For the vast majority of international travelers, Athens International Airport (ATH) is the most affordable gateway into Greece. Because it is the country's primary hub and a major base for budget carriers like Ryanair, Aegean Airlines, and Volotea, it enjoys the highest volume of flights and the most competitive pricing. Flying into Athens often saves hundreds of dollars compared to flying directly into smaller island airports like Santorini or Mykonos. From Athens, travelers can take advantage of low-cost domestic flights (often as low as $30–$50) or high-speed ferries to reach the islands. Another budget-friendly alternative, especially for travelers coming from within Europe, is Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) in the north, which serves as a secondary hub and often has very cheap links to the UK, Germany, and Italy. If you are specifically targeting the Ionian islands, flying into Corfu (CFU) can occasionally be cheaper during the shoulder season. However, for a 2026 trip, booking a flight to Athens and then using a separate budget ticket or ferry remains the most cost-effective "hack" for exploring the Greek Isles.