Are there any recommended ferries to use to cross to Greece from southern Italy? and should I book in advance, I intend to cross around the 20th May, is a weekday better than a weekend?

Chris

Hi Chris,

Superfast ferries has an offer if you book until the end of March, cost is half price of normal ticket (cost for 1 passenger - deck + motorcycle is 39 euro from Bari or Ancona to Patras or Igoumenitsa). Normally you do not need to book in advance (unless you want a cabin i think).

Cheers,
Nikos.

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http://trois-couleurs.com

Two years ago I took ANEK LINES ferry from Ancona (central Italy) to Igoumenitsa in Greece...

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Nick and his 2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré

i use Ferry to Greece - Ferries to Greece - Ferries Italy-Greece - Greek Ferries. contact ms wulla. she is very helpful. will give you the best deal

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ozhan u.
website under construction

We are travelling ,Bari-Igoumetsia 20 May . Bike 2 passengers-outside cabin.
£260.00 I e-mailed and booked direct with Superfast Ferries as the booking forms are a nightmare.

Thinking of ferry myself on a trip to Greece- Bari to Igoumenista there and Patra to Ancona on way back. Went onto Superfast site and used the 50% discount from drop down menu for a 45 Euro return - seems very cheap. Both overnight crossings, so can anyone tell me exactly what 'deck' means? ie. do you have to sit/lie on deck for journey? Are you allowed to crash-out in a sleeping bag?

Hello all
Is it safe to leave my hard luggage on the bike, in the hold of the Superfast ferry, from Ancona to Italy? Is the hold locked up during the voyage?
Thanks
Tony

it is save. i always left my hard cases and even helmet and jacket on the bike. no problem.

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ozhan u.
website under construction

Deck means ... everyplace outside the "totaly" closed areas,

And yes....you can sleep anywhere you want,

May I add that the above includes the bar/coffee lounge where you can usually find a quite comfy couch to sit/sleep on

n.

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http://trois-couleurs.com

get your sleeping bag and mat with you. best place to sleep is where the seat are. also a torch might be useful.

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ozhan u.
website under construction

I recommend the carpet outside the 1st class cabins...we unrolled our sleeping bags there with my girlfriend, in a nice corner , was lovely and soft. This was anek lines, venice-patras, september 2008 (maybe we were just lucky)

On the way back we found another nice carpet near the elevator (switched off, obviously) close to the main exit.

Noone objected, or even noticed.

Otherwise there's a big room with very uncomfortable aircraft seats, where you can crash out on the floor. (there was a loud tv screen in the corner), if you hunt around you can also find some showers.

The point, in case anyone's missed it--applicable to ferries everywhere--is that you can bring a mat and sleeping bag and crash wherever you like. Different boats are laid out differently, so specific instructions tend not to apply. I prefer outside in reasonable weather, but am sometimes chased indoors in bad weather, where carpeted floors between rows of seats are often te best on offer. Good spots with nicely padded carpets are often staked out quickly on popular runs, so if that's what you need, get there early and claim your spot. Padded benches are great when you can find them. Etc.

All these are applicable to overnight ferries on every continent I've ever visited, with or without motorcycles. I don't usually take a cabin unless this is required, as it is on some Scandanavian, Baltic and Greenlandic ferries. In Africa, however, a cabin can make a biiiiiiggggg difference in your comfort and security.

Decks may or may not be locked, but what are you going to do: carry your hard cases around the decks? I lock my cases and cable my riding clothes and helmet to the bike. My boots tuck inside one of my cases in place of daypack, sleeping bag, etc. Most riders don't seem to get as anal about security as I, so I figure there are usually easier targets available in the event of thievery. On the other hand, it takes me longer to get geared up and ready to go than people who've taken a more relaxed approach, so there's a balance.

Hope that helps.

Mark

1- Lock the helmet
2- Put the jacket and pants in one of the cases
3- Put everything thats needed in a bag (slippers,food,water,ear plugs etc.)
4- Find a spot that seems quite (best location for me is near the deck bar)
5- Try to remember where you parked your vehicle ...

never had any trouble ... till now...