From the early hours of Holy Thursday, April 17, roads leading to the port of Piraeus turned red on traffic maps, as thousands began their Easter exodus from Greece’s urban centers. Whether heading to the countryside or venturing abroad, holidaymakers have set off en masse, creating significant congestion across major highways and key transit hubs.
Traffic delays were notably heavy along main arteries, including the Attiki Odos, where long queues and slow movement were recorded.
At the same time, ports across Attica are experiencing a surge in passenger flow. The Ministry of Shipping reports that passenger traffic at Piraeus has jumped by more than 20% compared to last year.
On Holy Wednesday alone, over 30,000 travelers departed from the country’s busiest port, and today, Holy Thursday, ferry routes to popular destinations such as Paros, Naxos, Santorini, and Crete are fully booked.
A total of 20 ferries are scheduled to depart from Piraeus today, with at least 22,190 passengers expected to set sail. Ferry companies have advised travelers — especially those bringing vehicles — to arrive at the departure gates at least 90 minutes prior to departure.
Meanwhile, from Rafina, 10 ferries are scheduled to depart today, including four additional sailings to Marmari, carrying an estimated 9,800 passengers. At the port of Lavrio, another 10 departures are planned, with 2,843 passengers expected to board.
The Hellenic Coast Guard has intensified its presence and implemented measures to ensure smooth boarding and safety for travelers.
On land, Attica bus services KTEL are operating at near-full capacity, with reinforced schedules to meet demand for mainland destinations. The president of Attica KTEL confirmed that occupancy exceeds 90% on routes to regions such as the Peloponnese, Epirus, Karpenisi, and Aetolia-Acarnania.
Air travel is also booming. At Athens International Airport, passenger traffic has returned to pre-pandemic levels. More than 110,000 travelers are expected to pass through the airport today alone, across both domestic and international flights.
Flights to island destinations including Corfu, Rhodes, Santorini, and Chania are fully booked, with airlines having added extra services to and from Athens to accommodate the surge in demand.
