Ferry from Piraeus to Santorini - necessary to book ahead?
May 17th, 2005, 09:00 AM
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Ferry from Piraeus to Santorini - necessary to book ahead?
We wanted to take the overnight ferry from Athens to Santorini, but the night we wanted to take it is a Tuesday, which is the one night of the week when it doesn't run. If anyone knows otherwise, please let me know!
Anyways, we are now planning on taking the 7:30am high speed ferry on June 1st. Would it be necessary to reserve our tickets in advance? Also, is it easy to navigate the metros to get there early in the morning?! Thanks in advance for any information.
-evalynn
Anyways, we are now planning on taking the 7:30am high speed ferry on June 1st. Would it be necessary to reserve our tickets in advance? Also, is it easy to navigate the metros to get there early in the morning?! Thanks in advance for any information.
-evalynn
May 17th, 2005, 09:18 AM
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The ride to Pireaus from Athens is a snap on the new subway.
Also, I would recommend booking in advance during the summer months. We didn't in October, and had to buy an extra birth to get a triple room instead of a double since they were all booked up for our overnight ferry to Samos. I suppose if you're going deck class, it's not such a big deal.
Check out Hellas and other ferries online. And reconsider the high speed ferries...the slower ones are much more fun & relaxing, and if you take an overnight boat, it's one less hotel to pay for while you get the benefit of waking up in a new place the next morning.
Happy travels.
Jules
Also, I would recommend booking in advance during the summer months. We didn't in October, and had to buy an extra birth to get a triple room instead of a double since they were all booked up for our overnight ferry to Samos. I suppose if you're going deck class, it's not such a big deal.
Check out Hellas and other ferries online. And reconsider the high speed ferries...the slower ones are much more fun & relaxing, and if you take an overnight boat, it's one less hotel to pay for while you get the benefit of waking up in a new place the next morning.
Happy travels.
Jules
May 17th, 2005, 10:06 AM
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Thanks for the reply Jules. We would love to take the overnight ferry, however it doesn't run on Tuesday night and we already have booked our (non-refundatble) accomodations in Santorini beginning Wednesday night. So we must arrive there by Wednesday (or be out some cash). Thus, our options are leave at 730am on the highspeed ferry and arrive at 12:15pm, or leave at 7:25am and arrive around 3pm. I am dissapointed about being unable to take the overnight, as this takes away at least 1/2 day on Santorini.
So far the suggestion is to reserve?
So far the suggestion is to reserve?
May 17th, 2005, 10:30 AM
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No, not necessary, just buy your ticket at Piraeus, give yourself plenty of time the ticket agencies open about 05:00 and the port is large. The slow ferry has a more interesting route and is cheaper, you only save 2 hours on the Hi-speed.
May 17th, 2005, 02:28 PM
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The morning ship from Pireas to Santorini is the BLUE STAR PAROS, built in 2002. Economy class has saloons with upholstered seats, a café and open deck space. Some more details are on www.bluestarferries.com. If you have an economy class decide and decide you don't like it, you can pay the extra on board to move to the first class saloon.
May 18th, 2005, 08:16 AM
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When I travelled in the BLUE STAR ITHAKI which is similar, the crew told passengers embarking to put their luggage on racks beside the upper car deck. If you take luggage into the saloons, you do not have to stay with it for the whole journey, but you should watch it when the ship is calling at a port. I assume you keep valuables on your person.
May 18th, 2005, 08:29 AM
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Went to Greece last May and did the ferry from Athens to Mykonos and then on to Santorini. It was the Blue Star line. I might still have the schedule at home if you need me to check, please let me know. Also, you can get some great information and help through Gate1Travel. They arranged much of our trip.
We had no problems buying the tickets when we got there, however it was not high season yet. We left our luggage in the bay luggage racks like everyone else, we just ensured they were well marked, and that no real valuables (passports, tickets, ATM card, etc) were in them. We took a shoulder bag/backpack into the cabins with us that contained all those things. We had no problems with that arrangement.
We took the slow boat and regretted it. I am not so sure about what scenery we should have seen, but wouldn't have minded missing an extra two hours on the boat and getting to where we were going. Arriving into Santorini by ferry is great, but you don't have to do the slow boat to appreciate it. Either way is okay, but I would look into the hydrofoil.
We had no problems buying the tickets when we got there, however it was not high season yet. We left our luggage in the bay luggage racks like everyone else, we just ensured they were well marked, and that no real valuables (passports, tickets, ATM card, etc) were in them. We took a shoulder bag/backpack into the cabins with us that contained all those things. We had no problems with that arrangement.
We took the slow boat and regretted it. I am not so sure about what scenery we should have seen, but wouldn't have minded missing an extra two hours on the boat and getting to where we were going. Arriving into Santorini by ferry is great, but you don't have to do the slow boat to appreciate it. Either way is okay, but I would look into the hydrofoil.
May 18th, 2005, 02:42 PM
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All I meant by a 'more interesting route' is that the ordinary ferry calls in at more ports/islands on the way, thus this may give you some ideas as to some other islands you may want to visit. There is also much more outside deck space on which to relax. The Hi-speed catamaran is almost totally enclosed apart from a very small area at the back, it is also twice the price for economy/deck class.
As far as luggage is concerned there is no check in, you will have to deal with it yourself, personally I keep it next to my person on the deck or lounge area, the luggage racks are usually in an out of sight area.
It is only on highly touristy routes that you actually have a choice of ferry, most islands you take take whatever ferry is going.
As far as luggage is concerned there is no check in, you will have to deal with it yourself, personally I keep it next to my person on the deck or lounge area, the luggage racks are usually in an out of sight area.
It is only on highly touristy routes that you actually have a choice of ferry, most islands you take take whatever ferry is going.
May 18th, 2005, 03:24 PM
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Hi
As an alternative have you looked into the cost of a return airfare?. You'd be surprised how little it costs. Try Aegean Air or Olympic. You can get quotes by going onto their sites. Your travel agent may be able to better these prices.
Cheers
As an alternative have you looked into the cost of a return airfare?. You'd be surprised how little it costs. Try Aegean Air or Olympic. You can get quotes by going onto their sites. Your travel agent may be able to better these prices.
Cheers
May 25th, 2005, 12:28 PM
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The overnight sailing from Pireas to Santorini is run by Hellenic Seaways (formerly Hellas Ferries). Currently, the EXPRESS SANTORINI leaves Pireas at 2200 and is due in Santorini at 0715. Details are on www.dolphins.gr.
