Domestic Flights in Greece: Airlines, Luggage Rules & Airport Tips

Planning to fly within Greece?

Domestic flights can be one of the fastest and most convenient ways to travel around the country, especially if you’re visiting islands that are far from Athens or trying to make the most of a limited itinerary.

While ferries are an important part of the Greek travel experience, they aren’t always the best option. In many cases, a short domestic flight can save you several hours of travel time and make it easier to visit multiple destinations during your trip.

However, before booking a flight in Greece, there are a few things you should know. Not all islands have airports, luggage allowances vary between airlines and fare types, and some routes are operated by smaller aircraft with different baggage restrictions.

As someone who lives in Greece and regularly travels around the country, I’ve learned that understanding the airlines, fare options, luggage rules, and airport procedures can help you avoid unnecessary stress and extra costs.

In this guide, I’ll explain how domestic flights in Greece work, compare the main airlines, cover baggage rules, discuss airport procedures, and share practical tips to help you plan your trip more smoothly.

Want to understand exactly how flying within Greece works? Watch my full video below, where I explain the main domestic airlines, luggage rules, airport tips, and the common mistakes to avoid before booking your flight.

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Are Domestic Flights in Greece Worth It?

For many travelers, the answer is yes.

While ferries are often seen as part of the Greek island experience, domestic flights can save a significant amount of time, especially if you’re visiting destinations that are far from Athens or combining multiple regions of Greece in one trip.

For example, a flight from Athens to Santorini takes less than an hour, while the ferry journey can take anywhere from around 5 to 8 hours depending on the type of ferry. Similarly, flying to destinations such as Rhodes, Kos, or Crete can save you many hours compared to traveling by sea.

That said, flights aren’t always the best option.

Some islands don’t have airports, which means ferries are the only way to reach them. Ferries can also be more convenient if you’re island hopping between nearby islands, as flying often requires returning to Athens first.

In general, I recommend considering a domestic flight if:

• You’re short on time
• You’re travelling between Athens and a distant island
• You’re combining several destinations in one trip
• You’re visiting Greece during a shorter vacation

A ferry may be the better choice if:

• You’re island hopping within the same island group
• You want to enjoy the ferry experience
• The flight schedule isn’t convenient
• The ferry journey is relatively short

For many visitors, the ideal solution is actually a combination of both. You might fly to a distant destination such as Crete, Rhodes, or Santorini and then use ferries to explore nearby islands before returning to Athens.

The Main Airlines for Domestic Flights in Greece

When booking domestic flights in Greece, you’ll usually come across three airlines: Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air, and Sky Express.

Aegean Airlines

Aegean Airlines is Greece’s largest airline and serves many of the country’s most popular destinations. It operates flights from Athens and Thessaloniki to major islands and mainland cities throughout the year.

As a member of the Star Alliance network, Aegean also allows passengers to earn and redeem miles through its Miles+Bonus program and other participating loyalty programs.

Olympic Air

Olympic Air is part of the Aegean Group and often operates flights on smaller island routes.

If you book through Aegean and later notice that your flight is “operated by Olympic Air,” there’s no need to worry. This is completely normal and very common, especially on routes to smaller islands.

Because Olympic Air frequently uses turboprop aircraft on regional routes, baggage dimensions can sometimes differ slightly from those on larger Aegean aircraft.

Sky Express

Sky Express has grown significantly in recent years and now offers an extensive domestic network covering both popular and lesser-known destinations throughout Greece.

The airline operates flights to many islands and mainland airports and is often worth checking alongside Aegean, as schedules and prices can vary considerably.

Which Airline Should You Choose?

My advice is simple: compare both Aegean/Olympic Air and Sky Express before booking.

On some routes, one airline may offer better flight times, lower fares, or more suitable luggage allowances. The cheapest ticket isn’t always the best value once baggage fees and other extras are added.

That’s why I always recommend comparing the total cost, including any luggage you’ll need, before making a final decision.

Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air Fare Types and Luggage Rules

Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air are part of the same airline group, so their fares and luggage rules are very similar.

In economy, the main fares are usually Light, Flex, and ComfortFlex.

Light is the cheapest option and works best if you are traveling with very little luggage. It usually includes a personal item or cabin bag up to 8 kg, but no checked suitcase.

Flex includes a personal item and cabin bag up to 8 kg, plus more flexibility, such as ticket changes and standard seat selection.

ComfortFlex is usually better if you need checked luggage, as it includes a personal item, a cabin bag up to 8 kg, and one checked bag up to 23 kg.

