acalish

Hi everyone,

You have all been so helpful thus far, and now that my trip is about a month away, it is time to start planning smaller details.

I'll be taking ferries from Piraeus - Paros, Paros - Naxos, and Naxos - Santorini. Does it make sense to buy all of these in the Athens airport when I arrive? I've already booked hostels in every location, so I have set days I plan to travel on. Or should I just buy the Piraeus to Paros ticket, and then buy the rest on the islands? And can you recommend which seat to buy? I'm looking to buy cheap seats, but would still like a semi-comfortable option, especially on the longer ferry rides. What is the main different between economy and airport lounge? Is there wifi on the ferries?

Thanks!!

travelerjan

if you are mainly taking Blue Star Ferries... they accommodate 1500-1700 passengers, and in June mainly 1/2 full. Just buy the first one.

SEATING: Economy entitles you to deck seating, or in cafes, or in chairs along the corridors. "Aircraft seats"(€4 more:upholstered, high-back, leanback, footrests, tray, and way wider/legroom than today's awful plane seats). for a 3-5 hour trip, if u are tired, worth it. You don't need to stay there; yu can stay on deck as long as you like, then if you go indoors, your seat is reserved. When buying I ask for SIDE compartment seats ... smaller areas, quieter. Main seating area is like a large theatre w. aisles, 300+ seats, TV on, more noise.

WHICH WHEN - for Paros-Naxos45 mn), Naxos-Santorini (2 hr) Economy.

EXCEPTIONS - June 18-20 is "holy Spirit" (Pentecost) 3-day weekend, so any Outbound to isles Friday Ferries will be fuller, also inbound Monday, buy ahead.

WI-FI - have not used it, but yes, believe so.

TIP: if doing economy, first-come-first-served on best Deck seating, so be at dock early enough to be at head of line when they let passengers board. Drop your Big Bag quickly on car-deck (there are steel racks, perfeclty safe) & take along your daybag w money, electronics etc), and scamper up the stairs quickly to the deck to snare seats. If there re several of you, have one run ahead while the others stash the luggage.

Heimdall

<i>Or should I just buy the Piraeus to Paros ticket, and then buy the rest on the islands?</i>

That's exactly what I do. The Amphitrion Holidays booth in the Arrivals hall at Athens Airport is a good place to buy ferry tickets, but you pay an extra €2 per ticket service charge. I usually buy my first tickets there to get the job out of the way, and receive the latest ferry information before leaving the airport.

If you wait until you get to Piraeus to buy the ticket to Paros at the Blue Star booth there is no extra charge. You could book online on the Blue Star website if you wish, and use the reservation number to pick up the ticket at that same booth. Do wait until you get to the islands to buy the rest of the tickets.

The only leg I would consider buying more than the standard economy ticket is for Piraeus - Paros, which takes 4 hours, with not much scenery once you pass the Attica coast. An air seat is numbered, and yours for the rest of the trip, but when you get up from a non-reserved seat in economy someone else can take it. You don't want to spend the whole 4 hours guarding your seat and not be able to go to the snack bar or WC.

I wouldn't worry too much about which air seat lounge you end up in, because they are all the same price, and people often switch seats anyway. For Paros - Naxos (1 hour), and Naxos - Santorini (2 hours), there is lots to see from the open deck, and you may not even want to sit down.

Heimdall

BTW, if you are travelling by ferry from Santorini back to Athens, then definitely buy a numbered air seat. Also check the prices on the Aegean Airlines website for flights back to Athens. If budget allows, it will save you a 7-8 hour ferry ride.

mes2525

If you can afford to fly to Santorini roundtrip, I would because you will save yourself a lot of time. I just went to Patmos from Rhodes (six hours each way). I was on a Superfast Ferry which has great lounges, coffee bars, cafeteris, play rooms, etc. but it is still a long trip. Most people buy food and drinks so it may be as cheap to fly and ferry between the other islands you a planning to visit.