Ferries to the Greek Islands 2015 – Dodecanese

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Dodecanese Islands

The island complex of the Dodecanese, which actually means “twelve islands”, is a group of 12 larger plus 150 smaller islands in the southeastern part of the Aegean, the furthest island group from the Greek mainland. Ferries to the Greek Islands 2015 – Dodecanese.

The better-known islands of the Dodecanese are Rhodes and Kos but there are so many others to explore. Each has its own unique beauty.

Kalymnos with its limestone cliffs appeals to climbers worldwide. Karpathos is loved by wind and kite surfers for its legendary winds. Patmos topped Forbes magazine’s “Europe’s Most Idyllic Places To Live” list. Symi maybe has the most beautiful harbor in Greece. This island complex just offers so much to see and do…

As the summer season begins, the Greek Travel Pages offers tips on getting there. Second in a series, the Dodecanese.

 

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List of Dodecanese Islands

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• Rhodes
• Karpathos
• Kos
• Kalymnos
• Astypalea
• Kasos
• Tilos
• Symi
• Leros
• Nissyros
• Patmos
• Chalki
• Saria

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• Lipsi
• Pserimos
• Agathonissi
• Levitha
• Kastellorizo (Megisti)
• Syrna
• Alimia
• Arki
• Nimos
• Telendos
• Kinaros
• Gyali
• Farmakonissi

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Flying to the Dodecanese Islands

Eight Dodecanese islands have airports: Rhodes, Kos, Leros, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kassos, Kastelorizo and Astypalea.

The airports of Rhodes and Kos are international and there are quite a few flights connections from European capitals. The other smaller islands are connected to Athens with flights operated by Aegean Airlines.

Many travelers choose to fly to Rhodes or Kos and then catch a ferry to the smaller islands of the complex.

Traveling by Ferry to the Dodecanese Islands

The ferry ride to the Dodecaneses Islands from Athens is quite long. Most ferries to that section in the Aegean, depart Athens in late afternoon or early at night. This is very convenient for many travelers who prefer to travel overnight.

Ferries operating these routes are large and offer great accommodation. Travelers have a wide choice of cabin types to choose from.

Tips on Tickets to the Isles

E-Tickets

Can I buy an e-ticket to travel by ferry to the islands? Will a booking reference or email confirmation be enough to board? For the time being, there is no e-ticket option for ferry travel in Greece but the Merchant Marine Ministry announced that it was examining the idea. This means that travelers must purchase a ticket from an agent or shipping company (most of these are near the ports) and have it available to show upon boarding.

How to book ferry tickets:

When booking ferry tickets, travelers can:

1. Book in person by visiting the shipping company, a shipping company port agent or any travel agency when in Greece.
2. Book online using any online travel agency providing this service.  When you book online, during the booking process you will be asked how you wish to receive your tickets.

Should I Book in Advance or Buy Ferry Tickets at the Port Before Boarding?

Booking in advance is always the safest way to go. This, of course, depends largely on the time of year, the popularity of the destination and the frequency of ferries operating the desired route. For the months of July and August, it is always advised to book ahead and be at the port an hour in advance if you have a vehicle.

Can I Make Changes?

Travelers can cancel or change their booking only through the provider: the shipping company, one of its port agents or the travel agency from which they booked their ferry tickets.

It is important to know that ferry operators have their own cancellation policies. Make sure to review these prior to booking.

Detailed information on ferry operators in Greece is listed in Greek Travel Pages

Searching for Ferry Schedules to the Greek Islands

The Greek Travel Pages offers a comprehensive guide to ferry services, times and options in Greece, and includes:

• all ferry operators, whether they have an online presence or not.
• daily, weekly and seasonal schedules.
• You don’t need to know the port names to search for destinations
• Each search provides detailed information on itineraries, shipping companies and destination.

Main Ferry Routes (and Providers) to the Dodecanese Islands

From Piraeus port:

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Blue Star Ferries

 

 

• Piraeus – Santorini – Kos – Rhodes
  
• Piraeus – Syros – Patmos – Leros – Kos – Rhodes – Kastellorizo
  
• Piraeus – Patmos – Lipsi – Leros – Kalymnos – Kos – Symi – Rhodes
  
• Piraeus – Kalymnos – Kos – Nissyros – Tilos – Symi – Rhodes – Kastellorizo
• Piraeus – Astypalea – Kalymnos – Kos – Nissyros – Tilos – Rhodes – Kastellorizo

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Aegeon Pelagos

 

 

• Pireaus – Santorini – Anafi – Sitia (Crete) – Kasos – Karpathos – Chalki – Rhodes

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Ferry Routes Interconnecting the Dodecanese Islands:

Dodekanissos Seaways

 

 

• Rhodes – Symi – Kos – Kalymnos – Leros – Lipsi – Patmos
• Rhodes – Chalki – Tilos – Nissyros – Kos – Kalymnos
• Rhodes – Symi – Kos – Kalymnos – Leros – Lipsi – Agathonissi
• Rhodes – Kastellorizo
• Rhodes – Symi (Panormitis) – Symi – Rhodes
• Samos (Pythagorio) – Fourni – Ikaria – Patmos – Lipsi – Leros – Kalymnos – Kos
• Samos (Pythagorio) – Agathonissi – Arki – Lipsi – Leros – Kalymnos – Kos
• Samos (Pythagorio) – Agathonissi – Patmos – Lipsi – Leros – Kalymnos – Kos – Symi – Rhodes

