Greek Island Hopping

My two cents would be to fly a few hours after you arrive to Santorini and start there. It would be a lot easier. We stayed three nights there.

We originally planned to go to Hydra but substituted Naxos for Hydra. Santorini is beautiful but has lousy beaches as does Hydra. I would consider whether you really want to go to Hydra when you are able to go to islands much further from Athens. I was very glad we went to Naxos instead.

Mykonos is beautiful but it and Santorini are most touristed and expensive of the Greek islands. It also has a reputation as a party island and not where I would go as a woman on a budget.

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I have only been to Santorini once. We stayed at Cosmopolitan Suites and it was amazing. Not budget friendly but one of the best places we have ever stayed. Amazing views and people. It is an oasis from all of the cruise ship people. When you are there, you feel like you are the only people on the island. It has a nice sunset view and we had our own private balcony that was huge.

One of the most important aspects of ferry hopping is looking at ferry schedules and understand how and when ferries operate. Your Athens to Hydra plan is OK there are several ferries that make that route that fit your plans. However there is no ferry from Hydra that can get to to Athens in time to catch a connecting ferry to Mykonos. That means you will have to use a day in Athens and wait till next morning for the ferry to Mykonos. Not checking stuff like that out can really ruin your holiday.

As Beth said fly to your first island within 2 hours of arrival in Athens. I too would suggest Santorini because it is amazing. I would pair Santorini with Naxos or Paros. Both are equally as nice as Mykonos but they do not market themselves as premium priced islands. I see no reason to pay Mykonos prices when similar nearby Islands offer you a more authentic Greek experience, where the Greek people you meet are most likely permanent residence of the islands who are genuinely happy you are there, all at a price at lest half of Mykonos.

Fly or ferry back to Athens and have your last night there before your return flight.

Naxos Town http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157632094558042/
Trip around Naxos http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157634605629689/
Naxos sunsets https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157700728046481

I think you are going to spend many hours in ferries. Besides you left no time for Athens... This is pity except if you have already been here.

If I were you I would drop Hydra go from airport to Rafina to take a fast ferry to mykonos. Rafina is closer to airport and the ferries are closer to mykonos from there. Id you havs more time visit Amorgos or Paros as they are on the way to Santorini.

If you do not want to drop hydra... Go from airport to Rafina take a ferry to mykonos then ferry to Santorini and return to peiraia to go strait away to Hydra

Check ferry schedules for your travel dates here: www.gtp.gr

Thanks to all of you for your responses. I appreciate it.

I agree that if you are a budget traveler then islands like Santorini & Mykonos may not be within your budget or just stay for the minimum amount of time. However, it may not be worth traveling there just to stay for a couple of days. Your plans call for off-season travel so it's possible those two island may not be as expensive then but Sept.-Oct. will still see the cruise ships showing up spewing up thousands of tourists at a time. You will find beautiful sunsets all over the Greek Islands and the mainland.

Bear in mind I haven't been to Santorini and my only time on Mykonos was just a few hours as part of the Delos/Mykonos day trip. They have never been on my "to-go-to" list, but that's just me.

As stated there are numerous other islands that may offer a more traditional experience.

You indicate 9 days in Greece. Athens deserves at least a minimum of 2 with 3 days being better. I would pick 2 islands at most or pick one like Naxos or Crete for your entire island stay to avoid spending to much time getting from Point A to Point B.

It's always best to combine islands that are on the same ferry line which will eliminate wasting time back tracking.

There are lots of budget accommodations on Santorini. Don't let anyone tell you differently. Use the filter system at www.booking.com to search for what's available on your travel dates for the price you want to pay.