• Introduction
• Crete
• The Cyclades
• The Dodecanese
• Jumping Off in Athens
• Chartering a Sailboat in the Greek Islands
• Making it Happen

Making it Happen

GETTING THERE
By Air North America to Greece: Delta, Continental, and the Greek carrier Olympic (olympicairlines.com) offer daily direct flights from New York to Athens. Delta also flies directly to Athens from Cincinnati, Atlanta, LA, and Salt Lake City. US Airways offers a direct route to Athens from Philadelphia. Within Greece: Olympic, Aegean (aegeanairlines.com), and Sky Express (skyexpress.gr) all fly between the islands. Prices vary considerably depending on demand, which peaks in August. Reserve several months in advance if you’re traveling during high season to be assured of a seat.

By Ferry / Hydrofoil / Boat Piraeus, Athens’ port of departure for the islands, lies 7.5 miles southwest of the city center, and can be reached by metro or taxi. Navigating Piraeus is a bit of a challenge, even for Greeks. It’s a big port, and there are no hard and fast rules for the dock a boat will depart from. Arrive about an hour early to find your boat (last-minute changes are not unknown). Reserve one or two weeks in advance if you’ll be traveling by catamaran or hydrofoil or desire a private cabin on a ferry. Ferries normally sail regardless of weather, while catamarans and hydrofoils can be canceled due to strong winds, which are quite common in the Cyclades in August.

ITINERARIES
Flying is faster, but for many people part of the pleasure of visiting the islands is journeying across the sea and arriving by the water.

Cyclades to Dodecanese There are no direct flights from Mykonos or Santorini to Rhodes; all airline routes involve stops in Athens. Take a Blue Star ferry (bluestarferries.com) from Santorini to Rhodes (7 hours, 40 minutes). GA Ferries (gaferries.gr) and Lane Lines (lane.gr) also connect Santorini to Rhodes but sail via Crete, making for a long journey (approximately 17 hours).

Crete to Cyclades High-speed catamarans are the best option. Hellenic Seaways (hellenicseaways.gr) sails from Iraklio on Crete to Santorini (1 hour 45 minutes) and Mykonos (4 hours 40 minutes). Alternatively, take a Lane Lines ferry from Santorini to Sitea (5 hours 10 minutes) or Agios Nikaloas (6 hours 40 minutes) on Crete.

Dodecanese to Crete Aegean Airlines and Sky Express both fly between Iraklio on Crete and Rhodes Town (50 minutes). Otherwise, a Lane Lines ferry sails from Rhodes to Agios Nikolaos on Crete (9 hours 10 minutes).

WHEN TO GO
To avoid the high season (July–August) crowds, visit in shoulder season (May–June or September–October). In June and September especially, the weather is sunny and the sea warm enough for swimming, but without the crowds.

Read our Greek Islands Travel Guide, or individual Guides to Crete, Mykonos, or Santorini for even more in-depth destination and trip-planning advice!

See Crete Travel Guide | See Mykonos Travel GuideSee Santorini Travel Guide