Page 302 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Greek Islands

Domestic Sea Travel Ferry Tickets
Cars can cost as much as two or three times the
Islands are linked with each other, and the passenger fare. Children under two travel free,
mainland, by an assortment of ferries, including those aged from two to nine pay half the stated
fast ferries, catamarans, small caïques (taxi fare, and once over the age of ten, children must
boats), modern speedboats, and Soviet-era pay the full adult fare. On major routes, ferries
hydrofoils which only ply the Argo-Saronic have essentially three classes, ranging from deck
and Sporades islands. class to deluxe – the latter costing almost as
Modern catamarans lack the romance of
much as flying. First class usually entitles you
NEED TO KNOW Getting Around sunny Aegean summer day. 25 per cent less and gives you a three- or four-
traditional ferries, which, with open-air deck
to a two-bunk exterior cabin with bathroom
seating, are perhaps the best way to enjoy a
facilities. A second-class ticket costs around
bunk cabin with washing facilities, such as a
Fares on fast ferries, catamarans, speedboats
basin. Second-class cabins are usually within
and hydrofoils cost roughly twice as much as on
conventional ferries, and they travel twice as
the interior of the vessel. A deck-class ticket
gives you access to most of the boat, including
quickly. Bigger conventional ferries always have
a lounge with reclining seats. During the sum-
cabins available on overnight trajectories, while
most catamarans lack cabins. All large craft
mer, the deck is often the best place to be.
have space for cars – even the Dodecanese
catamarans fit five vehicles. Hydrofoils do
not take cars. Car ferries serve, with varying
In addition to the large ferries that cover the
main routes, there are smaller ferries making
frequency, all islands except Ýdra and Spétses, Local Inter-Island Ferries
where their use is forbidden or highly restricted. inter-island crossings in the summer. These
Smaller ports have limited services, so check boats provide direct connections to the islands,
the timetable on arrival to see if you can depart which shortcut circuitous routes via mainland
for your next destination on a particular day. ports, saving you valuable time. Local ferries,
The larger ports, such as Piraeus in Athens and regardless of size, are subject to government
Thessaloníki, have many more services. Piraeus price controls, but boats chartered by tourist
is Greece’s busiest port and has many routes agencies can charge what they like, and often
initiating from its harbour. The hub of activity prove expensive. It is therefore worth doing
is at Plateía Karaïskáki, where most ticket agents some research locally on the various options
reside, as well as the limenarcheío (port police). before purchasing a ticket.
A number of companies, including Blue Star
Ferries, Hellenic Seaways, Sea Jets, Anek Lines, Taxi Boats
Minoan Lines, Aegean Speedlines, Small Taxi boats (or caïques) operate on an ad hoc
Cyclades Lines and Skyros Shipping Co, run the basis, sailing along coastlines and making short
ferry services from here, each with its own trips between adjacent islands. They are usually
agents. This makes the task of finding out when only available during high season and, as the
ferries sail, and from which dock, a more smallest vessels, are most prone to cancellation
challenging one. The ferries are approximately in adverse sea conditions. They tend to be more
grouped by destination, but when the port is expensive than ferries, given the short distances
busy ferries dock wherever space permits. involved, but often provide a route where few or
Finding your ferry usually involves studying no others are available. Routes and itineraries
the agency’s information board or asking are at the discretion of the boat owners, and the
the limenarcheío. only place to determine if a caïque is going your
Aegean Speedlines way is at the quayside.
∑ www.aegeanspeedlines.gr
Anek Lines Public Transport
∑ www.anek.gr
Blue Star Ferries . Athens operates public transport services
∑ www.bluestarferries.com comprising buses, trams and metro. Islands are
Hellenic Seaways serviced by bus services, often limited, and taxis.
∑ hellenicseaways.gr
Minoan Lines Metro
∑ www.minoan.gr Athens has a three-line metro system, which
Sea Jets shares tickets with the small tramway network
∑ www.seajets.gr and extensive bus routes. The plastic ATH.ENA
Small Cyclades Lines cards are reusable and give discounts the more
∑ www.smallcycladeslines.gr journeys you load onto them. Tickets are most
Skyros Shipping Co reliably purchased from the machine, or staffed
∑ sne.gr window, at metro station.
302
298-305_EW_Greek_Islands.indd 302 28/11/2018 13:51

EW Need to Know template v1.2 – 13th August 2018
Fonts: Aptifer Sans LT Pro, Posterama Text, Soho
Gothic Pro, Soho Pro