Help with ferry travel within Greece
Jul 7th, 2006, 10:18 AM
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Help with ferry travel within Greece
I am planning a trip to Greece from Sept 12-19th. The plan is to stay the first and last night in Athens (where our major flights are out of) and want to stay 2-3 nights in Mykonos and Santorini (in no particular order). Which is the best way to get to both? It seems ferry is, but I am unable to actually see a price on any time tables. Also, how do I know that the hotels that I will be booking will be close to the ports on these islands? And how close to the ports is necessary for simple/cheap travel from the hotel to the port? Is it best/an option just to by ferry tickets once in Greece? If so, what is the general price of a ticket? Thanks in advance!
Jul 7th, 2006, 10:40 AM
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Hi sperryre, I can try to help with someof these....
It is a good idea to stay in Athens your last night.
Both Mykonos and Santorini have airports - but you would have to ask Olympic or Aegean if they have flight directly to or if you have to go through Athens.
If you ferry, I am inclined to say you can buy your tickets when you arrive. Ferry schedules are notorious for changing - though Santorini and Mykonos are both very popular islands and should have decent daily connections. Unlike airports, which are usually a bit out of town - ports are generally very central. If you are worried about luggage you could catch a taxi as they know the flight/ferry schedules and will likely be waiting outside.
Do you have a guide book? How are you choosing hotels? A good guide book should have maps of both Mykonos's Chora and Fira in Santorini and an indication of where their recommended hotels are located. In Santorini you'll have to take the bus or tram up from port. In Mykonos the post is on the left hand side of the main town (when facing the island) - if your right in the heart of the town you can walk - taxis can drive in there anyway. If you are farther out, as I said there is a taxi stand.
Cheers,
Murphy
It is a good idea to stay in Athens your last night.
Both Mykonos and Santorini have airports - but you would have to ask Olympic or Aegean if they have flight directly to or if you have to go through Athens.
If you ferry, I am inclined to say you can buy your tickets when you arrive. Ferry schedules are notorious for changing - though Santorini and Mykonos are both very popular islands and should have decent daily connections. Unlike airports, which are usually a bit out of town - ports are generally very central. If you are worried about luggage you could catch a taxi as they know the flight/ferry schedules and will likely be waiting outside.
Do you have a guide book? How are you choosing hotels? A good guide book should have maps of both Mykonos's Chora and Fira in Santorini and an indication of where their recommended hotels are located. In Santorini you'll have to take the bus or tram up from port. In Mykonos the post is on the left hand side of the main town (when facing the island) - if your right in the heart of the town you can walk - taxis can drive in there anyway. If you are farther out, as I said there is a taxi stand.
Cheers,
Murphy
Jul 7th, 2006, 10:44 AM
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Yikes, sorry for the spelling mistakes...
That was "taxis CANT drive in there anyway"
and Mykonos's PORT is on the left hand side.
Also with such a short stay on either island I would sacrifice the money and fly personally (even if you have to go through Athens - which is likely).
In late May (start of high season) my Mykonos flight cost 99Euros. In April (off season) my Santorini flight cost me 72Euros. Both expensive because of how popular these two islands are.
Murphy
That was "taxis CANT drive in there anyway"
and Mykonos's PORT is on the left hand side.
Also with such a short stay on either island I would sacrifice the money and fly personally (even if you have to go through Athens - which is likely).
In late May (start of high season) my Mykonos flight cost 99Euros. In April (off season) my Santorini flight cost me 72Euros. Both expensive because of how popular these two islands are.
Murphy
Jul 7th, 2006, 11:47 AM
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How adventurous are you? No need to book a ferry in September, and for that matter, no need to book a room either. Many people on Fodors are reluctant to travel without reservations, but it's no problem whatsoever except in high season and on Greek holiday weekends, and neither applies in September.
Whether you go to Mykonos or Santorini first is a matter of choice, and really doesn't matter. Since you will only be in Greece for a week, recommend you fly to and from the islands. You can book a flight on either http://www.aegeanair.com/aegeanen/home/ or http://www.olympicairlines.com/. If you can get the right connections it might be better to go directly to the islands and spend the last two nights in Athens rather than one on arrival and one on departure.
When you arrive on an island without a hotel booking, there will be owners of small hotels (domatia) waiting at the port to offer their rooms. In the shoulder season (May-Jun and Sep) this is highly competitive, and you will get a very good price. They will even drive you to the hotel to insure you don't get poached by someone else. Of course if you want something special or don't mind how much you pay, book in advance.
Whether you go to Mykonos or Santorini first is a matter of choice, and really doesn't matter. Since you will only be in Greece for a week, recommend you fly to and from the islands. You can book a flight on either http://www.aegeanair.com/aegeanen/home/ or http://www.olympicairlines.com/. If you can get the right connections it might be better to go directly to the islands and spend the last two nights in Athens rather than one on arrival and one on departure.
When you arrive on an island without a hotel booking, there will be owners of small hotels (domatia) waiting at the port to offer their rooms. In the shoulder season (May-Jun and Sep) this is highly competitive, and you will get a very good price. They will even drive you to the hotel to insure you don't get poached by someone else. Of course if you want something special or don't mind how much you pay, book in advance.
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