Airports of Greece
Greece has 39 commercial airports, which sounds like a lot until you remember the country is basically a mainland plus a couple thousand islands. That geography explains everything. You've got three major international hubs pulling in 100-plus direct destinations each, then 16 regional airports handling the middle ground, and 20 smaller airfields keeping remote islands connected. It's not a system built around one dominant mega-hub — it's spread out by necessity. The sea forces it.
The shape of Greece's aviation network
What strikes me about flying in Greece is how legitimately global the reach is, even outside Athens. ATH tops the list with 179 non-stop destinations, which you'd expect from a capital. But then Heraklion (HER) is sitting there with 124 routes — that's a Cretan airport outperforming plenty of European capitals. Corfu isn't far behind at 102. Rhodes is knocking on the major-hub door with 99. The reason? These islands pull massive direct summer traffic from northern Europe. Brits, Germans, Scandinavians — they fly straight in without touching Athens at all. That means the network is genuinely decentralised in a way that actually works for travellers, not just on paper.
Airport tiers in Greece
Major international hubs (3)
- ATH Athens — 179 destinations
- HER Heraklion — 124 destinations
- CFU Kerkyra — 102 destinations
Regional airports (16)
- RHO Rhodes — 99 destinations
- SKG Thessaloniki — 98 destinations
- CHQ Chania — 72 destinations
- KGS Kos — 62 destinations
- ZTH Zakinthos — 60 destinations
- JTR Thira — 57 destinations
- JMK Mykonos — 49 destinations
- PVK Preveza — 39 destinations
- JSI Skiathos — 34 destinations
- EFL Kefallinia — 33 destinations
- KLX Kalamata — 23 destinations
- AOK Karpathos — 20 destinations
Minor airfields (20)
- LXS Limnos — 6 destinations
- JNX Naxos, Cyclades Islands — 4 destinations
- JSH Sitia — 4 destinations
- JKH Chios — 4 destinations
- JSY Syros Island — 3 destinations
- MLO Milos — 3 destinations
- VOL Volos — 3 destinations
- LRS Leros — 3 destinations
- JKL Kalymnos — 3 destinations
- AXD Alexandroupolis — 3 destinations
- PAS Paros — 3 destinations
- JIK Ikaria Island — 2 destinations
Tips for using Greece's airports
City trip or cultural travel? Fly into ATH. Island holiday where Crete or Corfu is the whole point? Fly direct — there's a good chance your home airport connects straight there in summer. For smaller islands served by those 20 minor airfields, you'll likely need a domestic connection, usually through Athens. Don't assume ground transfers between airports are quick — Greek geography makes distances deceptive. And if you're island-hopping, honestly weigh up ferries versus short flights. Sometimes the ferry is the better call.
Frequently asked questions
How many airports are there in Greece?
Greece has 39 commercial airports serving the country. These include 3 major international hubs and numerous regional airports that connect to various destinations across Europe and beyond.
What is the biggest and busiest airport in Greece?
Athens International Airport (ATH) is the largest and busiest airport in Greece, serving as the country's primary international hub. It handles the majority of international flights and is the main hub for visitors arriving in Greece.
Can I fly internationally from regional airports in Greece?
Yes, you can fly internationally from many of Greece's regional airports, as the country has 3 major international hubs beyond Athens. Regional airports in cities like Thessaloniki, Crete, and Rhodes offer international connections, though Athens typically has the most frequent and varied international routes.
What is the distance between Greece's main airports?
Greece's major airports are spread across the country due to its geographic size and island locations. While specific distances vary, the main hubs are well-connected by domestic flights, buses, and ferries, allowing relatively easy transit between them.
Which airport should I fly into when visiting Greece?
If visiting Athens or central Greece, fly into Athens International Airport (ATH) as it's the largest hub with the most flight options. For other regions, consider flying into regional hubs closer to your destination, such as Thessaloniki in the north or Crete in the south, to minimize travel time.