We will be in Greece the month of April. Athens up front, Hydra, about 15 days in the Peloponnese region and then 7-8 days for Santorini and Naxos before heading back to Athens for flight home 5/1. I would like to fly to Naxos, take a ferry to Santorini and then fly back to Athens the day before our flight back to the USA. Are there any airlines that fly from the Peloponnese to Naxos or Santorini? Hate the idea of driving back to Athens to get a flight. Would rather pay a drop off fee for the car than go back to Athens. Anyone have a solution? Taking a ferry from Pireus to Naxos is always an option but not a favorite choice. If there are good experiences doing this mid-to late April I would like to know. We have 7-8 days to spend between the two islands.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16893 posts
Aegean Airline's route map is basically a hub-and spoke system from Athens and I doubt if another airline competes.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3321 posts
Since you are allotting 7-8 days for Santorini and Naxos, why not skip Hydra -- I realize it's highly promoted by RS, partly for his tours, and also as a day-trip for people who haven't time for island stays ... but IMHO, not needed on this trip. It would give you more time to fiddle with.
I have not heard of any flights from a Peloponnese airport to an island, even in High season. Kalamata gets direct flights but only in High season, and as far as I know, only from European cities, not from Islands. There just would not be the necessary demand.
"Hating" to drive back to Athens would be more understandable if you'd share just a bit about your Peloponnese Itinerary. Clockwise or counter-clockwise? If your "last leg" is from Olympia around the coast road, you can hop off at Isthmus to view/photo the Corinth Canal. Or if from the Nafplio area heading back to mainland YOu go from Nafplio across to Epidaurus, then up the coast road, (with the Isthmus quick-stop). Then for either it's less than 2 hours to ATH on Greece's MOST modern divided highway, NOT one stop/stoplight -- unless you want to pause for a moment at last gas station (10 km before airport ) to top-up your gas tank. As for drop-off fees, there now are a couple agencies that will arrange these, but they're considerable ... and then you'd be limited to those 2-3 for rentals, maybe not the best fleets or rates.
Posted by
11169 posts
We had to drive to Athens airport, not difficult.
Perhaps there is an airport in the Peloponnese but I do not know of one.