From the airport to the city centre Cyclades
You'll usually arrive in Greece via Athens international airport. The capital offers very economical shuttle buses to the ports of Piraeus (€6) or Rafina (€3.70), from where you can embark for the Cyclades. There is also a particularly attractive metro link between the capital and Piraeus (€10 one-way). In October 2022, the Greek capital inaugurated three new metro stations: Maniatika, Piraeus and Dimotiko Theatro, located on the extension of line 3 (blue) from the airport. Check beforehand which station is closest to your departure platform.
Cabs also offer package deals (from €38 during the day) to Piraeus. In Athens, the Athens transport website (www.athenstransport.com) provides interesting information in English.
Six Cycladic islands have airports: Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Santorini and Syros. If you calculate carefully, you'll find a connecting flight on the day of your arrival in Athens. Another option: from France, Mykonos and Santorini are also served in high season by charter or low-cost flights, giving you access to the Cyclades without having to make a connection. These regional airports are rarely far from town, and are easily accessible by cab at moderate prices.
Arrival by boat Cyclades
You can reach Greece by sea from Italy. Boats from Bari or Ancona arrive at Igoumenitsa in Epirus or Patras in the Peloponnese (see www.minoan.gr for connections). To reach the Cyclades, however, you're better off boarding at Piraeus, the port of Rafina, or even Lavrio.
You can also continue or dream up your itinerary in Greece online (www.ferries.gr/en) and book your tickets in advance, again via the Internet (www.openseas.gr) or through the travel agencies in Piraeus.
Ferries in Greece (Ferriesingreece.com) is an excellent French-language site for booking boats.
Public transport Cyclades
The bus is a very developed, flexible (often with many daily departures) and cheap means of transportation. The islands of the Cyclades all have a regional Ktel network (see www.ktel-santorini.gr or https ://ktelparou.gr for example). You can buy your ticket before departure in the bus stations or at the small kiosks next to the main stops.
Bike, scooters & co Cyclades
Everywhere in the islands, the use of bicycles is growing. However, as far as two-wheelers are concerned, motorcycles and scooters are still the most popular. Anyway, don't imitate the locals and wear a helmet... on your head! The roads are not necessarily well maintained, the wind blows strongly and an accident can happen quickly: without a helmet, the insurance will not cover you. Many rental companies do not insist on wearing a helmet, so ask specifically for one. Another important piece of information is that the classic French B license includes driving scooters up to (but not including) 125cc scooters. However, some rental companies will refuse to let you have a scooter (even a 50cc) if you do not have a special motorcycle/scooter license or if you cannot prove that you have completed the two-wheeler training that is now mandatory in France. Again, in case of an accident, the Greek insurance may not cover you.
With a driver Cyclades
Cab fares in the capital and the islands are significantly lower than elsewhere in Europe. Cab fares are normally flat rates set annually by the national government, which means that every trip has a fixed, pre-determined fare based on the distance traveled. Most cities, even small ones, usually have cab drivers, although not necessarily in sufficient numbers. This is one of the reasons - and it should not be surprising - why most drivers will not hesitate to pick up other passengers going in the same direction as you...
By car Cyclades
Some clichés have a hard time. Nevertheless, if you rent a car in the islands, you should know that Greeks have their own customs. Speed limits are rarely respected and it is common to drive on the hard shoulder for example. Parking is difficult and often anarchic and leaving your car in double lane with a phone number on the windshield is common. Wearing a seatbelt is optional and using the phone while driving is an individual freedom, it seems. Nevertheless, the car is probably the most efficient way to discover Greece. We simply recommend you to be very careful when driving. On the islands, the roads are often poorly maintained and narrow, so you will not have much choice but to limit your speed.
Accessibility Cyclades
The plight of people with reduced mobility and baby carriages is unfortunately not always a priority in Greece. The result is reduced accessibility, particularly on all public transport, trains and local buses. In Athens, however, access is finally available at the most recent metro stations and at major tourist sites such as the Acropolis. By the sea, ferries and other boats are often equipped with electric wheelchairs. Elevators are provided, but do not necessarily serve all ferry floors. Equipment depends on how modern the boats are. It's best to check with the companies before you buy your ticket.
Tourist traps Cyclades
Apart from the universal classic (in cabs, watch the meter or check your airport pass), there's not much to report... If you think you've been cheated by a cab, demand a mandatory ticket (απόδειξη) that includes the cab's contact details. You can also threaten to call the police station (Ελληνική Αστυνομία). This is sometimes enough to discourage dishonest cabs.
