We are several women travelling from the US and meeting at Athens airport on the same day of arrival. The last one arrive much later at 4:30 PM Athens and we are trying to catch a 7:00 PM ferry to Santorini. Does she have enough time to pick luggage, immigration, customs for us to catch a pre-arranged taxi to Piraeus which is about an hour from Athens airport? Do we have to be at the port an hour before ferry departure or can we just arrive minutes before so we can wait for the last woman to arrive from the US? Do we have to purchase ferry tickets in advance (travelling early Sept. 2010) or can we just purchase from airport kiosk upon arrival since some of us arrive much earlier during the day.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3149 posts
The most important condideration in determining if you'll have enough time to catch that 7pm ferry is whether or not you're arriving in Athens directly from the U.S. or from another Schengen/European Airport. If you're coming from another Schengen/European Airport you will have already passed through Passport Control and Customs, and all you have to do when you get to the Athens Airport is collect your bags and go, same as a domestic flight in the U.S from city to city. If you are on a direct flight from the U.S. it will probably not be possible to catch that ferry. Not only will you have to spend time being processed into Greece/Schengen States, but unfortunately at that time of the day you will have to deal with heavy rush-hour traffic while getting from the airport to Piraeus. Even the taxis get caught in that chaos and it can take up to 1.5 hours (and sometimes even longer!) to get to the ferry port. Make sure your taxi meter is set to #1. #2 is for the night rate, which is double the day charge.
You will be able to purchase your ferry tickets at the airport from the travel desk of Amphitrion Holidays in the Arrivals Hall between Exit/Entry Doors 2&3. They're open 24/7.
Posted by
OP
Manchester, CT, USA
69 posts
Thank you so much for the insight. We are all coming from the US and we might just have to put some of the group on the 10 PM ferry if that is the case.