Flights to Germany from Athens and Thessaloniki

Flights to Germany from Athens and Thessaloniki can cost around €40-120 one way and €90-240 return on cheaper dates, excluding checked baggage. During peak periods, expect fares more commonly in the region of €130-300 each way and €240-550 return, though prices can be higher. Direct flights usually take around 2 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes. Aegean, Lufthansa, Eurowings and Ryanair operate between Greece and Germany, depending on the route and season. Lower fares are often available in winter outside holiday periods and on selected dates in spring and autumn.

These are indicative ranges for budgeting, not live offers or guaranteed prices. Your destination in Germany, baggage, public holidays and how far ahead you book all have a significant impact on the final cost. For a fair comparison, include the transfer from the airport to your accommodation.

At a glance

• Budget fares: around €40-120 one way or €90-240 return on low-demand dates.
• Flight time: around 2 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes non-stop, depending on your departure point and destination.
• Airlines: Aegean, Lufthansa, Eurowings and Ryanair serve routes between Greece and Germany. Not all airlines fly between every pair of cities.
• Cheaper periods: often January-March, outside public holidays and major events, plus selected weeks outside the summer peak.
• Before you pay: check the airport code, included baggage and cost of getting into the city.

Which airlines fly to Germany?

Aegean connects Greece with several German cities, with options from Athens and Thessaloniki. Lufthansa offers direct services to its hubs in Frankfurt and Munich from both Greek airports. Frequencies, operating days and flight times vary by season, so check the schedule for your specific dates.

Eurowings and Ryanair also offer direct flights between Greece and Germany on selected routes. Seasonal services change, so an older reference to a connection with Berlin, Düsseldorf or another airport does not mean it still operates. Check which airline actually operates the flight, too, particularly when it is sold under different airlines' codes.

Connecting options include flights via Vienna with Austrian Airlines, Zurich with SWISS or Belgrade with Air Serbia, depending on your departure point and final destination. These can make sense if they offer substantial savings or better access to the city you want to visit. Compare the total journey time and choose a single through-ticket if you need protection in the event of a missed connection.

How much do flights cost by season?

There is no single representative fare for Germany as a whole. The same week may be cheap for Berlin and expensive for Munich because of a trade fair. The following ranges are for economy travel per adult; do not assume checked baggage is included.

• Winter outside holiday periods: around €40-120 one way and €90-240 return. This is often a good time for a budget city break.
• Off-peak spring and autumn: around €60-170 one way and €120-320 return, with considerable variation between routes.
• Summer: around €90-240 one way and €180-430 return. Demand rises particularly around school holidays.
• Christmas, Easter and major events: around €130-300 one way and €240-550 return. Bookings made close to departure can exceed these ranges.

German school holidays vary by federal state. Check the dates of both Orthodox and Western Easter, too. For a weekend break, a cheaper flight does not necessarily mean a cheaper trip if it coincides with a trade fair that sends hotel prices soaring.

When to book for a cheaper fare

As a practical starting point, begin comparing fares around 6-12 weeks ahead for off-peak travel and 3-6 months ahead for summer or holiday trips. These are planning windows, not a rule that guarantees the lowest price. There is no fixed day of the week when all airlines reduce their fares.

Try moving your departure and return dates a day or two earlier or later. Compare a return ticket with two separate one-way tickets, but keep the baggage allowance the same in your comparison. These tips for cheap flights will help you organise your search without relying on supposed booking secrets.

Use a fare calendar and price alerts, as explained in the guide to finding flights on Skyscanner. Bargains do exist, but last-minute flights are not a reliable strategy for travel on a fixed date or a family trip.

Flight times and destination airports

Thessaloniki is closer to Germany, so a direct flight to the same city is usually shorter than one from Athens. The times shown when booking usually include aircraft movements on the ground, not just time in the air.

• Athens to Munich or Frankfurt: usually around 2 hours 35 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes.
• Thessaloniki to Munich or Frankfurt: around 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 50 minutes.
• Berlin, Hamburg and western Germany: generally allow around 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes from either Greek airport.
• Connecting flights: many convenient connections take around 4-7 hours in total, though some involve much longer waits.

Major airports include Frankfurt Airport FRA, Munich MUC, Berlin Brandenburg BER, Düsseldorf DUS, Hamburg HAM and Stuttgart STR. Frankfurt-Hahn HHN is not FRA and is much further from Frankfurt. Similarly, Weeze NRN is not Düsseldorf's main airport, and Memmingen FMM is not Munich Airport.

Getting from the airport to the city centre

Most major German cities have reliable rail links to their airports. The journey times below apply once you are on board, and the costs are indicative adult fares. Check zones, ticket types and current prices before you travel.

• Frankfurt FRA: the S-Bahn takes around 10-20 minutes to the main railway station, with an indicative fare of €6-9. Follow signs for the appropriate regional train station.
• Munich MUC: the S-Bahn takes around 40-50 minutes to central stations, costing roughly €13-18 depending on the ticket.
• Berlin BER: take a regional train, Airport Express or S-Bahn. Allow around 25-55 minutes to central stations and €4-7 for a suitable ABC-zone ticket.
• Hamburg HAM: the S1 reaches the main railway station in around 25-30 minutes, with an indicative fare of €4-6.
• Düsseldorf DUS: the S11 from the terminal station takes around 10-15 minutes to the main railway station, costing roughly €3-5.

