Greece - Korina Miller [603]
The trip from Brindisi was once the most popular crossing, but it now operates only between April and early October. Hellenic Mediterranean Lines ( 0831-54 80 01; Costa Morena) offers services to Patra (€53, 15 hours), calling at Igoumenitsa on the way. It also has services that call at Corfu (€38, six hours), Kefallonia (€51, 12 hours) and Zakynthos (€69 to €99, 15 hours). Eurail passes are accepted.
VENICE
In summer there are up to 12 weekly sailings between Venice and Patra (€70 to €80, approximately 30 hours) with Minoan Lines and ANEK Lines. The boat also calls in at Corfu (€73, 25 hours).
Turkey
There are regular ferry services between Turkey’s Aegean coast and the Greek islands. Boxed text, for more information about these services. Tickets for all ferries to Turkey must be bought a day in advance. You will almost certainly be asked to turn in your passport the night before the trip, but don’t worry, you’ll get it back the next day before you board the boat. Port tax for departures to Turkey is around €15.
See also the relevant sections under individual island entries in the destination chapter for information on the following services. It’s also possible to take a day trip over to Turkey from the Dodecanese; Click here.
CHIOS
There are daily Çeşme–Chios boats from May to October (one-way/return €20/30, 1½ hours).
KOS
There are daily summertime ferries and excursion boats between Kos and Bodrum (€34, one hour). Port tax is extra.
LESVOS
In summer there are daily boats between Lesvos and Dikeli (€10, one hour). There are also daily excursion boats from Greece in the summer (€20 return).
RHODES
There is a daily catamaran from Rhodes’ Commercial harbour to Marmaris, Turkey (€36, 50 minutes), departing twice daily in summer. There is also a passenger and car ferry service on this same route (car/passenger €95/49 including taxes, 1¼ hours), running four or five times a week in summer. Open return tickets cost €46 plus €29 tax.
SAMOS
There are two boats daily between Kuşadası (for Ephesus) and Samos in summer (€35, 1½ hours). Port tax is extra.
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GETTING AROUND
Greece is an easy place to travel around thanks to a comprehensive public transport system. Buses are the mainstay of land transport, with a network that reaches out to the smallest villages. Trains are a good alternative, where available. If you’re in a hurry, Greece also has an extensive domestic air network. To most visitors, though, travelling in Greece means island hopping on the multitude of ferries that crisscross the Adriatic and the Aegean. See Island Hopping Click here for details on ferries and flights between the islands.
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AIR
See Island Hopping Click here for details on flights between the mainland and the islands and between the islands themselves.
The vast majority of domestic mainland flights are handled by the country’s national carrier, Olympic Air ( 801 114 4444; www.olympicairlines.com), and its main competitor Aegean Airlines ( 801 112 0000; www.aegeanair.com). Both offer competitive rates. Olympic has offices wherever there are flights, as well as in other major towns.
The prices listed in this book are for full-fare economy, and include domestic taxes and charges. There are discounts for return tickets for travel between Monday and Thursday, and bigger discounts for trips that include a Saturday night away. You’ll find full details on the airline’s website, as well as information on timetables.
The baggage allowance on domestic flights is 15kg, or 20kg if the domestic flight is part of an international journey. Olympic offers a 25% student discount on domestic flights, but only if the flight is part of an international journey.
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BICYCLE
Cycling is not popular among Greeks; however, it’s gaining kudos with tourists. You’ll need strong leg muscles to tackle the mountains or you can stick to some of the flatter coastal routes. Bike lanes are rare to nonexistent and helmets are not compulsory. The island of Kos is about the most