snorklesue

We are planning a week in Naxos and Santorini before meeting our hiking club for a week on Crete in late September. We need to meet the group at the assigned place and time. How likely is it that the ferries could be canceled because of high wind? Should we fly instead, or can we decide when there? I forget if there is a flight from Naxos to Santorini? Thanks for advice.

djuna

You need to fly back to Athens from Santorini to catch a flight to Naxos...
Late September the melte'mi, or strong north winds, aren't the same problems they tend to be in the summer months. You should be fine with ferry passage.

brotherleelove2004

Naxos is 2 hours from Santorini by ferry. The Blue Star ferry is large and very stable and won't be cancelled due to high winds unless the winds are strong enough to cancel a flight as well. Not too likely, although it does happen occasionally.

travelerjan

On arrival if you can, get mid-day flight (only flight of hte day) from Athens Airpor to Naxos. As Brotherlee says, the Blue Star from Naxos to Santorini is daily and large, very stable, not subject to wind cancellations --- and then u get the arrival view into the caldera.

Take the High-speed ferry from Santorini to Heraklion daily in afternoon 2 hours ... I believe it runs all thru September but check.

snorklesue

Thanks for the help, I feel less concerned about missing the meeting of our group in Crete.

travelerjan, it sounds like you reccommend flying from Athens to Naxos rather than taking a ferry.

GeoffHamer

The Blue Star ferries go from Pireas to Naxos.
Brotherleelove2004 says "The Blue Star ferry is large and very stable and won't be cancelled due to high winds unless the winds are strong enough to cancel a flight as well. Not too likely, although it does happen occasionally."

Heimdall

Flying vs ferry to Naxos depends upon when you arrive in Athens. If you can reach Piraeus in time for the 0725 Blue Star ferry, you will actually arrive on Naxos before the 1230-1315 flight, with no wait for baggage or taxi transfer into town. Likewise, if you are too late for the 1230 flight, there is still another Blue Star leaving Piraeus at 1730. The next flight to Naxos isn't until the following day. Choose whichever gets you to Naxos first.

travelerjan

Heimdall, your answer points up the reason i wish wish wish that inquirers would share the arrival time of their airplane --- or, if this is a deep dark state secret, at least tell us what country they are coming from. If it's UK, then sometimes those bargain flights do come in at 3 or 4 in the am -- if it's the USA, the earliest flilghts are between 9 and 10 am, thus the inquirer could not make the crack o' dawn Blue star.

But of course, it remains a guessing game for us...

snorklesue

Again, thanks for all of your help.

Should have told you-Athens is our first stop from the US and we are spending 2 nights there before we go to Naxos for 2 nights then to Santorini for 3 nights and to Crete for a week.

About how long would it take by taxi from Plaka to Pireas on a Sunday morning? The 0725 ferry sounds like the one we want.

brotherleelove2004

It takes about 20 minutes. You can also take the Green Line Train from the Monastiraki Metro Station on the edge of the Plaka. The Piraeus Metro Station is right next to the ferry for Naxos/Santorini.

Heimdall

I usually go directly from the airport to Piraeus, so am not entirely sure of the time it takes from central Athens. Metro about 30 minutes, I believe, taxi maybe a little longer. To save time, buy your tickets when you arrive in Athens. Amphitrion Holidays has a ticket agency at the airport, in the Arrivals level next to the exit to buses and taxis. You can also buy tickets from an agent in Athens if you wish. Plan to be at the port at least 30 minutes before departure.

snorklesue

Great info! We're pretty well set now, all I have to do is try to relax, enjoy the summer and not be too impatient to start this long awaited trip to Greece!