Transport
Ferries: The ferries are the main method of travelling between the Islands. The main ports are Attica, Piraeus (Athens) and Rafina. Ticket can be bought from the shipping lines’ offices around every harbor. Shared cabins (two sets of single bunk beds) can be booked for the longer voyages. As deck passengers there is plenty of scope to sit in comfort out of the sun. Most ferries have food. During the high season it is wise to buy tickets in advance…
Hydrofoils: Are fun if you’re a petrol head they glide over the sea at a supercharged rate leaving a shimmering wake in their path. If they’re overloaded (Which can happen during peek season) they’re not able to use their hydrofoils, leaving passengers disgruntled at being delayed. You’re seated in an aircraft type seat in a gloomy interior; there is a small snack bar at the back and toilets with an open-air balcony at the rear.
Catamarans: Greece has invested heavily in high-speed passenger ferries. These passenger only routes (No vehicles transported) are modern, fast, and comfortable with new routes being opened every year.
Visit http://www.ferriesingreece.com for all your booking needs.
Olympic Airways: Olympic airways are the main national (and international) carrier with schedules flights connecting all of the Greek Islands to Athens. During 2009 its been reported that the domestic routes of Olympic airlines are to be taken over by a new company called Pantheon Airlines. http://www.olympicairlines.com
Aegean Air: Aegean air is the main rival to Olympic airways with a large domestic service and international flight connections. http://www.aegeanair.com
Sky Express: Sky Express is a new domestic airline that I have no experience of (Your input is welcome) it does have direct inter-island schedules without the need of changing at Athens. http://www.skyexpress.gr
Athens Airways: Athens Airways is a new private owned airline, based in Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”. In December 2008 Athens Airways received the first of four Embraer, ERJ-145 type, 49 seat aircrafts. In 2009 Athens Airways will receive the rest of its three aircraft and will be ready to begin its scheduled flights. Daily flights to Alexandroupoli, Kavala, Thessaloniki, Mytilene, Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, Chania, Herakleion, Zakynthos, Kefalonia, Chios, Kozani and Kastoria. http://www.athensairways.com
Air Sea Lines: Air sea lines are a floatplane service that’s been running for a couple of years. It has an inter island direct service and also a scheduled stop at Brindisi (Italy) for those wishing to enter into the country. There is a weight limit to 12kg baggage for each person but friends that have travelled with them love the service and the fun part at being dropped of at the harbor entrance and walking strait into the taverna.
Buses: Book in advance during high season. The inter-city coaches are modern, comfortable and air-conditioned. Tickets can be bought in Athens at the Karolou Street terminus for North and Eastern Greece and the Sina Street terminus for the Peloponnese and West Coast. The city buses are quite a different matter. Greek Coach Service (KTEA) at (+30) 210 5124 910, (+30) 210 5124 911, (+30) 210 5124912
Taxies: Taxies run on a shared basis, so don’t be surprised if the taxi picks up other passengers on your journey. Their rates are per kilometer with extra charges from station, post and airports with an additional late night charge from 1am – 6am.
Rail: There are two main railways stations in Athens. Larissa (for Northern Greece, Evia and Europe) and Peloponnesus (Trains to the Peloponnese) they have separate entrances but are located together 1 kilometer north west of ‘Omonia Square’ in central Athens.
Moped Rental: The most popular way to get around is by moped. In just about any small town you can hire a moped for 10 euro’s per day. To rent a moped you need a driver’s licence and your passport. Usually the passport is left behind as a guarantee of you returning with the moped. Whiles most opt for the complete freedom of feeling the wind through their hair, wearing a helmet is essential as most of the other riders on the road are as equally inexperienced as you. The roads around Greece and especially around the Islands are narrow with potholes. Mopeds are responsible for many tourist injuries every year. Greeks consider moped accidents a drain on their resources so there is little sympathy with the treatment you receive.
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