I would like to visit Athens and a couple of Greek islands, then Istanbul, then over to Ireland - time frame is the month of May 2015. I'd love any advice as to order/mode of travel for most efficient use of time.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3149 posts
Depending on ferry schedules next season you can get to Samos from Mykonos, or from Syros by way of Mykonos, and from Samos you can catch a ferry across to Kusadasi, Turkey. From there you can take a bus or taxi to Izmir to catch a bus to Istanbul.
Otherwise you can get there by air from Athens. There are no flights to Turkey from the islands. Or if you're on a budget catch a bus or train from Athens to Thessaloniki where you can catch another one to the Turkish border where you'd switch to a Turkish bus or train the rest of the way to Istanbul. For more info about the trains find the website "The Man in Seat 61".
Posted by
San Diego
552 posts
"then Istanbul, then over to Ireland"... "most efficient use of time"
Interesting...
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3149 posts
It shouldn't be a problem finding flights from Istanbul to Ireland.
Posted by
OP
Buda, Texas, USA
11 posts
Thanks for your insight!!
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Thessaloniki has a couple of great museums but I don't relish the overland train/bus plan via Thessaloniki, no matter how tempting Lee tries to make it sound.
There are a few other Greek islands with ferries to Turkey (Lesvos, Kos, Rhodos), but none connecting you to such a great site as Ephesus, near Kusadasi. From Izmir, Lee might have meant a flight to Istanbul, since they are affordable on Turkish airlines. But bus allows you to make more stops within Turkey, if you have time.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3149 posts
No, I didn't mean a flight to Turkey, but that is a MUCH BETTER IDEA!