all public offices. At all airports there are special facilities and services. Unfortunately access to some archaeological sites may be difficult. Regarding transportation ticket prices, in most cases there are discounts. Disabled people can contact the GNTO (Hellenic Tourism Organization) Offices worldwide in order to obtain more information. In 2004 the Special Olympics took place in Greece.