The final wave of Greece’s Easter holiday exodus is underway. Thousands of travelers are leaving Athens by car, bus and ferry, while authorities remain on high alert to ensure a smooth journey.
The mass Easter getaway is ongoing, with data indicating it is the largest in recent years. Traffic remains particularly heavy at ports, intercity bus stations and toll roads, while the peak of departures is expected on Holy Saturday.
Traffic police and the Hellenic Coast Guard have been mobilized across the country as the Easter travel rush toward villages and islands reaches its peak. The Easter getaway, one of the busiest travel periods in Greece, traditionally sees urban residents get out to the countryside for family celebrations.
Traffic eases after heavy buildup
Congestion built up early Thursday afternoon along key national highways, with long lines of vehicles forming at exit points from Athens. Traffic gradually improved after 7:30 p.m., and no major delays have been reported since.
According to traffic police data, more than 70,000 vehicles passed through the Elefsina toll station toward Corinth from 6 a.m. on Holy Thursday to 6 a.m. on Good Friday. More than 50,000 vehicles traveled toward Lamia via the Afidnes tolls during the same period.
Authorities remain on alert across the national road network as the exodus is expected to continue into Holy Saturday.
A ban on the circulation of trucks over 3.5 tons is in effect until 4 p.m. on Good Friday, aimed at easing traffic flow for passenger vehicles heading out of the capital.
Strong ferry traffic from Attica ports
Passenger traffic at the ports of Attica remains elevated, though slightly reduced compared with Thursday’s peak. Coast Guard officials are on heightened readiness to facilitate departures and ensure safe operations.
From the port of Piraeus, Greece’s largest, 16 ferries are scheduled to depart Friday, with an estimated 12,338 passengers based on advance bookings.
Routes to the nearby Saronic Gulf islands will see 38 sailings in total, including 23 conventional ferries and 15 high-speed vessels.
Buses running at full capacity
Hundreds of routes are being operated from the Kifisos intercity bus station, with around 400 services scheduled on Good Friday alone, covering destinations across the country.
Approximately 15,000 passengers are expected to travel by bus today.
Routes to Patras in the Achaia region are running every 30 minutes until 10:30 p.m., all at full capacity. Similar demand is reported for Preveza, Igoumenitsa and Kalamata, where services are running every 20 minutes until 9:30 p.m., also fully booked.
Despite increased traffic across most regions, travel to Corfu — known for its unique Easter traditions — is expected to be lower compared with last year, with routes reduced by about 20%.
Departures from Rafina and Lavrio
At the port of Rafina, 10 sailings to the Cyclades islands are scheduled, with approximately 5,690 passengers expected to depart. An additional four routes will serve the nearby destination of Marmari.
Meanwhile, nine departures are planned from the port of Lavrio, with passenger traffic estimated at around 2,200 travelers.
Thursday marked the peak
The current activity follows a surge in travel on Holy Thursday, when the Easter exodus reached its height.
From Piraeus alone, 20 ferries departed carrying 22,551 passengers. Another 23 sailings to the Saronic Gulf transported 9,793 travelers, including 14 high-speed vessels.
Rafina recorded 11 departures with 9,228 passengers, while Lavrio handled nine sailings with a total of 2,587 passengers leaving the capital region.
As the holiday weekend begins, authorities continue to monitor traffic conditions and port operations, aiming to ensure that the final wave of Easter travelers reaches its destinations safely and without disruption.
