The ports of Piraeus and Rafina, along with the national highway, witnessed a surge of travellers over the weekend as the first Athenians embarked on their summer vacations.
August has traditionally been the peak month for Athenians to go on holiday. However, this year, Greek travellers faced challenges due to the increasing costs of ferry tickets and fuel, with prices soaring to 2 euros per litre on some islands this week.
Between Friday and Sunday, approximately 73,000 passengers set sail for the Greek islands from the port of Piraeus alone. Ferries from Piraeus and KTEL intercity buses operated at full capacity to accommodate the high demand. To meet the surge, ferry operators increased the number of daily routes to 24 on Saturday, catering to around 30,000 holidaymakers departing for destinations such as Crete, Tinos, Kythnos, Paros, Naxos, Sifnos, Skyros, as well as other islands in the Dodecanese and Cyclades. Additionally, local media reports indicate that most of the country's main holiday spots are almost fully occupied, with many vacationers opting for lesser-known destinations this year.
A study conducted in June revealed that one in two Greeks would be unable to go on holiday this year due to the cost-of-living crisis, while one in three stated they would be spending less compared to previous years. Despite the challenges, the allure of Greece's beautiful islands and scenic spots continues to attract travellers, creating a busy start to the summer holiday season.
