Whenever you journey across the Greek islands, typically the ferries are unavoidable—BUT there are alternatives and issues to bear in mind. I’m sharing my sincere opinion of ferry journey in Greece, together with which ferries are good and which of them are…not so good.
Spoiler alert: I virtually known as this weblog put up, “Why You Shouldn’t Take Ferries in Greece,” however that appeared a bit too…pessimistic.
Until you’ve had the distinct pleasure of taking ferries in Greece earlier than, then you definately would possibly simply agree that the choice virtually title is wholly correct.
I digress.
In case you’re planning a visit to Greece and going to do some island hopping by means of the Greek Islands (which I HIGHLY suggest)—Santorini, Mykonos, and Milos are private faves—right here’s what it’s essential to learn about taking Greek ferries.
Don’t guide a ticket for a Greek ferry with out studying this information first. Right here’s all it’s essential to learn about ferries in Greece!
Ought to I Fly As an alternative of Taking a Greek Ferry?
Once I posted on Instagram about my nightmare ferry expertise, somebody replied to me and stated one thing like, “you’ll be able to’t price range to not fly.” And actually, I couldn’t agree extra.
Even when a ferry is the cheaper possibility, it’s virtually all the time price it to look into flying.
Take into account the next:
- How lengthy does the ferry take (versus how lengthy a flight could be)?
- Will you be capable to deal with extraordinarily uneven waters?
- Are you able to deal with feeling unwell after deboarding and the way a lot will that minimize into your journey?
Remember that even individuals who don’t usually get seasick can oftentimes get seasick on Greek ferries. The waters are critically uneven and extremely uncomfortable at instances.
Ferries can typically take 3 times longer than flights do.
If doable, I might say completely fly!
I extremely recommend checking to see if there are flights accessible between the islands you wish to journey to. As a observe, when you’re flying to a quite distant Greek island, you might want to attach in Athens and make your solution to the island. If that’s the case, the journey time to fly could also be longer than a ferry…however it’s nonetheless possible price it.
Take into account your price range, time constraints, willingness to endure seasickness, and issue accordingly.
Useful Tip:
Which Ferries to Take and Which to Keep away from
Is it a giant ferry or a small ferry?
Within the likelihood that you just *HAVE* to take a ferry, measurement issues.
Why? As a result of the larger ferries (that actually appear like cruise ships) are large, and since it’s so massive, you don’t actually really feel the bumps of the waves.
The smaller ones, nicely, you’ll really feel each hop, bump, and skip from each single wave. And also you’ll end up second-guessing when you’ve set foot on land as a result of every little thing will nonetheless be rocking.
The ferry we took from Santorini to Naxos was very nice. And guess what? It was one of many huge ones — the Blue Star Delos through Blue Star Ferries. On this case, Blue Star Ferries is a sure from me.
On the flip facet, we took the Superjet ferry from Naxos to Milos and that was a mistake.
Large mistake. Large. Large.
We selected to take Superjet as a result of it was *barely* cheaper per particular person (a complete $30…and let me let you know, it was not price it).
For one, the ferry from Naxos to Milos was delayed (over 2 hours delayed). Two, the ferry was a lot smaller than Blue Star Delos — you would really feel EVERY bump. And it simply so occurs that the waters had been *EXTRA* uneven that day on account of robust winds (a typical prevalence for the world).
I counted SEVEN folks round me dropping their lunch, together with a pair that regarded like they had been on their honeymoon. My recommendation: Blue Star Delos is the one ferry I’d take once more. Superjet—by no means once more.
Naxos, Greece
The right way to Put together Your self for Greek Ferries
A.Okay.A. What would possibly presumably be the worst expertise of your life.
Okay, okay, I could be a *tad bit* dramatic, however really, I don’t need you to be dropping your lunch after which having a horrible expertise in Greece. There are approach too many stunning Greek meals to attempt to islands to discover in Greece, and I wish to set you up for achievement.
Right here’s what it is best to know:
- Giant ferries over small ferries, any day
- Ferries oftentimes run off schedule
- In the summertime months, it may be extremely windy — which implies ferries can’t function as a result of the waves are large
- OR, if they’re working throughout windy circumstances, it’s going to be a critically bumpy experience
In case you’re touring exterior of those months, it may not be as dangerous, however simply not splendid.
Use the FerryHopper App
The Ferryhooper website permits you to browse routes and see what’s accessible to guide. You may verify which ferry operators are working and make your choice accordingly.
Need to observe Greek ferries in real-time?
Be sure you obtain the app because it supplies ferry monitoring info — which is tremendous useful if the ferry is operating late.
The right way to Take care of Sea Illness on Greek Ferries
Think about your self utterly surrounded by people who find themselves upchucking into paper baggage. I’ve by no means seen so many individuals vomiting, in desperation, or full and utter discomfort.
Even when you aren’t susceptible to seasickness — take a tablet.
It’s such an uncomfortable expertise when you’re taking a smaller ferry and also you’ve received nothing to show, take a pill proactively.
Issues to Know About Taking Greek Ferries
Most ferries don’t promote out, however when you’re making an attempt to plan, you’ll be able to go forward and guide 2 to three months upfront. Remember the fact that some ferries are seasonal and don’t run all 12 months lengthy.
Sadly for individuals who are island hopping, there isn’t a ferry move for the Greek Islands.
As for the price of Greek ferry tickets, it actually is dependent upon the route—each vacation spot is completely different.
A simple mistake to make if you’re going from one Greek island to a different is to imagine that it’s only going to be a brief journey by boat. The fact is that the lots of of inhabited islands are literally unfold over an enormous space.
In truth, there are some journeys that may take ten hours or extra by ferry, notably if you’re beginning the journey from the port in Piraeus (the principle ferry port for Athens).
Lastly, it is best to plan to reach on the ferry port about 30 to 45 minutes earlier than departure — the ferry won’t await you when you’re not there.
My Expertise with Greek Ferries
My first Greek ferry expertise was again in 2012 after I took the ferry from Mykonos to Athens. I used to be a penniless backpacker and searching for each approach to economize.
I assumed the ferry could be scenic. It wasn’t.
I additionally wasted half a day to get to Athens, whereas, if I had budgeted to fly I might have had extra time to spend on the subsequent vacation spot. Even again then, I keep in mind considering the cash I had saved taking the ferry over flying was not price it.
Apparently, I hadn’t discovered my lesson and I returned to take the ferry in 2021.
And in 2021, practically everybody round me was going by means of 5 paper baggage, every. I used to be traumatized. Don’t do that. I’ve stated it earlier than and I’ll say it once more: do as I say, not as I do.
All of that’s to say — I hope you’ve an exquisite journey across the Greek islands! It truly is price it to go island hopping, however the popular mode of transportation could be a flight over a ferry, arms down.
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