How much planning do I need to do?
 

Hello all! I've been reading these boards with delight as I plan my first trip to Greece this September. All the information is so helpful. My husband and I will be traveling for 11 days in mid-September, going to Santorini, Paros (or maybe Folegandros instead) and Athens. What I am trying to figure out is whether or not I absolutely MUST book hotels in advance. We are not entirely sure of our itinerary, and want to be flexible to allow for the inevitable ferry delays, etc. BUT--we don't want to stay in gross hotels. Can I just show up and find rooms, or is that ridiculously stupid?

My other question is about airport to Athens travel. We'll be in Athens for 2-3 days at the end of the trip, and our flight home on SUnday, September 23rd leaves at 7:30am. If we are at a hotel in Athens proper, will we be able to easily get a cab to the airport at 4:30am or 5am? Should we stay near the airport instead?
Thanks so much for your help!

Finding hotel rooms on the spot in September won't be a problem. I do suggest that you do some advance research to know where on these islands you prefer to stay so when you get there you don't end up someplace inconvenient in No-Man's Land. You'll see locals and hotel touts at the ports when you arrive, but you can also make your way past them to the room finders businesses nearby for assistance. Or if you want to choose some hotels in advance, you can call them before you depart your current location to see if they have room for you and can meet you at the port. For this buy an OTE phone card in any mini-market or magazine kiosk and use the public phones.

Island Codes to use when calling hotels:

Santorini & Folegandros-22860
Paros: 22840

FYI-I stayed in a very nice room for only 20 euro/night in Parikia (main town) on Paros, called Alexandra's Rooms, sandwiched between a tourist shop called "Colors" and the Paros Hotel. When you get off the ferry walk out to the road, turn left and walk for about 1/4 mile to "Colors". "Colors" manages the rooms. You will have passed several restaurants and shops along the waterfront.

Yes, you can get a taxi in Athens that early, your hotel can arrange it for you. But be aware that the early taxis cost double. If your hotel is within easy walking distance to Syntagma Square there is an airport express bus (#95) that costs 3.2 euro each and will take you right to the airport in about 45 minutes. This bus leaves the Square every 30 minutes so you can be sure to get to the airport on time.

This is so helpful. Thanks! Do you think the express bus would run so early on Sunday morning? Thanks for your help.

Yes. I forgot to mention that it runs every day, 24/7.

I agree there is absolutely no problem finding hotel rooms in mid-Sep when you arrive on an island. Think of all those rooms that were filled in Aug - by mid-Sep most of them are empty, and the owners eager to make a little more income before the end of the season. You will get a better room rate finding accommodation on arrival than by booking in advance.

For Paros, most of the people waiting at the port are those with rooms in Parikia, not to everyone's taste, mainly because it is a busy port town.

Many visitors to Paros prefer Naoussa, a charming old fishing village, now a major resort on the island.

A good compromise between showing up cold on the island and booking in advance is what brotherleelove suggested. You will find threads on Fodor's with recommendations for hotels in Naoussa, for example. Go to their websites and print out the pages with contact information. Then call the hotel a day or two before arrival, or even on the same day. Chances are you will get a good room at an excellent price, and even have the hotel van waiting for you when you get off the ferry.

If you choose to go to Folegandros, plan your itinerary carefully. By mid-Sep there will be only about two ferries per week between Santorini and Folegandros. The ferries stopping at Folegandros first and then Santorini mostly depart in the middle of the night.