Greek Ferries in October - Q's
#1
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Greek Ferries in October - Q's
I am trying to get info on booking the following:
13 October - from Santorini to Mykonos
16 October - from Mykonos to Athens
I used http://www.openseas.gr/ and see that on 13 October, there is only 1 ferry showing service on SeaJet.
On 16 October I see 1 ferry to Piraeus on Blue Star and 3 to Rafina on Fast Ferries [2] and Golden Star[1]. Schedule wise, I prefer the Fast Ferries departure times over Gold Star.
3 questions:
1.Will more ferry show up on the schedule closer to dates of travel? If so, when? OR are these likely to be the only ferries due to it being past prime season? If there will be other ferries, how far out will they show up in schedule - 60 days?
2. Do I need to book now or can I wait until we are in Santorini and Mykonos? I have read some not so favorable posts here about Sea Jet but if they are the only ones doing the ferry in October, I guess there isn't a choice.
3. Ticket class - is the extra 5 euros or so per ticket worth the cost for "better" ticket/seat? I will need 2 tickets.
Thanks in advance for you help figuring this out.
13 October - from Santorini to Mykonos
16 October - from Mykonos to Athens
I used http://www.openseas.gr/ and see that on 13 October, there is only 1 ferry showing service on SeaJet.
On 16 October I see 1 ferry to Piraeus on Blue Star and 3 to Rafina on Fast Ferries [2] and Golden Star[1]. Schedule wise, I prefer the Fast Ferries departure times over Gold Star.
3 questions:
1.Will more ferry show up on the schedule closer to dates of travel? If so, when? OR are these likely to be the only ferries due to it being past prime season? If there will be other ferries, how far out will they show up in schedule - 60 days?
2. Do I need to book now or can I wait until we are in Santorini and Mykonos? I have read some not so favorable posts here about Sea Jet but if they are the only ones doing the ferry in October, I guess there isn't a choice.
3. Ticket class - is the extra 5 euros or so per ticket worth the cost for "better" ticket/seat? I will need 2 tickets.
Thanks in advance for you help figuring this out.
#2
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1. Nothing will be added. What you see is what you get.
2. In October you can just book as you go, no need to book in advance.
3. For travel on the highspeeds the least expensive ticket is fine. For a longer trip on a regular car ferry with open decks book an aircraft-style seat because it's reserved and you can get up to walk around without worrying that someone is going to poach it from you while you're away.
2. In October you can just book as you go, no need to book in advance.
3. For travel on the highspeeds the least expensive ticket is fine. For a longer trip on a regular car ferry with open decks book an aircraft-style seat because it's reserved and you can get up to walk around without worrying that someone is going to poach it from you while you're away.
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Sea Jets has a reputation for unreliability and lateness. Hellenic Seaways is highly regarded. Blue Star is also very reliable. Don't know anything about Gold Star.
The SeaJet 2 is the smallest of the highspeed cats so it's the most susceptible to being cancelled from bad weather. Seasickness is also a common complaint. If the seas are rough it will bob in the water like a cork.
The SeaJet 2 is the smallest of the highspeed cats so it's the most susceptible to being cancelled from bad weather. Seasickness is also a common complaint. If the seas are rough it will bob in the water like a cork.
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Most of the time Sea Jets ferries are fine, and it's only when the wind is up and seas are rough that seasickness is a problem. When seas are rough the 42 meter SeaJet 2 bounces as it skips over the waves at 30+ knots. If winds get up to Beaufort Force 8 the Sea Jet is likely to be cancelled, but that is a rare occurrence. This particular route starts at Piraeus, has three stops before it reaches Santorini, and is often running an hour late by then. Since Sea Jets is your only choice on that day, you will have to take what comes.
For Mykonos to Athens you need to decide whether you prefer arriving at Piraeus or Rafina. "Fast Ferries" to Rafina is a bit of a misnomer, as they are one of the slowest ferries on that route. Then you spend another hour or so on a bus to get to Athens (if you are going directly to the airport Rafina is most convenient). If you plan to overnight in Athens, recommend the Blue Star to Piraeus.
Mid-October is nearly the end of the tourist season, and most ferries are running only half-full by then. Booking in advance is not necessary, and in fact would be unwise. If, for any reason, the ferry is cancelled, you have to go through the hassle of getting a refund and obtaining new tickets, and it's far easier to do so at an agency on the island where you bought the original tickets. Buy your tickets to Mykonos on Santorini, and your tickets to Athens on Mykonos.
For Mykonos to Athens you need to decide whether you prefer arriving at Piraeus or Rafina. "Fast Ferries" to Rafina is a bit of a misnomer, as they are one of the slowest ferries on that route. Then you spend another hour or so on a bus to get to Athens (if you are going directly to the airport Rafina is most convenient). If you plan to overnight in Athens, recommend the Blue Star to Piraeus.
Mid-October is nearly the end of the tourist season, and most ferries are running only half-full by then. Booking in advance is not necessary, and in fact would be unwise. If, for any reason, the ferry is cancelled, you have to go through the hassle of getting a refund and obtaining new tickets, and it's far easier to do so at an agency on the island where you bought the original tickets. Buy your tickets to Mykonos on Santorini, and your tickets to Athens on Mykonos.