Ferries cyclades & crete

Old May 4th, 2008, 03:24 PM
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Ferries cyclades & crete

We are planning a trip july to Naxos then santorini & crete. Do you need to book the ferries in advance ie before we leave canada or can we buy tickets there. 4 people are travelling together & we have our hotels booked so have to get ferries on specific days. Also there doesn't seem to be a ferry on 12 July to Crete from Santorini (the date we want to travel) although the tour guides say there should be! & there only appear to be a few smoking seats showing on 11th on the fast boat this has me concerned.Help please!!!!
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Old May 4th, 2008, 03:44 PM
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If you're taking the large Blue Star car ferry from Athens/Piraeus to Naxos you don't need to buy your tickets in advance of your arrival but I do suggest you buy them at the airport from the Amphitrion Holidays (open 24/7) travel desk in the Main Hall so as to avoid the mid-summer insanity at the ferry port. That way you only have to show up a short time before departure to get aboard.

The smaller highspeed ferries will most likely be full mid-July, so advance purchase of those tickets is a good idea.

Lane Lines, Hellenic Seaways and I.J. all have tentative schedules for ferries from Santorini to Heraklion, Crete for Saturday,July 12, but these timetables are not yet "official." They should be soon. You can see them here:

http://tinyurl.com/5lcxy9


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Old May 7th, 2008, 08:23 AM
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thanks brotherleelove. Seems as if your site gave me availability that mine did not for the high speed ferry to crete. As the high speed only runs when the seas are fairly calm do you think they would get cancelled on this route in July very often?
Also whilst in Crete we want to stay close to Heraklion but be able to visit Hania. Anyone know about bus service ? Which would be a better place to stay Amoudara or Agia Pelagia. Heared that some beach areas are industrial & we have kids. Thanks!!
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Old May 7th, 2008, 09:02 AM
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Bus schedules for Crete are on this website:
www.cretetravel.com
From Iraklion to Hania, they are generally hourly, but the journey takes about three hours each way.
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Old May 7th, 2008, 09:41 AM
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Ferry cancellations are rare, but they do happen. July can be windy so there's just no way of knowing if the ferry will be forced to stay in port.
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Old May 8th, 2008, 05:35 AM
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Thanks for ferry & bus schedule advice .Perhaps it'll be a cab to Hania.Any advice on whether to stay in Amadoura or Agia Pelagia for better beach . Need to be close to Heraklion for access to busses & an early flight back to Athens.
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Old May 8th, 2008, 05:56 AM
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You are a little unclear about your last-night requirements. Are you expecting to get a bus from a beach town to the airport for an early flight?? It is unlikely that a local bus will be early enough so you may have to think in terms of a taxi.

Ag. Pelagia is farther from Heraklion and besides, has a narrow beach. Amoudara (this is the spelling) has a much wider beach (a Blue-Flag beach for clear waters), and is 6 Km from Heraklion and 12 km from airport.
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Old May 8th, 2008, 06:27 AM
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One website says that a local bus from Amoudara to Heraklion bus station is 15-20 minutes... so if the schedule has an early enough departure to Heraklion, you might be able to change to a bus to the airport in time for your flight. Good luck!
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