London to Samos Island (LGW–SMI) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

British passport holders enter Greece visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day rolling period under Schengen rules. No fee, no advance application. Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned departure date with at least two blank pages. UK passports are stamped on entry and exit since Brexit.

No supporting documents are mandatory, but border officers can ask for proof of accommodation, onward travel, and sufficient funds (no published Greek minimum, but EUR 50 per day is the informal reference). The 90-day limit is shared across all 29 Schengen countries. ETIAS pre-travel authorization (EUR 7, valid 3 years) is expected to become mandatory in late 2026. Greek islands are part of the Schengen zone and count toward the same 90 days.

Direct flights from London to Athens run about 3 hours 30 minutes. Dozens of UK airports serve Greek islands (Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Santorini, Mykonos, Zakynthos) seasonally via easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2, and TUI. Greece uses the euro. No vaccination requirements. UK driving licenses are valid for car rental on the islands, though some agencies ask for an International Driving Permit. Ferry connections between islands are frequent but pre-booking in July and August is critical for vehicle transport.

The Gatwick Express runs non-stop from London Victoria to the South Terminal in 30 minutes, with trains every 15 minutes (from £21.50 one-way; advance fares cheaper online). Thameslink trains from London Bridge, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, and Farringdon are slower (35–45 min) but significantly cheaper; often £10–13 on Oyster or contactless. Southern trains also serve the route.National coaches (National Express, Megabus) connect Gatwick to Victoria Coach Station for £6–15. Taxis from central London cost £70–100+ depending on traffic. Driving via M23 and A23 takes 35–60 minutes; multi-storey car parks are directly connected to both terminals by a 2-minute monorail shuttle.