As part of our Greece adventure, my daughter and I are spending 4 days on Santorini. I am trying to choose between flight and ferry travel. So far I am thinking ferry there and flight back. The Ferry schedule/booking does not seem that user friendly- I cannot even get to the Blue Star schedule as I keep getting a warning that it is not secure, and cannot get passed that. The Hellenic site offers a ferry at 7:05 am for 59 euros - is that a normal price? I thought it might be less expensive.
Any advice is appreciated.
Posted by
1230 posts
I booked several ferry trips that were around that price. I booked on Hellenic for 2 and Sea Jets for 1 without the problems you are describing... Sounds about right . Good luck
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3148 posts
Hellenic's fare is a lot more than the Blue Star fare because it's a highspeed ferry that takes several hours less to reach Santorini. The basic economy fare for the 7:25am Blue Star ferry is €40. If your security settings won't let you access their booking function you can either change your settings or just wait until you get to the Athens airport and buy your tickets there at the travel desk of Aktina Travel in the Arrivals Hall. It's very unlikely that the Blue Star ferry will be sold out. Spend a few extra euro to buy a reserved aircraft-style seat in one of the nice lounges. That way you will still have unrestricted access to every part of the ship except for the business class lounge, but no one can "poach" your seat.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3397 posts
There is NO way the Blue Star would be sold out -- unless you plan to go Friday August 10, the start of the Big week before Greeks celebrate their Big Summer Holiday August 15 -- and d then only sold out if you don't buy your ticket until Aug 8 or 9. (It's always good joanne, to give the dates you plan to travel). The Blue Star ferries accommodate from 1200 to 1800 passengers. As Lee says, buy your tickets at the airport's agency. When you do this instead of trying to buy online, you can request locations for your reserved seats. I alway advise asking for a SIDE compartment location... these are smaller, with windows, quieter. The central area is like a huge movie theatre. And as Lee says, you're free to sit out on the open deck in plastic chairs if you can snag them -- these are first-come first-served, so be in the front of the line on the dock and do not dally in boarding; chuck your big luggage on racks at the vehicle level (perfectly safe) and have your daughter SPRINT up the escalator to claim prime deck-seats. You can enjoy the sun as long as you like, then go indoors to reserved (upholstered, lean-back, comfy) seating to read, or doze.
Posted by
OP
Ottawa
31 posts
I have decided to book the hellenic ferry as I would rather have fewer things to do in Athens. Next flights back from Santorini.Has anyone used Ryan air? They are by far the least expensive. At least they were yesterday!
Posted by
OP
Ottawa
31 posts
I have now booked our ferry to Santorini ( staying July 3-7) and am looking for a quicker way back to Athens on July 7. Flights are at very strange times- between 10 and 11 pm. I don't want to arrive back at the Athens airport at that time as the plan is to pick up a car and do a short ( 3 day ) tour of some of the sights in the Peloponnese. Any ideas?
Posted by
OP
Ottawa
31 posts
Thank you! I have had a terrible time trying to connect with Ryanair, their website circles and circles... I would much rather book with the airline directly. Another one I am having trouble with is Volotea- they seem to have some reasonable prices and times but very difficult to connect.except through 3rd parties...
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3397 posts
Volotea is not really an airline as far as I can tell, it's some kind of booking agency that puts you on other airlines.