Honeymoon2007

We're planning our honeymoon for October and are trying to figure out the best/quickest was to get from Naxos to Samos (around October 11) in our effort to get to Turkey. This is driving me crazy. Does anyone know the best way to go... fly or ferry or fly/ferry, I know I'll probably have to connect somewhere as the islands are on different ferry routes.

Thank you

chatham

May I suggest you type in search at the top of the page: Naxos to Samos. I remember a thread not too long ago on this subject.

Best Wishes for your wedding.

brotherleelove2004

Ferry schedules for October aren't out yet, but in the past there's been a ferry from Naxos to Samos as well as another from Mykonos, and you can get a ferry from Naxos to Mykonos, or from Naxos to Paros to Mykonos. The problem is that these ferries aren't very frequent in October and you will have to plan carefully to be sure you make the connections you need. You just can't plan until the schedules come out, probably in September. to save time and hassle your best option would be to go back to Athens and fly to Samos.

Heimdall

There are ferries to Samos, but you will have to go to Mykonos or Syros to meet them. Also, be aware it would not be a daily connection. Since these ferries originate in Piraeus, I have plugged in that route in gtp.gr, and you can see it in http://tinyurl.com/2oqu2z. For each ferry click on 'more information & reservations', then scroll down the page to see its route on the interactive map. To find actual departure times from Syros or Mykonos, reenter those ports in the 'From' block in http://www.gtp.gr/.

You may also consider going back to Athens and flying to Samos with Olympic or Aegean.

Heimdall

Brotherleelove and I cross-posted. He may be right about the ferry from Naxos, but right now gtp.gr isn't showing any. Check again in Sep as he suggests, and there may be one listed.

However, if you do want to fly, recommend you book asap. Check first with Aegean to see if they are offering one of their low promotional rates for the day you want to travel. They also have e-tickets, which makes it easier to book over the internet. Those who follow this forum know that I usually fly with Olympic, and they offer an excellent domestic service as well. When the cheap Aegean tickets are sold out,Olympic fares are usually lower.

Heimdall

One caveat here: if you do decide to fly to Samos, book a flight that leaves late enough to allow time to return from Naxos - otherwise you may be faced with an overnight in Athens. Olympic has flights from Naxos to Athens, but not Aegean.

On balance, the ferries are probably easiest if you can get one that fits your timetable. These are overnight ferries, so you will probably want to book a cabin.

GeoffHamer

Overnight ferries from Pireas to Samos generally arrive early in the morning - as early as six - so you should be able to continue to Turkey on the morning boat, to arrive in Kusadasi before lunch. I did this myself once.

Honeymoon2007

Wow! Thank you all for your help. Not sure which way we will go, but at least we know our options.

travelerjan

There used to be a lovely huge NEL express ferry between the 2 islands, but no more.

The Samians bemoan that their tourism has suffered because ferry connections have worsened. They suspect that wealthy Germans, Brits & the like who have bought & built villas there don't really WANT better access, to bring more crowds, at least that's what I got in many conversations back in 06.

To get to Naxos from there, I had to spend the night in Mykonos, & get a morning ferry and that's not every day I think every other day.

Honeymoon2007

Thanks, we wanted to skip Mykonos, but we're starting to think we'll add it in and do the ferry. My fiance is on the other PC checking the schedule as I type.