I will be arriving in Istanbul in September and spending 5 nights there with 3 friends. We will probably then fly to Izmir and spend one night in Selcuk. We will then be headed to the Greek Islands. I understand we can get a ferry from Kusadasi to Samos, but is there a ferry from Samos to Mykonos? Is that the best way to get there? We will spend a couple of nights on Mykonos and 3 on Santorini before heading to Athens. Thanks to anyone who can help! The ferry schedule is just so confusing.
Posted by
Tulsa, Oklahoma, US
290 posts
Robin, you are right, the ferry schedule really is confusing; I think you have to be Greek to understand it... A lot depends on the day of the week and possibly even the phase of the moon or the whims of Poseidon. There is a frequent ferry from Kusadasi to Samos, and according to Rick the Samos, Mykonos, Paros, Athens route is "frequent and direct". To get to Santorini you have to change boats in Paros. Leave lots of slack in you itinerary and don't plan on getting anywhere very fast; you may luck out and make good connections or you may not. Remember, this is Greece and things can change with very little notice. But you'll enjoy the heck out of the trip if you aren't in a big hurry.
Check Matt Barrett's website at: www.greecetravel.com/ I rely on him for most of my information. Also, Rick's long awaited Greece book will be out in May and will hopefully give more details.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3149 posts
The ferry between Kusadasi and Samos is twice daily at 8:30 AM and 5 PM. The crossing takes 1.5 hours.
http://www.feribot.net/feribot/?lang=en
If www.skyexpress.com offers flights again this year the same as last year you can fly from Samos to Mykonos.
Also there will be a ferry from Samos heading west, but it remains to be seen whether or not it will go directly to Mykonos or if you have to go to Paros first for a connection. That information won't be available for a few months yet. If it doesn't go directly to Mykonos you might have to spend a night on Paros depending on afternoon ferry schedules. You can rest assured that the ferry will be an option for you. Once you're on Mykonos and are ready to proceed to Santorini there is a highspeed catamaran, the Hellenic Seaways FlyingCat 4, that will take you directly to Santorini without need for a change on Paros. The FC4 does not sail every other Wednesday.
You can also take the morning ferry from Mykonos to Paros at 10 AM in plenty of time to catch the large Blue Star ferry from Piraeus when it stops at Paros on the way to Santorini.
The ferry schedules aren't confusing, they're just not available yet, especially for so far ahead. Don't expect complete information for September until sometime in June or July. Once the ferry schedules are finalized you will be able to see them here:
http://www.openseas.gr/OPENSEAS/index_en.vm
For Samos select Vathi-Samos.
All that being said, the most accurate ferry information is available on the day of sailing, as sometimes there are last-minute changes due to mechanical breakdowns or high winds.