Ancona (Italy) to Patras (Greece) by boat - Survival guide

Odyssey or Love cruise ?

 

When you get there
If you get to Ancona by train, frequent buses pass from the Ancona train station (there are some ticket offices round there from some lines), pick the bus to take you to the city centre and after approximately 20 minutes you will get there - it's a nice city - start looking for the port, you pass the ticket and passport check and you will be able to get on board the ship.


Ticket and passport

Boat connections between Italy and Greece

Make sure where the offices of the lines you will be using to get to Greece, you will be asked for your passport of course (in order to find a seat make sure you, book the tickets by phone using your card a few days earlier). The price of the ticket is exactly the same for most of the companies, remember that for Interrail and Eurrail pass owners, there is a discount "using " 1 day of your pass.

Also some groups of people might be allowed a discount, so investigate if you can have a discount either by calling the customer service of the company you have chosen or online.


Companies
There are 3 companies (ANEK lines, Minoan Lines, Superfast Ferries), having used all companies I would strongly suggest to avoid ANEK lines and prefer Minoan lines for various reasons.

Expenses on the ship and before boarding
Be aware that the products on the ship are more expensive than on the land, prepare for it and purchase goods from local supermarkets before getting on board! the trip lasts up to 25 hours (in totally rare occasions), so buying fridge products would not be worth it. On the boats there are also a restaurant and a mini-shop.

On the boat
If you have a "deck"- ticket, it means that the company provides you with a plastic chair to sit down, it is not worth it to stay outside(during the night there will be some noise and wind). Prefer to get indoors ASAP, find a good place to relax, lay down on the isle somewhere it will not bother passengers and the staff to pass (prefer corners with plugs if you find any, find a way to keep your  luggage safe, actually check what your fellow passengers will do if you are not sure).


  Sleeping on board

Using your backpack as a pillow
will give you a feeling of security

Fellow travelerscould guard the team's backpacks

During the night lay down on the floor your thin foam mattress (if you do not have one use layers of towels to avoid waking up with back pains) and get in your sleeping bag. Sleeping on your backpack or using it as a pillow will give you some security for your belongings. Accessories such as waist wallet or secret pockets on your clothes or luggage can be a lifesaver.

Not the best sleep you will ever have,
but it is better than not sleeping at all

There will be some noise indoors but you will get used, a night mask and earplugs will definitely let you have a better sleep, so don't worry. The other passengers after some time will be resting too and from time to time a member of the boat's staff will pass through the isles just to make sure that everything is fine. Whenever the boat reaches any destinations, there will a quite loud announcement from the speakers and enough time for you to pack your things and get off the boat. Remember : having a fellow traveler guarding your belongings is the best solution.


When you reach Ancona - Italy

Ancona Ferries Terminal (maritima biglietteria)

 If you have booked your ticket online, but did not have it printed yet you should go first to the "maritima biglietteria"( means ship tickets). All the ship companies of Ancona are based in the same building on via Einaudi street, which is outside the city. To get there you will need to catch the bus #20 or  #12, from the port or the train station both buses have a frequent timetable. Note that the accounting office of Minoan line is opposite the port, so do not get confused you can not get your ticket from there.


When you reach Patras - Greece

The "KTEL" coach station in Patras

When you finally get to Patras, right outside the port there will be a local bus stop (from early in the morning until 6pm), there are buses to the city center and to the coach station (KTEL). In case there are no buses, taxis will be there to transfer you anywhere you want.
KTEL is the national bus operator in Greece and main way of moving from one place to another (if no car is available).

A trip to Athens from Patras "KTEL" coach station takes from 2,5 up until 3 hours (Price 18,90EUR - August2014).



Know what you want. Be prepared. Enjoy.

• Introduction
  Who am I and why start blogging?
• A helpful and inspirational guide before you travel by train
  Where to start and what to think before travelling
• How to pack your bag
  Overstuffed and overweight bag, at least keep it overstuffed 
• What to pack in your bag
  You don't need your fashionable clothes in here! 
• Travelling Solo VS Travelling as a group
  Loneliness doesn't always have to feel bad
• Couchsurfing and stay
  Make your stay safe 
• Raildude,ticket purchasing
  How to get the pass,the rules in the train station 
• Maps and books
  Should I get a map, guide or ignore everything? 
• On the way/train
  You can't get bored here my friend 
• Law,stereotypes,different lifestyles and adopting
  How not to end up behind the bars! 
• Types of travellers
  People worth meeting and not 
• Journeys
  Past personal Experiences 
• Ancona (Italy) to Patras (Greece) by boat - Survival guide
  Meeeeeeeeh...
• Additional tips
  Weren't all these enough?
• Self awareness, Self confidence, Passion and Personal awesomeness
  So you think you are not cool enough?