Route guide

Rome → Athens

1051 km · Italy to Greece · Fastest: 4h by flight · Cheapest: €35+ by bus

How to travel from Rome to Athens

There are 4 ways to travel between Rome and Athens — compare duration, price and operators below.

🚄Train

€78–229

Duration: 8h 45m

via Trenitalia (Frecciarossa), Italo, Hellenic Train

~15 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚌Bus

€35–94

Duration: 15h 1m

via FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus

~29 kg CO₂ per passenger

✈️Flight

€77–246

Duration: 3h 54m

via Ryanair, easyJet, ITA Airways, Aegean Airlines

~164 kg CO₂ per passenger

🚗Car

€126–231

Duration: 11h 41m

~179 kg CO₂ per passenger

Where they are on the map

Rome and Athens highlighted among the 50 European cities we cover. Map is schematic, not to scale.

Travel tips for this route

At 1051 km it's a longer journey — overnight stay strongly recommended.
Both train and flight options exist. Trains often beat flights door-to-door under 600 km once you count airport overhead.
This route crosses from Italy into Greece. Check passport/ID requirements with your operator before booking.
Long-distance coaches (FlixBus and similar) are typically 30–50% cheaper than train, but 2–3× slower.

Rome to Athens — every option in detail

Rome to Athens by train

Trains link Rome (Italy) and Athens (Greece) through the European rail network. Most journeys take around 8h 45m including one or two connections at major hubs.

Operators on this corridor include Trenitalia (Frecciarossa), Italo, Hellenic Train.

Train fares are dynamic — typical range is €78 to €229. Advance-purchase tickets (1–2 months ahead) almost always beat walk-up prices.

Climate footprint: about 15 kg CO₂ per passenger by train vs roughly 164 kg by flight — taking the train saves ~149 kg on this distance.

Rome to Athens by bus

Long-distance coaches connect Rome and Athens with a typical journey of 15h 1m. Buses are usually the slowest mode for this corridor but consistently the cheapest.

Operators include FlixBus, BlaBlaCar Bus.

Fares start from around €35 when booked in advance, rising to €94 for last-minute travel.

Most modern coaches offer Wi-Fi, USB charging and reclining seats. Overnight services exist on longer corridors and can save a hotel night.

Rome to Athens by flight

Flights between Rome and Athens take around 1h in the air, but plan on roughly 3h 54m door-to-door once you add airport transfers, check-in and security.

Airlines on this route include Ryanair, easyJet, ITA Airways, Aegean Airlines.

Typical fare range is €77–246. Low-cost carriers offer the cheapest base fares but charge separately for bags and seat selection.

Climate footprint: approximately 164 kg CO₂ per passenger for this flight.

Rome to Athens by car

The driving distance from Rome to Athens is approximately 1208 km. At motorway speeds, plan on around 11h 41m of driving plus stops.

Fuel-only running cost is in the €126–231 range for a typical car. Toll roads may apply, especially in France, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland — budget extra accordingly.

Crossing the Italy–Greece border by car is straightforward within the Schengen Area; check current rules with the operator or border authority if either country is outside it.

Climate footprint: approximately 179 kg CO₂ per passenger assuming 1.5 occupants per car.

About this route

The distance between Rome and Athens is approximately 1051 kilometres. Direct or connecting trains link the two cities through the European rail network. Both cities have international airports with regular flight service. Long-distance coaches offer a budget-friendly alternative on this route. Estimates below reflect typical operator schedules and fare ranges; book in advance for the best prices.

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