Richard1148

We will be staying in Mykonos and Santorini next year and want to take a ferry from Mykonos to Santorini. I have looked at the website for Hellas ferries and the current prices are economy for 26 Euros and business for 33.80. The trip is only about three hours. What additional benefits would we get for paying the business fare for such a short trip and is it worth it? Also, Hellas is the only ferry service that I have been able to find online. It does not get to Santorini until 5:20 PM (current schedule). Is there another ferry service that would get there earlier?

GeoffHamer

Nobody (not even Greek ferry operators) will know what services will be running next summer. The two main operators to the Cycladic islands are Hellas Flying Dolphins and Blue Star Ferries, but there are several others. There is no need to book in advance for a journey like Mikonos-Santorini, so it's best to check what's available just before you travel. As for the difference between classes, the higher fare will give access to a lounge with more comfortable seats and fewer people. I wouldn't bother myself as I'd want to spend most time out on deck in the sunshine and fresh air.

lincasanova

when i took a "fast ferry" there was no deck to sit out on.
the decks are on the SLOW ferries. at least from my trip last spring is what i found.
i much prefer the slower ones.

the dolphns is like gettng on a speed boat, which of course, is the whole point, but for a one time trip, i enjoyed the slowness and deck of the other option.

brotherleelove2004

Don't rely on currently-posted timetables if you're not travelling now. Wait until you're there to get the most accurate information about the ferry schedules. Even if they're published on a website they can change overnight without warning. It's best to wait until you're ready to move on to the next island and get the right departure time from the ferry ticket office at the port or from a reliable local travel agency.

The Flying Dolphin has no deck, it's an enclosed ship. On regular car ferries the economy ticket gives you access to a different indoor seating area than the business class ticket. For such a short trip I wouldn't bother buying the more expensive ticket.

Try this website for information about ferry travel between the islands. Once you learn to navigate this site you will be able to see what companies are moving between any two islands.

http://www.gtp.gr/

It doesn't seem to be working properly today, Nov. 8, but this is normally a reliable website (probably down for maintenance).

Blue Star does travel between Mykonos and Santorini as GeoffHamer says, and perhaps Ventouris Ferries as well.

taggie

Here is what I found on the various ferries we took in September, when we had business class on all trips:

Ferry from Athens to Santorini was faster than a car ferry, but not the super fast Flying Cat. There was an outside deck.... but since you are on open water for along time it gets pretty windy to stay outside. Business was pretty sparsely populated - economy was packed. SMOKING everywhere! In business there were fewer smoking seats and fewer people in them, so it was bearable. Walking through economy, the smoky air made me ill. The business section was right up at the front and we got a great view as we travelled.

Ferry from Santorini to Mykonos was a super fast Flying Cat - there is no outside deck - you'd get blown off it! Again, business was sparsely populated and economy was packed. No smoking in business - can't recall what economy was like, but I'd bet that even if there was no smoking people would still be doing it. One crass annoying (American) guy tried to attach himself to us - he didn't have a seat in that section but I saw him slip the steward 5 euros to be allowed to stay, and since he wasn't taking anyone's seat they let him.

Ferry from Mykonos to Athens was another Flying Dolphin - this time business was more crowded and I had to get the steward to enforce the No Smoking section. But it was still preferable to economy! You couldn't see from one side of the boat to the other for the smoke..... however, it was possible to get out on the deck and this boat made more stops along the way so there was more to see.

All in all, I was very glad to have been in business class.... quieter and calmer and less smoke.

repete

Pay careful attention to the difference between Hellas ferries and Hellas Flying Dolphins. The slow speed Hellas ferries can be pits and there's often not a physical barrier between the smoking and NS areas in coach. If you're taking a slow boat, you're usually much better on on Blue Star IMHO.

Richard1148

Thanks everyone. I think that based on Taggie's experience, we will pay the extra 7.80 Euros for business class, as we are not smokers.

taggie

And Richard, I think you'll find the toilets are cleaner too.
Enjoy your trip - we had a lovely time in Greece.

brotherleelove

The prices you're quoting are for hi-speed catamaran NOT ferry, as such there is virtually no difference between 'business' and 'economy' class. These hi-speed catamarans are twice the price of an ordinary ferry anyway. There will probably be a ferry on that route but you will have to check on Mykonos a day or so before travel.

Bear in mind taggie's experience is 2 ferry journeys, mine is around 150 ferry/hydrofoil/catamaran/modded fishing boat journeys never more than 'deck class'...

Hania

The difference between busiess class and economy on a ferry is the business class is empty except for a couple of priests and everyone else is in economy class! That's what I saw.

Rick_EMT

From HERAKLION (CRETE) to THIRA (SANTORINI) the only choices are the morning Flying Dolphin and the late night regular ferry. I decided to go on the morning Flying Dolphin, even though I would be stuck inside for 2 hours.

I have prepaid for a reservation/seat on the Flying Dolphin, economy class.

Question: If I get on the Flying Dolphin, and the economy class is full and horrible, and there are seats in Business, can I pay them to "upgrade" me to the Business class?

Rick in Maryland

GeorgeInVictoria

We fly into Santorini and plan to take a ferry on to Paxos stay a couple of days and then ferry to Athens. Sounds like business class is the way to go. Does Blue Star service these two routes? Any tips or experience to share? Thank-you.

twoflower

The difference is business class get to sit inside in the lounge, while economy you have to stay out on deck - even if the indoor lounge is empty! OK in good weather, but...!

GeoffHamer

The last response is nonsense. There are no Greek ferries without inside seating for economy class passengers. It's generally older Greeks who prefer to sit in a stuffy saloon rather than enjoy the fresh air and sunshine (that's what brings most tourists to Greece), but older Greek men tend to smoke a lot.
Note that Hellas Ferries and Hellas Flying Dolphins are this year being rebranded as Hellenic Seaways. The ships are to have blue hulls, so will look confusingly like Blue Star Ferries'.

GeorgeInVictoria

Santorini to Naxos, then a couple of days later...Naxos to Athens. Does anybody have the travelling time for these two voyages by regular ferry? I'm hoping it's Blue Star ferries on these two routes? Thanks.

MichiganSt_grl

Heres the schedule.

http://www.ferries.gr/strintzis/

Depends on your exact dates - but looks like you should be able to catch the boats you need off Blue Star Ferries.