Originally Posted by
Jonesdds
Thanks all for the info, appreciated. While Kythira does look interesting the idea of a ferry ride(few hours) to Neopolis, then 5 hours by bus/car to Athens, then a flight to Santorini does not sound appealing. For me I'd just stay on Crete the 9 days then off to Santorini but my wife feels it's too much on Crete and wants to see another island.
I suggested that because of the probable impossibility to get the ferry from Crete to Santorini in October. The service from Crete (Kissamos) to the Peloponese via Kythira operates throughout the year.
I had no idea the ferries would be an issue, I'd looked at the Crete to Paros route and the Paros to Santorini route and Seajets at least showed these routes available in Oct for the dates we'd be taking them. I haven't looked at other ferries yet, just looked them up to make sure it was a viable route on at least one ferry company. So do they just not update the schedule to reflect when they shut down? How do people get off the islands, like Paros for example, when there isn't a proper airport(or is there one-doesn't seem there's commercial service anyway).
Don't get me wrong! Most ferries go to/from islands throughout the year, though with a reduced schedule. Crete to/from the Cyclades, though, is different. This line, served by two or three boats daily (different companies), is a pure tourist line. They usually only go during the tourist season, i.e. April to September. Given the record number of tourists, the season is now expanding and October
may also offer the possibility but you'll definitely find out next year when the schedules are finalized after they're approved by the autorities. At any rate, although I've personally used Seajets a few times, I now avoid them due to an "erratic" cancelation policy that "hit" me twice a couple of years ago during the off-season on the Crete-Kythira service. Minoan lines is a much more reliable company in my opinion.
While it would certainly be better direct Crete to Santorini, a layover in Athens is not a big deal and seems to be the only way, that is if we cut out Paros.
Yes, that's your "safest" alternative.