We'll be going to mykonos in may and are looking for advice for early morning water travel.
Piraeus vs. Rafina: speed vs view; type of ticket?
Any recommendations and should we book before we get to Athens?

There's an express passenger-only boat from Rafina that leaves at 7:40 (2+ hours) every morning for Mykonos. There's also a slower car ferry at 8:05 (4.5 hours). There's a morning car ferry from Piraeus at 7:30 (5.5 hours). Although the 2005 schedules haven't been published yet for dates after March 31 I believe these are permanent.

www.gtp.gr/

Booking ahead isn't a necessity in May. You can wait until you get to Athens. Ask at your hotel for assistance.

Views: You'll see more from the slower car ferries. The express boats are enclosed catamarans.

We did the slow boat out of Piraeus - it was fine and you could wander around the boat - about 5 hours nice view...but crazy trying to find it in the morning but we were probably a bit hung over which could explain our directional problems. I would book just to be safe and to make sure you get the time you want.

We took the car ferry from Piraeas and really enjoyed it. Taking a ferry in the Greek Islands is a joy for people watchers, it is a group always in motion. It is so much less confining than the high speed boats and the trip is beautiful.

I would go by Highspeed out of Piraeus if it is available. If not, Rafina is a better option just a little more difficult to get to Rafina then Piraeus. The new metro takes you part way and then you have to transfer to a bus to take you to the port of Rafina. That is the way it was a few years ago. It is a challenge to know which bus to get on to. Going to Piraeus you just take the metro to the end of the line and you are at the port.

I believe that we did the 7:30 car ferry from Piraeus to Mykonos.

It depends on your priorities, of course, but for me, the time we spent on the ferry was part of the magic of our Greek vacation (we were there for 3 weeks, so we did have a bit of time on our side to be leisurely about things).

I will always remember how excited I was to be on that ferry at 6:30 in the morning, watching the hustle and bustle of Pireaus and the view of Athens fading in the distance as we started off. The ferry stops at Sinos (Sifnos? don't have my photo album in front of me, can't remember which) and Tinos and as first-timers, we were amazed at the geography and picturesque-ness of the ports as we pulled in.

Of course, our experience was that all transportation were nutty and chaotic--hundreds of people all trying to get on the ferry at once; trying to figure out where to put your backpack, where to sit, what to eat etc. We learned to bring snacks and beer with us to avoid the expensive prices on the boat. As Canadians we wanted as much sun as possible, so we always found seats outside, read our books, drank our beers, watched the other passengers, stared at the sea and contemplated life as you can only do on vacation.

Would I have wanted to spend all of my holiday on a ferry? No. But do I begrudge the 5.5 hour journey to Mykonos, a couple of shorter soujourns then to Paros, Naxos and Santorini, followed by a final 4 hour-er to Crete? Never. It was part of Greece experience for me!

I personally have issues about being organized while on vacation. I find it much more relaxing to have a plan than wing it. I realize that not everyone is like this, but I know that I am and it works for me/us. We booked all of our ferries ahead and it was so relaxing for me. We knew exactly where we were going and at what time. However, it certainly didn't seem imperative, there seemed to be no shortage of availability and I'm guessing that in May, you will have no issues if you don't want to book ahead.

Enjoy!

I like the hydrofoil out of Rafina..we go to Rafina the night before..find a cheap clean hotel (there are many within sight of the port)and just walk to the port in the a.m...if you do take a ferry and want real comfort...upgrade your ticket for business class..far more comfortable and not much more $$...the important thing I have learned...always leave a buffer day when returning to the mainland, if your plane or boat is grounded because of bad weather or fog...the extra day saves you..thats why I spend my Athens experience at the end of my trip...just a thought

johnnieb - would you be able to recommend some cheap/clean hotels in Rafina. My husband and I are considering doing the same thing yo mentioned. Staying in Rafina the night before so we can get an early ferry out.

Thanks!