Travel Guide: Greece To British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands are a highly desirable holiday destination, known for their exclusive resorts, restaurants, and villas, as well as their natural beauty and sailing opportunities. Getting there from Greece is not a direct journey, but it is relatively straightforward. The total travel distance between the two locations is 5,248 miles, and the fastest way to travel between the two is by plane, which takes around 9 hours and 20 minutes. There are no direct flights from Greece to the British Virgin Islands, so you will need to take a connecting flight from a location such as Miami, Charlotte, Atlanta, or London. Alternatively, you can take a connecting flight to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands and then take a ferry to the British Virgin Islands.

Travel by plane

The British Virgin Islands are an archipelago in the Caribbean Sea, about 5,248 miles from Greece as the crow flies. The distance between the two places by plane is 8,446 kilometres, which takes around 9 hours and 20 minutes.

There are no direct flights from Greece to the British Virgin Islands, so you will need to make at least one stopover. If you are flying from Athens, you can expect a journey time of around 22 hours.

Step-by-step guide

• Fly from Athens International Airport (ATH) to Beef Island Airport (EIS) in the British Virgin Islands.
• Take a ferry from Peler Island to Tortola.
• Alternatively, you can fly from Athens to Charlotte Amalie Airport (STT) and then take a ferry from Charlotte Amalie Airport to Road Town, Tortola.
• You can also fly from Athens to Virgin Gorda Airport (VIJ) and then take a ferry to your desired destination.

Airlines

The following airlines operate flights between Greece and the British Virgin Islands, with stopovers in places like Newark, San Juan, and Washington Dulles:

• Aegean Airlines
• British Airways
• Virgin Atlantic
• United Airlines
• Air Sunshine

Costs and duration

The cost of flying from Greece to the British Virgin Islands varies depending on the route and the number of stopovers. The cheapest price found in the last 24 hours was $387 for a one-way ticket and $321 for a round-trip ticket. The average price of a round-trip ticket is $926.

The duration of the journey also depends on the route and the number of stopovers. The average non-stop flight time from the United States to the British Virgin Islands is 12 hours and 32 minutes, while the fastest route from Athens to the British Virgin Islands takes around 22 hours.

Travel by boat

The British Virgin Islands are a Caribbean volcanic archipelago comprising four main islands and over 50 smaller isles. The best way to experience the British Virgin Islands is by island hopping, which takes around 30 minutes between each location.

Tortola

Tortola is the largest island and home to the capital, Road Town. It is also where you will find the Moorings Base. The island offers a dizzying array of white sand beaches, with Brewer’s Bay and Smuggler’s Cove considered the best for snorkelling. Its rainforest-cloaked Sage Mountain National Park is a must-see, with a volcanic peak rising over 500m above sea level.

Anegada

Anegada is known for its nearly flat elevation and the striking coral reefs that surround it. It is also home to secluded sandy beaches and clear springs bubbling from coral beds.

Jost Van Dyke

Jost Van Dyke may be the most colourful island in the BVI, both in terms of vegetation and history. It offers rugged wilderness to explore.

Virgin Gorda

Virgin Gorda is regarded as the BVI's most picturesque island. It is home to The Baths, a labyrinth of natural granite boulders that sit in shallow waters providing unique grottoes and lively rock pools. Gorda Peak provides far-reaching views, while Little Fort National Park features Spanish ruins.

Ports of Entry

When arriving by boat, you can enter the British Virgin Islands at the following ports:

• Road Town, Tortola
• West End, Tortola
• Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke
• St. Thomas Bay, Virgin Gorda
• Gun Creek, Virgin Gorda (reopening soon)

Travel requirements

Passports and Visas

To enter the British Virgin Islands, your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay. If you are a resident, your passport must be valid for at least three months after your arrival.

Nationals of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe can visit the British Virgin Islands without a visa for up to 30 days. For visits longer than one month, the BVI immigration authorities will issue you with a one-month entry stamp on arrival, and the Chief Immigration Officer can grant extensions of up to six months.

As of January 8, 2025, all U.S. citizens travelling to British Overseas Territories need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) if they do not have a UK visa or legal residency in the UK or the Republic of Ireland.

Ferry and Airport Charges

If you arrive by air or sea, you must pay an environmental and tourism levy of 10 US dollars on arrival. There is also a departure tax of 50 US dollars for all passengers leaving the British Virgin Islands by air, and 20 US dollars per person or 15 US dollars for residents leaving by ferry.

Travel to the British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands can be reached by air or sea. The main airport serving the islands is Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS) on Beef Island, with flights from several U.S. cities, including Miami, Atlanta, and Newark. Alternatively, you can fly to Cyril E. King Airport (STT) on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands and then take a ferry or private boat to the British Virgin Islands.

Getting Around the British Virgin Islands

To travel between the islands, you can use ferry services, rent a private boat or charter a yacht, take a taxi, or rent a car on the larger islands, such as Tortola and Virgin Gorda.

Travel costs

The cost of travelling from Greece to the British Virgin Islands will depend on the mode of transport and the route taken. The distance between the two places is 8,446 kilometres or 5,248 miles, and there are no direct ferries or flights between the two.

Ferry

Ferry travel between the two will require multiple changes. One option is to take a ferry from Saranda, Albania, to Corfu, Greece, which costs around $31. From there, you can take a ferry to Brindisi, Italy, which costs around $265. Then, you can take a ferry from Brindisi to the British Virgin Islands. However, the cost of this final leg is unclear.

Flight

The most cost-effective flight route from Greece to the British Virgin Islands is to fly from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to the British Virgin Islands. Flights from San Juan to the British Virgin Islands can be as cheap as $90 one-way and $186 for a round trip.

To get to San Juan from Greece, you can fly from Athens to New York, and then from New York to San Juan. This route can cost as little as $300 for a one-way ticket. Therefore, the total cost of this route can be as little as $480.

Another option is to fly from Athens to St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands and then take a ferry to the British Virgin Islands. Flights from Athens to St. Thomas can cost as little as $500 for a one-way ticket, and the ferry from St. Thomas to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands costs $60 for a one-way ticket. Therefore, this route will cost at least $560.

It is important to note that these prices may not include additional fees, such as baggage fees or port fees, and they may vary depending on the time of booking, availability, and the time of year.

Travel times

The British Virgin Islands are located over 8,446 km (5,248 miles) away from Greece. The fastest way to travel between the two destinations is by plane, which takes around 9.37 hours.

Plane

The most direct way to travel from Greece to the British Virgin Islands is by plane. The flight time is approximately 9.37 hours, depending on the type of aircraft and its average speed.

Ferry

If you are already in the Caribbean region, you can opt for a ferry ride to the British Virgin Islands. For example, if you are in St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, you can take a 50-minute ferry ride to the British Virgin Islands.

Cruise

Another option for those already in the Caribbean is to travel by cruise ship. Many cruise lines include a stop at the British Virgin Islands, usually docking at the main port of Road Town on the island of Tortola.

Connecting Flights

If you are unable to find a direct flight from Greece to the British Virgin Islands, you may need to take a connecting flight from one of the nearby Caribbean islands or Puerto Rico. The specific travel time will depend on the layover duration and the departure location.

Frequently asked questions