Means of transport Greece

Impossible to miss, it's the most established company with the largest fleet. At the port of Piraeus, the Blue Star ferries announce the color and destination of your dreams: Paros, Naxos, Santorini, Amorgos... It's even possible to let yourself be carried away by the stopovers to discover the Cyclades. These boats also take cars and offer all the comforts you need: bars, restaurants, stores and even cash dispensers. Connections from Piraeus to the Cyclades and the Dodecanese islands.

The airport is located 9 km south of the island's capital (15 minutes drive). To arrive from Athens or to leave for the capital, Aegean Air provides at least two daily flights (1 hour) operated by Olympic Air (+30 21092 69111). To reach the other islands, there are rotations between Corfu (3 times a week, 1h20), Preveza (near Lefkada, 3 times a week in summer, 30 minutes) and Zákynthos (3 times a week in summer, 25 minutes). They are also operated by the local company Sky Express (www.skyexpress.gr).

Small family agency that rents cars, bikes, motorcycles, located right next to the bus station. Very large number of bikes, perfect for groups. To drive to Balos from Kissamos, you will need to rent a 4×4, not because of the road, which is still passable if you drive slowly with a small car, but because the insurance does not cover damages on unpaved tracks. Delivery and collection at Hania and Heraklion airports. 24 hour insurance for all areas. All risk insurance.

Founded in 1967, in Chania and by Cretan shareholders with the main objective of linking their island safely to Piraeus, this shipping company is one of the largest Greek companies. ANEK Lines currently owns a fleet of nine ferries. One to two connections per day are operated between Hania and Piraeus in the summer, there are fewer ships the rest of the year. The journey takes about 9 hours. The crossings are in partnership with Blue Star Ferries. The company also operates a line between Heraklion and Piraeus.

The company provides bus service to bus passengers between the airport (25 km) 2 hours prior to departure of each flight. Information: Tel (22420) 22292.

You can take refuge in Gavrio on the west side of Batsi and in Hora. You can supply water and petrol.

Delivery across the island. Tony rents cars, scooters and ATV. Troubleshooting throughout the island. Ask for a quote on its site, there are often special offers.

Over 30 years of experience in the navy. The agency offers sailing sailing around the Sporades Islands in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Captain George and his wife Dina, the agency's owners, will happily talk to you about their islands and offer you the best sailing trips across the country.

There are quite new scooters and offers very good prices for several days rentals.

The island has two ports: Nidri (in the centre-east) and Vassiliki (in the south). From there, you can travel to the Ionian Islands with connections to Kefalonia (1 hour to Fiskardo, 2 hours 15 minutes to Sámi), Ithaca (2 hours to Frikes or 1 hour 30 minutes to Piso Aetos) and occasionally to Corfu. From Vasiliki, daily rotations allow excursions to Meganisi (passing by the private island of Skorpios), the underwater caves of Papanikolis (Meganisi) and the beaches of Sivota and Porto Katsiki.

Zakinthos has three small ports: Zakinthos (or Chora, in the south-east) connected with the mainland, Skinari (in the north) through which ferries to Kefalonia pass, and Laganas from which some excursion boats depart. Ferry tickets on sale at the Zakinthos Maritime Cooperative, 40 Lambardou Street. For further information: Tel +30 26950 41500. Connections with the mainland are regular connections with Kilini (1 hour) and one per week with Patras (4 hours).

Competitive prices and impeccable service. It has several agencies on the island, notably at the airport and has agreements with certain hotels to deliver cars directly to your accommodation. The website is intuitive, the hotline works, and you will find a nice fleet of recent and well maintained vehicles ready to meet all your needs. Everything from small, economical cars ideal for couples to minivans that seat up to 9, perfect for families or groups.

A car is a good idea to discover the island and here is a good car rental agency on the spot for who wants to rent a vehicle for a short day or a few days. With more than 120 vehicles in its rental fleet, this one is also one of the most important: from the small Fiat 500 hard to the Grand Vitara 7 seats, through the classic Panda or a Jeep, it normally has what should suit you. You can pick up your car at the port or make an appointment. Obviously, in high season, it is imperative to book.

The ferries provide at least one connection per hour with Igoumenitsa (1 or 1.5 hours depending on the boat) and one per week with Preveza (4.20 hours). From Lefkimi, countfive connections per day with Igoumenitsa (30 minutes). But from Kerkyra you can also reach Paxi (55 minutes by hydrofoil, 1 hour 30 minutes by ferry). The port of Aghios Stefanosis connected to the islets north of Corfu (Mathraki, Othoni and Erikoussa). In summer, the port has connections with Brindisi (7 hours) and Bari (6 hours). You can come from Ancona or Venice via Igoumenitsa.