For Hahn, Weeze and Memmingen, look into buses or a combination of bus and train. Reaching your intended major city can take around 75-150 minutes and cost roughly €15-35. Arriving late in the evening after the last service can wipe out the savings on your airfare.

What to see in Germany and when to go

Choosing the right city starts with how much time you have. For three or four days, choose a single base with a direct flight and an easy transfer. With a week, you can combine two cities or a city and its surrounding countryside. Germany has an extensive rail network, but distances are still considerable: combining Berlin and Munich on a short weekend break means spending a substantial amount of time travelling.

Berlin is ideal for a trip focused on history, museums and everyday neighbourhood life. Start with the Brandenburg Gate and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, and set aside time for the Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Straße. Visiting the Reichstag dome requires advance registration. Check opening arrangements for each museum on Museum Island, as major works affect access. Kreuzberg and Prenzlauer Berg are good places to eat and wander without a strict itinerary.

Munich is a good choice for a mix of museums, parks and day trips. Marienplatz and Viktualienmarkt fit easily into your first day, while the English Garden deserves more than a quick photo stop. The Deutsches Museum is particularly appealing if you are travelling with school-age children or have an interest in technology. Set aside a separate day for Neuschwanstein and check admission tickets in advance. Oktoberfest takes place mainly in September and usually ends in early October, pushing up demand.

Hamburg stands out for its harbour, canals and close relationship with the water. Combine the Speicherstadt, with its historic red-brick warehouses, with a walk through HafenCity and around the Elbphilharmonie. It is worth booking Miniatur Wunderland in advance, especially during school holidays. For a quieter afternoon, explore the area around the Alster or find somewhere to eat in a neighbourhood beyond the main tourist trail. Bring a waterproof jacket, as the weather can change quickly even in summer.

Frankfurt has plenty to offer beyond business trips: Römerberg, the banks of the Main and the museums of the Museumsufer can easily fill two days. From there, you can continue into the Rhine Valley. In western Germany, Cologne and Düsseldorf are easier to combine thanks to the shorter distance between them. Cologne Cathedral is next to the main railway station, making it particularly convenient for a day trip by train.

May, June and September often offer good conditions for walking and excursions, though rain is always possible. Summer brings longer days but also more visitors. In late November and December, the Christmas markets are a reason to visit in their own right, with dates varying by city. For trips through Bavaria or the Black Forest, read the guide to hiring a car in Germany. Within major cities, however, a car often adds parking costs without much benefit.

Where to stay

Choose accommodation near an S-Bahn or U-Bahn line and check the actual route from the airport. A slightly more expensive place with a direct connection may be more practical than a cheaper room requiring several changes. In Berlin, proximity to the sights you plan to visit matters more than a general description of a location as 'central'.

For northern Germany, the guide to where to stay in Hamburg helps you choose an area that suits your transport needs and style of trip. Check room availability before committing to non-refundable flights, especially during trade fairs.

Baggage and low-cost airlines

The basic fare does not always include a cabin suitcase. It may cover only a small item that fits under the seat in front. A larger cabin bag, checked suitcase and seat selection may cost extra. Read the conditions of the specific fare, even if you have flown with the airline before.

Compare the final cost for your whole group, with the same baggage on both legs. If you are travelling in winter, wear your bulky coat and measure your bag when packed before you leave. Do not assume that a traditional airline ticket includes checked baggage, or that a low-cost option will be cheaper overall.

Practical tips before booking

• Travel documents: Greek citizens can travel with a valid passport or an accepted, valid national ID card. Check current requirements, particularly for older-style ID cards. The absence of routine border checks does not remove the need for travel documents.
• Time difference: Germany is one hour behind Greece. Departure and arrival times are shown in local time.
• Separate bookings: if you book connecting flights on separate tickets, a delay may leave you without protection for the next leg.
• Late arrival: check the last public transport services and your accommodation's reception hours.
• Health and connectivity: bring your European Health Insurance Card and check your mobile provider's roaming terms. The card does not replace travel insurance.

When making your final flight comparison, add up the flight, baggage, transfers and any extra overnight stay. That is the total worth comparing, rather than just the initial fare.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight to Germany cost?

As a guide, expect around €40-120 one way and €90-240 return on cheaper dates. During peak periods, return fares are more commonly around €240-550, though prices can be higher.

How long is the flight from Athens or Thessaloniki to Germany?

Direct flights usually take around 2 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes. The exact duration depends on the departure and arrival airports and the schedule.

Which airline is cheapest for Germany?

No airline is consistently the cheapest. Compare Ryanair, Eurowings, Aegean and Lufthansa where they serve your route, adding baggage and airport transfer costs.

Which month is cheapest for flights to Germany?

January and February often offer cheaper options after the festive season. Trade fairs, school holidays and local events can change the picture in each city.

Are there direct flights from Thessaloniki to Germany?

Yes, there are direct services to Munich and Frankfurt, among other destinations. For other cities, check the current schedule, as some routes and frequencies change seasonally.

Do I need a passport to travel to Germany?

Greek citizens can travel with a valid passport or an accepted, valid national ID card. Check that your document type will still be accepted on your travel date. Children need their own travel document.