Question re- Air travel to Athens

Leslie, regarding question #1 -- it's helpful if you indicate in general terms where you're from in US, then we'd know how convenient you'd be to a nonstop from N America - Athens. I've flown nonstop mainly from AA because I'm from Philly where it starts... and groan. V. crowded economy seating, upholstery slightly upgraded but still a torture device. However, ontime & about shortest airtime. PHL airport crowding/lines worse these days, but isn't everything? Once flew Delta from NY but long ago... even more costly now. Friends from Vancouver fly CanadaAIr yearly, sometimes can upgrade to Bus., but report Economy OK except of course close seating (like all airlines). U r from CHI i see, so good connex.,

Query #2 - r u looking for bargain? Is it worth it? just google PLAY AIR REviews - horrible. ALso shows that founder & owner is daughter of RyanAir founder.. that's all you need to know.

I don't have a favorite airline, I just pick the best schedule--one not-too-long layover when direct is unavailable, trying to avoid the problematic airports. Even though Lufthansa has been terrible to me, they do fly to a lot of the places I want to go fairly painlessly (when it works).
What are your city options?

Thank you so much for the replies. I would not fly Play airlines and thanks for the information. We are flying from Baltimore, MD to Athens. I thought Delta or American. I have had great experiences with Air Canada.

You can get a nonstop out of Dulles if you don't mind the extra drive. Plus Janet mentioned Philly, which might be almost as convenient. I think the IAD direct flight may be seasonal, but confirm on the United website with your dates.
Otherwise, I would check Google flights to see what looks good for you. Based on the one-stop options, I'd go with Lufthansa because a layover in Frankfurt is preferable to me versus one in Atlanta or Paris. I have had over a dozen fine experiences with Lufthansa, but two experiences that make me wary about recommended them without reservations. That said, they are as good as any of the others these days.

Is shortness of trip an issue? For under 2 weeks, and a number of (island) destinations, most of us "old hands" recommend arriving in ATH in AM, and then (w 2-hr layover) taking domestic flight to farthest island, and "hopping back" via ferry (and/or domestic flight) for final 3-4 days of sightseeing in Athens. This is the most time-efficient itinerary ... maximizing time AT your destinations, enjoying, and minimizing transit. It wastes precious hours to go into Central Athens TWICE ... and besides, if coming from N America or Australia, you'll be jet-lagged, and its easier/more fun to recover on island -- slower pace, more serene surroundings.

To do this, N.AMericans would need to fly nonstop from E Coast, because only nonstops arrive between 9 - 12. These are also likeliest to arrive bang on time, even if take-off was delayed ... because they have that loong stretch over Atlantic to make up time. If you change in UK/EU, This 2nd leg arrives ATH starting 2 pm earliest & more at 3, 4 etc. This severely limits your onward-flight options. Also, Changes in late AM in Europe can run into delays due to runway line-ups.

However, if you find a bargain w Europe transfer, just be strategic... don't agree to any pairing w less than 2hr layover.. and if going onward to a Greek isle, be sure there's a feasible/bookable domestic flight. Finally, from bitter experience, most oof us Old Hands warn -- do NOT book a transfer in Chas De Gaulle ... worst experience ever, for many of us.

Thank you so much for the interesting replies. We had not thought of this. We have only 2 weeks but were planning on Athens for 3 nights then the Island of Lesvos and then back to Athens. We were not sure about a ferry from Piraeus or flying to the Island. Thanks so very much for the information.

We were not sure about a ferry from Piraeus or flying to the Island

Take a flight, Mytilene is about 12 hours by ferry from Piraeus and only an hour by flying with Aegean or Sky Express (and the ticket prices are practically the same).

Thank you all so much for all the information! I wonder if since our trip is only two weeks whether we should just go to Athens and rent a car to drive around the Pelloponnese? Or if 3 days in Athens then Lesvos sounds good.

