Ferries

Ferries (Piraeus To Souda Bay) A number of Guests have started their holiday by flying to Athens, spending a few days exploring the city, and then coming down to Crete by ferry. The 'traditional' overnight trip to Hania (the port at Souda Bay) with a pre-booked air conditioned cabin can be a pleasant start to your holiday. The two ANEK Lines ferries are large with satisfactory facilities (both being re-fitted in 1989), and have the usual on-board dining and bar facilities, although in truth these are not to the standard of their British and French counterparts that ply the routes across the English Channel. The carriers between Piraeus and Souda Bay are: ANEK Lines 00302 (8210) 27500/4 www.anek.gr Hellenic Seaways 0030 (210) 4199100 www.hellenicseaways.gr Boarding and sailing times My advise is to board at least 2Hrs before the scheduled departure time to ensure that any pre booked cabins are in fact available. Sailing times are approx. 9 Hrs with ANEK Lines conventional ferries (the 'Lissos' and 'Lato'), and about 5 Hrs with Hellenic Seaways 'Highspeed 5' Catamaran. The overnight ANEK Lines vessels depart Piraeus at about 21.00, with arrival times at Souda Bay about 05.30 to 06.00. The Hellenic Seaways Catamaran departs Piraeus about 15.45, arriving at Souda Bay about 20.45. Although these are daily services, out of season services (particularly January to March) can be disrupted or cancelled due to inclement weather.