We are going in may (off-season) and am trying to figure out the best way to get hydrofoil tickets. Can you buy them in advance? Since we are going off-season, I was told that there aren't many boats and with our hotels fully booked, we don't have flexibility with days. I understand travel agents won't book ferry tickets alone. We're going from Athens to Mykonos and Mykonos to Santorini.

Hi Mae,<BR><BR>I looked into this since we are doing some island hopping in mid May. I was also told it is an off-season and we should be able to just step up and purchase tickets. So, that's what we are going to try and do.<BR>If you would like to go ahead and purchase your tickets, check the Greek ferry site: www.ferries.gr/<BR>Many of the ferries allow you to purchase on-line.

I was told to purchase once we arrive in Greece as well because of the possibility of stormy seas that you're unaware about far in advance.<BR>

Mae, we did the same itinary a few years ago and bought all of our stuff from a travel agent in Athens. There are lots in the plaka. We were also there in May. It's not really off season, they call it shoulder season and it was pretty busy.<BR><BR>We saved so much money by doing everything in Athens. That would be my suggestion to you.<BR><BR>Wendy

In September we had no trouble getting our tickets as we went, even to and from an obscure island. (This was for the ferries though.) There is a ticket/tourist booth in Syntagma Square in Athens.

Check out www.greecetravel.com for lots of info on ferries and the greek islands. I purchased my ticket to Mykonos from Athens, in Athens a few days prior to leaving. There are plenty of travel agents selling ferry tickets.

Sorry, should have added I only purchased a one way ticket so the travel agents are prepared to sell only ferry tickets.

There are car ferries and fast car ferries on these routes. The conventional ferries are more reliable and much pleasanter to travel on. There are several sailings a day from Pireas to Mikonos and Santorini, and they are very unlikely to be fully booked in May. Schedules of the two main operators are on www.dolphins.gr and www.bluestarferries.com.

The metro subway will take you straight from central Athens to Pireaus, and it is only a short walk to the ferry docks. If you want to go by taxi, have the hotel desk call one for you, and find out what the cabby will charge before you get in. Don't buy a ferry ticket until you get to the port. There are lots of ticket agents along the docks, and it is very easy to buy them just before departure. Greek ferry schedules are subject to change at the last minute, so it makes no sense to purchase very far in advance.<BR><BR>Also, don't ask for hydrofoil tickets - what you mean, I think, are the highspeed catamarans such as Highspeed 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. Hydrofoils are the small boats which are mostly used for the short runs to the Saronic Gulf islands.<BR><BR>Don't buy your tickets to Santorini until you get to Mykonos. Just stop by one of the many ticket agents on Mykonos the night before departure.<BR><BR>May is a wonderful time to travel in Greece, and booking hotels in advance totally unnecessary.

For more information on the ferries, go to www.greekislandhopping.com. Daily ferry schedules also appear in the English language Kathimerini, which is inserted into the International Herald-Tribune newspaper

You're right Heimdall! I forgot that we did actually buy our tickets out of Athens at Pireaus, at a ticket booth that looked like an ice cream stand. The tourist booth in Syntagma Square only directed us there.<BR>

You can buy tickets and reserve through our site :<BR>www.roditis.info

I am having a hard time to find a simple idea on price for ferry trip from Athens to Mykonos and Mykonos to Santorini....can someone give me an estimate? We'll be going in Late-May and we're going to just wait and get out tickets at the docks....

Baemel

Here are the Blue Star Ferries prices (in Euro) for the route to Mykonos valid from March 2003:-

Athens Rafina to Mykonos(car ferry)
Economy 14.70
A Class 29.30

Athens Rafina to Mykonos(catamaran) Economy 29.30

Athens Piraeus to Mykonos(car ferry) Economy 20.90
A Class 31.00

T.

Rafina is a lot closer to Athens Airport than Piraeus, and seems like a better alternative for travelling to Mykonos. The downside is there aren't as many ferry departures. Comments, please, from anyone who has used Rafina?