My friend and I are trying to find the best way to go through these three countries. The way we want to do it, if possible, is to go throughout the Greece islands and then start going up through Italy and make stop in Dubrovnik for a few days then continue up in Northern Italy. This will probably be around the end of June, middle of August, if that makes any difference. And we are planning for about a month to a month and a half for this portion.
Is there any suggestions on possible routes and/or reccomendations on Ferry lines? Is there one particular company that is better than the other, or are they all relatively the same? Should I pick them based on anything in specific such as cost or just go with the one that is best for my schedule? And last but not least, is there any such thing as a Ferry card? or something along the lines where you can purchase a certain number of trips for a certain cost? I just want to find the best deals out there and still have a super amazing time.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3149 posts
For travel between Italy and Greece check the ferries here:
For travel in the Greek islands check the ferries here, although most of next summer's schedules won't be out until about a month before they're needed:
http://www.gtp.gr
http://www.openseas.gr/OPENSEAS/index_en.vm
The most popular Greek ferries with the most frequent sailings for island hopping are Blue Star Ferries and Hellenic Seaways. Others include G.A. Ferries, Lane Lines and Sea Jets.
It will be necessary for you to go overland from Patras or Igoumenitsa to Athens by bus or train to catch the ferries into the Aegean Sea where most of the island are located. There is no ferry from the west side of Greece to Athens. As far as I know there is no ferry from Greece to Croatia, but you can get there on a ferry from Italy.
Pricing will depend on whether or not you choose a "regular" car ferry or a highspeed ferry. The highspeeds are approximately double the cost of the regular ferries. Prices also vary from Economy class to Business class to private cabins. There is no 'ferry card.'
The islands are in groups. The most popular islands seem to be in the Cyclades group but Skiathos, Rhodes, Kos and Crete are also very popular islands. Do some research on the Cyclades, Dodecanese, Sporades, N. Eastern Aegean, Saronic Islands. This will help you plan a route. The Ionian Islands are between Italy and Greece.
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
Jadrolinija, a Croatian ferry company, operates daily (or almost daily) between Bari and Dubrovnik during the summer months. Trip is generally overnight. Prices vary quite a bit depending upon accomodation - anything from deck seat to 2-person cabin. Although I purchased a one-way ticket, my recollection is that they offered a discount for round-trips. Once they post the 2009 high-season schedule to their website www.jadrolinija.hr, you'll be able check sailing times and prices. I believe there are other ferry companies sailing between Bari and Dubrovnik, but don't recall their names. Suspect prices on all ferries would be similar.