Greek ferries
Nov 2nd, 2015, 06:41 PM
#2
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The answer is .... it all depends. Piraeus vs from Islands High season vs Low Season ... Large ferry vs Small ferry ... Reserved seat vs 1st come 1st served economy ticket? Lots of variables!
Here are some examples for those with unreserved seats:
BLUE STAR LINE -
• From Piraeus --these ferries carry 1200-1800 passengers, so, plenty of room However, if boarding outbound on a Friday afternoon in High Season (July-August) there could be a big crowd waiting.
• If you have a basic economy ticket and want to score good deck seats with a view, a good idea to get there early to be head of the crowd. Dump your big luggage on a shelf at the car deck & scamper up the escalator and steps to the deck areas. This applies both at Piraeus and at Islands.
• From Santorini particularly -- there's always a crowd, and you are herded into a building at one end, and the guards let u out at the far end when the signal is given. There are often large crowds of Asian tourists groups ( and somehow tho tiny they seem to push ahead like offensive tackles), so on this isle I say, get to the dock 40 minutes early and hustle to the exit end of the building.
NOTE: I usually buy "reserved economy" (also called "Air seats") on the interior if going on a 4-5 hr journey, but I also like to sit on the unreserved deck seats, so I like to be among the first boarding the vessel. If u are not going for those seats, or are doing business class, you can get there within 10 minutes of departure if you wish.
Here are some examples for those with unreserved seats:
BLUE STAR LINE -
• From Piraeus --these ferries carry 1200-1800 passengers, so, plenty of room However, if boarding outbound on a Friday afternoon in High Season (July-August) there could be a big crowd waiting.
• If you have a basic economy ticket and want to score good deck seats with a view, a good idea to get there early to be head of the crowd. Dump your big luggage on a shelf at the car deck & scamper up the escalator and steps to the deck areas. This applies both at Piraeus and at Islands.
• From Santorini particularly -- there's always a crowd, and you are herded into a building at one end, and the guards let u out at the far end when the signal is given. There are often large crowds of Asian tourists groups ( and somehow tho tiny they seem to push ahead like offensive tackles), so on this isle I say, get to the dock 40 minutes early and hustle to the exit end of the building.
NOTE: I usually buy "reserved economy" (also called "Air seats") on the interior if going on a 4-5 hr journey, but I also like to sit on the unreserved deck seats, so I like to be among the first boarding the vessel. If u are not going for those seats, or are doing business class, you can get there within 10 minutes of departure if you wish.
Nov 3rd, 2015, 06:21 PM
#3
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I was thinking about Heraklion to Naxos - there seems to be a 9 am and I was wondering what time we should try to arrive (i.e. where to sleep the night before 
) and would definitely get reserved seats! as you may have noticed I'm a little hyper about trying to plan travel - but I do have a sense of humor (;
) and would definitely get reserved seats! as you may have noticed I'm a little hyper about trying to plan travel - but I do have a sense of humor (;
Nov 3rd, 2015, 07:31 PM
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Yes you need to stay in Heraklion the night before ... I forget when you are going. One hotel right on the seafront road is Hotel Kronos ... ask for room with view toward water. You are driving in From Chania as I recall ... or else from Knossos? Anyway, I remember once we were doing this, and arranged with Car rental agency for them to pick up the car at our hotel. We managed to find a parking spot on the street, and left the keys with the Kronos reception desk (they also have a very limited parking area behind hotel). THis would mean that you must take a taxi to the port if you have a heavy bag, but it would only be 5E.
I think that the 9 AM ferry is not a "conventional ferry" , large vessel with open decks. In such a boat, you'd buy an economy ticket, but in June the seating would be half-full if that. Just get there 15 minutes before.
I think the ferry that stops at Santorini, then goes on to Naxos is a "fast-ferry" . there are 2 companies -- one has a car-carrying catamaran, other is passenger-only (former is more stable in windy weather). But in either, your tickets are reserved seat, no general economy.. you buy them a couple days ahead at any ticket agency in Crete. So u woudn't have to get there super-early... BTW a nice suprise gettng on any ferry is, the coffee is the cheapest in Greece, I think 1.5E. Not the ferry lines' doing -- the price is controlled! by govt. Greek populace apparently demanded it.
I think that the 9 AM ferry is not a "conventional ferry" , large vessel with open decks. In such a boat, you'd buy an economy ticket, but in June the seating would be half-full if that. Just get there 15 minutes before.
I think the ferry that stops at Santorini, then goes on to Naxos is a "fast-ferry" . there are 2 companies -- one has a car-carrying catamaran, other is passenger-only (former is more stable in windy weather). But in either, your tickets are reserved seat, no general economy.. you buy them a couple days ahead at any ticket agency in Crete. So u woudn't have to get there super-early... BTW a nice suprise gettng on any ferry is, the coffee is the cheapest in Greece, I think 1.5E. Not the ferry lines' doing -- the price is controlled! by govt. Greek populace apparently demanded it.
Nov 3rd, 2015, 07:33 PM
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A PS: If u must spend night in Heraklion... it's fun to walk out on the Causeway to the Gigantic FORTRESS (It withstood a 23-YEAR siege by the Turks!!). Then back to the traffic circle just where the causeway starts, and a couple of good-eats places... One is I think called O Psarri ... it is a Mecca of Mezedes, Crete style. many many little dishes.
Nov 4th, 2015, 06:05 PM
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That's what I was thinking. Our plan was to do two nights in Chania and then 3 nights in Elounda or A.N. indulging in a luxury beach experience. Then I realized that if the ferry leaves at 9 am, we would probably have to get up at 5 am to make it - which would kinda contradict the whole luxury concept. So maybe add another night to Crete - and spend that day exploring Heraklion. It does sound like there would be plenty to enjoy. Ok - gotta run this by my "other half" Thanks
