Trying to book Greek intra-island ferries - help!
March 8, 2012 4:22 PM Subscribe
How do I find trips from Santorini to Sifnos in May?
I'm taking a trip to Greece in May and am having a ton of trouble understanding the ferry system there. I've been using http://www.greekferries.gr/ and can find trips for my journeys from Athens - Naxos and Naxos - Santorini. The last leg, Santorni-Sifnos-Athens, however, is proving a big difficult as I can't seem to find any ferries that exist on that route (even though people insist they do appear). Does anyone know the best way to check this? Furthermore, is it worth it to book the trips ahead of time, or should we just show up when we get there? Thanks!
I'm taking a trip to Greece in May and am having a ton of trouble understanding the ferry system there. I've been using http://www.greekferries.gr/ and can find trips for my journeys from Athens - Naxos and Naxos - Santorini. The last leg, Santorni-Sifnos-Athens, however, is proving a big difficult as I can't seem to find any ferries that exist on that route (even though people insist they do appear). Does anyone know the best way to check this? Furthermore, is it worth it to book the trips ahead of time, or should we just show up when we get there? Thanks!
When we went to Greece (~7 years ago) we just showed up in Athens, went to the port area (Pireaus, IIRC) and walked into a random (nice looking) travel agency. They booked us exactly what we needed, and it was much easier than trying to do it online or over the phone. Our itinerary was simpler than yours (Athens to Santorini and back) but I have the feeling that almost any combination of islands is doable. Each boats stops at 2-4 islands so I can't imagine you having too much difficulty. Either way, a human in person will definitely be able to help you better than anything online.
posted by Simon Barclay at 5:13 PM on March 8, 2012
posted by Simon Barclay at 5:13 PM on March 8, 2012
I took that exact route this past summer (along with other ferry trips through other areas in Greece, too).
A couple things that I found out along the way both through the website, travel agent, and on the ground in Greece.
The website was often out-of-date (even a few days before travel), so the routes and times often did not match.
I also tried to approach agents (and was fully prepared to plop down money because of the difficulty). Most travel agents that I approached did not have up-to-date info either (not exaggerating at all), although there a few exceptions.
The best approach that I finally found was to walk into the ferry areas a few days in advance (check out the actual times) and either buy a ticket then or a few days later. I never had a problem getting onto a ferry (even purchasing it the day before) and I liked the flexibility. It was no problem finding these places -they had signs and were in the center of town. Also, I really liked walking onto the site because there were often several types of ferries (express, fast, slow) and doing it this way provided a way to 1)save $ if you had the time or 2) pay the more expensive version if you want to get somewhere faster -- but there was a lot of flexibility for cost/duration of trip doing it this way. YMMV.
posted by Wolfster at 5:49 PM on March 8, 2012
A couple things that I found out along the way both through the website, travel agent, and on the ground in Greece.
The website was often out-of-date (even a few days before travel), so the routes and times often did not match.
I also tried to approach agents (and was fully prepared to plop down money because of the difficulty). Most travel agents that I approached did not have up-to-date info either (not exaggerating at all), although there a few exceptions.
The best approach that I finally found was to walk into the ferry areas a few days in advance (check out the actual times) and either buy a ticket then or a few days later. I never had a problem getting onto a ferry (even purchasing it the day before) and I liked the flexibility. It was no problem finding these places -they had signs and were in the center of town. Also, I really liked walking onto the site because there were often several types of ferries (express, fast, slow) and doing it this way provided a way to 1)save $ if you had the time or 2) pay the more expensive version if you want to get somewhere faster -- but there was a lot of flexibility for cost/duration of trip doing it this way. YMMV.
posted by Wolfster at 5:49 PM on March 8, 2012
Went to Greece last summer, and had the same frustrations you're having trying to book ferries online. I think we managed to book one trip ahead of time and then gave up on the other couple that we were planning. But all you need to do is go to the port area (Piraeus in Athens) or I think literally any travel agent or ferry kiosk can help you. You'll see a ton of them just walking around. Just be careful because for certain routes there is maybe only one ferry a day and that could be dicey if you're planning to connect to a bus or something. So just buy your tickets in person soon after you get there and you'll be fine.
