What is the best way to see all those in ONE DAY. What ferry company is best to use and how do you purchase tickets. If not All three then which is the BEST of the BEST.
Posted by
3 posts
I have used the services of Fantasy Travel in Athens since 2005. They are wonderful and provide excellent options for travelers to Greece. I took this tour in 2005 and it was terrific. I booked it directly with Fantasy online and it included transportation from my hotel in Athens to and from the boat in Piraeus. I loved Hydra and have gone back every other year since 2005. Below is the link to the one day cruise.
https://www.fantasytravelofgreece.com/tours-in-greece/1-day-saronic-cruise
Posted by
NH (USA)
1157 posts
There are numerous agencies that offer that trip . . . mostly in the 109 euros range.
Bear in mind most of your time will be on a ferry from Athens to/from the three islands and return to Athens.
You may want to consider a day trip to either Hydra or Aegina on your own. You can leave early morning, spend several hours on the island and return late afternoon and still have a night out in Athens. It will cost a lot less for a ferry to either island and you'll have more time on either island than on a ferry.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3320 posts
My vote is for Aegina ... time to explore the island, see the BEST-preserved ancient Temple in all the Greek isles, get to a beach for a nice swim, then ferry back by sunset. https://www.flickr.com/photos/36264706@N03/sets/72157621604646139/detail/ This great photo-album shows u step-by-step ... AND shows you best of all the fun coming & going. Do NOT take a hydrofoil (no decks, you are stuck inside, salt-rimed windows no views), instead take a "conventional ferry" wide open decks where you can sit for the hour it takes and enjoy the seascape ... huge liners, freighters, ferries, yachts and schooners. Just take the Green Line Metro to Piraeus and get tickets at any of the ticket offices lining the port.
Which is the best?? Hydra is the most-promoted by RS. It has a picturesque port, donkey carts (no cars allowed), lots and lots of tourists, no beaches really, that's about it. Aegina has a very interesting port, wander the back streets very Greek, has ruins and a cute little museum. the fab temple ruin. Beyond the port really very little traffic; you can rent a car or scoooter -- I managed with a bus ride to Temple, then a downhill walk to a beach town for lunch and a swim, then bus back to port. If you go M-F, not over-populated. In summmer on weekends all 3 islands are swarmed with Athenians looking for a short getaway.
Posted by
Louisville, KY, USA
255 posts
I would not try to see all three in one day. You'd waste time traveling and your sight-seeing will suffer. Why stress out?
I have been to Aegina twice and have enjoyed it both times. Take the fast boat over and the slow boat back. Get there quickly and relax coming back. The beach is great and you can find a taxi that will take you to the Temple of Aphia. The taxi driver will wait and take you back down, all for one price. I'd try to not pay more than 40 euro. Get away from the seaside streets and find a nice restaurant to relax and have a good lunch with some wine.