Ferries in October

Tourist-driven ferry routes begin to shut down in October, so it really depends on where you are and where you plan to go next. Use the ferry schedule website to help design your itinerary: www.gtp.gr

I had no problems during that window in the Dodecanese, for instance. Hotels were also open, even on small islands like Agathonisi and Lipsi. Routes that have, perhaps, 5-7 ferries/week in summer might have 3 or 4 in early October and go down to 1 or 2 per week for the winter. Even with published schedules in hand, be prepared to be flexible. Larger car ferries are less susceptible to high-wind closures than smaller fast boats.

Thanks both! Was hoping to make Naxos my base and take ferries to Mykonos and Santorini. Sounds like it'd be wise to book ahead of time...appreciate your input.

And, of course, popular routes with more than one ferry per day in high season can be reduced in October, but not as low my example.

Naxos to Santorini and back won't be a problem. That ferry is daily 24/7/365. Advance purchase isn't necessary. That ferry is huge, holds over 1400 passengers.

Not sure about Naxos to Mykonos. That one might be seasonal. Check the schedule website.

Do you guys think it'll be possible to do going/back on the same day during this time of the year? Again, hoping to make Naxos my nightly base but maybe that's crazy...

GIrl from NOrth you are not talking about "Island hopping" -- that means leaving one island to hop to another & stay there, then leave THAT island to hop to a 3rd. What you are talking about is DAY EXCURSIONS. And YES, there is a company that offers day trips to BOTH Santorini AND Mykonos, from NAXOS. These do not involve ferries, but Dedicated Vessels that do nothing but excursions. Here's the website: http://visit-cyclades.com/day-cruises/naxos-cruises these 2 excursions are at bottom of page, full details.

It offers day excursions on 2 boats, Naxos Star and MV Alexander. Because you'll be going in Early October when the wind often makes the sea wavy, I would strongly suggest the latter -- because it is much larger vessel, thus smoother ride -- the Star bounces around like a cork, they say. MV Alexander makes Santorini Trip for €65 including guide escort & bus transport throughout the island. It goes on Tuesdays. Mykonos is several tmes a week.

Your concern should be, do these tours stop at end of September? Website doesn't give end dates, but if you inquire to this e-mail listed at bottom of page - [email protected] - you will get Prompt, detailed accurate answer. I know, because I have consulted her before.

Hmmm good info Janet! I suppose I wasn't planning on taking anything guided by just ferries back/forth if they were available. But I will look into this.

Hi Again GIrl!

You do NOT have to concern yourself with being trapped with 30 other "sheep" following a guide with an umbrella ... no no no! These excursions are mainly about transportation. If you would read the description you'd get some idea, but heres the full "skinny"

• SANTORINI - This one at €65 costs more for 2 reasons, there is LAND transport as well, and a licensed Guide escort that you can use IF you want to -- it's perfectly fine to go off on your own and just get back to the bus on time for the next "leg." Here' how it works -- u leave Naxos about ??8?? it stops at Paros to pick up people, then you get to Santorini's ferry pier about 10:30? There are always crowds on the dock, packing the local bus or paying for taxis ... but the Excursion has its OWN bus that takes y ou "up top" and direct to the "famous" town of OIA at the top of the island... thre you'll have a couple of hours to sight-see, take photos, shop, sit in a cafe & admire the view. As I said, there's a guide but no need to be with her,... just be back at bus at appointed time. Bus takes you back to the main town of FIRA noonish... you can be on your own, you can check out the nice little museum (30-45 minutes), wander, have lunch etc. About 4 or 4:30, the bus again takes u down to port to board the boat. This saves you €€€ for transport ON Santorini.
• DELOS- MYKONOS. This is €65 & is just transport. First to Delos, about 10:30 or 11, for 2 hours. You'll be OK if you have good guidebook & study up in advance -- you also can "lurk" beside guided groups to hear their guide if u wish... it's hot, so take water & sunhat. At about 1 pm, the boat takes you to Myknos town right at the old Port so u can wander around, agin, take pix, have lunch. and about 4'30 or 5 get back on boat. If you want to Skip Delos, I think the boat goes back to Mykonos after dropping passengers, so y ou could go to Myknons a bit earlier.

So, these are not really "guided tours" in the sheep-flock sense of the term. Is that a help? NOTE: Ferries do not work for a 1-day trip to these places, because Ferries are basically for the use of GREEKS, and they don't do day trips, so the scheduling is not timed for convenience of tourists. Similarly if you wanted to visit PAROS by regular ferry, the soonest you could get there would be about 12 noon .... but there's a visit-cyclades trip to PAROS that goes earlier, returns later.

Just chatted w/ the company and it seems they MAY only do a Delos/Mykonos trip in early October, bummer but at least it's better than nothing...!

North Girl, your problem is that you are working with such a cruelly short visit to Greece (8 days??) unless that 8 days is only the island part. NB for future: you get best advice if you are specific about the total time in days u will actually be IN Greece (not counting arrival & dep. days). I would hope you have a couple extra days for Athens landmarks after the island time.

If you are really really hipped on seeing Santorini, you Could sacrific your last night in Naxos; then get the 1 pm BLUE STAR to Santorini, arrive about 3:15 ... get a taxi up to Oia, take pictures, come back to Fira, take pictureshave nice sunset dinner around 6:30 - 7 (I recommend rooftop terrace at STANI restaurant - GREAT views good Greek food). Stay someplace handy in Fira town.... there sill be NO problem getting a room at the last minute, in October. Then in early AM Fly back to ATHENS (45 mins vs. 9 hours on ferry). You'd have much of that day to check out Acropolis, a few othr things.

so true, 8 days is too short! alas. thx for your suggestions janet