Greek Ferries

[GoJoel]

Can someone give me some help with Greek Ferries? There is a LOT of information on the web and it's hard to figure out the basics. I just want to know things like:

should I go through a travel agent?
Do I have to use certain lines with my rail pass?
How far ahead do I book a ferry?
What are prices generally like for an inside room for a 23 year old?


I'm planning on flying to Athens from Milan or Berlin and then taking a ferry back to Italy. Any help from experienced ferry-goers will help a lot!

[pointofnoreturn]

Book a ferry on the day you leave (within Greece) unless you're travelling in July or August. If you book ahead, you may find yourself in a situation where there's bad weather.

I'd really avoid taking the ferry back to Italy. It'll be a LONG journey like over a day's worth on the water. Just fly back using Aegean Airlines or easyJet and you'll save yourself time and money as well as get a little bit more comfort.

[herrbert]

I agree with PONR, the trip back to Italy is a long one, but in some cases also included in railpasses, or the pass can be good for a discount.

Flying will be the quickest way. There are some flights available from Greece back to Italy. Check: AirOne, Alitalia, Olympic and Aegean Airlines, for some budget flights.

European Interrail tickets only give a discount on Bluestar and Superfast ferries, but I also have seen posts from people using a globalpass, that claim, the lines from these companies are free. I guess you have to check it for your pass, to be sure.

[madamtrashheap]

Whilst the Adriatic "cruise" on the ferry is fun enough, don't do it unless you have the time to spare. Even to Brindisi or Bari (not Venice) will take time. You'll be sitting around on the back deck with a lot of other travellers (families, singles, etc) so that might appeal (or not) and they have bars that hold bingo and dance evenings at night (no requests though). So if you have time and all of that appeals to you then take the ferry on one part of the route. If not, fly back from Athens to Italy.

Which city in Italy were you thinking of taking the ferry to? (can't recall from your other posts).

[GoJoel]

The only reason I was thinking about taking the ferry is because I wanted to go through Italy from south to north. I would go through Brindisi because I know some people in the nearby town of Ostuni. I haven't checked yet, but are there many small flights into Bari or Brindisi?

Another question I had was about Santorini. If I go to Greece for sure, I want to go to Santorini. What is the best way to get there? I've heard it's something like 9 hours by ferry but there are flights (in and out of Athens I'm guessing?)

[madamtrashheap]

Good that you would get to see another part of Italy (Puglia) and I believe that Ostuni is quite cool (an Italian version of the Santorini houses!). If you get to explore a little, have a look for the Trulli - cone-roofed houses (some people call them beehives).

There are small airports in both Bari and Brindisi, but it would depend on where you wanted to fly to/from (Athens to Brindisi with Alitalit or Athens to Bari with Air One for example, or RyainAir does both from London or Frankfurt) as destinations are limited. If you are visiting friends here, then maybe the ferry is the best option (especially if they can meet you at the port).

Flying from Athens to Santorini is certainly the most efficient method - look at www.ageanair.com as the others have suggested and you'll find flights to suit. The ferry does take up to 9 hours, so unless you've masses of time to spare, or feel like sunbaking on the top deck for 9 hours, I'd look seriously at flights.

[GoJoel]

Thanks for the info guys, it was just what I was looking for!

[herrbert]

The Air One flight isn't a direct flight to Bari. (they first fly to Rome, and it is actualy Aegeann Air carrying out this flight), and then flying you back to Bari. But it would still get you to Bari in just over 4 hours.

There is a direct flight between Athens and Napels.