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Greece: getting to the Cyclades by ferry, instructions for use from Athens

2020-08-04T14:11:05.080Z


PRACTICAL - Boat traffic to the islands is operational from Athens. In addition to the usual precautions, there are a number of procedures related to Covid-19.


Santorini, Paros, Naxos ... In recent days, the Cyclades archipelago, which has 24 inhabited islands, has started to emerge from its lethargy. The deconfinement ended at the beginning of the summer, like the rest of Greece. Restaurants, bars, hotels, shops, ports and airports are functioning again. The houses are repainted with lime, and the windows and doors are a Matisse blue. In short, everything is ready for the season.

Read also: Greece: here are the formalities for traveling this summer 2020

But the narrow streets of these mythical islands are still calm. Since June 15, and the gradual opening of borders, visitors have returned timidly, and professionals are redoubling their efforts to save the season. For this, visitors must be able to access the islands by ferry. The post-coronavirus roadmap is as follows.

Since July 1, there has been no more testing or quarantine. On the other hand, you must complete an online security form, 48 hours before your departure, in order to receive a barcode which will determine if you will have to be subjected to a screening test on your arrival. This form is accessible at this address: https://travel.gov.gr/#/.

Read also: Summer holidays 2020 and coronavirus: in which countries can the French travel?

Once in Athens, three ports allow you to reach the Cyclades by ferry: Piraeus, Raffina and Lavrion. The three terminals are quite far from Elefthérios-Venizelos airport, but shuttles are set up (suburban buses or KTEL -cars) in addition to taxis.

The ferries serve the most touristic islands of the Cyclades in the morning, the islets of the "Small Cyclades" in the afternoon

Five companies allow you to reach the Cycladic islands of your choice. The rotations start at 7 am at the port of Piraeus : Golden star fast ferries; Sea speed; Zante ferries; Blue Star; Seajet.

Often the ferry serves several islands, such as Paros, Naxos, Ios, Santorini. In the afternoon, it will be rather reserved for the "Small Cyclades", those located between the islands of Ios and Amorgos, among which Kithnos, Sifnos, Sérifos and Kimolos.

From the port of Rafina , to the north-west of Athens, there are morning and afternoon departures for Andros, Syros, Tinos and Mykonos. Finally, departures for the islands of Kea and Kithnos are from Lavrion.

Read also: 48 hours in Athens, our guide to vibrate with the Greek capital

With the Covid-19, purchase of tickets online recommended and form to be completed on site

To purchase tickets, it is best to book them online, on the companies website. A Covid-19 information form must be completed in which personal contact details are not required.

One seat in two condemned, taken systematically temperature ...

Inside the boats, barrier gestures have now become routine, says Dimitri Pantazis, Marketing Director of Seajet ferries. We have condemned every other seat, the air conditioning filters are cleaned on each trip, the mask is imposed on the passengers and we take the temperature of each person entering the ferry, ” he explains. He believes that the beauty of the landscapes is well worth the inconvenience.

Make sure that the ferry does not change its schedules

In any case, and this was true before the coronavirus epidemic, we must ensure the departure of the ferry, by consulting, in particular, the company's website. Be especially wary of the timetables of shipping companies operating inter-island traffic, as they reserve the right to modify their program without notice,” warns Christos Panarétou of Yalos tours. "Weather conditions can sometimes cause significant delays or even cancellations " he explains.

To sail from island to island, there are smaller ferry companies that connect the Cyclades. You can consult all the itineraries on sites such as www.openseas.gr which summarizes all the departures. All you have to do is enter, in English, the name of the ports you want to connect.

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2020-08-04

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