Greece is one of the most popular holiday destinations from the UK, with dozens of airports served by multiple airlines. Whether you are heading to Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes, or Corfu, there are plenty of options for finding cheap flights. Here is everything you need to know for 2026.
Which Airlines Fly from the UK to Greece?
Ryanair — Operates from London Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bristol, and other UK airports to Athens, Thessaloniki, Corfu, Rhodes, Kos, and several other Greek airports. Lowest base fares but charges for hold luggage.\n\neasyJet — Operates from London Gatwick, London Luton, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Bristol to Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu, Rhodes, Kos, Crete (Heraklion and Chania), and Zakynthos. Competitive fares with good frequency.\n\nJet2 — A UK package holiday specialist operating from Leeds Bradford, Manchester, Birmingham, East Midlands, Glasgow, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Bristol, and London Stansted to a wide range of Greek destinations. Good value for beach holidays, especially when combined with accommodation.\n\nBritish Airways — Operates from London Heathrow to Athens. Higher fares but includes luggage and earns Avios points.\n\nAegean Airlines — Greece\'s national carrier, operating from London Heathrow to Athens with good connections to Greek islands.\n\nTUI — Charter flights from regional UK airports to Greek beach destinations, often as part of package holidays.
Cheapest Months to Fly to Greece
November to March are the cheapest months — most island businesses are closed but Athens and Crete are open and very affordable. Fares from £30–£70 return from London.\n\nApril and May offer excellent value — good weather, low crowds, and fares from £50–£120 return. One of the best times to visit.\n\nJune is the sweet spot — warm, sunny, and not yet at peak prices. Fares from £70–£150 return.\n\nJuly and August are peak season — fares to popular destinations like Santorini, Mykonos, and Corfu can reach £200–£400 return. Book 3–4 months in advance.\n\nSeptember and October offer great value — fares drop significantly after August, the weather is still excellent, and the sea is warm. Fares from £60–£140 return.
Which Greek Airport Should I Fly Into?
Athens (ATH) — The main international hub. Fly here for Athens sightseeing and onward ferry connections to the islands. Well connected from most UK airports year-round.\n\nSantorini (JTR) — Direct flights from the UK in summer (May–October) with easyJet, Jet2, and TUI. Flying directly saves the 5-hour ferry from Athens.\n\nMykonos (JMK) — Direct summer flights from the UK with easyJet and Jet2. Convenient for the Cyclades.\n\nHeraklion, Crete (HER) — The main airport for Crete, with excellent connections from UK airports. Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, and TUI all operate the route.\n\nRhodes (RHO) — Well connected from UK airports with Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2, and TUI. Good base for the Dodecanese islands.\n\nCorfu (CFU) — Popular with UK tourists, with direct flights from many regional airports with Jet2, TUI, and easyJet.
Tips for Finding the Cheapest Fares to Greece
Book early for summer — Greek island flights sell out fast in July and August. Book 3–4 months in advance for peak summer dates.\n\nConsider flying into Athens — Athens flights are often cheaper than direct island flights. The ferry from Piraeus to Santorini costs around £30–£60 and is a great experience.\n\nUse fare comparison tools — Google Flights\' calendar view is excellent for spotting the cheapest days. Set up price alerts on Skyscanner.\n\nCheck package deals — Jet2 and TUI package holidays (flight + hotel) are often cheaper than booking separately, especially for beach resorts.\n\nFly from regional airports — Jet2 and TUI operate from many regional UK airports to Greek destinations. Fares from regional airports are often cheaper than London when you factor in the cost of getting to London.
