End of Best of Turkey in 13 Days; Best Way to Get to Athens

I use skyscanner.com to check intra-European flight schedules.

Thanks. My issue is getting to the airport but I will certainly check out that website. How does it compare with Expedia?

I've been looking for the same, as we are on the Turkey Tour in September and are thinking of heading to Athens. I've found a number of flights on Turkish Air from Izmir to Istanbul.

I haven't found one from Izmir to Athens without a stop in Istanbul. Hopefully this thread will assist!

I've also been looking at Aegean Airlines.

There are several websites that will let you search for flights, I don't one if one is better than another. Although there probably are differences.

But in your case, I'd suggest you go direct to https://en.aegeanair.com as your first stop since they are the only airline that has flights between Izmir and Athens.

I took the RS Turkey and RS Greece tours back to back. To get to Athens I took the high speed ferry from the port of Kusadasi to the port of Samos, Greece (45 minute trip). Then I boarded an awaiting bus to the airport (20 minute ride). I had prebooked a flight from Samos to Athens (approximately 1 hour duration). Everything worked seamlessly. This was in 2009. Times may be much shorter now. Both tours were outstanding.

Contact RS office and ask what time the bus leaves, 'after breakfast', and what time it gets to Izmir. Might want to clarify if it goes to the airport or just somewhere in town.

Then selecting a flight time should be straightforward

I’ve asked RS office for information on the bus leaving. Will share when I find out timing.

I have considered the ferry, but it appears that Turkey and Greece are having some disagreements and the ferries aren’t currently going between the two countries. But, I may have this wrong and I have messaged the final day’s hotel for information to make sure I have this right.

Once I have a schedule, then finding flights should be relatively easy, I hope. Thanks to all for your advice.

We took the RS Turkey tour in Oct 2018. The tour bus deadheads to Izmir from Kusadasi and will take tour people. I don't know why the bus doesn't return directly to Istanbul - maybe because the driver & guide live in/near Izmir? If you CAN take the ferry to Samos island, catch a taxi from Samos town to Pythagoria and stay over night or more. A delightful compact town with some good restaurants and friendly people. Easy to arrange taxi to nearby small airport for the morning. RS tour is very good. The Turkish Lira is down - one lira approx 7 cents US. But I suspect most of the merchants in tourist shops still price everything in US$. If you want a mosaic lamp, you might do as we did: buy one thru Amazon once back home. It had the proper US sockets & wiring - and actually cost less overall.

The bus and driver return to Istanbul as soon as he drops the group in Kusadasi for simple economics. The driver then (for all the RS groups for years) lives in Istanbul. The group uses a local bus and driver for the short trips in Kusadasi. No need to keep the bus and driver for 2 additional nights away from home.

Everyone in my group flew out of Kusadasi. One or two couples had very early flights and the guide arranged a taxi to the airport. The bus was due to leave "after breakfast". Because there wouldn't have been enough time for some of the group to get to their flights, we all agreed to leave an hour earlier than originally scheduled.

but it appears that Turkey and Greece are having some disagreements

They have had "disagreements" for as long as the two countries have existed. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek–Turkish_relations

But check again as your tour gets closer, the ferries might resume.

Aegean Airlines’ direct Izmir-Athens flights are operating Sun, Mon, Wed, and Fri in May, so not on your tour end date of May 7. If you fly on a later date, there are Havas brand bus shuttles or a taxi costs about 50 euros to Izmir Airport.

Kusadasi-Samos ferries are run by local agencies such as meandertravel.com (9:00 daily in May for the past several years) and bareltravel.com. These may not be reported on aggregate ferry search web sites. Your guide will help with booking.

Here is what the pre-planning information states on the timing for the last day of this tour:

"Our tour bus will provide free transportation to Izmir on the last day of the tour, departing immediately after breakfast (around 8 a.m.) and arriving at the Izmir airport by 10 a.m. If you want to ride the bus, you’ll need to book a flight that departs after 11 a.m.'

My husband and I are scheduled on the same tour and are wanting to head to Athens at the end.
I was hoping to take the high speed ferry. The only flights I have found go out of Istanbul.
I have held off making any final commitments as we have been watching COVID numbers and stability concerns within Turkey. At this point I think we are going to move ahead with our Turkey plans and hope things continue to improve. I am interested in hearing what you decide to do for transportation to Athens.
Thank you!
Hope to see you in Turkey!,
Cheryl

Hi Cheryl,
I'm looking at flights and will let you know what we choose. We would prefer the high speed ferry, but I am reluctant to commit to it without more official information.

Last October we had to fly from Spain to Morocco instead of taking the ferry because Spain and Morocco had a little dust up regarding Spain treating a Moroccan rebel, or something like that, and the ferries got cancelled.

Looking forward to meeting you.

Jim

Mile High 33,
I have to claim ignorance. I was looking at the RS website just now and saw what you posted. I don't know why I hadn't seen it before, but there you are. Thanks for showing it to me.
Safe travels,
Jim

Hey, Jim! My husband and I will be joining you (and Cheryl as well) on the April 25th Turkey tour. Still deciding our exit strategy for departure. Looking forward to meeting you in Istanbul!

Hi Cheryl,
Pleased to meet you virtually. I booked us on flights from Izmir to Athens via Istanbul. We would much prefer to take the ferry but we are not getting positive feedback, silence is more like it.
Our plane leaves Izmir at 14:55. Arrives Istanbul at 16:10. Leaves Istanbul at 19:15, and arrives in Athens at 20:40.

Again, not our first choice.
Happy travels,
Jim

Hello from Wisconsin,
Their metro has a line that goes from city center to the airport. And the beauty is the airport is a terminus. You can't miss it. It is a long ride. Leave plenty of time to get to the airport.

We checked bus, train, car, and air. Air was the only reasonable choice. And trust me, I would rather take a train any day of the week over the hassle of flying.

wayne iNWI

I'm taking the RS Turkey April 18 to April 30th tour, then going to Athens for the RS Greece tour starting May 2.
I saw only one Turkish Airlines flight leaving Izmir to Istanbul, arriving in Athens before 3pm. Means I will have to take an early cab from Kusadasi to Izmir to Istanbul and then to Athens and pay dearly, since taking the free RS bus will arrive too late for my depature.
But arriving in Greece in the afternoon, not a night, is important at my age.
There are ferries to Athens but it's a bit complicated for me, the other airlines to Athens from what I saw all left late at night.
It gets expensive for convenience and peace of mind, but I have put off international travel for over 2 years, so have extra money in my travel budget.

We got back from Costa Rica, highly recommended, late Sunday night. We are fully committed to our Turkey trip in April (we are missing a nephew’s wedding; sorry Tyler; we’ll make it up to you) and going to Greece after Turkey. I’ll read responses to my questions and reply responsibly, hopefully, as I can.
Jim

Lars639, I saw your “at my age”, do I have you beat at 64, won’t tell you my wife’s age, but I thought she was 10 yrs younger than I when I saw her at a party 19 years ago and it turned out she was a “few” years older, yoga can do that for you? So, we are pumped for Best of Turkey.

JBreed, I've got you beat by several years.
I noticed last month there was a waiting list for the time Turkey time-frame I signed up for, but looks like some travelers dropped out due to the resurgence of Covid. Hopefully Covid lessens a bit and more people sign up. Yes, yoga can do wonders.