 

A.N.E Kalymnou

 

 

• Kalymnos – Leros – Lipsi – Patmos – Arki – Agathonissi – Pythagorio (Samos)
• Kalymnos – Astypalea – Kalymnos
• Kalymnos – Kos (Mastichari) – Kalymnos

 

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Ferry Routes Connecting Dodecanese Islands to the Cyclades

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Blue Star Ferries

 

 

• Rhodes – Kos – Santorini – Piraeus
• Rhodes – Kos – Syros – Piraeus
• Rhodes – Kos – Leros – Patmos – Syros – Piraeus
• Astypalea – Amorgos (Egiali) – Donoussa – Naxos – Paros – (Syros) – Piraeus
  

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Aegeon Pelagos

 

 

• Rhodes – Chalki – Karpathos – Kasos – Sitia (Crete) – Anafi – Santorini – Piraeus
  

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Ferry Routes Connecting Dodecanese Islands and the Northern Aegean Islands

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Dodekanissos Seaways

 

 

• Kos – Kalymnos – Leros – Lipsi – Patmos – Ikaria – Fourni – Samos (Pythagorio)
• Kos – Kalymnos – Leros – Lipsi – Arki – Agathonissi – Samos (Pythagorio)
• Rhodes – Symi – Kos – Kalymnos – Leros – Lipsi – Patmos – Agathonissi – Samos (Pythagorio)

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A.N.E Kalymnou

 

 

• Kalymnos – Leros – Lipsi – Patmos – Arki – Agathonissi – Pythagorio (Samos)

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Traveling to the Dodecanese Islands by ferry – Time and Cost

Though prices may range, below you will find indicative fees for a single adult ticket in economy class (deck & cabin). You will also find information concerning average travel times to popular Greek islands in the Dodecanese. Travel time by conventional ferry is usually longer.

Ferries to Rhodes:

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Average cost per adult:

• Deck: 59 euros / person
• Economy cabin: 75 euros / person

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Average travel time:

• Conventional ferry: 13 hours

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Ferries to Kos:

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Average cost per adult:

• Deck: 51 euros / person
• Economy cabin: 66 euros / person

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Average travel time:

• Conventional ferry: 9 hours

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Ferries to Patmos:

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Average cost per adult:

• Deck: 38 euros / person
• Economy cabin: 66 euros / person

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Average travel time:

• Conventional ferry: 7h30min

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Ferries to Kalymnos:

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Average cost per adult:

• Deck: 49 euros / person
• Economy cabin: 66 euros / person

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Average travel time:

• Conventional ferry: 11 hours

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Ferries to Astypalea:

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Average cost per adult:

• Deck: 36 euros / person
• Economy cabin: 58 euros / person

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Average travel time:

• Conventional ferry: 9 hours

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Ferries to Leros:

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Average cost per adult:

• Deck: 39 euros / person
• Economy cabin: 66 euros / person

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Average travel time:

• Conventional ferry: 9h30min

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Ferries interconnecting Dodecanese Islands

Ferries from Rhodes to Kos:

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Average cost per adult in economy class:

• Conventional ferry: 23 euros / person
• High Speed ferry / Hydrofoil: 30 euros / person

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Average travel time:

• Conventional ferry: 5 hours
• High speed ferry / Hydrofoil: 2h45min

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Ferries from Rhodes to Patmos:

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Average cost per adult in economy class:

• Conventional ferry: 35 euros / person
• High Speed ferry / Hydrofoil: 46 euros / person

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Average travel time:

• Conventional ferry: 6h45min
• High speed ferry / Hydrofoil: 5 hours

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Ferries from Rhodes to Symi:

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Average cost per adult in economy class:

• High Speed ferry / Hydrofoil: 17 euros / person

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Average travel time:

• High speed ferry / Hydrofoil: 1 hour

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Ferry Routes Connecting Dodecanese Islands to Popular Destinations in Turkey

 

 

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Bodrum Express Lines

 

 

• Kos – Bodrum (TR)
• Kos – Turgutreis (TR)
• Kalymnos – Bodrum (TR)
• Kalymnos – Turgutreis (TR)
• Rhodes – Bodrum (TR)
• Kos – Didim (TR)
• Kalymnos – Didim (TR)

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Yesil Marmaris Lines

 

 

• Rhodes – Bodrum (TR)
• Rhodes – Marmaris (TR)

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Sea Dreams

 

 

• Rhodes – Marmaris (TR)
• Rhodes – Bodrum (TR)

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Meis Express Ferry Services

 

 

• Kastelorizo – Kas (TR)
• Rhodes – Marmaris (TR)
• Kos – Bodrum (TR)
• Rhodes – Bodrum (TR)

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What about the weather?

Wind conditions in the South-Eastern part of the Aegean are usually better than in the Cyclades. Check it out on Windyty:

Are you traveling to the Cyclades Islands instead? Click here to read all about them!

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