I am trying to depart Santorini on May 23 to visit another Greek island connected by ferry to Turkey. I was thinking of a ferry to Rhodes (then Turkey) but flying appears to be the only option. Does anyone have a ferry suggestion or another Greek island suggestion that would connect to Turkey and not take all day?
Thank you.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3122 posts
The Greek islands closest to Turkey with the best ferry connections to Turkish port cities are Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Kos and Rhodes. If you're coming from Santorini Kos is closer than Rhodes by one stop on the ferry. The Blue Star ferry is the one you want, although the Anek Lines "Prevelis" also makes the journey. I think in May there will be a ferry 3 times/week, MWF. There may be a Sunday departure as well but it's too soon to know. The new ferry schedules have not been released yet. As an alternative to Santorini you can catch a ferry to Rhodes from Heraklion on Crete. You can catch a ferry to Samos on Mykonos. Those other islands I mentioned that are close to Turkey are not as conveniently reached except from Athens/Piraeus, and the trip will be a long one. Once the ferry schedules have been made official you can find them here: http://www.gtp.gr
Posted by
OP
Kirkland, WA, usa
32 posts
Thank you for the help. Do you know when the new schedule will be posted? Coordinating island hoping can get cso omplicated! Ha Ha
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3122 posts
Since the ferry schedules are available only until the end of March I would expect the new schedules to be out just before then, and perhaps sooner. You will also need to find the ferry schedules from the Greek islands to their corresponding Turkish ports: http://www.feribot.net/feribot/?lang=en
Posted by
Bellevue, WA, USA
811 posts
give your email to agean, olympic, and cyprus airline see if you can get a deal to fly from santorini to rhodes.
Posted by
Fort Smith, NT, Canada
2 posts
Tracy, I agree with David, we ended up flying for about the same price as a ferry. We also ended up "stuck" due to weather conditions. We just checked with the travel agency in town and got two seats that night.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3122 posts
Just remember that flying from Santorini to Rhodes means paying for a flight back to Athens for a plane change if you fly Aegean or Olympic. Cyprus doesn't fly to Santorini. SkyExpress flies direct island-to-island but you'll have to wait until they release their spring/summer schedule to see if they'll be including Santorini>Rhodes this year. Read the fine print and take note of their very strict baggage policies. http://www.skyexpress.gr