Holidays from Manchester to Greece

Our Manchester departures focus on routes to the Greek airports and islands that suit a relaxed start to your holiday.

• Athens airport transfers: Athens International Airport sits about 35 to 40 kilometres from central Athens, so most travellers from Manchester arrive with a metro or express bus transfer still ahead of them. We plan around that gap, allowing time for the ride into the city before you settle into your hotel. The trade-off is a longer first day than a resort flight, but the reward is a capital city that opens straight onto the Acropolis and the Plaka district. We see the capital as the most practical base for a first trip, since it also links easily with the ferries that leave from the port nearby. Athens holidays
• Crete via Heraklion: Heraklion airport serves Crete and is the natural arrival point for travellers who want the island's Minoan history from the first day. Knossos lies around 5 kilometres from the city, so a short taxi or bus ride brings you to one of the most important Bronze Age palace sites in Europe. The trade-off is that Crete is large, so a stay in the east or west means a longer drive from the airport. We match island stays to where you will actually sleep, so the transfer is planned rather than discovered on arrival. Crete holidays
• Corfu from the Ionian coast: Corfu has flights from several UK airports, and its flight time from Manchester keeps the journey straightforward for families and couples alike. The island sits in the Ionian Sea, closer to Italy and Albania than most Greek islands, which gives it a distinctly green and Venetian character. The trade-off is that the island is lush rather than arid, so it suits travellers who want shade and greenery as much as sun. We recommend this island for a beach holiday with an easy airport transfer and a town to explore in the evenings. Corfu holidays
• Rhodes resorts and transfers: Rhodes has direct flights from UK airports, and the busy resort coast about 15 kilometres from Rhodes Town puts a beach stay within easy reach. That distance means a short transfer from the airport to a beach resort, with the medieval Old Town reachable for a day out. The trade-off is that the resort areas can be busy in peak season, so the quieter west coast suits those who prefer calmer surroundings. We think this island works well for a balanced holiday that combines sea, resort facilities and a historic town. Rhodes holidays
• Santorini after a connection: Santorini is reached by ferry or domestic flight, usually after arriving in the capital, which adds a connecting step to a Manchester trip. The reward is one of the most dramatic island settings in Greece, with the caldera cliffs and the whitewashed village of Oia at the northern end. The trade-off is that the island is at its busiest in July and August, and transfers need planning ahead of time. We arrange the connection so the onward journey is clear and your sunset views are not spoiled by a rushed schedule. Santorini holidays