How To Get From Greece To Italy (& Italy To Greece)

Here is how to get from Italy to Greece and Greece to Italy. We’ve covered all modes, costs, and travel times. 

Both air and sea travel are comfortable ways to travel between Italy and Greece. When it comes to sea routes, there are many ports in Italy from where you can embark on your Greek adventure.

From these ports, it’s also possible to travel to other Mediterranean countries with different schedules and traveling times all year long. Of course, routes (and prices) increase during the high season, which in Europe goes from June to September.

Ferries From Italy To Greece

Once you’ve finished your vacation in Italy, you’ll now be ready to spend time in the southern area of the Mediterranean and visit gorgeous Greece.

As we said before, there are several ports from where you can travel from Italy to Greece. Let’s take a look at the most important ports that have ferries to Greece from Italy.

Port Of Brindisi

This is the Italian port that handles most ferry routes to Greece and the most important one when it comes to frequency. This is, for example, where you can take a ferry to Corfu from Italy.

From Brindisi, it’s possible to reach the unique Ionian islands of Corfu, Zante, and Kefalonia and get to the mainland ports of Igoumenitsa and Patras.

The trip from Brindisi to Corfu takes about six hours. This is the shortest sea route between Italy and Greece. So, if you’re wondering how far Greece is from Italy, this would be the distance you measure. The distance from Brindisi to Corfu is 203 km (126 miles).

Ferries depart both in the morning and the evening, which is probably the best hour to travel if you’re not a fan of sea journeys. You can sleep all the way and wake up in the morning with Greece visible on the horizon!

Port Of Bari

Another southern port in Italy, Bari, is another excellent place to travel from Italy to Greece. In Bari, you can board a ferry to different ports in Greece and Albania, and Croatia. From Bari, you can reach Corfu, Igoumenitsa, and Patras in Greece.

Ferries from Bari usually depart in the evening hours. Trips from Bari to Greece can take anything from 8 to 12 hours.

Note that this also works the other way around. So, both Brindisi and Bari can be reached from Corfu (and other places in Greece) by ferry. There is several Corfu to Italy ferry options to choose from.

Port Of Ancona

Neither north nor south, Ancona is an essential Italian port located in Italy’s central part, in the region known as Marche.

From here, you can board a ferry bound for Croatia and Greece. A trip to Igoumenitsa takes anything from 16 to 20 hours, while those wanting to reach the Greek port of Patras will have to travel from 20 to 24 hours by sea.

Port Of Venice

Those departing from the north of Italy will need to consider the port of Venice to reach Greece. Although these Italy to Greece travel routes by sea take quite a long time, they’re super-scenic and a fun way to experience the beauty of the Adriatic Sea.

From here, it’s possible to take direct ferries to the island of Corfu, Igoumenitsa, and Patras. A trip all the way to Patras can last a bit more than a day, though.

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Booking Your Trip From Italy To Greece

When it comes to sea travel, and mostly during the summer months, it’s always a winning bet to book your ticket for a boat from Italy to Greece ahead of time. This is especially important for those who would prefer to book a cabin or if you also plan to bring your vehicle along.

It’s challenging to find available tickets on the same day of your departure in summer, so start your ferry ticket hunt at least a few weeks ahead of time. This can be a good way to find special offers to save you money and find the best schedules.

If you’re traveling on a budget, bear in mind that there are some lines with overnight ferries which allow passengers to sleep on deck, although it sometimes might be necessary to book a seat.

When it comes to boarding times, remember that it’s common to start boarding as early as four hours before the departure and that it’s always a good idea to board early if you have no seat booked in advance.

Always check with your agent or ferry company regarding travel documents, boarding hours, and services available onboard, such as bars, shops, restaurants, and entertainment.

Also, enquire about the allowed baggage. Usually, boats are far less strict than planes about the number of suitcases you can carry with you, but you won’t always be able to carry them with you on board and might need to store bigger items in the vessel’s luggage storage area.

Traveling From Italy To Greece By Plane

The most important cities in Italy have direct flights that reach the capital of Greece, Athens, on a daily basis. You can travel from Milan, Naples, or Rome directly to Athens, both with traditional and low-cost companies daily.

During the high season, Italian airports also see several low-cost companies covering the most important Greek islands‘ routes, including Mykonos, Corfu, Santorini, and Crete, to name a few.

If you’re looking for fast transportation from Italy to Greece or Greece to Italy, flying is easily the best option. It is, of course, much less scenic.