Sorry to raise another "island transit" question, but I need some specific guidance. I will be in Greece for most of June, for an RS Greece Tour, with a few extra days on either end. I have all my lodging and most of my transit plans set and firm, except for 2 final trips in the islands. I will fly to Santorini and spend the nights of June 18, 19 and 20 there, then 21, 22 and 23 on Naxos, then my final night June 24 in Athens, where I will have much of my baggage stored at my hotel; then a 10:10 am flight home on June 25, requiring an early but not unreasonable rising and shining. The two still-open transit links are:
1. June 21 ferry from Santorini to Naxos, where I have been told I can plan for that when in Athens, or even on Santorini. No need to worry or plan further ahead. Is that correct?
2. The more difficult one is the return from Naxos to Athens. My preference would be a short mid-day flight, giving me a relaxing start to the day on Naxos, and most of the afternoon and evening in Athens. But that does not seem to be possible. The choices I have found seem to be: (1) Olympic flight at 18:35 arriving 19:20, for about 80 euros. Too late I think, and I would be cooked if the flight was canceled for some reason. I see other flight schedules, including mid-day, on other days but not that day, not sure why, maybe it's too early in the season. (2) Ferries I see are: Blue Star 9:30 arriving 15:00 at 29 euros; Sea Jets (Champion Jet 1) 13:45 arriving 16:55 at 50 euros; I see three other ferries, but too late for my needs. My inclination is to plan for the 13:45 Sea Jets ferry. Can any of you more familiar with this transit see any other options, and are there any reasons for me to be thinking differently? Assuming I travel by ferry, when and where should I book passage?
Thanks so much!
Posted by
Centennial, CO, US
2185 posts
This is a matter of personal preference. I personally am very risk-averse, so I would take the Blue Star at 9:30 am. This is a big, stable ferry that hardly ever has a cancellation due to weather. There's very little risk you would miss your flight the next day. The Sea-Jet would give you 4 more hours on Naxos but on travel days, I'm mentally (and physically) checked out and just waiting anyway, so I'd rather be underway somewhere.
The mid-day Naxos flight is likely sold out.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3397 posts
Naxos mid-day flights on June 24 will not appear later in the season. There is only 1 flight showing on June 24 for a reason -- the others are sold out. One of the reasons that Naxos remains a pleasant less-touricized island is that it cannot accommodate jumbo jets, or even medium ones (hurrah!). Its small airport is limited to turboprops (fine modern planes but small) that seat about 40 passengers. Until last year, there was only ONE flight per day, Olympic. Now Olympic/Aegean has 2 flights per day, and Ryan Air has 1 or 2. But if one wishes to fly to/from there, it requires thinking waaay in advance, or going quite off-season.
PS: Naxos harbor also does not accommodate those Monster Cruise Ships, either. I heard that 3-4 years ago, cruise lines approached Naxos with an offer; we'll dredge y our harbor so our Megaships can dock. After a couple of contentious town meetings, Naxos officialdom came back and said, you know what? no thanks. Hurrah again.
Posted by
OP
Carmel, CA, USA
2456 posts
Janet, do you agree with Charlene that I am best off taking the 9:30 am Blue Star ferry, even though that means 5 1/2 hours aboard, and a half day less on Naxos?
Posted by
Nanaimo, BC, Canada
1441 posts
Ok lets get creative. Take the 9:30 Blue Star which arrives Paros at 10:15 hop a taxi and go to the airport. There is an 1`1:45 flight to Athens which still has seats available. I think the airport is no more than a 15 minute taxi ride. You will be in Athens by 12:25. Cost is just under 200 euros for 2.
If that flight is cancelled there are three more ferries doing Paros to Piraeus departing 16:35, 1800 and 19:15. Arrival 21:25, 21:05 and 13:15 respectively.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3397 posts
Listen to stanbr.