Bodrum Turkey to Greek islands
 

I'm travelling with my daughter and will be departing Bodrum Turkey - I need advice on what best way we can get to Mykonos and Santorini and back to Bodrum. Thinking 5 nights. Not flying so need advice on what ferries, do I book online beforehand (where) or buy when I get there? what islands to stopover and how long you would suggest.

As you dont't tell us when you want to travel, I can't give you the timetables neither can I tell you what's the best solution.
Timetable links:
Bodrum - Kos: http://www.bodrumferryboat.com/en/calendar.asp
Kos - Patmos - Samos: http://www.12ne.gr/en/
link for the following lines: http://www.gtp.gr/RoutesForm.asp
Samos - Patmos - Mykonos - Naxos (Hellenic Seaways),
Samos - Mykonos - Syros (Hellenic Seaways)
Syros - Santorini (Bluestar)
Mykonos - Paros/Naxos - Santorini (Golden Star, Seajets, Hellenic Seaways),
Kos - Santorini (Bluestar)
Kos - Katapola (Bluestar),
Katapola - Santorini (Seajets)

I hope you are able to make same-day ferry connections, but even if you do the time spent in transit both coming and going will seriously cut into your ability to explore those 2 islands after Bodrum. If you can't fly I suggest you save them for another time.

Since you are starting at Bodrum, suggest you stick to the nearby islands in the Greek Dodecanese Islands group. From Bodrum you would go to Kos, which is well connected with Rhodes. From Kos you could take a day trip to the volcanic island of Nissiros, from Rhodes a day trip to the beautiful island of Symi.

With only five days, it would take that much time just to get to Mykonos & Santorini and back, never mind actually spending any time there. You would spend a lot of time on ferries and waiting at ports, though.

I too join brotherleelove2004 and Heimdall with their suggestions. From Bodrum reaching to Santorini and Mykonos unfortunately is not easy and you would spend a lot on the way with connections. Checking Kos and where from Kos you can reach is better idea. Enjoy your vacation and enjoy Bodrum.

Thank you for your replies.. I'm flying into Bodrum 26 June 2017. We've reconsidered and leaving Mykonos off but really would like to do Santorini still.. do they do day trip Island hopping from Santorini? Is this an option perhaps? Otherwise advice on the route from Bodrum direct to Santorini by ferry would be appreciated and we will just spend the 5 days there.

Unfortunately, the Blue Star ferry that used to stop at Santorini 3 times/week en route from Kos and Rhodes to Piraeus no longer goes that way. Several ferries travel between Piraeus (Athens) and Kos/Rhodes, but don't stop in the Cyclades. There is a ferry, Prevelis, that goes from Rhodes, stopping at Santorini, but it's only twice per week, and stops at every little island en route, so takes nearly a day to get to Santorini.

You don't seem to realise how few ferries operate between the Dodecanese and Cyclades island groups, and how long it takes to go between them at about 25 mph. Sorry to say this, but your only hope of visiting Santorini is to fly to Athens and get another flight or ferry from there.

If you still want to try going by ferry, use https://gtp.gr to plan your route. I see now that Blue Star has added a Kos - Santorini sailing on Mondays and Wednesdays, but currently on the schedule only for 14 -21 June. Chances are they will extend the timetable further into the summer. The problem is: you will still have to get back to Bodrum, and a twice per week ferry doesn't leave you many options. Prevelis, the other ferry I mentioned, doesn't stop at Kos, so you would have to make your way from Bodrum to Rhodes first.

Forget the Monday/Wednesday/Friday FB Bluestar II mentioned by Heimdall. In July, this ferry will run from Kos via Samos Island (instead of Santorini) to Piraeus/Athens.

In July, the best connection will be on Saturdays:
Bodrum dp 9.30 - Kos 10.30/12.30 - Katapola 15.55/17.40 - Santorini ar 18.45

Next best:
Sundays in July:
Bodrum dp 9.30 - Kos 10.30/13.30 - Patmos 15.50/19.35 - Naxos 22.30/23.55 - Santorini ar Monday 2.10 am
Thursdays in July:
Bodrum dp 9.30 - Kos 10.30/13.30 - Patmos 15.50/19.35 - Naxos ar 22.30, dp Friday 6.15 - Santorini ar 8.55

Other possibilities:
Fly from Kos via Athens to Santorini

Thanks for the correction, neckervd! For the OP's benefit, it might be helpful to show how to get back to Bodrum from Santorini within the 5 night timeframe.