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Ferry or Flight - Cant Decide

Posted by on

Hi Fellow Travelers,

I know this is splitting hairs, but for some reason hubby and I are unable to commit to one of these:

We 5 (3 tween/teens, 2 adults) will be traveling from Naxos to Athens July 14. We could fly for around 470 USD, which takes 40 minutes (no checked bags), or take the ferry which takes 4 hours (high speed) and costs around 280 USD. The flights we would choose from depart Naxos at 17:00 or 18:35, and arrive at 17:40 or 19:20. Ferry departs at 15:25 and arrives Athens 19:20. The price difference is ~180USD, the time difference is 3 hours.

We have to check out by 11 or 12, so there is the issue of what we will do with our bags for those hours (Osprey 46's x 5). (We will have taken two ferries from Crete to Santorini and Sant. to Naxos, so will have some ferry time/experience)

We are staying in Athens near the Acropolis (if this detail is useful)...

WWYD?

Thanks,
Jessica

Posted by
28065 posts

If you're staying in a hotel, it will almost certainly hold your luggage until your departure. Otherwise, there will most likely be some other luggage-storage option; try Google.

I haven't been to Greece recently, but I believe ferries are a bit more likely than flights to be canceled due to weather issues. Perhaps that's so rare as to not be a concern, since you are not traveling to Athens to take an immediate flight elsewhere.

That issue aside, I think I'd choose the ferry. By the time you get to the airport on Naxos and, most especially from the airport into central Athens, your total travel time for the flight probably won't be any shorter than the ferry time. And you can stand up and walk around on the ferry. However, I recommend having Dramamine on hand and being prepared to pop one immediately at the first sign of queasiness.

Posted by
186 posts

Ferry--the kids might enjoy a cooler vibe of younger travelers and backpackers and instead of being in canned air at the airport and airplane, you'll have fresh air and blue waters.

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