TRANSPORTSEAnational Train Routes (p 781 ),
are within reach.
Sea
Ferries can get very crowded
in summer. If you want to take
a vehicle across it’s wise to
make a reservation before-
hand. The services indicated
are for high season (July and
August). Please note that
tickets for all ferries to Turkey
must be bought a day in ad-
vance and you will almost cer-
tainly be asked to turn in your
passport the night before the
trip, to be returned the next
day before you board the
boat. Port tax for departures
to Turkey is around €15.
Another way to visit
Greece by sea is to join one
of the many cruises that ply
the Aegean. See p 40. For
more details on fares and
schedules for the services
listed here, see the Getting
There & Away section for the
departure point. See also
the boxed text, International
Ferry Routes (p 782 ).
GETTING
AROUND
Greece is an easy place to
travel around thanks to a
comprehensive public trans-
port system. Buses are the
mainstay of land transport,
with a network that reaches
out to the smallest villages.
Trains are a good alternative,
where available. If you’re in a
hurry, Greece also has an ex-
tensive domestic air network.
To most visitors, though,
travelling in Greece means
island hopping on the multi-
tude of ferries that crisscross
the Adriatic and the Aegean.Air
The vast majority of do-
mestic mainland fl ights are
handled by the country’s
national carrier, Olympic
Air (%801 801 0101; http://www.
olympicair.com), and its main
competitor Aegean Airlines
(%801 112 0000; http://www.aegean
air.com). Both off er competi-
tive rates. Olympic Air has
offi ces wherever there are
fl ights, as well as in other
major towns.The prices listed in this
book are for full-fare econ-
omy, and include domestic
taxes and charges. There are
discounts for return tickets
for travel between Monday
and Thursday, and bigger
discounts for trips that in-
clude a Saturday night away.
You’ll fi nd full details on the
airline’s website, as well as
information on timetables.
The baggage allowance
on domestic fl ights is 15kg,
or 20kg if the domestic fl ight
is part of an international
journey. Olympic Air off ers
a 25% student discount on
domestic fl ights, but only if
the fl ight is part of an inter-
national journey.
For details on specifi c do-
mestic fl ights, see the rele-
vant destinations throughout
this guide. For more informa-
tion on using domestic fl ights
for island hopping, see p 34.Bicycle
Cycling is not popular among
Greeks; however, it’s gaining
kudos with tourists. You’ll
need strong leg muscles to
tackle the mountains or youOVERLAND FROM WESTERN EUROPEIf you’re keen to reach Greece without taking to the air, and enjoy the independence of
a road trip, you can reach Greece by heading overland to an Italian port and hopping on
a ferry. A high-speed ferry from Venice to Patra can be completed in around 26 hours.
From Patra to Athens is a further 3½ hours’ driving.
If you fancy a bit more convenience and speed than those off ered by buses and
cars, it’s easily done. Overland enthusiasts can reach Greece on a fascinating rail route
through the Balkan peninsula, passing through Croatia, Serbia and the Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia. Or head to the western coast of Italy (there are connections
throughout most of Europe) and then take a ferry to Greece. Not only will you be doing
your bit for the earth, but you’ll see some gorgeous scenery from your window as well.
A sample itinerary from London would see you catching the Eurostar to Paris and then
an overnight sleeper train to Bologna in Italy. From there, a coastal train takes you to Bari
where there’s an overnight boat to Patra on the Peloponnese. From Patra, it’s a 4½-hour
train journey to Athens. The journey will land you in Athens within two days of leaving
London. See http://www.raileurope.com for more routes and tickets.
Greece is part of the Eurail network (www.eurail.com). Eurail passes can only be
bought by residents of non-European countries and are supposed to be purchased be-
fore arriving in Europe but can be bought in Europe if your passport proves that you’ve
been here for less than six months. Greece is also part of the Inter-Rail Pass system
(www.interrailnet.com), available to those who have resided in Europe for six months or
more. See the websites for full details of passes and prices.