Mikrys Gialos - Resorts in Greece

The best way to get to Lesvos is by ferry boat. There are daily ships leaving Pireaus in the evening and arrives in Mytilini early the next morning. There is also the brand new Nissos Chios that leaves around noon and takes only 8 hours to Lesvos.

The recommended boats are the Mytilini and the Nissos Chios which have bars, restaurants, lounges though the Mytilini is getting on in years.  First class cabins are about 100 eu per person for a double and many contain tv’s if the prospect of a long ferry ride seems boring. Generally it’s a relaxing and enjoyable trip and sailing along the coast of Lesvos and into Mytilini harbor at dawn is an experience you will always remember. It is especially exciting for kids. If you are arriving from the USA by plane its a great way to unwind and the fact that the boats generally leave in the evening make them catchable. The ferry Nissos Chios began service in 2008 and only takes about 8 hours to get to Lesvos. It leaves in the day rather than in the evening. In my opinion this is the best ferry in Greece with comfortable and clean cabins, air-conditioning that actually works, decent food in the self-service cafeteria and the restaurant, and large spacious and comfortable lounges.

The ferries also stop in the port of Chios for an hour or so. Most people miss it because it is 4 am and they are sleeping, but on the return trip to Athens you can get off and walk around the town since you get there around 9pm. Just be sure not to miss the boat.

In the summer there is a boat from Lavrion to Sigri that takes about 6 hours, leaving Monday in the late afternoon and arriving around midnight. If you take this boat reserve a room in Sigri because it’s a dark and mountainous drive to Eressos, Molyvos or anywhere else on the island.

There is at least one boat a day leaving Pireaus for Chios and Mytilini , sometimes more.
Several days a week the ferry continues on to Lemnos , Kavala and Thessaloniki .

In the  summer there is a boat that connects Lesvos with the Dodekanese islands and Samos and sometimes Ikaria. The company is Saos, based in Lavrion.

There are also boats that originate in Rhodes that come to Mytilini  but you will have to ask a local travel agent on one of the two islands when it goes. It stops at most of the islands between Rhodes and Lesvos .

There are daily boats in the summer and several boats a week in the off-season between Mytilini and Avalik in Turkey . The schedule seems to change by the year, month, week or whatever. That means you need to contact one of the agencies in Lesvos and ask them if you want to get from Turkey to Lesvos.

For ferry information contact see Travel Agents or you can see the weekly ferry schedules at www.athensguide.com/greek-island-ferry-schedules keeping in mind they change every week. The best thing to do is book your hotels with one of the travel agencies and they can figure out the ferries and get your tickets for you.

EU citizens of the European Union can use their own licenses for driving in Greece. Other nationals should have an International Drivers License, though in practice, a recognizable photo license is usually accepted. US licenses have been accepted in the past but I recommend having an International drivers license just to be on the safe side. Getting an International Drivers license is not the hassle it used to be and there are companies that offer them on-line. The International Driving Permit is recognized worldwide as a valuable document identifying you as a properly licensed resident. No test is required, but you must have a valid Native Drivers Licence and be 18 years of age or older.

Central Athens area restricts car access to reduce congestion, but these restrictions do not apply to rental cars or those owned by foreigners in the country for a short stay. Those foreigners who do live in Athens must follow the odd-even license plate rules which allow you to circulate in the center of the city depending on what number your plates end with.

Remember to use your seat belts when driving in Greece. Passengers in the front are required to by law but everyone should use them. Children 10 years old or younger are required to sit in the back seat. You have to be at least 18 years old to drive.

ELPA the Greek version of AAA offers roadside assistance to AAA members, CAA members and other International Organizations. For emergency assistance dial 104 and 154. For emergencies dial 112 for multi-language help. Dial 100 for Police, 166 for Fires, and 199 for ambulance service.