Getting There

Greece is a member of the Schengen Agreement, and US citizens do not need a visa for stays shorter than 90 days.  If you are not a US citizen, check the entry requirements for your country (here).

Flying

The fastest way to the island is to fly into Mytilini's airport (code MJT).  There are frequently flights from Athens on Aegean Airlines and Olympic Airlines.  We've found that it is often cheaper to book this flight separately from your flight to Greece, but it's worth exploring the options.  In the summer there are also a number of charter flights directly from other European cities to Mytiliini, but they usually show up closer to the summer.  Thomas Cook flies directly to Mytilini from Manchester (Wednesdays and Saturdays) and London Gatwick (Saturdays).  For island hopping, Sky Express flies to Limnos, Samos, Kos, Rhodes, and Heraklion.

Ferry

If you want to get the island the slow way, there are a number of lines running from Piraeus (near Athens) to the island.  The trip takes about 9-11 hours on a comfortable but utilitarian ferry.  Ferries depart in the morning or evening, and the schedule varies by day of the week for each ferry line.  If you take the overnight ferry, we highly recommend getting a cabin so you can sleep.  The price for private cabin is usually a little less than airfare.  If you really want to save money, you can buy a ticket to spend the night on deck.

In addition to Piraeus, ferry service is typically available daily to Chios, and less frequently to Thessaloniki and the nearby islands of Limnos, Ikaria, and Samos.  There is also inexpensive daily ferry service to Ayvalik in Turkey.

Schedules for June 2014 probably won't be published until spring, but you can check out the websites to get an idea now.

Ferry Lines

 

Getting Around

Driving

To get out and explore, you’ll really want to rent a car.  The US State Department website encourages you to get an International Driving Permit (which is available from AAA if live in this US).  You'll also want to check with your insurance or credit card to see what kind of coverage you have abroad.

The island doesn’t look that big on the map, but the terrain is rugged and the roads are narrow and winding, so give yourself plenty of time (Google maps estimates are rather optimistic in our experience). Gas stations are not generally open 24-7, so it’s best to fill up during working hours.  All stations are full service.

Most rental cars are manual transmission; if you need an automatic we’d recommend reserving that soon.  Less is more when it comes to choosing a car size.  You may think upgrading to that full size sedan or SUV will really be luxurious, but you’ll be swearing when you can’t find parking and you have to fold in side mirrors to fit through the village streets.  On the other extreme, we do not recommend renting a motorcycle or scooter, because this is a great way to include the Greek healthcare system in your trip, which is not compatible with partying at our wedding. 

Taxi

Taxis are readily available at the airport, in the Mytilini's center, and at most villages.  You can hail a ride from the street or request a taxi by calling (+30 22510 23500).  The phone operators should be able to speak English, but the cab drivers may not, so it is a good idea to have the address of your destination written down.

Bus

Buses run a couple of times per day between Mytilini and the villages on the island.  The schedule is designed to bring villagers to Mytilini for a day of business, so this is not the most efficient way to tour the sites, but it is an option if you don't want to drive or pay for long-distance taxi rides.  The clearest schedule is published at Lesvos Calendars, but you can try the bus company's site too (KTEL Lesvou).

Summer 2009 194.JPG