nikidi

We will be travelling to Greece with kids for 9 days and have a flight into Athens and out of Santorini.

Having read up loads of forum threads and the LP guide, we have decided that a visit to Naxos would be the best choice, to have a less touristy island experience, as its close to Santorini.

What would the best options be in terms of travelling to Naxos and then onwards to Santorini in terms of time vs cost in the second half of October? would there be daily ferries from Naxos to Santorini..And should we book ahead?

Would love some advise from someone who has travelled this route!

Heimdall

From Athens you have the option of flying to Naxos with Aegean Airlines/Olympic Air or Sky Express on small ATR-42 turboprops, or a ferry from Piraeus (you are probably too late for ferries from Rafina, which is nearer the airport).

If you opt for a ferry, avoid the small passenger-only catamarans SeaJet 2 and Superjet, which are uncomfortable in rough seas. My choice would be Blue Star, which leaves daily at 07:25 am and 5:30 pm. It's a large conventional ferry, almost like being on a cruise liner. Leaving at 4:30 pm is Nissos Samos, another conventional ferry about the same size as Blue Star.

Heimdall

To clarify, by "too late for ferries from Rafina" I meant too late in the season.

nikidi

Thanks for your reply! really helpful to know a few airlines/ferries to look up - So Im thinking it makes sense to take a flight to Naxos (on Aegean)and then catch the daily Bluestar ferry to Santorini..

Would we need to book ahead for October, or is it best to wait till we get there? would prices get any better closer to the date?

brotherleelove2004

No need to book the ferry in advance, but do book your flights. And prices will not drop for either.

Heimdall

Yes, a flight would be quickest, but if you are in Athens early enough for the 7:25 am Blue Star you will still get to Naxos by lunchtime. That's the same Blue Star that goes on to Santorini, by the way.

There will be lots of hotel rooms available in late October, so you could wait until you get there to find a room, but frankly with all the resources available on the internet these days it's easier to prebook. Prices for rooms are at the low season rate in October, even on the internet.

There are always people at the ferry port with rooms to rent, but no one goes to the airport unless they are waiting for someone who has pre-booked. Taxis wait at the airport, though. I did actually find a room one time at the airport, when I saw a van with "Hotel Argo" written on it. I asked the driver, who turned out to be the hotel owner, if he had a room available, and he said "Yes". I ended up getting both a room and a free ride into St George, and have stayed at the same hotel several times since.

Heimdall

Brotherleelove posted while I was still writing, and I agree with what he wrote. The planes that fly into Naxos hold a max of 50 passengers, but usually carry even fewer due to weight restrictions. There should be seats available for late October, but it would be a good idea to book the flight as soon as you can just to be sure.

Ferries are never full in October, so you can safely wait until you get to Greece to buy tickets. Blue Star has a ticket booth in Piraeus next to the Naxos ferry, or you could pay a small surcharge and buy the tickets at Athens Airport. Buy your tickets to Santorini when you get to Naxos. Zas Travel and other ticket agencies are located on the street that runs to the ferry dock.

kja

Personally, I'd fly rather than take the ferry. I enjoy short ferry rides -- maybe an hour or two. Beyond that, I find them brain-numbingly dull. YMMV.

nikidi

thanks everyone! appreciate all the info.