The Best Way You Can Travel to Greece

The favorite holiday destination for Romanians has always been and will remain Greece. It is relatively close to home, welcoming us with landscapes completely different from our local coastline, affordable prices, and excellent cuisine that caters to everyone's tastes.

If you are planning to spend your holiday in the Hellenic Republic this summer, you have various modes of transport available: from planes and personal cars to buses or even trains. In this article, we will analyze the best option for you based on travel time and costs, as well as how to navigate efficiently once you reach your destination.

Flying: Speed and Comfort

The most efficient way to reach Greece is undoubtedly by plane. You can find direct flights from almost all major Romanian airports to popular Greek destinations such as Athens, Thessaloniki, Kalamata, or the island of Crete.

Estimated costs: Ticket prices range between 60 and 200 euros, depending on the travel period and chosen destination.

Keep in mind: While flying saves you from travel fatigue, you need to plan ahead on how you will get around after landing. Public transportation is not very developed, especially on the islands. For this reason, most tourists choose to rent a car for the duration of their stay.

What to watch out for when renting a car in Greece:

• Vehicle condition: The fleet of local rent-a-car companies is not always the best maintained. Many customer reviews point to visible cosmetic damage, minor technical issues, or poor hygiene.

• Insurance: Always opt for full coverage insurance (SCDW). This ensures you will not be held responsible for scratches or damages caused by other drivers or previous customers.

Traveling by Bus or Train: For the Patient Traveler

Unfortunately, there is no direct railway line connecting Romania to Athens. If you really want to travel by train, you will need to combine rail travel with bus connections. Such an adventure takes around 24 hours on the road alone, so arm yourself with patience and supplies: water, food, snacks, and personal hygiene products that do not require running water.

If you choose the bus option exclusively, you avoid the hassle of transferring routes and reduce total travel time to approximately 20 hours.

Estimated prices (e.g., FlixBus departing from Bucharest to Athens):

• In July: between 50 and 70 euros (one way)

• In August: between 60 and 80 euros (one way)

Travel tip: If you choose this option, we recommend making a layover of a few days in Sofia. This way, you can explore the Bulgarian capital, turning a long and tiring road trip into a pleasant mini Balkan tour.

Traveling by Personal Car: Total Freedom

Perhaps the most comfortable option in terms of flexibility, taking your personal car gives you the freedom to depart whenever you want and pack as much luggage as you like. While it might seem like a costly option at first glance, if you travel with family or friends, fuel costs and tolls are split, making it much more economical per person.

If you hit the road to Greece by car, keep the following bureaucratic details in mind:

1. Road Vignettes and Highway Tolls

Depending on your chosen route (through Bulgaria, Serbia, or North Macedonia), you will need to purchase valid vignettes for a day or a week. Do not risk driving without them; fines are issued directly to your home address. Furthermore, in Bulgaria, traffic police have the right to pull you over and request immediate payment for unpaid fines on the spot.

2. Green Card (Auto Insurance)

Standard mandatory vehicle insurance in Romania usually covers European Union countries. However, coverage is not mandatory for non-EU transit countries (such as Serbia or North Macedonia). Before setting off, double check the active coverage boxes on your insurance policy.

What to do if your policy does not cover these countries?

You can purchase cross-border insurance (Green Card) directly at border checkpoints. The cost is fairly reasonable, usually between 40 and 50 euros.

If your car was acquired through financial or operational leasing, contact your leasing company in advance to issue a cross-border authorization permit and extend your Green Card coverage for the duration of your trip.

Don't Have a Personal Car?

If you do not own a car, you can use services like MasiniLaCheie.ro, which allow car rentals with permission to cross borders, including into Greece. However, keep in mind that on top of standard rental rates, special cross-border fees or an extended security deposit may apply to cover international roadside assistance.