We are traveling to Athens in September and we are taking a ferry to Santorini. We need to decide whether to take the regular ferry that takes 8 hours or go with the high speed ferry that gets you there in less than 4 hours. We have heard that the high speed ferry can have difficulties in rough surf and not be much fun as you have to stay inside. Not sure what the best option is.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3120 posts
The solution is to just wait until you can determine what the weather will be like on your day of travel. If the seas are rough you definitely don't want to be aboard a small catamaran for that much time. Check HERE to keep tabs on the weather by typing 'Santorini' in the search window. Check HERE to see what ferries are available on your travel day. Don't expect all September options to be available for a couple of months. If you do end up on a catamaran try to sit along the center line of the ship to minimize the side-to-side motion.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32198 posts
John, You could also take a short flight from Athens to Santorini and avoid the Ferry issues. Check the websites for Aegean Air and Olympic Air for costs and other information. Happy travels!
Posted by
Reno, NV, USA
2427 posts
I would fly from Athens to Santorini.
Posted by
Martinez, CA, USA
1506 posts
Agree that flying is best. We were there Sept 2012. We just walked from one gate to another. We had 3 hours between flights and used the time to look into SIM card for our cell phone and to have a quick bite of lunch. Our hotel was supposed to pick us up at the airport but did not show up so we just took the local bus which goes to the main square in Fira and walked the 2 blocks to our hotel. You might check with your hotel for an airport shuttle which, hopefully, will be more dependable than ours was.
Posted by
OP
Lake Worth, Florida, USA
101 posts
We are staying in Athens for a few days and than going to Santorini. If we fly the cost is over 100Euros and we have to go back to the airport. If the ferry is a hassle and there is a good chance we will get sick on the high speed ferry or that it will be late it might be best to fly. I was just wondering what others have done and what they would recommend. Is the slow ferry a scenic cruise that is enjoyable or are you just out in open water for hours with little to do?
Posted by
Martinez, CA, USA
1506 posts
As previously stated we flew from Athens to Santorini. We then took the ferry from Santorini to Naxos and later still from Naxos to Piraeus. Naxos to Piraeus was over 5 hours and although it may have stopped at one island on the way there, I can't remember, it was mainly sitting with nothing to do. There are some islands and occasional dolphin sightings. We did strike up some interesting conversations with some Greek ferry riders. If you sit outside on the ferry for fresh air, you will be sharing the air with all the smokers, as we did. I don't believe smoking is allowed inside. The sea was not rough but there was some motion of the ship; standing by the railing with the fresh air helped. We did enjoy the ferry rides but the plane was much faster. You should compare the price to the time involved to decide which is best for you.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3120 posts
John, if your itinerary is still flexible you have the option of not staying in Athens at the beginning, and flying out directly to Santorini when you first arrive. This also eliminates the stress that sometimes occurs when you try to scramble back to the mainland at the last minute for your flight home by giving you those last few days to get to Athens in case of an unforseen breakdown or cancellation out on an island.