I think those are both good options for two weeks, it really just depends on what you wanted to see and do.
If personal anecdotes help, for my first trip to Greece, my husband and I decided to limit travel by ferry and air and did a driving trip through the Peloponnese, where there are a high concentration of ancient sites. We had ten days--would not have changed a thing (except to add time!). We planned to explore northern Greece the next year, but were foiled by covid and have not made it back to Greece yet. I would like to see many of the islands one day, but we've done the remote island thing in Croatia a few times and will wait until we have more unlimited time. The mainland has a tremendous amount of coastline, so even for a sea lover, I did not feel shortchanged by not visiting islands.
I do think choosing less common islands is a good idea--not that Lesvos is off the radar by any means, but Santorini and Mykonos would not be my first choice in summer for sure.

Thank you so much Valadelphia! I am so torn about where to go. I was in Athens and Mykonas and Delos many years ago. I prefer to go where the cruise ships do not.

Given that by removing the 3 days in Athens you will spend at least 10 days in Lesvos, it could be too much.

It's up to you to decide. But in any case if you would take a few days off Lesbos that would allow you to go to the Peloponnese, at least a part of it.

I wonder if on the Island of Lesvos we have to book our domatia or lodging in advance? is it possible to be more spontaeous and wait till last minute since we do not know where we want to stay on the Island and will want to see different parts.

leslie, you ask questions that are hard to give definite answers to, because you leave out key info: especially (1) WHEN are you going? and (2) are room rates important? Why? Because -- if you are going comfortably off-season -- ie., before May 15, or after Sept 30, there will be enough vacancies, so that you may find some choices on arrival, or a few days before. If you are a budgeteer, the best bargains that are also good value usually are booked far in advance.. but if you have deep pockets you can usually find something on short notice - Except July - August... when all bets are off.

Also affecting a Lesvos stay: would y ou rent a car? I have always wanted to visit there, but I don't drive these days, and it's a big island and - I hear - not a terrific bus network for reaching all places. When considering Lesvos, I did a deep dive into guidebooks, which give a better overall idea of an island, and the pros/cons of various locations, more so than random riffing thru online sites. Just a suggestion.... if there's time before you go (there again, no dates info).

When are you traveling? You could probably be spontaneous in booking lodging on Lesvos but a little advance research would help, especially if it’s off season. Make a list of possible stops, with phone numbers of a couple of options.

I highly recommend you spend a couple of nights at Hotel Votsala north of Mytilene, if it’s open when you’re there. It’s one of our favorite places ever. You can fly into Mytilene, take a taxi to Votsala & spend a day or two, then have a car delivered to you at the hotel to explore the island — returning it to the airport when you’re done.

Edited to say: Janet is exactly right, Lesvos is a big island and the bus network is not the best. We accidentally left our IDP home on our first visit, but managed to see a lot with a combination of buses & taxis, plus excursions provided by our beloved Votsala. On future trips we found driving there is really easy— good roads, very little traffic.

Thank you all so much! I thought I mentioned our dates in an earlier post and didnt want to repeat. We plan to fly to Athens on Oct 8 th and stay for 2 weeks in Greece. Since we are limited in time we thought 3 days in Athens then the Island of Lesvos. We would drive around the Island but because we do not know what areas we will love the best and want to stay. Yes-I have names of lodgings that already interest us. I will check out right now the Hotel Votsala as you highly recommend and we would stay in Mytilene when arriving. Thanks again!

Consider Turkish Air. They are a great airline and surpass the US legacy carriers in terms of service and food, even in Economy Class. I assume they fly out of BWI. For sure, they fly out of IAD. I've taken multiple red-eye flights via Turkish Air (to Malta and other places in Europe), they were all one-stop flights routed through Istanbul.

Agnes- Yes! I flew to Turkey on Turkish air and they had the absolute best food and service. Thanks for reminding me!

Agnes-I realize the flight duration from Baltimore on Turkish airlines is too long a duration.

Thanks Leslie for adding the info. For the future -- for this site and all travel forums manned by volunteers -- please Always re-cap the information. Many people, like me, will have missed your original thread .. or even if they did read it, will have forgotten the key details, and since we're doing it gratis & gladly, we don't want to have to guess. Just takes a minute to repeat, and so appreciated.

I have loved this travel forum. I have given advice on Turkish travel and loved doing so. You do not need to scold me and I try to be as respectful as possible Janet.

Not scolding, just explaining ... so we can get what's needed in order to help.