Page 483 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

GREECE  481

Car rental agencies are found in
every tourist resort and major
town. Local chains can be less
expensive than international
names like Avis or Hertz; for a
long rental period it is wise to
consult consolidator sites like
comparecarrentals.co.uk or auto-
europe.co.uk/com. The car rental
agency should have an
agreement with an emergency
recovery company, such as
Express Hellas or InterAmerican,
in the event of a vehicle
breakdown. Small scooters and
motorcycles are also available
for rent in many tourist resorts. A Blue Star passenger ferry docked at the port of Piraeus
Greece has a high accident
rate by European standards; take Transport, so a journey should office near every harbor, are also
extra care when driving around. cost you the same, regardless a good source of reliable, up-to-
of which shipping company date information.
you choose. In addition to the large ferries,
Ferry Services Ferry tickets can be smaller vessels make inter-island
There are regular, year-round purchased from any dockside crossings in summer.
ferry crossings from Italy and ferry agent – most handle all
Turkey to the Greek mainland lines – or online in advance, Catamarans
and islands. though the ticket must be
Piraeus, the port of Athens, claimed (often with a service Besides conventional ferries,
is Greece’s busiest port, with charge) at a port agency. catamarans of various sizes ply
ferry routes to most islands. Advance reservations are the Argo-Saronic islands, the
Recent bankruptcies mean that advisable around major holidays Cyclades, and the Dodecanese.
there are now fewer shipping or elections, especially if you They tend to be twice as fast,
companies in operation; want a cabin. In off-season, but correspondingly expensive.
between them, Hellenic services may be reduced or They are a vast improvement
Seaways, and Blue Star cover suspended altogether. Check on their predecessors, Soviet-
most of the Aegean, with ANEK local sources or websites (www. bloc hydrofoils known locally as
and Minoan Lines serving gtp.gr is reliable) for the latest “flying dolphins”, which only
Crete. All fares except first class information before you travel. serve the Argo-Saronic islands
are set by the Ministry of The port police, who have an and the Corfu–Paxí line.
DIRECTORY
Domestic Airlines Rail Travel Car Rental Ferry and
Agencies Catamaran
Aegean Airlines OSE (Information
Tel 801-112 0000 or & Reservations) Avis Companies
210-626 1000. Sína 6, Athens. Leofóros Amalías 48,
∑ aegeanair.com Tel 14511. 10558 Athens. ANEK Lines
∑ trainose.gr Tel 210-322 4951. Aktí Kondýli 24, Piraeus.
Astra Airlines ∑ avis.com Tel 210-419 7170.
Tel 231-048 9390. Train Station
∑ astra-airlines.gr in Athens Hertz ∑ anek.gr
Laríssis station (for Syngroú 12, 11742
Olympic Air northern Greece). Ticket Athens. Tel 210-922 0102. Blue Star
Tel 801-801 0101 or windows open 5am– ∑ hertz.gr ∑ bluestarferries.gr
210-355 0500. midnight. Piraeus Port Hellenic Seaways
∑ olympicair.com
Buses Tel 14541 (ferry Tel 210-419 9000.
Ryanair departure/arrival times; ∑ hellenicseaways.gr
∑ ryanair.com Bus Terminals beware of expensive
in Athens Minoan Lines
Sky Express Terminal A: Kifisoú 100. connection charge).
Tel 801-112 8288 or Tel 210-512 4910. Lávrio Port 25is Avgoustou 17, Iraklio.
281-022 3800. Terminal B: Liosíon 260. Tel 281-022 9602.
∑ skyexpress.gr Tel 210-832 9585. Tel 229-202 6859. ∑ minoan.gr

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