How to Travel the Greek Islands: Fast and Leisurely Ways to Get Around Greece
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Dreaming of turquoise waters, whitewashed villages, and endless Greek sunsets?
After island hopping through Greece with my family for 10 days, I’m sharing everything you need to know about how to travel the Greek Islands like a pro—without breaking the bank or making rookie mistakes!
But here’s the thing about Greek island hopping: it can seem overwhelming when you’re staring at a map of 6,000+ islands (227 inhabited ones!).
Which islands should you visit?
How to travel between the Greek islands?
And most importantly for us budget travelers, how do you do it without spending a fortune?
After my Greek adventure, I’m breaking down exactly how to travel the Greek islands, no matter your budget or travel style.
Understanding the Greek Island Groups
Before you start planning, you need to understand that Greek islands are organized into clusters.
Trying to hop between different clusters can be time-consuming and expensive, but I’ve found it to be a great way to see different sides of Greece.
The Cyclades: Most Popular
Islands include: Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Ios, Milos
Perfect for: First-time visitors and classic Greek island vibes
🇬🇷 We visited Santorini for 3 days and had a blast at Akrotiri and the volcanic beaches!
The Dodecanese: Less Touristy, More Authentic
Islands include: Rhodes, Kos, Patmos, Symi
Perfect for: History buffs, budget travelers, avoiding crowds, those seeking traditional Greek culture
🇬🇷 I’m a big history buff, so hanging out in Rhodes for 3 days was a dream!
The Ionian Islands: Lush and Green
Islands include: Corfu, Zakynthos, Kefalonia, Lefkada
Perfect for: Nature lovers, different scenery from the typical Greek islands
The Saronic Islands: Perfect for Short Trips
Islands include: Aegina, Hydra, Poros, Spetses
Perfect for: Day trips from Athens, quick weekend getaways
The Best Time to Visit the Greek Islands
My family and I visited during September so it was shoulder season and I can’t recommend visiting during this time enough as you won’t be flooded with crowds and things are a bit cheaper than in the middle of summer.
Peak Season (July-Aug)
Pros:
- Guaranteed sunny weather
- All restaurants and shops open
- Buzzing nightlife scene
- Perfect swimming conditions
Cons:
- Prices 2-3x higher than off-season
- Massive crowds everywhere
- Ferry tickets sell out quickly
- Accommodation books up months ahead
If you can only travel in the summer, book everything at least 3-4 months in advance and prepare for crowds.
Shoulder Seasons (May-June, Sept-Oct)
Why I love these months:
- Weather is still gorgeous (77-82°F/25-28°C)
- Prices drop significantly
- Fewer crowds but everything’s still open
- Sea is warm enough for swimming through October
Late September-early October is best, when summer crowds have left but the weather is still perfect enough to swim and lie on the beach.
Off-Season (Nov-Apr): For Budget Extremists
Many restaurants and hotels close, ferry schedules are limited, and the weather can be unpredictable.
Accommodation can be cheap, and you’ll have islands almost to yourself.
Best off-season islands: Larger ones like Crete, Rhodes, or Corfu where more stays open year-round.
Getting to Greece
For those traveling to Greece from abroad, Athens will probably be your most affordable entry point since it is the capital.
If you’re coming from a nearby country, one of the islands might be more affordable, so be sure to check based on your starting point.
However, it’s important to note that many flights to the islands go through Athens as it’s the main hub so you may have to travel to Athens either way.
🇬🇷 Considering adding the capital to your Greek island trip? Check out my guide on whether Athens is worth visiting.
How to Travel the Greek Islands
For those visiting the Greek Islands for the first time, you’ll likely wonder how much of a pain island hopping is.
Honestly, it wasn’t a pain, as you have options depending on your preference.
When planning my Greek island-hopping itinerary, I researched both ferry and flight options.
I’ll list the pros and cons below.
By Ferry: The Leisurely Option
Before we start, we didn’t take the ferry, but I’ll explain how you can and why we chose not to.
Taking a ferry ride is a very popular choice when island hopping around Greece.
However, they take much longer than a flight.
They can also run late or be canceled due to weather, with little recourse available to you.
Conversely, flights are pretty frequent.
Additionally, if you get seasick or think you might, this may not be the best transportation option for you, as the seas can become rough in the summer.
A benefit, however, is that if you’re taking a car with you, you can bring it on the ferry for an extra fee.
⛴️ If you’re set on taking the ferry, do bring Dramamine with you in case of seasickness!
