Domestic Connection Times at Athens Airport?
#1
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Domestic Connection Times at Athens Airport?
Hi all.
We will be traveling from Crete to Naxos on July 2. While I would love to take make the trip via ferry from Heraklion, I've read a number of posts stating that the wind in early July has the potential to make the ride pretty choppy. I have a low threshold for getting seasick so I'd prefer not to take the risk. That said, we are looking at flying out of Heraklion (HER) early morning on Sunday, July 2, connecting in Athens (ATH) and continuing on to Naxos (JNX) shortly thereafter. The connection time in Athens is one hour and 35 minutes.
For those of you that are familiar with this airport, is this enough time to retrieve our bags, check-in for our ATH/JNX flight and make our connection? (It's worth noting, the ATH/JNX leg will be booked separately. Though on the same airline as our HER/ATH flight, the ATH/JNX ticket is significantly cheaper when booked on its own.)
Many thanks in advance for any input you might provide!
We will be traveling from Crete to Naxos on July 2. While I would love to take make the trip via ferry from Heraklion, I've read a number of posts stating that the wind in early July has the potential to make the ride pretty choppy. I have a low threshold for getting seasick so I'd prefer not to take the risk. That said, we are looking at flying out of Heraklion (HER) early morning on Sunday, July 2, connecting in Athens (ATH) and continuing on to Naxos (JNX) shortly thereafter. The connection time in Athens is one hour and 35 minutes.
For those of you that are familiar with this airport, is this enough time to retrieve our bags, check-in for our ATH/JNX flight and make our connection? (It's worth noting, the ATH/JNX leg will be booked separately. Though on the same airline as our HER/ATH flight, the ATH/JNX ticket is significantly cheaper when booked on its own.)
Many thanks in advance for any input you might provide!
#2
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The catamarans now used from Crete to Naxos are large car-carrying vessels, and not affected by rough seas as much as their smaller cousins. The bad reviews of Sea Jets catamarans are for the small passenger-only ferries no longer used on that route. Most of the time, even in July, winds aren't a problem, but you could be unlucky on the day.
If you are determined to fly, check in online for both flights up to 48 hours in advance and print out boarding passes for both flights—most Greek hotels are happy to help with this. If you have to retrieve your luggage at Athens, with pre-printed boarding passes you can leave it at the drop-off point rather than joining the line at the check-in desks, then head straight for the departure gate.
When you drop your luggage off at Heraklion ask if it can be sent all the way to Naxos. Make sure the check-in clerk puts a JNX tag on your luggage. If you can do that it will save time in Athens.
Normally I would say 1hr 35min is cutting it too fine, but if nothing goes wrong you should make it. Athens Airport is fairly small, and it won't take long to walk from Arrivals to Domestic Departures. Good luck!
If you are determined to fly, check in online for both flights up to 48 hours in advance and print out boarding passes for both flights—most Greek hotels are happy to help with this. If you have to retrieve your luggage at Athens, with pre-printed boarding passes you can leave it at the drop-off point rather than joining the line at the check-in desks, then head straight for the departure gate.
When you drop your luggage off at Heraklion ask if it can be sent all the way to Naxos. Make sure the check-in clerk puts a JNX tag on your luggage. If you can do that it will save time in Athens.
Normally I would say 1hr 35min is cutting it too fine, but if nothing goes wrong you should make it. Athens Airport is fairly small, and it won't take long to walk from Arrivals to Domestic Departures. Good luck!
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Assuming that you're flying under the Aegean/Olympic banner on both flights you shouldn't have to collect and re-check your bags. They should be transferred for you from one flight to the other. Then, to change planes, 1.5 hours is plenty of time, more than you'll need to move from one departure gate to another.
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Yes, stuff can happen. I've taken quite a few domestic flights, and occasionally there is a delay getting luggage after arrival. All the more reason for luggage to be checked all the way to Naxos.
Worst case scenario if you miss the connection: you should still have time to take a taxi to Piraeus for the 5:30 pm Blue Star to Naxos. You can buy tickets at a kiosk next to the ferry.
Worst case scenario if you miss the connection: you should still have time to take a taxi to Piraeus for the 5:30 pm Blue Star to Naxos. You can buy tickets at a kiosk next to the ferry.