Aegean also offers business fares with extra luggage, priority services, lounge access on eligible routes, and more flexibility.

For cabin baggage, the size is usually 56 x 45 x 25 cm on larger Airbus aircraft, but on smaller turboprop aircraft, often used on island routes, it is usually 55 x 40 x 23 cm.

For checked luggage, the maximum size is usually 158 cm total dimensions, meaning length plus width plus height.

Before booking, always compare the final price with luggage included. Sometimes adding baggage online is cheaper than choosing a higher fare, but it is almost always better to add it before you reach the airport.

Sky Express Fare Types and Luggage Rules

Sky Express uses different fare names, but the basic idea is similar.

The lighter fares, SKY offer and SKY joy, usually include a personal item and a cabin bag up to 8 kg.

SKY joy+ includes a checked bag up to 15 kg, while SKY enjoy includes a checked bag up to 23 kg, making it a better choice if you’re traveling with a standard suitcase.

Sky Express also offers business fares on selected routes, with additional luggage allowances and extra benefits.

For cabin baggage, the maximum size is usually 55 x 40 x 23 cm, while checked luggage can be up to 156 cm total dimensions.

As with Aegean, always check both the weight and size limits before you travel, and compare the total price with any luggage you plan to bring.

Choosing the Right Luggage for Domestic Flights in Greece

One thing many travelers overlook when flying within Greece is luggage size.

Greek airlines have specific cabin baggage dimensions, and this is especially important on smaller aircraft used on some island routes. Always measure your suitcase, including the wheels and handles, before you travel.

For my own trips around Greece, I use the LEVEL8 Luminous Textured 2-Piece Set, which includes a 20-inch carry-on and a 28-inch checked suitcase.

The 20-inch carry-on works well with the cabin baggage limits of Aegean and Sky Express, while the larger suitcase is useful for longer trips when I need checked luggage.

I also like this set because the wheels are strong and smooth, which matters a lot in Greece. Between cobblestone streets, uneven pavements, hotel steps, ferry ramps, and airport buses, good wheels can make your trip much easier.

Airport Tips for Domestic Flights in Greece

For most domestic flights, I recommend arriving at the airport around 1.5 to 2 hours before departure, especially during the busy summer months.

Online check-in is usually available 48 hours before departure and can save you time at the airport. If you’re traveling with carry-on luggage only, you’ll often be able to go straight to security.

Keep in mind that your cabin bag may be weighed, particularly if the flight is full. Sometimes the airline may also ask you to check your carry-on luggage for free, either at the check-in counter or at the gate, especially on smaller aircraft or busy flights.

It’s also common for domestic flights in Greece to board by bus rather than directly through a jet bridge, so don’t be surprised if you need to walk across the tarmac and climb stairs to reach the aircraft.

Finally, if you’re connecting to an international flight, I always recommend allowing plenty of time between flights or, even better, spending the night in Athens before your departure. Weather, strikes, and occasional delays can happen, and having a buffer day can save a lot of stress.

Which Greek Islands Have Airports?

Many of Greece’s most popular destinations have airports, but not all islands do. Before planning your itinerary, it’s always worth checking whether you can fly directly to your destination or if you’ll need to take a ferry.

Some of the main islands with airports include:

Cyclades: Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Milos, and Syros.

Crete: Heraklion, Chania, and Sitia.

Dodecanese: Rhodes, Kos, Karpathos, Kalymnos, Kasos, Leros, Astypalaia, and Kastellorizo.

Ionian Islands: Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, and Kythira. You can also fly to Preveza/Aktion Airport, which is useful if you’re visiting Lefkada.

North Aegean: Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Lemnos, and Ikaria.

There are also airports in mainland destinations such as Athens, Thessaloniki, Kalamata, Ioannina, Alexandroupoli, Kavala, and Volos.

Keep in mind that flight schedules can vary depending on the season. During the summer months, you’ll find more frequent flights, while some routes may have limited schedules during the winter and shoulder seasons.

Domestic flights can be a great way to save time and explore more of Greece during your trip. Whether you’re flying to a popular island like Santorini or Rhodes, or heading to a smaller destination, understanding the airlines, fare types, luggage rules, and airport procedures can help you avoid unnecessary stress and extra costs.

Just remember to compare airlines, check the baggage rules before booking, and allow plenty of time if you’re connecting to an international flight.

Safe travels and enjoy exploring Greece!

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