Taking your car on the ferry

5.0 Taking your car on the ferry

Taking your car on a Greek ferry can be quite different from taking your car from Dover to Calais.

Most ferries have rear entrances and exits only, so you will probably have to reverse onto or on board the ferry. The first time, this can look difficult and you may feel a bit nervous. You will also be required to park very close to other vehicles. However, as you park, a guide will assist you. And normally after the first time, you wonder why you were so worried to start with.

It’s also worth noting that in Greece, the closer you are to your neighbouring vehicle, the louder the instructions will be. While in the UK, we often become quieter. So don’t make the mistake of presuming that because someone is yelling “Ella, ella, ELLA!” or “Come, come, COME!” that you have a few metres to go. It probably is just a few centimetres.

Boarding and disembarkation is often hectic too, especially as the port you arrive at or leave from could be very small , while in the summer there could be many passengers and vehicles. Ferries are also the life-blood of the smaller islands and so you should expect many lorries as well as cars.

Passengers will often embark and disembark at the same time as vehicles and will cross each other’s paths. Accidents are very rare as Greeks are used to this system – but it certainly pays to drive slowly and to stay alert.

Also a word of warning: If you are island hopping and only going from one island to another close by, make sure you tell the ferry staff as you arrive at the port and also as you board the ferry. Very often, you’ll find most people are going to the large ports like Piraeus. If you aren’t travelling far, you may be directed to another part of the ferry where vehicles going further afield can’t block your exit.

Last but not least, you should know that roundabouts in Greece work differently to the UK. In Greece, the vehicle entering the roundabout has priority, and if you are going around the round-about, you have to give way. Of course, in the summer, many drivers won’t be Greek and possibly won’t know this. So either way, it pays to be careful at roundabouts. Luckily, however, they are few and far between on the Greek islands.

6.0 Taking your dog on the ferry

The official advice may be that you have to book your dog in a pet kennel, the truth is that if you are taking a conventional ferry (not a fast ferry) that dogs are welcome on board with most ferry companies. You’ll naturally have to keep your dog on a lead at all times and if your dog is prone to misbehaviour, a muzzle is advisable too. You’ll also have to stay on deck rather than inside the ferry -unless you book a pet cabin – but there are shaded areas.

However, that is not to say that pet kennels are not a good idea. Especially if you have a long journey and want to spend some time inside the ferry or have reserved seating. Most kennels are located on the uppermost deck and with most ferry companies, you will be able to visit your pet during the journey and even take him out for a walk.

If your dog isn’t good at handling stairs, then most of the large ferries (for example those operated by Blue Star Ferries) also have lifts – note that the Greeks use the French word “ascenseur”, pronounced ah-san-sir, for lifts. However, there is no guarantee that the ferry will have a lift, therefore it may be advisable to research your ship, before you travel.

When boarding and disembarking with your dog, you may also have to wait until most other people have gone before you. It’s also worth remembering that while most Greeks are dog-lovers, Greece in the summer may have tourists from all over the world. You should not expect everyone you encounter to be from a dog-loving culture.

Most importantly, don’t forget that in the summer temperatures are often above 30 degrees centigrade and can reach as high as 40 degrees centigrade, so make sure you have a means of giving your dog water. Fabric dog bowls can come in handy if you travel in Greece with your dog. You’ll be able to buy water on board. And if your dog is in a pet kennel make sure that you position the bowl in such a way that it cannot be easily knocked over.

Many ferry companies also offer pet cabins. These cabins are normally the same as ordinary cabins but have laminate flooring in case of accidents.

However, if you are travelling on a high speed ferry, you will have to place your dog in a pet-kennel. Only the larger high speed ferries will offer these. Due to how fast these ferries travel, they do not allow passengers on deck during the journey and you will also not be able to visit your pet as you travel. Many Greeks, prefer to travel with conventional ferries if travelling with their dog. There is also less chance of a bumpy ride on conventional ferry.

A dog on board a ferry to Syros in the Cyclades
All photos for illustration only. Photos may not be copied under any circumstance.

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