We are trying to add a Greek island, prefer Santorini, to our Italy - Istanbul trip. Are there any direct flights from Italy (prefer Rome) to one of the Islands and then to Istanbul. Trying to keep the cost down, hence the direct flights. We will be traveling the last week in June 2012 or the first week in July. Thanks,
Mike
Posted by
Cary, NC
687 posts
You will almost certainly have to go back to Athens if you want to fly to Istanbul. If your island is one of the few with ferries to Turkey (e.g. Lesvos, Samos, Kos, Rhodes) you could try that, but you'd still need to get to Istanbul. (Greece and Turkey are not the best of friends.)
Posted by
OP
Gilbert, AZ
80 posts
Do you know how long it would take to ferry from one of the islands to Turkey then travel (Air or Land) to Istanbul?
Posted by
Cary, NC
687 posts
For ferries you could try this site: http://www.paleologos.gr/intstep1.asp Also: http://www.bodrumferryboat.com/en/default.asp You need to add time to clear passport control at both ends. For flights try whichbudget.com and skyscanner.net. Turkey also has a good bus system - my Lonely Planet suggests Boss Turizm, Kamil Koc, Ulusoy or Varan Turizm.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3133 posts
Summertime charter flights are what you need to find. It's far too early to know for next June/July, but www.skyscanner.com might be able to help with that. "Do you know how long it would take to ferry from one of the islands to Turkey then travel (Air or Land) to Istanbul?" This question is way too non-specific. There are 5 or 6 Greek islands from which you can enter Turkeyand it also depends on where in Turkey you want to first arrive. Obviously flying is going to be fast. Not sure but I think no longer than 75 minutes from the southernmost region of Turkey, say from Bodrum, to Istanbul in the north. A bus from Bodrum to Istanbul will take at least 12 hours or more.
Posted by
Pico Rivera, CA
594 posts
We met lots of Italians in Santorini, so I'm sure getting there from Rome should not be a problem. For the flight from Santorini to Istanbul you will no doubt have to connect in Athens. It's not a long flight. Took me about 2 hours, with the layover.