Italy/Greece Ferries
 

2 of us planning a trip down to Greece and returning back through the Balkans.Could do with some info and feedback from anyone who has used the ferry service from Venice down to Igoumanitsa. Had a quick look but looks like boat docks at around 2200 which is late for looking for camping/digs. Any info gratefully received.

Ali

We did it the other way around, leaving Greece around midnight and getting to Trieste around 1am. Was a bit hard finding a place. Ended up finding a quiet spot close to the beach and having a snooze.

There are a couple of campsites just south of igoumenitsa on the coast. We stayed at one before boarding the ferry. Not sure if the reception will be open, but there are logs of open spots to full over and have a snooze for a couple of hours until the sun comes up.

Thanks for that Pumbaa.

Any particular reason why you have to use the Venice ferry? There are also ferries from Ancona, Bari and Brindisi so the timetable for one of those might work out a bit better.

Hi.

It a reasonable point but as with everything time is the enemy. Would love to ride all the way down to Brindisi and cross over, however the aspiration is to spend the time in the Balkans. As it is, it's a hike to get down to Venice so anything that can involve moving the bike when you are sleeping to get to where we want is a bonus. Hope this answers a reasonable question

At what dates? Timetables change according to season and sometimes days of week also. With a quick look there is a ferry that arrives at 15:00 from Venice to Igoumenitsa on week-ends (1). The companies that I'm aware of that operate from north Italy are superfast.com, minoan.gr and anek.gr.

Might also worth going a little bit more south and take the ferry from Ancona as it takes only 1 night vs 2 nights from Venice/Triese. The disatance is about 3-4hrs using autostrada.

(1) ANEK Lines - Official Web Site

I can understand that - every time I've gone Italy-Greece we've tried to work out the best balance between cost, distance and time but for us it's always come out as ride further south - even a couple of times to a ferry that no longer runs, from Otranto down in the heel. As nKms says though Ancona isn't that far on the Autostrada and might well be a viable alternative.

IMHO avoid the ferry from Brindisi- 90% or so of the load are lorries- horrendous-
I was left for over an hour in a dark corner breathing diesel ( no way out) while all the big boys warmed their engines and unloaded. I prefer the more relaxing overnighter from Ancona and Fastferries- no need for cabin, sleep on deck ( take your mat and sleeping bag and wash kit with you before leaving the moto) - hot showers and loos on top deck. If travelling alone, a Packsafe is a very good idea for when you are in the shower or are asleep...
Bring some good Italian food with you before boarding- cafeteria is limited and expensive.
the Kalami campsite site just south of Igou- is about here 39.47429 20.24024 (eyeball Mk1 gps!)

Thanks folks for sharing your experiences. It all helps.

Cheers Ali

I've done that Ferry four time's. And each time it had a load of bike's waiting to get on. They put you all at one end of the ship. And coming off it was next to the first lot off. They made a space through the deck and the called all the bike's out. How you get stuck down on the loading deck for an hour? I have no idea. Ten min's to strap the bike down and the up stair's. The same leaving. Go down ten min's before the ship dock's and get you self ready.
John933

Well John, I must have gone down the wrong end then-doh, it was last ferry and I was too tired to care! my mistake.
For me, it's now Ancona- unless you are already down in/near Brindisi which I am unlikely to be again. Choices choices!

That's alright mate. I alway's use that crossing. Because. One it's about the same price as crossing the channel. If the get the night crossing it's about 12 hour's. Hell it's 12 hours what ever time of the day you cross. But you can get your head down on the boat. So that's one less night that you have to find a place to sleep. Take that off of the price of the crossing, and it's dirt cheap. I always try and take on some drink and food. Captive custom's so the price's are a bit high. The crossing to Igoumenitsa drop's you off at the right place. IE. From there just about any where is with in a day's distance riding. From May onwards the weather is something to write home about. With the coast road, just about the same. The down side is it's about three day's to get there from the UK. But apart from that a good Start to any holiday.
John933