Cyclades Itinerary Advice - Sifnos, Naxos, Santorini

I have always found this website the MOST comprehensive & reliable http://www.gtp.gr/RoutesForm.asp -- it isn't limited to ONE company -- it also shows the routes on a map. If you want to get the complete picture of the pattern of service, you put in your departure & destination ports, click on the Month you want, and for day, leave at "Any" -- then you will see ALL available sailings.

Adam, you are going in Off-season, so booking more than a few days in advance is not really necessary ... except for 2 key dates. (BTW when you ask advice on these forums, it's thoughtful to say clearly the exact dates you arrive AND leave Greece; it's helpful). The weekend of June 3-4-5 is "holy Spirit (Pentecost) weekend" ... w Monday holiday == and it's traditionally the first Summer weekend of year when people POUR out of Athens to the Islands -- espc. the college students who've just finished their cruel final exams! Thus, ferries outbound on Friday June 2 will be heavily booked, and also ferries inbound to Athens on Monday JUne 5 & Tuesday AM.

It would be wise to book upon arrival for either of those dates, if you are taking a so-called "fast-ferry" out of Athens or Rafina -- those vessels only hold 400-500 max. The BIG "conventional" ferries like Blue Star hold from 1300-1800 passengers so, not to worry, however if sailing a big ferry on those dates, for a journey of 4 hours or more (ie Paros/Naxos), it would be wise to book "reserved economy" an inside, numbered seat (ask for a Side-section seating, near window) instead of just "economy, which only entitles you to deck seating, or a chair in a cafe or in corridors, first come/first served. This doesn't mean that "reserved" passengers are stuck indoors. You can sit on deck wherever you can find a chair (the plastic patio-variety), and only come indoors when you want to rest or snooze.

If you arrive May 28, and want to book for June 2 - 5, the easiest way is just to go to one of the 2 travel agencies in the airport -- Amphitrion or Pacific Travel -- and buy the ticket(s) on the spot. NOTE: if you would try to book "reserved economy" online for Blue Star, you're not allowed to request seating location... just another reason not to do online. The agencies charge an insignificant convenience fee... €1-2 per transaction.

Thank you very much travelerjan!

We will be arriving in country on May 27, staying one night in Athens, then on May 28 taking the 12:00 ferry from Athens Piraeus to Sifnos. We will then do the Sifnos - Santorini - Naxos on June 2, and circle back to Santorini from Naxos on June 6. We fly from Santorini to Athens to Rome on June 8.

Based on your feedback, sounds like it is best to just buy the ferry tickets when we arrive at the airport in Athens on May 27?

Re-read what I wrote, Adam. I said that the ferries might be quite full on Friday JUne 2 outbound from Athens to the islands, and on Monday 5 returning from the islands. But if you want to buy all of them on May 27, fine. Just one convenience fee for the whole lot, I believe. If Blue Star is among them, remember location request. You don't want a reserved economy seat (Ithey call them aircraft seats) in the center section, it's like a huge movie theatre.

You don't need to book at that time of year, it's mid-season, you can just purchase a day or two in advance in the islands/ports concerned.
If you wish you can book with the individual Greek ferry company in which case you pickup paper tickets in the same places.

The advantage is they are local and know what the ferry situation is for their island, a remote ticket agency, including those at Athens airport, is not a good idea as if something goes wrong it is more difficult to get a refund, and they might charge commission.

I have travelled your route during that Greek holiday and whilst ferries were busy they were still far from full. The Western Cyclades are far less popular.

These are two of the best ferry references, and of course the individual Greek ferry companies websites. I don't see what you are quoting.
https://www.gtp.gr/
http://www.openseas.gr/

Naxos has better ferry services to Piraeus and Rafina(near Athens airport) than Santorini, which is why I suggested putting that last as basically you are flying out of Athens.

You have complicated up what is a quite simple ferry round trip.

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