Bettina222

My husband and I are traveling to Greece in April and have booked all our flights but one.........Chania-Athens-Santorini. I was hoping for prices to come down but they're going up instead! Aegean Airlines is showing limited seating
Olympic Air seems open.
I know it's anybody's guess but should I bite the bullet and just book now?
Current prices on Olympic Air are about $250.00 per person ........just the one way.
Aegean is higher.
Thanks for your input.

brotherleelove2004

You're not the only one asking this question and it's difficult to know what will happen this year, although I'm pretty sure the cheaper promo fares for April have already been sold out. As an alternative consider taking the early-morning bus from Chania to Heraklion and the highspeed ferry the rest of the way to Santorini. Of if you're interested in seeing Knossos go the day before so you have time in the afternoon.

Bettina222

Do the ferries run every day in April?

brotherleelove2004

ALMOST every day but not on April 4,7 & 21. Here's the schedule which came out just a few days ago:

http://www.ferries.gr/hfd

Bettina222

Thank you Brotherleelove!
Do you happen to know how long the bus ride is from Chania to Heraklion?

Bettina222

or where I can find that bus schedule?

brotherleelove2004

It's about 2.5-3 hours. The bus goes through Rethymnon.

http://www.bus-service-crete-ktel.co...hp?line=1&lg=2

Bettina222

Brotherleelove,
That seems like a doable alternative to flying.
Would we have to change buses in Rethymnon?

brotherleelove2004

Never having done it I'm not sure but I think so. You can ask when you're in Chania.

HelenG

We did the same bus trip - Chania to Heraklion. Stress free bus ride - and you don't have to change buses.

brotherleelove2004

Asked and answered...Thanks, HelenG!

travelerjan

In order to catch that daily fast-ferry to Santorini at 9:45 requires 2 things; you buy your ticket beforehand... easy, do it in Chania at any travel agent. Then, catch the Earliest possible bus. I believe here is one at 5:30 and 6:30 ... it is confusing sometimes because there are -- or used to be -- 2 competing KTEL (Intercity) bus lines. One requires a change in Rethymnon the other doesn't. Just ask your hotel clerk. The bus arrives in Heraklion at the station right next to the docks... not too much of a walk.

Bettina222

As always, you've all been very helpful! Thank you.
At that time of year, April, is there much chance that the ferry would be canceled due to weather?

brotherleelove2004

April weather can be unstable, yes, but there's just no way to know one way or the other.

Heimdall

You would be very unlucky if the ferry was cancelled on the day you happen to be travelling. Passenger-only catamarans are more vulnerable than large car-carrying ferries, but even so, weather cancellations occur only a few times a year. It's only when you need to get back to the mainland that it becomes important to take precautions. Greek ferry travel requires a certain amount of flexibility. ;-)

Bettina222

Thanks all, I ask because we only have two nights in Santorini and it looks like there is only one ferry a day from Heraklion to Santorinin?

travelerjan

Bettina, APril has 30 days, Our advice would differ depending on which exact date on which you hope to travel Heraklion-Santorini, which you have not yet shared. If you check gtp.gr (a very good ferry website I recommend you bookmarking), put in port Heraklion and Santorini (code ATI) in, and designate MONTH ONLY for 2010. You will see there are 2 other options so far: Wednesday 8 AM - arrive noonish, and Sundays 18:20 (6:20 pm) arrive 21:55 (9:55pm). Th daily 9:45 fast-ferry is not listed yet, tho it is on the hellenic seaways schedule already.
There may well be more, as the time grows closer. For instance there was a 2nd daily fast- ferry line last year.

Bettina222

Travelerjan,
We're planning on Thursday, April 22nd.
According to the web site that Brotherleelove gave, I believe the fast ferry is at 9:45 that day?

travelerjan

Yes, it's on the Hellenic website, just not recorded yet on gtp.gr. I just wanted to give you the other sailings though, as of now, nothing on a Friday, in case there was a cancellation. However I would not be over-anxious! Any "rough seas" are more common in Fall or winter, because of winds. Not in Spring enough to fret about.

Bettina222

Thank you for your help Travelerjan!