Rick_EMT

Hey folks --

I will be in Athens in late May 2005. I would like to pop over to Crete to spend a day or so exploring Knossos.

Any ideas on travel options and costs? I understand the ferry trip is 12 hours. How about air and airfares?

Also, any recommendations on hotels in Iraklion/Knossos area. Simple and plain is fine, since I am mainly going for the Knossos excursion.

Rick in Maryland

lwinokur

crete is one of the farthest islands, but well worth it from what i hear. i was just in greece this past may, and went to santorini, paros, and mykonos. the ferries are very cheap during this time of year, and there are express ferries that go twice the spead of others. if you're planning on taking the ferry, don't worry about planning ahead. they'll be practically empty (reletively speaking i'm sure) but COLD. also, i know there are charte flights to some of the islands, I'm SURE crete seeing it's size, and they're probably reasonable, although i don't know anything about them. Enjoy Greece!

sheila

The Greek airlines fly direct to Chania and Iraklion.Check Olympic and (lord. what IS the name of the other one?!). It'll be about £100.

You can get ferries to the same destinations. If you are only going to Knossos it makes no sense to arrive at Chania.

Having done the Minoan think in Crete in detail, can I make two further suggestions.

1. Keep time to see the Museum in Iraklion. The first time we did it we saw Knossos first than went to the Museum. That worked for me, but others have sworn doing it the other way round is better.

2. Go to one of the other Minoan sites too. There are a number of other palaces and the fantastic village at (I SWEAR I'm suffering from Alzheimer's or something; I'll have to check when I get home) The nearest palace is at Malia, which is the only one I haven't see. I guess Festos would be next nearest. The think is Knossos is so Arthur Evans, it's hard to see where the Minoans stopped and he started.

That's not necessarily a bad thing, but seeing one untampered with is top, too.

brotherleelove2004

There's a fast boat from Santorini to Crete, but if you're coming from Athens your two choices are flying and a car ferry. Both Olympic Air and Aegean Air cover that route. You can book online with Aegean and it appears to be less expensive.

GeoffHamer

There are several big overnight ships. The journey is less than 12 hours and the only problem is that the journey is too short, with ships arriving before 0600. Knossos is just outside Iraklion which has two ferry services (www.minoan.gr and www.anek.gr), both with sailings every evening. Minoan's ships are newer but both companies have big ferries with lounges, restaurants, and cabins with bathrooms. They won't be too busy in May so it should be easy to book cabins at short notice.

111op

Isn't there a hydrofoil to Crete? I thought that there was when I was looking at my options a few months ago. But I never investigated further because time was of the essence and I flew. In any case, I flew to Mykonos first.

Knossos is interesting. A friend who's been several times said that it didn't really live up to her expectations when she first saw it -- so it's something to keep in mind.

brotherleelove2004

The hydrofoil to Crete, the Hellas Flying Dolphin, originates in Mykonos, passes through the Cyclades stopping along the way and ends up in Iraklion. As far as I know there isn't one from Athen/Piraeus to Crete.

111op

I'm not sure how accurate this link is but there's supposedly a fast boat that takes 6 hours:

http://www.cretetravel.com/To_and_fr...ries_Crete.htm

When I did my research, I found that it was difficult to find extensive information on ferry/hydrofoil schedules, and I wasn't sure if I could trust what was posted on the web. So in the end I just flew.

GeoffHamer

There are no hydrofoils from Pireas to Crete - it is much too far.
There are ferries that can do Pireas-Crete in six hours, but these are big overnight ships and usually take longer. There is no reason why anyone would want to spend half a day being bounced up and down on a hydrofoil when the crossing can be done overnight.

SandyMerm

There is fast overnight ferry that goes to Crete in 5-6 hours. I would agree also that the other Minoan sites in the area are also amazing. Phaistos is amazing and you pass Gortyn on the way. Kato Zakros was really interesting and Mallia would rank after that. I was drawn to Knossos of course, but the given that there are many disputes about Evan's reconstructions, I would have to say that I found Phaistos really impressive and glad I went to all the others.

sheila

Gortyn! that was the one I couldn't remember the name of

greecube

From Athens to Crete - fly, especially if you are running on a tight schedule. It's the fastest way and you do not have to worry about delays b/c of rough seas (or other undesirable side effects). From Crete to other islands, depends, because flying usually requires flying back through Athens and then on to your next destination. Once again, variables are time, distance, and weather.