Smooth Sailing: How to Get the Most Out of Greek Isle Hopping Using Ferries!

When you think about island hopping in Greece, it sounds wonderful...because it is! Whether it's the beautiful landscapes, the cities rich with history and culture, delicious cuisine, or just the small pleasures island life provides, the Greek Islands are truly unmatched.

"We're Gonna Need A Bigger Boat"

To navigate the beautiful Islands of Greece, whether it's in the Ionian, Aegean, or Sea of Crete, you will undoubtedly be booking a ferry. It sounds super fun, and it is... but it can also be challenging if you aren't prepared. We've done it and learned from it, so we're sharing eight crucial tips in this blog to help you prepare to navigate the truly unique adventure of exploring the Islands of Greece.

"Seas" the...Night

Take an overnight ferry to save on hotels

There are several benefits to taking an overnight ferry, especially when it comes to managing your money and time. Not only will you save on a night's accommodation, but you'll also have more time to enjoy the islands. Outside of late night clubbing on certain islands, the Greek Isles should be seen during the day. So instead of wasting that precious day-time traveling, use the time you would probably be sleeping to get to your next destination.

Stay Ferry Nice and Toasty

Consider packing some warm clothes

You might ask why, especially if you go in the summer—So here are two reasons. First, the ferries BLAST the air conditioning onboard. Especially if you end up sitting under a vent, it may feel nice at first, but if you're too cold to sleep, you won't get any rest. Secondly, if you go outside, it may be very windy and you won't enjoy the beautiful views as much. So pack an extra layer to sleep well and get the most out of your Ferry ride.

Let's Not Get "Hangry"

Bring Snacks for the Trip... or even some Wine

Even on short ferry rides, we recommend buying food before boarding. While you aren't limited to just chips or candy on the ferry, snacks can be more expensive onboard and run out of stock. Bringing a fresh spinach pie or turkey sandwich will go a long way. Waters or juice will be essential too and you can even bring some alcohol if you'd like! Just imagine sitting by your window seat, as the sun goes down, sipping on a glass of local wine you just purchased hours before—sounds like a nice time to me! So find a good bakery on shore, stop by the store, and have enough of everything so you don't get hungry, angry, or "hangry!"

BYOC

While you're at it, Bring Your Own Coffee too!

If you love a nice coffee in the morning as much as we do, we recommend buying small packets of instant coffee beforehand and bringing them onboard. The fact is that buying coffee on the ferries often results in a very small and expensive shot of espresso. It won't really wake you up, and will leave you wanting more. Whether you want to warm up a bit, take care of a dry throat, or just simply enjoy that morning ritual of sitting and sipping a decent sized coffee, it's better to be prepared with your own packets and simply ask for hot water to make your own cup.

Set Your Anchor Early

Find Your Seat Fast and Settle In.

Some ferries are quite big and have different rooms or spaces. As the boarding begins, the mad dash of people rushing up the different decks can be a bit chaotic. You may be inclined to go try and find the absolute best seat on the boat, but you may miss out on an equally comfortable seat if you explore too long. The few things that will lead to a comfortable experience and to consider when choosing a seat:

• Is it close to a window?

• Is it a couch/cushioned seat comfortable for sitting?

• Does it have a table next to it?

• Is there an outlet nearby?

Rank these for yourself and if you can find a combination of all or some, just take that seat. If you don't, you may come back to it being occupied. Personally, we recommend finding a couch as the priority as sleep should be your priority on the long or overnight ferry rides. If you're traveling alone, find a comfortable spot with large couches early and just stay there. If there are two or more of you, one person should save seats while the other explores to find that more perfect spot—if it does exist.

Don't Go "Overboard"

Pack Light and Efficiently

We traveled with just backpacks and found it much easier to get on and off the ferries compared to people with large suitcases. To give you an idea of how boarding goes, most ferries have an escalator at the start as you board from the rear where the cars drive in. It's easier to move around the crowds and be faster with less bags. At the start, you can be the one easily climbing the stairs and getting to the best spot on board rather than waiting behind that dad struggling to get his stroller on the escalator. If you do have large suitcases though, you can "divide and conquer." Split up and have one person go find a spot while the other hauls the heavier luggage up.

Rise and Shine

Catch the Sunrise

Don't take the sunrise for granted. One of the most beautiful experiences we had on Greek ferries was watching the sunrise from the upper deck of the ship. Not only is it a magnificent spectacle to see, but waking up with the sun can do wonders for your state of mind, relaxation, and being in the moment. There's something truly magical about watching the sunrise surrounded by the ocean, and could set you up for an awesome day on your trip. As we like to think, not all of the memories from your trip have to be special tours, or expensive meals, they can be simple pleasures like enjoying the quiet of the morning in a new place.

Use the Ferryhopper App

It's the only app you'll need to cruise around.

Finally, to book your ferry we recommend you use Ferryhopper just like we have and will continue to use. It's super easy, whether it's the app or the website. You can figure out your schedule and book the trip you need, all in a few swipes. Almost all the Greek Ferry tickets are e-tickets, and they are conveniently on the app as well.

We hope our own trial and error can help you on your future cruising and if you follow some or all of these tips, we promise your ferry experience will be fantastic. So smooth sailing or as they say in Greek, "Kalí plévsi!" (Kah-Lee Plef-see)

This is the bag we used as a "personal item" for 3 months of European travel to avoid any baggage fees