Préveza, a town located between the Ionian Sea and the Ambracian Gulf, offers panoramic sea views as well as being a lively urban destination. Visitors can enjoy strolls along the coast and through the narrow streets of the historic center, sample a hand-grilled corn on the cob and delve into the town's history. Preveza is also home to several interesting sites, such as the three fortresses of Agios Andreas, Agios Georgios and Pantocrator, offering magnificent sunsets. History buffs can visit the Natural History Museum in Neochori and the Actium Naval Battle Museum, where a scale model recreates the naval battle of 31 AD. The thermal springs of Préveza are also not to be missed, known for their curative properties and their history linked to the summer palace of Ali Pacha. Préveza offers a unique combination of seascape, history and relaxation.

The Greek rail network has shrunk considerably in recent years. Only the line between Athens and the north of the country has been modernised. From Larissis Central Station, trains mainly connect Athens and Thessaloniki as well as some of the country's major cities (Larissa, Kalambaka...). It should be noted, however, that two transverse lines to Evia and Peloponnese are operated by another more recent network, Proastiakos.

Information at KTEL Station

Ferry from Skyros to Kimi and in the opposite direction: 1 departure per day, duration 2 hours.

Koutsoukellis Yachting offers yacht and sailboat charters with or without crew and a selection that can satisfy all tastes and needs. The establishment provides a personalized service that will turn your vacation into an unforgettable experience. Choose a yacht or a sailboat and embark for the Greek islands: Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, or Kos, Rhodes, Samos (Dodecanese) or Corfu and Lefkada (Ionian Sea). Whether you want special offers or budget luxury, the company will find the perfect solution for you.

This is where you will land after taking a flight, most likely from Athens. The national airline Olympic Air offers at least one flight a day in summer (50 minutes). The company is well established and has offices at the airport and in Potamos. Information is available on the Internet (www.olympicair.com) or by telephone (+30 27360 33362). As for direct connections with the other islands, they are random. There are direct connections between Kythera and Rhodes with Sky Express. Please contact www.skyexpress.gr for more information.

Schedules and days of rotation vary according to seasons; Here is a good site to learn more.

Olympic Air offers two flights per day all year round (45 minutes) Athens-Milos.

Note: it is the only airline to serve Milos.

Chios Chora, also known as Chios Town, is the main town on the Greek island of Chios. Visitors can stroll through the town's charming medieval quarters and admire the traditional houses decorated with black-and-white geometric motifs. The narrow streets exude a mysterious atmosphere. Chios Chora is also home to historic monuments, including the Nea Moni monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can also sample the famous, aromatic Chios mastic and explore the island's picturesque landscapes. To reach Chios, travelers can fly from Samos with Sky Express. Sky Express offers comfortable flights with complimentary snacks and drinks.

This small port offers several transfers per day to Kilini on the mainland (1h30). Although Argostoli is also a port, the capital is not the best served port on the island. For connections to the mainland, it is best to head to Sami or Poros. You can reach Astakós (from Sami, twice a day, 2h30) or Killini (from Poros, 5 to 7 times a day). For the neighbouring island of Ithaca, go to Sami (2 to 3 times a day, 40 min) or, with smaller boats, from Fiskardo. The rotations from Argostoli are more episodic.

Situated 12 km from the southern tip of the Peloponnese and on the Athens-Kastelli (Crete) line, Kythera remains poorly served. To reach the mainland, apart from two ferry connections per week with Piraeus (6 hours 40), the island is mainly connected to the Peloponnese by the ports of Neapoli (1/day, 1 hour 15) and Gythio (1/week, 2 hours 20). As far as connections to other islands are concerned, the port offers several connections per week to the all-porch island of Antikythera (1 hour 40 minutes). But you can also reach Kissamos, in Crete.

Founded in 1967, Anek Lines is a company whose shareholders were initially ordinary Cretans who wanted their island to be served frequently and safely with large vessels. In 1970, Kydon, the emblematic ship linking Piraeus and Chania for 20 years, made its first voyage. It was a tanker launched in 1953 and converted into a ferry in 1968, according to the custom of the time. At present the company has a fleet of 9 ships of Greek registry serving, among others, the Cyclades and the Dodecanese.

The Greek national railway network is far from covering the whole country, and many important cities do not even have a station, especially in the west of the country. The trains themselves are not very comfortable and are very often slow (50 km/h on average). Be aware that the archaeological sites of the country, which attract so many tourists, are very poorly served, and the relay of buses is then essential. The train is however very cheap in Greece.

Founded in 1972 in Heraklion, Minoan Lines is today one of the largest shipping companies in Europe. On July 5, 1974, the emblematic ferry F/B Minos made its first crossing between the port of Heraklion and Piraeus. Since 2008, the company has been part of the Grimaldi Group, with a fleet of 8 vessels, ferries and high speed ferries, operating between Crete and Piraeus and also between Greece and Italy. The company operates daily connections between Hania and Piraeus. Count approximately 6h30 for the crossing.

