Cyprus-Forum.com

[Cyprus Vending]

Hi Tuggy

We are doing the same next week (thats the plan). We are leaving our campsite in The Loire Valley in France where we live and driving down to Ancona and getting the 21 hour ferry to Patras, then the drive to Piraeus.

Louis line are doing a weekly cruise to Limissol leaving on a Weds arriving on the nx Friday, we too have opted for a better cabin - 1121Euros inc Car & Louis (baby). We did use the Cyprus office 00357 25 57 00 00.

When are you planning on going?

Our phone number here is 0033 247 91 94 61 ( WWW.THELOIREVALLEY.COM )

If we can be of any help - just ask.

[norman347]

Hi Tuggy,
I am also hoping to do the trip myself but not until 2008. I have read of someone doing the same trip this month.
Only took one week overall. He sailed from Harwich to Hook of Holland on Stena Lines £200 overnight.
Venice to Patras Minoan Lines 580 Euros. ( posh cabin) Two days.
Piraeus to Limassol Louis Lines 380 cyp two days.
Hope this helps you as it has given me a better ouylook on the journey.
Cheers Norman.

[Cypriotatheart]

I made the mistake of driving across in September 1989 with my daughter. I did it the "easy way" by taking Hovercraft to Boulogne on a Friday and then driving to the railway station and putting the car on the train to Bologna and then we found our seats (beds). We disembarked around mid-day and then drove to Ancona and caught the ferry which took 2 nights to Patras. From Patras a drive besides the Corinth canal and down to Piraeus where we boarded the ferry to Limassol arriving Wednesday afternoon. This meant we were not in danger of having the car broken into during our journey as I had heard so many horror stories of this happening in Italy.
There were more ferries going then but we were actually the last one of a line which went out of business as we arrived in Limassol.
Why do I say a mistake? My friend hadn't realised I couldn't bring the car over from UK and keep it in Cyprus because it was under 2 years old! Yes it helped to get some breakables and valuables over with us but then I had to send the car back to UK after 9 months when they would no longer allow it to stay in Cyprus and I couldn't pay tax to do so. Perhaps rules have changed now we are in Europe.

Going to live in Cyprus was never a mistake just not doing enough homework beforehand.

[tuggy]

hi i have had a lot of replies to my ? they have all been good too but the only thing i need now is how much is the ferry crossing etc,etc thanks loads hope to see all there lol

[Swallowtail]

So glad I found this thread! Our apt in Cyprus will be ready for us in Jan 07, we have been trying to find a way of driving over there for some months now. We drove to Pireas, via Patras, in our Camper in May as part of a 5 month trip in Europe to try and find out about ferries but everyone we spoke to told us the only way was to put van in Container at Pireas then fly from Athens. We asked shipping Agents, travel Agents, Ferry Operators and the locals in the Corner Pin in Kaparis (we left our van in Athens and flew to Cyprus for a week in May). We found the Turkey to North Cyprus ferry easily but no matter how we tried noone could help us get to Limassol.

So thanks guys we will contact Louis.

Final note, regarding ferry prices.

1) Dover to Calais - We called in last minute at the first 'Cheap Ferry Ticket Office' you see as you drive into Dover, they sold us a ticket on the next Seafrance crossing for £35 - 2 Adults + 6m Camper (they then sorted one for £30 by phone from Calais when we needed to come home - pay by Debit Card and they just give you a ref no. to get you back accross).
2) Bari to Patras - again we called in at 4pm to check prices with Blue Star Superfast Ferries and we got a great cabin (brand new and very comfy) with camper for 360 Euros return (returning via Iguomenitsa or Patras) on the next boat at 8pm. We could have got a cheaper crossing via Ancona to Iguomenitsa which would have cost 190 Euros if we slept in the Camper but this is supposed to be against the rules now - Minoan Lines still do it. We watched the campers loading at Iguomenitsa and spoke to English people who were booked on, they told us the price and they were not told that the Gvt don't permit this type of travel anymore - the lady at the Blue Star office told us it is certainly not permitted and she was quite off with us for asking about it!

We spoke to people on our boat that booked via the Internet (as recommended by the Rough Guide to Italy and the Rough Guide to Greece) but they paid over 500 Euros for the same crossing as us - they thought they had a bargain. I think if you travel out of the High Season you certainly won't have to book in advance. There are several boats going out of Ancona and Bari to Greece most days.

[tuggy]

just out of intrest who in the corner pin did you speak to can you remember there names as it is my father-in-laws pub with his sister and nice small world comes to mind lol

[grinder]

Hey Tuggy,

Does George happen to be you father - in - law, Because he is my wife's uncle and Pam is her Aunt !!!, When are you making the trip out there, becuase we will be there on Sunday 13th August.
What is you name? do we know you?

Cheers
Reply soon!!

[chrissie]

HELLO,i have a route map detailing every road,autobhan,ferry,stopoff,from guildford to limmasol. my wife and i are moving to cyprus in 2007, i will post anyone a copy free just leave me a message plus address . PETER KELSEY.

[toyyorky]

Hello Peter,

Is there any chance you can email me route that you have i to am driving over to Cyprus.
My brother and sister have a pub in Kaparis Paralimni,

Regards Tom

[norman347]

Hi Peter
I would also like a copy of your route as we are planning to drive over in 2008.If you could e-mail it to [email protected]
Thanks
Cheers Norman.