Ferries from Italy to Greece

[silverbike]

We're considering using one of the ferries to travel from Italy to Greece and then to Turkey next Spring/ early summer. Any advice on which route is preferable? Also I've checked several websites but prices don't seem to be available yet for 2009. Can anyone tell me when the new timetables/fares are usually published? Any idea of last year's price for 2 people in an under 6 metre van return in early May. We'd hope to travel as deck passengers and sleep in the van. If you do that are you allowed to use the cooker or not?

Thanks in anticipation!

[peejay]

Not sure when 2009 prices will be published.

 

The longer routes...

 

A low season rtn, 2 pax and van <6mtrs camping on board with minoan venice - patras is around €336 - on top of that it appears there is now a fuel surcharge of €15 per person, per vehicle - each way if I read it correct = €90, total €426 rtn

Ancona - patras with minoan should be a little cheaper and expect superfast ancona - patras to be similar maybe slightly more. You need to shop around.

 

For the shorter routes, Bari etc hopefully Don will see this and comment.

 

When camping on board you can sleep in the van but cannot use gas. You are plugged into the ships electrics, usually about 10amps. We bought a cheap electric hotplate and use that for basic cooking along with a low wattage electric kettle.

 

If you get the choice, when boarding, make sure they put you near the edge of the ship, avoid the middle if possible, where it can be hot and noisy and obviously with no view.

 

 

pete

[Don Madge]

Hi Judy,

 

The 2009 prices will be out late November or there about. To check out the prices/routes/timings see http://www.ferries.gr/

 

We have used all four routes from Italy to Greece. The best value for money is the Venice to Igoumenitsa/Patras route.

 

Pete has already covered the long route costs but from Bari to Igoumenitsa with 6 metre van + 2 on the camper deck about €340 return low season. You could run into the mid season price range and the costs will be higher which ever route you use.

 

If you plan to visit Turkey I would suggest you take the ferry to Igoumenitsa and then take the Egnatia Odos the northern Greek motorway 2 (E90) to Alexandroupoli then cross into Turkey at Ipsala.

 

Of course you could always do a round trip out by ferry and return overland via the Balkans.

 

Don

 

 

 

[silverbike]

Thanks to both of you. I think we're pointed in the right direction!