During the first two weeks in October is there a ferry from Santorini to Naxos and from Naxos to Mykonos? I cannot find any information on the ferry websites.

The ferry companies are in the process of finalizing their schedules for the upcoming season, that's why you can't find anything yet. That, and schedules as far ahead as next October probably won't be available until mid-summer.

The good news is that there is at least one ferry from Santorini to Naxos every day all year long. This is one of the major routes through the Aegean.

If you want to see what was running on your travel dates last year go to www.openseas.gr, clik on the British flag for English, then backtrack to last October using the calendar function. Next October's schedule will be similar.

To see the year-round ferry for the Santorini-Naxos leg, go to http://www.bluestarferries.com/ENGLISH/defaultmain.htm. Click on Domestic Lines at the top of the page, then Cyclades>Itineraries in the drop-down menu.

I really appreciate the expert information about the ferries. We plan to fly between Athens and the Cyclades.

1. Are we better off flying to Mykonos and ferrying from Mykonos to Naxos to Santorini and flying back to Athens from Santorini or flying to Santorini and ferying to Naxos to Mykonos and flying back from Mykonos? The dates will probably be between October 6 and 15.

2.We are feeling the dollar crunch as we try to make plans - we will be in Greece for almost a month. I'd love suggestions about hotels with a view and a pool(just in case the weather is warm enough) that would cost less than $200 a night in October.

3.Do most hotels on the island not include breakfast in the room rate? I have been noticing that breakfast is over 10 euros extra.

4.We have been hearing that there will not be enough to do or see in the islands at this time since the beach weather will likely be over. I would love to hear suggestions about how we would spend 3 days each in these islands in October.

I really appreciate all your help and advice.

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October is basically the end of the season in Greece when ferry services, hotels, etc and winding down or closing for the winter.
The weather is unpredictable in October so it's much better, I think, to have a flexible itinerary.
There is no problem finding hotels on the islands: all will have empty rooms and most will be reducing prices to get customers.
Breakfast is always extra, in my experience, in Greek hotels.

GeoffHamer offers good advice about remaining flexible. Although Mykonos and Naxos are neighboring islands, they are on different ferry routes. The Hellenic Seaways highspeeds that link them during summer stop at the end of September. You may have to go via Paros to travel between the two. There may be a direct link in October, but right now it's too early to tell.

Brotherleelove,

Will we be able to take ferry from Naxos to Santorini and back to Naxos in one day in July?

Thank you for all of your great tips.

Yes, but how much time you will get to spend on Naxos will depend on your chosen day of travel. There are several ferries between these islands in July but not every day for every ferry. You'll just have to wait until you're there to ask in a travel agency about the upcoming days' schedules. You can go online to look as well. www.openseas.gr will give you a good look at your options, but next July's timetables aren't available yet. I'm guessing they'll appear sometime in late-May. You can also use the openseas website to have a look at the schedules for last July to get an idea of what to expect. Use the calendar function to backtrack. Clik on the British flag for English.

Angiep wrote:
>>Will we be able to take ferry from Naxos to Santorini and back to Naxos in one day in July?<<

As I understand it, you will be on Naxos and want to visit Santorini for a day. Brotherleelove's advice was for visiting Naxos from Santorini, but everything he said is valid the other way round.

If you are interested in a day trip to Santorini, there is no need to take a ferry. Two excursion boats, Naxos Star and Alexander, do day trips from Naxos (and Piso Livadi on Paros). Alexander departs Naxos every Monday at 7:30am, and Naxos Star every Wednesday at 7:15am. They stay on Santorini for six hours, and return to Naxos around 7:00pm.

Those days and times are taken from last year's brochures, which I obtained on Naxos in 2007. You will have to check for any changes when you arrive on the island.

Oops! Thanks for catching my mistake.

Thank you both for the great info. I appreciate your quick detail response. Heimdall was correct that I will be leaving from Naxos going to Santorini for the daily turnaround.