Beautiful sandy beaches, glistening white-washed buildings, glorious sunshine – who doesn’t love a Greek Island? When there’s so many of them to explore (227 inhabited ones to be exact), what’s the best way to get around?
The Cyclades islands are the most popular with tourists. Here you’ll find Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos and Ios and other less famous islands. The architecture in these islands is stunning and they’re steeped in rich culture.
Another set of magnificent islands are the Dodecanese including Corfu, Rhodes, Zakynthos, Kos and Kefalonia. Karpathos, Lefkada, Thassos and Skiathos are the main Ionian islands which are gaining in popularity each year.
Whichever of the Greek islands you want to explore, you’ve two ways to island hop: plane or ferry. But which suits you and your budget?
(N.B. All pricing & links correct at time of posting in Sept. 2017)
Air Travel
Air travel is far more accessible than it once was. Most of the habitable Greek islands now have runways and flight prices can be attractive, although nearly always more expensive than ferries. An example from the Aegean Airlines website shows it would cost £143 one way from Athens to Santorini at the end of September, whilst the ferry would cost £35.
However, flights take less time than ferries: a flight from Athens to some of the popular Greek Islands may take about 1 hour while ferries can take anywhere from 4 to more than 10 hours.
Also flights are less likely to get delayed or cancelled than ferries and usually offer more frequent connections; sea travel can be unpredictable and it’s not unusual to see hoards of stranded and frustrated travellers at ports.
There are a number of island-hopping domestic flights run by Aegean Airlines, Olympic Airlines and Sky Express. Be aware that some of the smaller islands only take domestic flights due to the size of their runway, so you’ll have to fly from another Greek Island or from Athens to get there.
Ferries
Just to be clear, there are big ferries – the huge, slow conventional vessels – and their smaller sisters – the fast modern ferries such as catamarans and hydrofoils (AKA Sea Dolphins). The latter will get you to your destination faster than a conventional ferry, but you’ll pay more for the privilege.
For example, a Sea Dolphin ride from Myknonos to Naxos in July sets you back £21, whereas you’d pay £15 for a conventional ferry ride. You will shave an hour off the journey with a Sea Dolphin, but you don’t have access to the usual facilities of the larger ferries. Plus, you’re not allowed on deck due to the speed of the vessel!
Islands like Lesvos, Chios, Rhodes and Crete are best accessed by the big, conventional ferries because the trip is overnight. You can pay around £100 for a comfortable cabin for two. And apparently, it’s worth the 8-10 hour trip to Santorini just for the view of island on approach – especially if you arrive late afternoon.
What Should I Do?
A question to ask yourself is how many islands are you planning to travel to? If you want to see several different islands, the most economic way to travel between the islands is by ferry. The journey may be longer than by plane, but you get to see plenty of the glorious blue sea (which can only be a good thing – unless you get sea-sick) and perhaps make some new friends, read a book (or two!), have a few drinks, put your feet up…
If your budget is more generous, flying is a more efficient and convenient way to travel around the Greek islands – especially if you’re limited on time. You’re less likely to be delayed and the process will be less stressful than travelling by ferry.
But what if the island that you’re travelling to doesn’t have an airport? Fly to the nearest large island, and get a short-hop ferry. The website www.gtp.gr is useful to view ferry schedules and this website can be used to compare prices and buy tickets online.
Rest assured, whichever mode of transport your choose, you’ll get to the Greek islands of your dreams – it will just take you a little (or a lot) longer via a seafaring route!
