Planning a Trip

Getting There

Car ferries and excursion boats to Aegina usually leave from Piraeus's Main Harbor; confusingly, hydrofoils leave both from the Main Harbor and from Marina Zea Harbor. Hydrofoil service is at least twice as fast as ferries and at least 40% more expensive (except to Aegina, for which the charge is only about 10% more). The sleek little hydrofoils are outfitted like broad aircraft with airline seats, toilets, and a minimum of luggage facilities. (The fore sections offer better views, but they're also bumpier.) The newer Super Cats are bigger, faster, and more comfortable, with food and beverage service. Reservations are recommended on weekends. Often, in order to continue to another Saronic Gulf island by hydrofoil, you must return to Piraeus and change to another hydrofoil. Some ferries go from Aegina to the other Saronic Gulf islands. Warning: As we mentioned above, schedules -- and even carriers -- can change, so double-check information you get from anyone other than the Greek National Tourism Organization (tel. 210/870-0000; www.gnto.gr) -- and remain prepared for schedule and carrier changes.

Daily hydrofoil and ferry service to the Saronic Gulf islands is offered by Hellenic Seaways (tel. 210/419-9200; www.hellenicseaways.gr). Saronikos Ferries (tel. 210/417-1190) takes passengers and cars to Aegina, Poros, and Spetses; cars are not allowed to disembark on Hydra. Euroseas (tel. 210/411-3108) has speedy catamaran service from Piraeus to Poros, Hydra, and Spetses. You can usually visit any one of the Saronics for between 20€ and 65€ ($26-$85) day return; the faster the ship, the higher the price.

For information on schedules for most Argo-Saronic ferries, you can try one of the various numbers of the Piraeus Port Authority: tel. 210/422-6000, 210/410-1480, or 210/410-1441, but phones are not always answered. On Aegina, try tel. 22970/22-328.

Booking Your Return Trip -- With virtually all of the hydrofoils and ferries that serve the Saronic Gulf islands, it is impossible to book a round-trip. As soon as you arrive at your island destination, head for the ticket office and book your return ticket. If you do not do this, you may end up spending longer than you planned -- or wished -- on one or more of the islands. At press time, both Minoan Flying Dolphins and Ceres Flying Dolphins had been absorbed by Hellas Flying Dolphins (www.dolphins.gr), but there may be more ownership and name changes by the time you arrive.

Visitor Information

Aegina Tourist Office (tel. 22970/22-220) is in Aegina Town Hall. There's a string of travel agencies at the harbor, including the usually efficient Aegina Island Holidays, 47 Demokratias (tel. 22970/26-439; fax 22970/26-430). To learn a little about Aegina's history, look for Anne Yannoulis's Aegina (Lycabettus Press), usually on sale at Kalezis Boatokshop on the harbor (tel. 22970/25-956), which stocks foreign newspapers. Check the websites www.aeginagreece.com and www.greeka.com/saronic/aegina for info in English.

Getting Around

A left turn as you disembark takes you east to the bus station on Plateia Ethatneyersias. There's good service to most of the island, with trips every hour in summer to the Temple of Aphaia and Ayia Marina (2€/$2.60); tickets must be purchased before boarding. Taxis are available nearby; the fare to the temple should be about 12€ ($16). You can sometimes negotiate a decent rate for a round-trip by taxi with an hour's wait at the temple. Bicycles and mopeds can be rented at the opposite end of the waterfront, near the beach. Tip: Prices can be exorbitant. An ordinary bike should cost about 10€ ($13) per day; mopeds, from 25€ ($33).

Fast Facts

The National Bank of Greece is one of four waterfront banks with currency-exchange service and ATMs; some travel agents, including Island Holidays (tel. 22970/23-333), often exchange money both during and after normal bank hours, usually at less favorable rates. The island clinic (tel. 22970/22-251) is on the northeast edge of town; for first aid, dial tel. 22970/22-222. The police (tel. 22970/23-343) and the tourist police (tel. 22970/27-777) share a building on Leonardou Lada, about 200m (656 ft.) inland from the port. The port authority (tel. 22970/22-328) is on the waterfront. The post office is in Plateia Ethatneyersias, around the corner from the hydrofoil pier. The telephone office (OTE) is 5 blocks inland from the port, on Aiakou. There are several Internet cafes, including Prestige and Nesant, on and just off the waterfront. Tip: Before you head out, try to pick up the useful pamphlet Essential Aegina, often available from travel agents, hotels, and the tourist police.