One other tip is to pay the little but extra for a reserved seat or a cabin if it is an overnight trip. If it's shorter deck seating is probably ok, you can just hang out in the cafe or wherever.
posted by mumblingmynah at 5:53 PM on March 8, 2012
One other tip is to pay the little but extra for a reserved seat or a cabin if it is an overnight trip. If it's shorter deck seating is probably ok, you can just hang out in the cafe or wherever.
posted by mumblingmynah at 5:53 PM on March 8, 2012
having a ton of trouble understanding the ferry system there
Welcome to Greek ferries!
Seriously, I have done a ton of island-hopping in Greece and the best thing to do is to use the aforementioned friendly Greek travel agents that exist in every port in the country. These people know the vagaries of the routes and the timetables, the random cancellations, the seasonal variations, and the characteristic unpredictability of Greek travel.
I think trying to book ahead will give you angst and uncertainty. Personally I would deal with the ferries on arriving in Athens but if you really want to try to nail them down ahead then call one of the port agents and try to do it that way. I just had a look at a couple of websites purporting to allow advance booking and I was shaking my head and laughing within two minutes. This is not the best way to deal with Greek ferries.
The ferries in the Cyclades will enable you to get to the island you want, but you may have to do it via other islands or, if you're unlucky, with a stop-over. My increasingly fading memory of the routes tells me that Santorini (Thira) to Sifnos should be okay but I'm pretty sure you'll be calling elsewhere en route.
Really, make time in your first port (probably Athens) to sit down with an agent and discuss your needs. And be prepared to be flexible, because that will make things much easier. If you can change the number of days you plan to spend on each island, or even the order you do them in, you may have a much easier time. Greek island hopping is not something that responds well to detailed planning in advance. Trust me on this. But man, is it worth it. You will have a great time. :-)
Oh, another thing... I don't know what your accommodation plans are but in May you will have no trouble just turning up and finding something and the rates should be nice and low. As I say, I have spent many months travelling around Greece so if you have any other questions about it, by all means Memail me.
posted by Decani at 8:06 PM on March 8, 2012
Welcome to Greek ferries!
Seriously, I have done a ton of island-hopping in Greece and the best thing to do is to use the aforementioned friendly Greek travel agents that exist in every port in the country. These people know the vagaries of the routes and the timetables, the random cancellations, the seasonal variations, and the characteristic unpredictability of Greek travel.
I think trying to book ahead will give you angst and uncertainty. Personally I would deal with the ferries on arriving in Athens but if you really want to try to nail them down ahead then call one of the port agents and try to do it that way. I just had a look at a couple of websites purporting to allow advance booking and I was shaking my head and laughing within two minutes. This is not the best way to deal with Greek ferries.
The ferries in the Cyclades will enable you to get to the island you want, but you may have to do it via other islands or, if you're unlucky, with a stop-over. My increasingly fading memory of the routes tells me that Santorini (Thira) to Sifnos should be okay but I'm pretty sure you'll be calling elsewhere en route.
Really, make time in your first port (probably Athens) to sit down with an agent and discuss your needs. And be prepared to be flexible, because that will make things much easier. If you can change the number of days you plan to spend on each island, or even the order you do them in, you may have a much easier time. Greek island hopping is not something that responds well to detailed planning in advance. Trust me on this. But man, is it worth it. You will have a great time. :-)
Oh, another thing... I don't know what your accommodation plans are but in May you will have no trouble just turning up and finding something and the rates should be nice and low. As I say, I have spent many months travelling around Greece so if you have any other questions about it, by all means Memail me.
posted by Decani at 8:06 PM on March 8, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
As a note, there was a general strike in athens on our second to last day, which wound up stranding us in Milos an extra night. Our travel agent took care of everything.
posted by Oktober at 4:45 PM on March 8, 2012