Overview
Greece pairs classical history with some of Europe's finest beaches, and it remains one of the most reliably sunny short-haul escapes from the UK. Whether you are drawn to ancient Athens, a laid-back Ionian island or a family villa on Crete, there are direct flights to Greece from airports right across Britain. Use the price charts on this page to compare live fares and see how the seasons shape what you pay.
Best time to fly to Greece
Peak season is July and August, when the islands are busiest and daytime temperatures regularly reach the mid-30s Celsius. Many travellers prefer the shoulder months — May, June, September and early October — for warm seas, thinner crowds and softer fares. Winter is mainly for Athens city breaks and mainland skiing, and several island routes pause between November and March. The When to book chart above shows how prices typically move through the year.
Main gateway cities & airports
Athens International (ATH) is the principal hub, with year-round flights and onward domestic connections. Thessaloniki (SKG) serves northern Greece. For island holidays, UK flights land mostly in summer at Heraklion (HER) and Chania (CHQ) on Crete, plus Corfu (CFU), Rhodes (RHO), Kos (KGS), Zakynthos (ZTH), Kefalonia (EFL), Mykonos (JMK), Santorini (JTR) and Skiathos (JSI).
Airlines and routes
British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, TUI, Wizz Air and Greek flag carrier Aegean Airlines all serve Greece from the UK. London to Athens takes around 3 hours 45 minutes non-stop; from Manchester it is closer to 4 hours. Direct flights run from London (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton), Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle, chiefly between April and October. Out of season you may connect via Athens or a European hub such as Amsterdam or Frankfurt.
Popular places to visit in Greece
- Athens: the Acropolis, world-class museums and a lively neighbourhood food scene.
- Crete: Greece's largest island, with dramatic gorges, Minoan ruins and long sandy beaches.
- Santorini: whitewashed cliffside villages and the famous caldera sunsets.
- Corfu: a lush Ionian island with Venetian architecture and easy family resorts.
- Rhodes: a walled medieval Old Town, dependable sunshine and sheltered swimming.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Greece
- Travel in May, June, September or October, when fares and crowds ease but the weather stays warm.
- Book island routes early — seasonal flights sell out and rarely get cheaper close to departure.
- Be flexible with airports and compare Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and your nearest regional base.
- Midweek and early-morning departures usually cost less than weekend flights; set the fare alerts on this page.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders do not need a visa to visit Greece, which is in the Schengen area, for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Check your passport meets EU validity rules and keep an eye on new EU entry requirements (the EES and the planned ETIAS). The currency is the euro. For the best value, book summer and island flights well in advance and use the price charts above to time your booking.
