Hello- this is a question for all of the Greece experts out there. We are going to Greece on June 14th-25th. Our itinerary is: Athens-Mykonos-Paros-Santorini-Athens.

My first question is: is it better to take a plane or ferry to and from Athens? Obviously flight is a bit more expensive and quicker, but are there other advantages/disadvantages?

Second question is regarding the inter-island ferry travel. Should we book the ferries before we go? This is the beginning of the high season, so I'm not sure if is necessary or not. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

I suggest you fly from Athens to Mykonos and take the ferry to the islands. Aegean Airlines has the cheapest flights to the islands.

http://www.aegean-air.gr/aegeanen/home/

You can see from the HFD website below that it only takes 40 minutes to get from Mykonos to Paros, and 2 hours to get to Santorini from Paros. This would be much faster than the plane, which has to go back to Athens where you will change planes to fly on to the next island.

Disadvantages of using the ferry include cancellations due to high winds or breakdowns, something you can never predict. Advantages include lower cost and being able to see some other islands along the way.

Prebooking in June for the HFD is a good idea, although I'm not convinced it's really a necessity--more like a precaution against overbooking.

http://www.greekislands.gr/hfd/

FYI-you can take a bus from Athens to the port of Rafina and a Blue Star fast boat to Mykonos. It leaves Rafina twice daily after June 12, 07:40 and 16:00, and takes about 2 hours.

Thank you Brotherleelove2004. You are certainly the foremost greece expert on this forum!

What is the difference between the ferry site that you gave me and the flying dolphins?

Is the http://www.greekislands.gr/hfd/ site definitely reliable (i.e. will we get our tix in the mail?)

Thanks.

I'm definitely NOT an expert on Greece. I'm practically ignorant about the mainland, I haven't travelled there in many years, but what information I do have I'm glad to share. And if I don't know I'll try to find out.

The website I gave you IS for the Flying Dolphins (HFD=Hellas Flying Dolphin). If you go directly to the Hellenic Seaways website and click on the Cyclades route you will end up at the same place.

I'm certainly in no position to guarantee that you will receive your HFD tickets, but I have no reason to think you won't.

No, you will not need to book ferries in advance in June, the one exception would be the Mykonos to Paros route which you perhaps should book a few days in advance. The reason for this is it's a touristy route with relatively few ferries, also direct charter flights to Mykonos can affect things. Bear in mind there is also a ferry to Naoussa (Paros) as well.

Always contact the ferry agents on the island for tickets and up to date schedules.

I will be in Greece on June 6th and need to get from Athens to Mykonos. Brotherleelove you said a ferry goes 2x dailey after 6/12, do you know about 6/6? How long does it take to get from Athens to Rafina? Thanks!

From Rafina on June 6 the ferry leaves at 07:40 7 days/week and _ALSO_ at 14:15 on Fridays and Sundays to accomodate the weekenders.

Go to www.gtp.gr to see what other ferry choices you have from Athens/Piraeus.

Brotherlee Love,

Do you know how far Rafina is from Athens?

It's about 30 km from central Athens, should only take about 30-45 minutes.

It would be easier and quicker to go to Piraeus for the early morning ferry to Mykonos. You can use the electrikos (tube,metro,subway).

Retsina,

Is the ferry from Piraeus a fast one or a slow one?

Again, use

www.gtp.gr

to see which ferries are available to you on the days you choose to travel.