AboutDenny Expertise Greece on a budget, The Islands, Mainland, Athens and its burbs. For the basics on getting around...maybe I can help...I go there yearly and you can`t be as cheap as me .
Experience Worked & lived in Athens area for 5 years. (78-83 Was AFRS Radio Announcer (Denny West)at the time. Last visit: Mar/Sep 2005.
Expert: Denny Date: 5/27/2007 Subject: Going from Greece to Italy
Question My sister and I will be travelling to Greece in October of this year and I was wondering what would be the best way and budget friendly way to go from Athens to Italy?
Answer Caio Stacey, come'sta...Grazi per la domanda...parla Italiano???
NO PROBLEM >>>
No reservations needed ... take the train out of Athens to PATRAS in the western Peleponesse (between 5 and 10 euro).
4 1/2-hr trip ...at least 8-per day. Check at Syndagma station for ticket info and how to get to train station.
From PATRAS there is an evening ferry (or 2) leaving nightly headed for Italy...Usually Bari or Brindisi, perhaps Ancona and even Venice once in a great while.
IF you have euro-rail with Greece/Italy, the train & busses are free and the main body of the ferry ticket is paid for...you may have to come up with port charges.
I believe that the cost to Bari & Brindisi is about 65 euro for a deck class passage, (ask me if you do not know what that means). Extra charge IF you want a 'berth' for the nite. (10-euro). [Also: Ancona and Venice will cost more.]
Trip will take the better part of one-day...between 16 and 20 hours...as it usually goes by way of Corfu.
Since you will be in Athens at the time you can check for updated departure times and dates in October at any of a variety of ticket sellers located in the Plaka/Syndagma area.
There is another way to go, and in October it might be interesting. BUS to IGOMENITSA (7-hrs, 33-euro). Then go to the southern point(Forth Port) of the IGOmenitsa harbor for the ferrys to Italy...shop around for best rates...student fares and euro-fares at many locations. Otherwise: Ancona is 14-hrs, boards before 11:PM, cost: 54-euro. BARI leaves at 9 and midnite, 9-hrs, cost is about 30-euro. BRINDISI is 7-hrs, leaves at 1:30 AM, cost: about 30-euro. VENICE leaves at 10:AM...60 -Euro (circa) 19-hours.
IGOMENITSA has a very large port...with 4-subdivisions...
Old port, new port, corfu port, and FORTH PORT (Italy).
If I have missed anything let me know...
Remember, October is easy to get the ferry (IF it goes), bargain or shop around for best price, and wear warm clothing for the nite crossing. Check ahead at Athens tourist shops in Plaka area for departure times, prices etc ...
I would take the IGOMENITSA ferry just for the adventure... I would take the Peleponesse PATRAS PORT for the convenience. Less guess, less stress, less mess.
Have a safe trip
Calh taxiedi, or Buon viaggio
DENNY
