Planning a trip to Vathi and Karlovassi
Visitor Information -- There is an official tourist office at 107 Themistioklis Sofouli (tel. 22730/28-582), but it is easier to go directly to private travel agencies for information. Try one of the major travel agencies in Samos: Rhenia Tours, 15 Themistoklis Sofouli (tel. 22730/88-800; www.diavlos.gr/rhenia); and Samina Tours, 67 Themistoklis Sofouli (tel. 22730/87-000; www.samina.gr). Here you can make arrangements for accommodations and excursions (including excursions to Turkey, Patmos, and Fourni, as well as tours of Samos), rent cars, and so on. The Diavlos website (www.diavlos.gr) has information on ferries, attractions, and accommodations. Another website with useful information is www.samos-travel.com.
Getting Around
By Bus -- There's good public bus service on Samos throughout the year, with expanded summer schedules. The Vathi bus terminal (tel. 22730/27-262) is a block inland from the south end of the port on Kanari. The bus makes the 20-minute trip between Vathi and Pithagorio frequently. Buses also travel to Kokkari, the inland village of Mitilini, Pirgos, Marathokambos, Votsalakia beach, and Karlovasi. Schedules are posted in English at the bus terminal.
By Boat -- From Karlovasi, there are daily excursion boats to Megalo Seitani, the best fine-sand beach on the island. A once-weekly around-the-island tour aboard the Samos Star is a great way to see the island's remarkable coastline, much of it inaccessible by car. The excursion boat departs from Pithagorio at 8:30am (a bus from Vathi departs at 7:30am), currently on Tuesday, and returns to Pithagorio at 5:30pm; the fare is 75€. Book with one of the travel agencies listed above. Most excursions depart from Pithagorio, although many offer bus service from Vathi an hour prior to departure.
By Car & Moped -- Autoplan, 17 Themistoklis Sofouli (tel. 22730/23-555; autoplan@internet.gr), and Aramis Rent a Car, at the pier in Vathi (tel. 22730/23-253; www.samos-rentacar.com), offer good prices and selections. The least expensive car in high season is about 70€, including insurance and 100 free kilometers (62 miles). Mopeds go for 20€ to 30€ per day. But there are other agencies, so shop around.
By Taxi -- The principal taxi stand in Vathi is on Plateia Pithagora, facing the paralia. The fare from Vathi to Pithagorio is about 16€. To book by phone, call tel. 22730/23-777 in Vathi, or 22730/33-300 in Karlovasi.
Bicycling -- For renting a bicycle, go online to www.samos-travel.com, where you will find that InterHermes, in Vathi (tel. 22730/28-833), and AutoLand, in Kokkari (the beach resort just west of Vathi; tel. 22730/92-825), offer this service.
Fast Facts
The banks in Vathi are on the paralia, in the vicinity of Plateia Pithagora, and are open Monday through Thursday from 8am to 2pm, Friday from 8am to 1:30pm; most have ATMs. Most travel agents change money, sometimes at bank rates, and they're open later. The island's hospital (tel. 22730/83-100) is in Vathi. Internet access his been available at Diavlos Internet Cafe (www.diavlos.gr) on the paralia, next to the police station; Diavlos is open daily from 9:30am to 11pm May through October, but mornings only November through April. The post office (tel. 22730/27-304) is on the same street as the Olympic Air office, 1 block farther in from the paralia, and 2 blocks from the bus station. The telephone office (OTE; tel. 22730/28-499) is down the street from the Olympic Air office, in the direction of the archaeological museum. The tourist police (tel. 22730/81-000) are on the paralia, by the turn into the bus station.
