We could see one of the Blue Star Ferries in the distance. It was an easy walk from our hotel to the port. She suggested that 30-40 minutes prior was adequate. That seemed like a lot of extra time to me, so I asked the front desk person at our hotel if that was necessary (knowing that the bulk of their guests certainly get on a ferry when they check out). Boarding Blue Star Parosīlue Star recommends that you arrive an hour prior to boarding. Google shows that’s where I am as I write this. The journey was scheduled to take 3 hours and 45 minutes. The next morning our ferry route would take us first south from Piraeus, and then east to the island of Syros, while passing between the islands of Kea and Kithnos. Our driver met us in the airport arrival hall and took us directly to our hotel for that single night – the conveniently located Gallery Residence 26 (only two blocks from the ferry pier). With my Genius discount the cost was $52. This was cheaper, easier, and much less stressful than grabbing a taxi at the airport. I used to schedule a car pickup from the airport. Looking out over Piraeus at sunrise from the Blue Star Paros deck Our ferry was scheduled to depart from Piraeus at 7:30am on the morning after our arrival in Greece. Athens has three different ferry ports, but the most commonly used is Piraeus in the southwest part of the city. After our initial flight into Athens, our plans took us directly to the Aegean island of Syros. Our Greek adventure started with riding the Blue Star Ferry. I read that if it’s not peak season, you can generally get tickets on the day of departure. Our ferry, called the Blue Star Paros, accommodates 1474 passengers and 240 cars. The e-ticket is sent to your email which can then be scanned when boarding the ferry. You simply open up the FerryHopper App within 48 hours to 2 hours before departure, and check-in online. Your itinerary is stored inside the App (you are sent an email as well).Įvery ferry company is a little different, but Blue Star provides an e-ticket after your purchase. There is no additional booking fee or tax. Once you choose your Ferry, you will then be directed to choose the type of seat (see more on seat types later in this post).Īfter that, you simply put in your credit card info and purchase the tickets. You’ll be shown every single ferry option available through all the ferry companies for that day along with the price. Simply put in your departure and arrival port and dates of travel. The App is extremely easy to use, though you can also book from their website if you would rather. I downloaded the FerryHopper App and booked them on my phone. I wanted to sit in the open air, basking in the sunshine and sea breeze. Most of the high speed ferries only have indoor seating, while most of the Blue Star ferries have a generous outdoor space. The second reason I decided on riding the Blue Star Ferry was for its open deck. Since even the high speed ferry rides in Greece can take several hours, I wanted to do everything I could to minimize that discomfort. On a recent high speed ferry ride in Malta earlier this year, I felt it. Bigger and slower generally means more stability. But I was more than willing to trade speed for comfort.Īnd when I say comfort, I am referring to motion sickness. Larger means slower than the smaller high speed ferry options. First, Blue Star ferries are on the large end of the Greek ferry spectrum.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |