The new RS Greece book isn't coming soon enough for me - my trip is in June!
My family of 5 (kids are 8, 12 and 14) are invited to a baptism in Skiathos mid June. We have flights into Athens June 10th, and accomodations in Skiathos 5 days later. I was planning on spending a few days in Athens to start our trip, visiting Delphi and Meteora and then making our way to Skiathos. It looks as if it would be best to see a bit of Athens, drive to Delphi and Meteora, then make our way to Volos to catch the ferry to Skiathos? Would trains/buses be a better/more economical way to go? Also, we will probably fly from Athens the day after the baptism. Will it be difficult to get from Skiathos to the Athens airport for a 4pm flight on ferries? The flights are a bit pricey. I am usually a pretty good travel planner, but am finding Greece a bit difficult to navigate for some reason. Any help is appreciated.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7916 posts
Well, the RS book may not be much help, Athens is covered, maybe Delphi, not the meteora, or Skiathos. I am not a fan of driving in Greece, they can be a bit crazy, but if you are a savvy driver, then it is the best way for your trip. Buses and trains for your itinerary would chew up alot of time, and the bus connections between Delphi and the Meteora can be a bit complicated (at least 3 changes). Complicating things is the fact that very little bus information is available, they go everywhere, but laying out connections can be interesting. Trains are very limited, almost useless, but might work here. Greece tends to run at a slower pace than most of the world, what seems like a trip that should take a morning takes a day, sometimes overnight. For example, Athens to Delphi is a few hours, Delphi to the Meteora is an all day bus trip, The Meteora to Volo, not sure. Oddly, Athens to the Meteora is an easy 4 hr train ride, illustrating that sometimes the easiet route is back to Athens and then to your destination. I would consider renting a car at the airport, drive directly to Delphi. Depending on timing, you could see Delphi that day or the next morning then on to the Meteora. Figure a full next day seeing the monastaries, then onto Volo the next day. I would consider leaving the car in Volos and do the ferry and Skiathos by foot/taxi. Head back to Athens, but with a day or so to see Athens, to rely on both a ferry and a drive to make a flight is very risky. I always spend my last night in Athens. Drop the car back off at the airport on the way, take the metro into Athens.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
You will need a car to see Meteora. Delphi is pretty easy to get to from Athens by bus. You'll need to check ferry schedules for your other questions. Assume 2 hours by metro from the port to the airport. For Greece, an international drivers permit is required. Driving is pretty easy outside Athens, you are best to rent from the airport and return your car there. Do not try and drive in the city. Also, check out Matt Barrett's website for more details on Greece.