Please tell me about ferries in Greece

[babsbunny]

Hi all. I'm traveling between a few Greek islands this summer and am interested in any info, hints, tips, and warnings you might have. Our dates on each island are fixed so we were thinking about making reservations ahead of time. I'm also worried about the best packing strategy. Am I doomed if I have two roller bags? (Say yes so I can convince my DH that we should have one roller bag each.) Do ferries have assigned seating, luggage storage, and will I be cold or get windblown hair?

Thanks in advance!

[marina007]

One bag each!! It's a major hassle to lug luggage off/on the ferries (and lots of staircases). I had a backpack when I went island hopping but that was in my younger, hippyer days - roller bag is fine as long as you don't bring more than one. Bring travel size hand wash detergent and you can wash outfits on re go. If you go during summer, all you need is flats/flip flops (and light sneakers ie nike free if you plan on hiking/walking lots).

[emilyinchile]

I would try to stick to one bag if you can. As PP have said, there's no assigned seating, and it's not cold or windy inside. Be warned, the ferries sometimes can't run because the seas are too rough. My friend and I were supposed to go from Mykonos to Ios, and when we showed up at the dock there was no boat. We had to go ask the people at the ferry office who were like "oh, right, yeah, it's not coming today." Our hostal in Ios that we'd prebooked didn't even charge us, the woman said it happens all the time. Total anecdote, but I would leave yourself an extra day before any important flight home or anything like that just in case.

[water*drop]

Ditto everybody else - one roller bag each because you'll have to keep your bags with you (unless you book expensive tickets, I think? IIRC, there was an option for expensive assigned seats vs general admission). We stayed on the deck most of the time, and it was pretty cold and windy, but we were there in May. It might not be so bad later in the summer. IIRC, we made reservations in advance for our first ferry, but our dates weren't fixed. I agree with leaving an extra day before your flight home if you can. We didn't have any issues with ferries not coming at all, but there were definitely times that they were late, so I wouldn't have wanted to cut it too close.

[pittpurple]

We just had our backpacks with us but we're light packers. I wouldn't have wanted to deal with too much stuff though, you'll have to bring it around the boat with you wherever you go (although I agree with PP, I 'think' one of the ferries at least had an option for a more expensive ticket that gives you a room? Or a seat?) We just wandered around - stayed outside for a while as it was such a pretty view and then wandered inside for a coffee, that sort of thing.

And I definitely agree - everyone at the places we booked were totally ready for us to be late as the ferries aren't very consistent!