"Car ferry Brindis-Igoumenitsa-Brindisi and travel booking "
My first booking with direct ferries and first crossing from Italy to Greece (back in 2013, back in January 2014). Booking and reservation was not a problem. Thank directly ferries also for the timely notification (3 days before trip) that the return trip been delayed by 2 hours This is despite the Internet service reservation, I commend me 5 little tips.:
Allow 1) on additional bookings (food, etc) is cheaper than paying on board
2) refer to the additional costs for Credit Card Payment
3) strongly emphasize the words in the Reserv confirmation to pick up the ticket at the terminal,
4) indicate the opening times of the switches in the ferry ports
To achieve 5) direct ferries 24 hours by phone
All in all I was surprised that everything (!) Went well, if you are used to fly ...
Both ships are identical. The Sorrento was in better condition than the Catania.
The problem was the arrival of Bari in the Brindisi harbor. It started already with the fact that the highway toll (Brenner Bari) in Bari (exit to Brindisi) could only be paid in cash (no card only cash ~ 71 EUR). Despite good description in the reservation confirmation I had to Brindisi Ferry found without navigation only after several attempts. Until Brindisi the signs went, but after missing the signs or was totally overgrown with bushes. When I arrived at 7 clock in the morning there were not many people I could have asked for in this remote area.
The ticket desk in the port terminal of Grimaldi Lines opened at 9 clock and I got the Embroidered problems based on the confirmation of direct ferries. The terminal itself is m. E. a bleak and barren place, waiting for the ferry is not relieved here. The ferry itself (Sorrento) was good and I was well briefed by both the vehicle deck as well as from the on-board reception and other personnel on board. It was on the parking deck just very close to, but that was okay. Bodverpflegung the quality and price was a department store restaurant par. I was able to strengthen me with 2 meals good for later ride. In addition to a casino, there was no Zersträungsmöglichkeiten, the instructed seat, an airplane chair similar, does not offer much opportunity to lie " long " to - back problems are announced. Great, I found that one to two ferries for the car has to lie down (mitnemen ceiling, otherwise it will be very cold in winter). The return ferry (Catania) had only two toilets for all passengers and had been otherwise prepared only provisionally. I saw it this way, that this ship had renovation work and was recalled at short notice. The food went, but was not as good as on the Sorrento. The travel times were more or less on time. The ferry port in Igoumenitsa was first class (!) Compared to Brindisi, both on arrival and on the return trip. The terminal is a real residence where you can expect the exit with restaurants, cafes and even the Fährschalter are clearly arranged. A very different picture than in Brindisi. The highway leads directly into the port, petrol stations are right on the harbor there, because there are only 3 stations on the A2 to Ipsala (Turkey), of whom two were closed and at night next to the highway just a few Takstellen have opened in Greece (Thessaloniki are it again at night open gas stations, with Navi POI's duty should be be night driving). The new A2 motorway in Greece (Igoumenitsa-Ipsala) I liked very well, good covering (still new), well secured, small picnic areas, clear speed data, toll 7x2, 50EUR located (up Ipsala) and very scenic. Since I will stay next time in a few places longer.
All police, immigration and customs checks went hassle free and were were reasonable.
It was for mi
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Recommended?
No
Reviewed by who travelled with Grimaldi Lines on Catania
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