Greece (GR)
Greece is a southeastern European republic and EU member state, birthplace of democracy, philosophy, and the Olympic Games, celebrated for its 6,000 sun-drenched islands, ancient ruins from the Acropolis to Delphi, vibrant Mediterranean cuisine, and a warm culture that draws expats, retirees, digital nomads, and Golden Visa investors from across the world.
Getting Around
Transport options for living in Greece.
Public Transport Overview
Athens has a metro (3 lines), tram, buses (OASA), and an urban rail (Proastiakos). The metro is modern, clean, and efficient — the primary way to get around the city. Thessaloniki has an extensive bus network and a new metro system (opened 2024). Other cities and islands rely primarily on buses (KTEL intercity, local municipal buses). Islands are served by ferries from Piraeus, Rafina, and Lavrio ports.
🎫 Transit Passes
All OASA metro, tram, and buses in the greater Athens area
Metro Line 3 from Athens Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) to Monastiraki/Syntagma
Intercity routes connecting major cities and regions
Taxi & Rideshare
Taxis are yellow in Athens and other cities. Use the official Taxibeat or FreeNow apps to hail and track taxis — avoids overcharging of tourists. Meters are required by law. Starting rate: €1.29 (daytime) plus €0.74/km within Athens city. Night/airport surcharges apply. Always insist on the meter (ταξίμετρο). Shared taxis (ταξί) for intercity routes are common in some areas.
Rideshare (Long-distance)
Uber operates in Athens and Thessaloniki (as licensed taxi service, not private cars). BEAT (formerly Taxibeat) is popular and reliable. Car-sharing services such as OK!Mobility and individual rental companies operate in major cities and airport.
Cycling
Cycling infrastructure is limited in Athens due to hills and heavy traffic, but improving. Thessaloniki has better cycling paths. Many islands are excellent for cycling tourism. Athens has a public bike-sharing scheme (Athens Bikes). Electric scooter rentals (Bird, Lime, Tier) are available in central Athens.
Intercity Trains
Hellenic Train (formerly TrainOSE) operates a limited national rail network. Key routes: Athens (Larissa station) to Thessaloniki (travel time ~4–5 hours, new high-speed sections reducing this) and Athens to Patras. The network is less comprehensive than in Western Europe. For many destinations, the KTEL bus is more practical. Book via hellenic-train.gr.
Driving
Greeks drive on the right. Speed limits (updated January 2026): 30 km/h on single-lane urban streets, 50 km/h on urban roads with two lanes per direction or a dividing median, 90 km/h on rural roads, 110 km/h on expressways, 130 km/h on motorways. International Driving Permit (IDP) may be needed for non-EU licences. Greece has an extensive road network including the A1 (Athens–Thessaloniki) and A2 (Egnatia Odos) motorways. Motorway tolls apply (typically €2–5 per stretch). Driving can be chaotic in Athens — parking is difficult and traffic heavy during peak hours. Scooters (μηχανάκια) are extremely popular, especially on islands.
Airports
Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" (ATH) is the main hub, located 35km east of central Athens. Access options: Metro Line 3 (~40 min, €10.50), Express buses (X93 to Kifissos KTEL, X95 to Syntagma, X96 to Piraeus, X97 to Elliniko), taxi (~€40–50, 35–60 min depending on traffic). Thessaloniki Macedonia Airport (SKG) serves the north. Most major Greek islands have airports served seasonally by Olympic Air, Aegean Airlines, Ryanair, and easyJet.