Hydra: Ferry Boats and Flying Dolphins
Hydra is one of the
easiest islands to get to from Athens. You can take
one of several ferries that leave from the main harbor
of Pireaus. The ferry takes about 3 hours and is one
of the nicest trips you can take. There is generally
an early ferry which leaves at 8am, another around
11am and a third in the early afternoon. Check with
any travel agent for exact times. You can also get
there in installments, stopping in Aegina, Methena or
Poros and taking the next ferry or Dolphin and
continuing your journey. Or you can take the
Hydrafoils known as the Flying Dolphins that leave
continously from Pireaus which take around 45 minutes.
It's a good idea to buy your tickets in advance
especially during the summer and on weekends. There is
also a one day
Saronic Gulf cruise that stops in Hydra.
If you arrive
burdoned with luggage don't worry about the
possibility that it may be a climb to your hotel.
The donkeys who mingle in the port are for the
purpose of transfering you, your luggage or your
kids to your hotel. Kids love them, at least I know I did
when I was a kid. You will also notice the
frequent comings and goings of the water-taxis.
These are the daredevils of the island
transportation world, or appear to be, though they
are actually quite safe and can get you to where
you are going fast. If you are staying at the
Miramare, Kamini, Vlyhos or beyond then this is
the way to go. There is a sign with prices at the
watertaxi stand.
To leave Hydra I
prefer the ferry rather then the Flying Dolphin.
You can sit outside and watch the sunset. You pass
between Poros
and the mainland and it is like taking a trip down
a river. You'll get to Pireaus in time to
get to your hotel in Athens, shower and go out on
the town. Be sure to buy your tickets a day in
advance for the Flying
Dolphins. The
ferry tickets you can buy before you leave.
Keep in mind that there are at
least two ticket agencies in Hydra and one
won't tell you the boats that the other books. So
when you leave go to both and find out the times
of all the ferries, catamarans and flying dolphins
(My friend Dorian calls them 'sausage boats')
before purchasing your tickets. When you arrive in
Pireaus there is usually a shortage of taxis so if
you don't want to take the metro I recommend
George
the Famous Taxi Driver to get you to your
hotel or the airport.
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