We will be traveling to Santorini on Aegean Airlines. How early should we arrive before our flight to check baggage and go through the Security Control? I'm not sure when you travel from different locations in Greece by plane if your passport and proof of vaccination will suffice. I've reviewed the information at https://gr.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/ and it seems as though having the Covid PCR test is not necessary if you are vaccinated but helpful. I realize the guidelines continue to change but if anyone can share their recent experience that would be helpful! We are definitely getting the PCR test before flying to Athens from the US and again before leaving to fly back to the US. Thank you!
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11948 posts
Where does you flight to Santorini originate?
Posted by
OP
Mount Airy
64 posts
We will be flying from Athens after being in Nafplio for four days.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8125 posts
I have not seen anything about requiring a test for domestic flights within Greece, nor for ferries. Assuming you are flying from Athens to Santorini, Aegean requires a 40 Minute Minimum check-in time in Athens, so if checking in at a counter or kiosk, I would plan an hour at least, maybe a little more. If checking in on your phone, you could skimp on that, but I usually err on the side of caution.
Posted by
OP
Mount Airy
64 posts
Thank you!
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20474 posts
Make sure you register with the Greek health dept or you will have issues. I arrive in about 12 days.
EDIT: Yes PLF form
Posted by
OP
Mount Airy
64 posts
Do you mean call completing the PLF form?
Posted by
Brighton, UK
1421 posts
The regulations changed on Monday for this week and say.
Traveling to islands per airplane (domestic flights)
According to Greece’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), valid from Monday, 5. July 2021 at 6 a.m. until 12. July 2021:
– A negative PCR diagnostic test taken up to 72 hours ahead of departure, or
– A negative rapid test taken in the last 48 hours, or
– A certificate of prior infection or
– A vaccination certificate
Anyone younger than 12 may travel without restrictions.
A bit more background, and details for ferries here
Sadly cases are on the rise again, and new restrictions on eating out have been announced today: I’ve not seen full details but it appears it’s a return to only seated guests in restaurants and bars. The concern seems to be with a spike in cases attributed to nightclubs.
It’s a moving picture and both travel and entertainment regulations are going to change - hopefully for the better - over the summer and into the autumn.
Alan
Posted by
Nanaimo, BC, Canada
1455 posts
Aegean allows you to check in electronically 48 hours prior to your flight so there is no reason to physically check in at the airport.
When you get to departures level there are electronic machines where you can print your baggage tags.
There is a central bag processing machine nearby. The whole process takes no more than 10 minutes.
Security is nearby. There are many screening stations and the wait is short. From the time you arrive at the airport to getting through security should be no more than 20 to 30 minutes.
Be sure to get to your gate a bit early. Aegean does not load from the gate but rather transports you to the aircraft by bus.
Posted by
OP
Mount Airy
64 posts
Thank you everyone for your help! We aren’t going till October 21st. I’m praying there won’t be a big spike in Covid cases.
Posted by
New York
80 posts
October 21st. Well. I am planning to go on Sep 12. I think at this point nobody can tell you how it plays out with rules and covid almost two months from now. Even 2 weeks from now it's hard to predict. They again talking about changing rules in Greece because of widespread vaccine resistance. https://www.thenationalherald.com/archivegeneralnewsgreece/arthro/covid19jumpcouldleadtomoretravelrestrictionsin_greece-2839385/
Around 2 weeks before departure I have to make a decision go or not depending on this Delta variant spreading, spikes in cases etc, and cancel or keep all my bookings. Just do periodic Google searches for "Greece travel" or 'vaccination" select News and select only the last week of news (click on Tools in the right corner) to be in the loop of the latest changes.