Transavia, Air France's low-cost airline, offers daily flights between Paris Orly and Athens all year round, as well as daily flights between Paris Orly and Rhodes during the tourist season from May to October. Fares are a priori lower than those of national carriers Air France or Aegean Airlines, especially if you book your tickets well in advance. But Transavia's fares tend to go up for a service that has remained limited in recent years. Nevertheless, direct flights to Rhodes are practical.

A pretty marina, on the Nearchou coast, well protected and only 100 metres from the town centre. It has a capacity of 255 boats. Well equipped and in compliance with all international regulations, it offers all services to holidaymakers: water, electricity, toilets, shower, free wifi access. It is guarded 24 hours a day. Close to Ammos beach, it offers the possibility to relax during your stay. Reservations on line.

Arriving from the mainland, in summer, you can usually choose between two connections per day with Igoumenitsa (1 hour 30 minutes). Connections to the other islands are limited to Corfu (55 minutes by hydrofoil), but numerous. You can choose between departures from Corfu town or from Lefkimi, at the southern tip of Corfu. Finally, Antipaxi, only 2 km away, is also accessible by caïque and by excursion boat several times a day (20 minutes). A nice way to go and back, as you can't sleep there.

When you arrive from the mainland or wish to reach it, head for the port of Pisoaetos, on the west coast, 7 km from Vathy. In season, you will find good connections to Astakos, Patras or Killini.

If you want to reach other islands of the Ionian Islands from Ithaca, you should know that the same connections go through Sami, in Kefalonia, the nearest island. The northern part of Kefalonia, Fiskardo, is also served by Frikes, north of Ithaca. The same line continues to Nydri, on the island of Lefkada, a little further north in the archipelago.

Despite the construction of a new terminal in 2008, the airport is often congested by the many charter flights, especially at weekends. This is all the more so as night flights are forbidden, so as not to disturb the Caretta Caretta turtles, a protected species. From and to Athens, you will find one to two daily flights with Olympic Air (www.olympicair.com, 55 minutes). Rotations (sometimes direct) between Ionian islands also exist with Corfu, Kefalonia and Kythera with Sky Express (www.skyexpress.gr).

Although it is the capital of Kefalonia, it is not the best served port. For links to the mainland, it's best to head for Sami and Poros. You can reach Astakós (from Sami, 2 times a day, 2h30) or Killini (from Poros, 5 to 7 times a day, 1h15) or the nearby island of Ithaca (from Sami, 2 to 3 times a day, 40 min). Rotations from Argostoli are more episodic, but do exist. There are still a few rotations with the mainland to Killini (3h15) and with Patras. Argostoli is not connected to the other islands.

Let's admit for once that the website of this KTEL network is well done... and generally up to date. To arrive or leave Kefalonia, KTEL buses connect Argostoli to Athens via Poros and Patras in season. In Athens, the bus station is located at 100 Kifissou Street. As for the local network, it will often seem insufficient given the size of the island. But there are interesting daily connections in season: Argostoli - Sami - Melissani - Ag.Efimia - Divarata - Fiskardo - Argostoli, Fiskardo - Divarata - Ag.Efimia - Sami - Argostoli...

From Athens, KTEL buses run to the port of Kyllini (4h30 drive, then boat connection) and disembark in Zakynthos. There are also connections to Patras and Thessaloniki. Within this large island, the KTEL network is of average quality. From Chora, there are usually 2 daily connections to Vassilikos, 2 daily connections to Aghios Nikolaos, 1 weekly connection to Limni and 13 daily connections to Laganas. At weekends, some services are not available.

It is a good option to reach Lefkada from Athens as there is no airport in Lefkada itself. The airport of Aktion, near Preveza on the mainland, is a 20 minute drive from the town of Lefkada. The airport is therefore very popular with tourists during the summer months. Please note that it is difficult to find a taxi or a free parking space on Sundays in the vicinity of the airport because of the large number of charter flights from England.

KTEL is a public transport company that operates not only in major cities, but also between towns. To criss-cross Crete and reach even the most remote villages and seaside resorts, the company provides its customers with a fleet of reliable, comfortable buses. The recently renovated bus stations are easily accessible. Online ticket sales allow you to book in advance, especially when visiting the island in high season.

As Greek cabs have an unfortunate tendency to adapt the fare to the customer's head, cab ranks in Cretan towns often have a sign summarizing the indicative fares for various destinations. For the airport, expect to pay around €17 and a 15-minute journey. Heraklion Taxi operates in seventy-five different locations in Crete and is available 24 hours a day, every day of the week. It's a reliable company, providing comfortable transport. Several options are available on the website.

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