Visitors wishing to explore the Greek islands may travel by conventional or high-speed ferries.
We present some of the key differences between the two types of vessels below.
Conventional Ferries
The conventional ferry Blue Star Paros
Bear in mind that routes from Italy to Greece are only served by conventional ferries.
Pros (+):
- More affordable.
- Large garages.
- Deck seating, allowing travelers to take in the great sea views.
- More suitable for people prone to getting seasick.
- More convenient for passengers with big dogs, as they can stay with their pets on deck.
Cons (-):
- Slower.
- Economy seats are not numbered, so you need to board the ferry as soon as possible to get a convenient one.
Features
Conventional ferries are much bigger and able to transport considerably larger numbers of passengers. Amenities usually comprise eating establishments like snack bars, special pet-keeping spaces and a boutique or a shop. Some ferries also provide cabins for overnight journeys.
They have spacious garages, capable of carrying a great number of vehicles.
Ticket prices
Conventional ferries tend to be more budget-friendly than high-speed ferries.
Seats
There are large lounge areas with non-numbered seats, which tend to be quite crowded during the high season. Open and semi-enclosed decks, where passengers can sit during the journey, are usually available, too. Most conventional ferries also have separate lounges with more comfortable, numbered airplane seats, which can be purchased at a slightly increased price. For greater comfort, Business/VIP seats, which are located in a separate lounge, may also be available. These are the most expensive seats.
Companies
The leading companies owning conventional ferries are Blue Star Ferries and Minoan Lines.
High-speed Ferries
The high-speed ferry Thunder of Fast Ferries
Pros (+):
- Shorter journey.
- Standard seats are numbered and more comfortable.
Cons (-):
- More expensive.
- Garages (if available) have a limited capacity of vehicles.
- No deck seats.
- May have delays in cases of strong winds.
Features
High-speed ferries are equipped with a snack bar. Being designed for fast trips, they do not have any cabins. They are closed vessels, without deck seats; passengers may go up to the deck if it is not too windy, but their assigned seats will be indoors.
Those ferries have considerably smaller garages, capable of transporting only a limited number of vehicles, while some vessels don’t have a garage at all.
Ticket prices
The fact that high-speed ferries are generally faster and do not have a deck option makes them more expensive than conventional ferries.
Seats
The standard ticket corresponds exclusively to numbered airplane seats. There may also be Business/VIP seats located in separate lounges, which are more expensive.
Companies
The leading companies are Sea Jets, Hellenic Seaways, and Fast Ferries.
