Practical Info about Traveling by Bus in Greece

In this post I gathered some practical info about traveling by bus in whole Greece, I collected my thoughts below:

– KTEL buses are either green or blue and white, or orange and white in a variety of designs. Look at the design of yours when the bus takes a rest break to make sure you re-board the correct one or look at the destination sign in the front window, you can also ask bus driver (they all know English in min. basic level)

κτελ αττικης - KTEL Attikis (orange bus in route to Sounio)

– The majority of buses are modern, air conditioned and comfortable; sometimes it’s too cold, which is great in summer

ΚΤΕΛ ΘΕΣΣΑΛΟΝΙΚΗΣ - central bus station in Thessaloniki

– Luggage will be taken by the bus driver or you will be instructed to place it in a large compartment underneath the bus when the door opens. Passengers can bring suitcases, bicycles, boxes, furniture (within reason). I’ve never seen KTEL impose weight limits.

– Overhead storage inside the bus is limited and not normally large enough for a carry-on suitcase. Most people use them for small backpacks, fanny packs, snacks/drinks, umbrellas, coats, helmets, hats, briefcase.

– Look for your seat number (thesi) on the actual seat you’ll be sitting in, usually marked above or behind the seat or on the aisle in pairs.

– Buses traveling a distance will make a food/smoke/rest stop midway, during which the bus is locked. (for e.g. Athens - Thessaloniki 6hrs route)

– Food at Greek-owned rest stops are typically overpriced and substandard in quality, and the bus driver gets a commission — bring your own snacks/food/drink or pray for a name-brand fast food chain (rare).

– Bus tickets to islands include a ferry ticket, unless you are disembarking before it crosses (i.e. Zakynthos, Kefallonia, Corfu/Kerkyra).

Bus ticket on route Nafplio - Archea Mikines

– An unlimited or multi-ride pass does not exist at this time for the entire KTEL network. However, some individual networks have weekly, monthly and three-month regional travel cards, such as KTEL Argolida

– Purchasing a round-trip or return ticket will save you approximately 20 percent

– Round-trip or return bus tickets are typically valid for 30, 60 or 90 days. Length of validity varies by KTEL location, so inquire with the ticketing agent if this is a concern. Also you need to exchange your return ticket (when you buy return ticket the price for return journey is 0 euro - it will be corrected straight away in the day when you will take return journey, same with entering exact hour of the bus arrival) when you decide to take return journey in exact ktel agency from which you've bought your ticket (e.g. KTEL Thessalonikis)

– Be aware that many cities have two or more bus terminals. If you tell someone where you want to go, they should direct you to the correct one.

– Summer schedules typically run from April-October and winter from November-March, although the transport ministry can announce differently at any time.

– Tickets can be purchased online with limited (not all) KTEL websites but only in Greek. Most people show up early to get a ticket/seat and do not reserve one, although it is free. Busy routes demand you be present and buy a ticket at least a half hour before departure if you are embarking at a terminal; others allow you to buy a ticket from the driver at no extra charge, as long as there is a seat on the bus (I’ve even seen drivers take standing passengers). In summer, I recommend showing up at least an hour in advance.

- KTEL buses run on holidays (New Year’s, Easter, Christmas) in some areas but with a curtailed schedule; others do not. There’s no way to know in advance which will run; most people call or visit the station to inquire the day before or day of departure. Sorry, that’s how Greece is.

There's also one thing confusing while traveling by bus in Greece - reading Greek schedules - that's why I posted few tips here.