Greek islands with direct flights from Israel: the full list (2026–2027)
12 Greek destinations with direct flights from Israel, which airlines fly to each, what runs only in summer, and what is new for 2027.
- In summer 2026 there were direct flights to 12 Greek destinations, most of them islands.
- Athens and Thessaloniki are served all year; the islands mainly April to October.
- Israir is adding a route to Preveza (near Lefkada) after Passover 2027.
If you are planning an island holiday, first check whether there is a direct flight in your season. If not, fly to Athens and continue by domestic flight or ferry. For summer, book in winter.
Which Greek islands have direct flights from Israel?
In summer 2026 there were direct flights from Israel to 12 Greek destinations: Athens, Thessaloniki, Crete (Heraklion and Chania), Rhodes, Karpathos, Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu, Kos, Lefkada and Kefalonia. Most island flights are summer flights (mainly charters), from April–May to October. Athens and Thessaloniki are served all year.
| Destination | Airlines with direct flights in summer 2026 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Athens | El Al, Arkia, Israir, Bluebird, Aegean, Air Haifa (from Haifa) | All year, several flights a day |
| Thessaloniki | Sun d'Or, Israir, Arkia | All year |
| Heraklion, Crete | Bluebird, Sun d'Or, Arkia, Israir, Air Haifa (from Haifa) | Summer |
| Chania, Crete | Bluebird | Summer |
| Rhodes | Israir, Arkia, Sun d'Or, Bluebird, Air Haifa | Summer |
| Karpathos | Arkia (Ben Gurion), Air Haifa (Haifa) | Summer |
| Mykonos | Bluebird, Arkia, Sun d'Or | Summer |
| Santorini | Sun d'Or, Israir | Summer |
| Corfu | Arkia, Israir, TUS | Summer |
| Kos | Bluebird | Summer |
| Lefkada (Preveza airport) | Sun d'Or, TUS, Arkia, Israir | Summer |
| Kefalonia | Sun d'Or | Summer |
Important: this list is based on summer 2026 announcements. Airlines add and drop routes every season, so check the airline's website before you plan.
What's new for summer 2027?
Israir announced (September 2026) a new route to Preveza in north-western Greece, starting after Passover 2027. Flight time is about 2 hours 15 minutes. Preveza is close to Lefkada, Parga and the Epirus coast. We will update this page when dates are published.
Which island suits what?
- Families with children: Crete, Rhodes, Corfu and Kos. Shallow beaches, many all-inclusive hotels, and Chabad houses on Rhodes and Crete.
- Couples: Santorini, Mykonos, Lefkada and Kefalonia.
- Short break (3–4 nights): Rhodes and Crete, which have the most direct flights.
- Quiet and nature: Karpathos, Kefalonia and Lefkada.
No direct flight to the island I want?
Fly to Athens, which has direct flights all year, and continue:
- By domestic flight with Aegean, Olympic or Sky Express, an hour or less to most islands.
- By ferry from Piraeus or Rafina. See our complete guide to ferries in Greece.
How to find a cheap direct flight
- Book early: for summer, already in January–March. Island charters fill up fast in July–August.
- Watch the prices: on our cheap flights to Greece page we update the lowest fare from Tel Aviv to each Greek destination every morning, and mark whether it is direct.
- Check packages: some island flights are sold only as a package with a hotel.
FAQ
Which Greek islands have direct flights from Israel? In summer 2026 there were direct flights to Crete (Heraklion and Chania), Rhodes, Karpathos, Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu, Kos, Lefkada (via Preveza) and Kefalonia, as well as Athens and Thessaloniki.
Are there direct flights to the Greek islands in winter? Most island flights run in summer. In winter you mainly fly to Athens and Thessaloniki. Some destinations occasionally get holiday flights, so check the airlines' websites.
How long is the flight from Israel to the Greek islands? From about an hour and a half to Rhodes and Karpathos, to 2.5–3 hours to Corfu and Kefalonia. Athens is about two hours.
Can I fly to Greece from Haifa? Yes. Air Haifa has operated flights from Haifa to Athens, Heraklion, Rhodes and Karpathos. Check the airline's website for the current season.