Ferry Travel Tips
High-speed ferries (Flying Dolphins, Seajets): More expensive (€30-80 between islands), but saves time and is often more comfortable
Regular ferries (Blue Star, Golden Star): Cheaper (€15-40) but longer journey times
Car ferries: If you’re renting a car for larger islands like Crete or Rhodes
Overnight Ferries: Save on accommodation by sleeping on the ferry, cabins are available but more expensive, instead book deck passage and bring a sleeping bag for a budget-friendly option
Booking strategy:
- Book 1-2 weeks ahead for popular routes
- Day-of booking is usually fine in shoulder seasons
- Consider alternative departure times as early morning and weekday ferries are cheaper
- Use the Ferryhopper app – it’s like the Skyscanner of Greek ferries
- Book deck passage for budget travel (bring a sleeping bag for overnight ferries)
- Bring snacks – ferry café food is costly
- Download entertainment – WiFi is spotty on ferries
By Air: The Quick Option
With Santorini and Rhodes added to our Greek island-hopping itinerary, it wound up being faster and cheaper to fly.
We headed from Athens to Rhodes, then onto Santorini, before returning to Athens.
The downside was that to go from Rhodes to Santorini, we had to fly back to Athens first.
Yes, it was kind of annoying, but it saved us a boatload of time.
Most islands don’t have direct flights to each other, which makes the ferry system a popular yet sometimes unreliable way to travel because of delays and high winds.
However, if you choose different islands, compare which one is more affordable or faster, as the cost and speed vary greatly depending on your destination.
We flew on Aegean Airlines for all transfers.
Please note that this airline charges for checked luggage.
My aunt and cousin only brought carry-on bags, so we didn’t pay any fees for them. My mom and I decided to check our bags, which required us to pay for them.
However, in hindsight, I’d highly recommend traveling light so you don’t have to lug bulky suitcases along cobblestones.
Flying Travel Tips
- Book flights separately from international travel for better deals
- Check both Athens airports – some islands fly from different terminals
- Tuesday/Wednesday flights are usually cheapest
Cost Breakdown
Athens to Rhodes
By air: 1 hour
Average price is $100
By ferry: Between 13 and 20 hours
Average price of a foot passenger is $159
Rhodes to Santorini
By air: 3 hours and 20 minutes
Average price is $200
By ferry: 14 hours and 30 minutes on average
Average price of a foot passenger is $132
Santorini to Athens
By air: 1 hour
Average price is $100
By ferry: 5 hours and 30 minutes on average
Average price of a foot passenger is $190
Final Verdict: The Best Way to Visit Greek Islands
My best advice: Pick fewer islands and really experience them.
Don’t try to rush from one to another.
There’s a reason I spread our 10 day trip only over Athens, Santorini, and Rhodes.
I wanted to spend at least 2 whole days on each with a third travel day which we’d be able to use part of.
I also built in time at the beginning in Athens in case anyones flight was delayed.
While I know some people fly to Athens and then immediately go to an island, that gives me anxiety because what if someone’s flight is delayed?
In my case, we had four people coming in from different parts of the States so it was completely possible someone could get delayed.
I highly recommend flights when deciding how to travel the Greek islands.
I’m sure ferries are great, but when you’re on a limited time and budget, I just didn’t find them to be the best option for us.
However, as I noted before, this depends on where you’re heading and your own travel style.
Have you island hopped in Greece?
Which islands stole your heart?
I’d love to hear about your adventures in the comments below!
FAQs
Can you travel between islands in Greece?
Yes, you can travel between island in Greece either by ferry or by plane.
Is it easy to travel between the Greek islands?
Yes! It’s super easy to travel between the Greek islands either by booking a ferry passage or a plane ride.
How many Greek islands should i visit?
I would recommend visiting at least two Greek islands, but having a third is even better if you have the time. I wouldn’t suggest doing any more than that on a first trip, as it may be overwhelming.
Is it safe to travel to the Greek islands?
Yes, it is extremely safe to travel to the Greek islands. However, as with any place, there is typically petty crime, so do be sure to protect your belongings with an anti-theft purse or money belt.
Related Greece Travel Guides
- Simple 10-Day Greek Island Hopping Itinerary For First-Timers
- What to Wear in Greece: A Practical Packing Guide for Women
- How to Travel the Greek Islands: Quick and Leisurely Ways
- 30 Scenic Movies Set in Greece You Need to Watch Before You Visit
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