Which flights to Greece would you choose?

[ohtheweatheroutsideee]

Booking a holiday to Greece Tommorow and have 2 options of flights
Sunday 6am flight (uk time )gets us there for 12.10 (Greece time )
Returns 13.10 (Greece time ) back in uk for 15.25.
Or

16.40 uk time arriving 22.50 Greece time
Returns 23.50 Greece time -back in Uk 2.05 am

Pros and cons
6 am flight -means we need to be at airport for 3am so probably no sleep night before
7 nights out in Greece

16.40 flight -no early airport flight but only 6 nights out in Greece and late arrival home

Help ..which one ?

The first ones definitely. We never mind an earlier flight when we’re going on holiday!

The first one. The 16.40 flight only gets you to Greece in time for bed (especially if it's delayed). With the early morning flight you can snooze on the plane or have a nap when you arrive. Can you book a hotel at the airport to give yourself a bit more sleep?

Definitely the first ones, I hate a late flight coming home as no matter how much I've loved the holiday I just want to get home on the last day (especially when you've had to check out of your hotel by 10am anyway)! We went in September and had pretty similar flight times and it was so nice getting home at a reasonable time.

The later flights for sure. I hate having to get up and go to the airport at the crack of dawn.

First one, 100%. I'm not a morning person, but I'll happily get up at any time for a flight (a holiday one, not so much for work). It means you have to be disciplined with packing and have the cases by the door ready to go - none of that last minute faffing, or "I'll-put-that-in-in-the-morning-ing". Just set an alarm (or 3), roll out of bed, clean teeth, wash face, get dressed and go. Snooze on the plane, take it v easy on the first day (maybe short hotel snooze for an hr in the afternoon), early night and you're fine the next day.

Afternoon flight out means you'll spend that day at home faffing, and arriving really late. And the late flight home is a bit grim too.

I will probably do first ones
Book the hotel opposite airport and check out around 3am
That should give us enough time to check in etc

Perfect. No early morning stress. Is it Gatwick? We've stayed at the Premier Inn at the terminal there a few times (can't remember if it's North or South). So stress free. Have checked bags in the night before too.

No it's Newcastle and the hotel is literally steps away.
I'm hoping getting there for 3.30 am will be fine

We were there in November going to Gran Canaria and got through security in less than 5 minutes so I'm hopeful

First one. With the later return, you'll be hours in the Greek airport having checked out early with nothing to do and be delayed anyway and really late home.

Definitely the early ones. It’s so exciting going early!

First one. The return is pretty much perfect. Experience has taught me that the last day is never much cop. You usually need to be out at 12 and you’re options are limited. no one wants to be lugging wet or sandy clothes, towels and suitcases all day.. You can leave your bags maybe, at the hotel but then you always have to go back there rather than being free to explore. You can have a nice lunch but then what for even less hours?
Better to have a long lie in, decent breakfast, last swim in the pool, shower dress and get to the airport.
And the last flight is always delayed.

Although I’m not a fan of early morning flights as you never sleep the night before and feel terrible most of the day because of it, Greece is just about a long enough flight to snooze a bit. Much better than getting there at midnight which is what it will be.

Early one. How far from the airport do you live? Do you not have a mid local one of it requires a hotel stay?

Definitely first one. We have done similar a few times. Always stayed in hotel next door, checked in bags night before and basically rolled out of bed about 2 1/2 hours before flight.

We always do early morning flights- yes it can be tiring getting up so early but you are normally in your accommodation early afternoon with time to get unpacked and a quick nap before the evening .

And on the way home it means you get up at a normal time - leave for the airport straight after breakfast and are home late afternoon so can get sorted out and start your washing etc

Also with a later flight home you normally have to be out of your accommodation mid morning so your last day is a lot of hanging round .

I've always done the first option but last year I had to use a different airport which was a pain. I'm going for the second option next year from my local airport. I'll pay to keep my room on for the last day in Greece. I won't be leaving the hotel anyway. I don't mind getting home late because I fly back on a Thursday and I won't be working until Monday.

Early flights, you can nap on the plane.

Much better to avoid ruining the holiday vibe with a horrible late flight home.