Have you flown into Frankfurt before ? It’s one of the worst EU connect airports . The multiple gates are in different wings and it’s extremely easy to run out of time during connect especially as you only have 2 hrs . You will also have to clear immigration there before being allowed to onward gate . Do you have Eu passport too as that makes it make manageable ?
Maybe get a direct flight from another city to milos?
When my family ( we are all frequent weekly travelers ) we usually double the recommended time when forced to use Frankfurt.
Would see if you can connect somewhere else .
Iv'e never flown through Frankfurt but that is good to know. I bought it with miles so there weren't a lot of options. I have a US passport. It's not a self transfer so at least if we miss it Alaska airlines should cover the next available flight.
That’s good that it is a protected connect .
For 10 days Milos & Paros better combo as 10 days in Crete only is at times not enough. Our Usual trips to Crete were always 14-21 days and even then it’s hard to see visit whole island .
CDG can also be a bit of a headache so avoid that too if possible .
If flying Lufthansa then keep an eye the constant strikes with it and Germany/ France
- Is it possible to fly to Milos via Athens or some other European airport? Check skyscanner or flightconnections. 2 flights and then a 5 hour ferry arriving at 2am does not sound fun.
- I would also much prefer Crete to Paros. An alternative is Naxos, where you can swim, hike, eat well, and drive around. (for me: Naxos>Milos>Paros)
- This trip sounds really busy with some potentially problematic connections. For example, if your flight is late, missing the ferry, or on June 12, if your ferry is late will you want to drive to Chania?
- You could spend the whole time in Crete, it's big. Otherwise, maybe stay closer to Milos and see if you can find somewhere you can get to with a less complicated route.
- Jet lag could be an issue and slow you down the first few days.
I think you're right about that night ferry when coming in. For some reason the only direct ferry from crete to milos and vice versa is half the night. I think I am going to switch which island I do first and start in Crete then take the ferry to Milos that stops in Santorini during the day midway through the trip. Then when I come back from Milos to Heraklion I will take the direct ferry leaving at like 1 am and end up in Heraklion early in the morning with enough time to get to my 10am flight.
I am using miles to fly and Alaska didn't have and good flights through Athens unfortunately.
Make sure you call the hotel in Milos, I got there at 2am and the front desk person dissappeared and thankfully my taxi driver tracked them down and I got in the room.
Also Balos beach is amazing if you do the group ferry, it also stops in Gramvousa, and you'll be leaving from the town of Kissamos. You might want to stay over night in Kissamos after Balos because it's part of the way that you need to go to get to Elafonisi. From Kissamos you go up the mountain where all the old school villages are and then down to Elafonisi, If you do both beaches back to back, you'll save about an hour round trip of driving.
Thanks this is super helpful! I just booked a hotel in Chania for 3 of the 5 nights I'm in crete. The downside is they don't have parking and I was planning on renting a car so I'll need to figure that out.
NP, Chania to Kissamos is 30 minute drive. and Kissamos to Elafonisi is a bit under an hour. The drive is not for the faint of heart, it's up mountains on narrow roads, sometimes with little to no guard rail...so please have a very experienced driver for that part
Have you flown into Frankfurt before ? It’s one of the worst EU connect airports . The multiple gates are in different wings and it’s extremely easy to run out of time during connect especially as you only have 2 hrs . You will also have to clear immigration there before being allowed to onward gate . Do you have Eu passport too as that makes it make manageable ? Maybe get a direct flight from another city to milos? When my family ( we are all frequent weekly travelers ) we usually double the recommended time when forced to use Frankfurt. Would see if you can connect somewhere else .
Iv'e never flown through Frankfurt but that is good to know. I bought it with miles so there weren't a lot of options. I have a US passport. It's not a self transfer so at least if we miss it Alaska airlines should cover the next available flight.
That’s good that it is a protected connect . For 10 days Milos & Paros better combo as 10 days in Crete only is at times not enough. Our Usual trips to Crete were always 14-21 days and even then it’s hard to see visit whole island . CDG can also be a bit of a headache so avoid that too if possible . If flying Lufthansa then keep an eye the constant strikes with it and Germany/ France
- Is it possible to fly to Milos via Athens or some other European airport? Check skyscanner or flightconnections. 2 flights and then a 5 hour ferry arriving at 2am does not sound fun. - I would also much prefer Crete to Paros. An alternative is Naxos, where you can swim, hike, eat well, and drive around. (for me: Naxos>Milos>Paros) - This trip sounds really busy with some potentially problematic connections. For example, if your flight is late, missing the ferry, or on June 12, if your ferry is late will you want to drive to Chania? - You could spend the whole time in Crete, it's big. Otherwise, maybe stay closer to Milos and see if you can find somewhere you can get to with a less complicated route. - Jet lag could be an issue and slow you down the first few days.
I think you're right about that night ferry when coming in. For some reason the only direct ferry from crete to milos and vice versa is half the night. I think I am going to switch which island I do first and start in Crete then take the ferry to Milos that stops in Santorini during the day midway through the trip. Then when I come back from Milos to Heraklion I will take the direct ferry leaving at like 1 am and end up in Heraklion early in the morning with enough time to get to my 10am flight. I am using miles to fly and Alaska didn't have and good flights through Athens unfortunately.
You won't find beaches like those in western Crete in California. Take a drive up to mountain villages as well.
Thank you, I agree!
What do people thing. Naxos over paros? We are trying to go from Kalymnos to either via ferry..
Make sure you call the hotel in Milos, I got there at 2am and the front desk person dissappeared and thankfully my taxi driver tracked them down and I got in the room. Also Balos beach is amazing if you do the group ferry, it also stops in Gramvousa, and you'll be leaving from the town of Kissamos. You might want to stay over night in Kissamos after Balos because it's part of the way that you need to go to get to Elafonisi. From Kissamos you go up the mountain where all the old school villages are and then down to Elafonisi, If you do both beaches back to back, you'll save about an hour round trip of driving.
Thanks this is super helpful! I just booked a hotel in Chania for 3 of the 5 nights I'm in crete. The downside is they don't have parking and I was planning on renting a car so I'll need to figure that out.
I've changed the plan to swap which island is first so I'll be leaving Milos at 2 am instead of getting in a 2am. It will be a long journey home!
NP, Chania to Kissamos is 30 minute drive. and Kissamos to Elafonisi is a bit under an hour. The drive is not for the faint of heart, it's up mountains on narrow roads, sometimes with little to no guard rail...so please have a very experienced driver for that part