Transport
For detailed information on how to get to the island, see the page 'Your Visit' on this site.
THE ROADS AND THE WEATHER
Samothraki is subject to extremes of weather. The rivers and streams are wild and natural for a good reason - after rainfall on the mountain they can rapidly turn into raging torrents.
Many locals, as of necessity, have 4x4 vehicles, as the roads and bridges are frequently washed out or eroded by storms - especially in the more isolated areas, where it may take weeks or months for weather damage to the roads to be repaired.
In the depths of winter, some villages may be cut off at times, when the connecting roads are destroyed by landslides. This problem, which has always existed to some extent, is being made much worse by over-grazing and loss of tree cover.
Photo Credit: This photograph was taken by the site author.
1. PUBLIC TRANSPORT
THE BUS SERVICE
The "bus station" is near the lighthouse at Kamariotissa.
Check the time table posted on the notice board near the lighthouse.
NOTE: There is a reduced service on weekends and in the off-peak season.
Routes:
Kamariotissa - Chora and return
Kamariotissa -Palaeopoli-Karioutes -Therma-Phonias and return
Kamariotissa-Alonia-Lakkoma- Profitis Ilias and return
Photo Credit: This photograph was taken by the site author.
2. TAXI
A shared taxi with four passengers can work out the same price or cheaper than the bus.
Apotas Nikolaos: 0030 697 691 2732; 0030 255 104 1720
Vasdekis Panagiotis: 0030 697 281 7623; 0030 255 109 5140
Vrachiolia Evdokia: 0030 697 699 1270; 0030 697 699 1271
3. PRIVATE SCOOTER HIRE
KAMARIOTISSA
Christos Matsas:
tel:0030 2551041220
mobile:0030 6972924253
KAMARIOTISSA
Dimitrios Kirkos
tel: 0030 2551041620
mobile:0030 6976435139
mobile: 0030 69764371122
samothrakirentcar@gmail.com
Saos Bikes: 0030 694 606 5551; 0030 255 109 8280
Cholovai (Kamariotissa): 0030 697 669 5591
4. PRIVATE CAR HIRE
Dimitrios Kirkos
tel: 0030 2551041620
mobile:0030 6976435139
mobile: 0030 69764371122
Christos Matsas:
tel:0030 2551041220
mobile:0030 6972924253
The island's only petrol station is located in Kamariotissa. It is not unknown for it to run out of petrol during peak tourist season, so make sure you have a full tank!
5. PRIVATE BICYCLE HIRE
O Psaras Cycle Hire - +30 699 787 9791 FaceBook Page
They are located between Palaeopolis and Karyoutes on the main coast road.
During peak tourist season O Psaras Bicycle Hire operates a mobile bicycle rental stall at Therma Harbour and elsewhere.
Daily cycle rental on the island varies from 5 Euro (off - season) to 15 Euro (high season) a day.
If you hire a bicycle in Alexandroupolis, it costs 4 euro to take a bicycle onto the ferry. You pay this fee when you go onto the ferry. (Prices as of May 2018)
For a stay of over 20 days it would work out more economical to buy a cheap bicycle in Alexandroupolis.
6. HITCH-HIKING
You are more likely to be able to hitch around the island in the off-peak season, however, locals and tourists do have a tradition of stopping and picking up hitch hikers.
Don't expect this to happen right away - you may have to wait quite a long time for a lift.
Expect to jump into the back of a pick up truck if picked up by a local. Many of the campers and university students who holiday on the island prefer to take their chances with this more irregular form of transport.
Photocredit: Fred and Bev's Odyssey
6. BRING YOUR OWN VEHICLE
PEAK SEASON JULY-AUGUST
Car rental and petrol prices on the island are significantly more expensive on the mainland; this is because the main tourist season is only two months long,and it would not be economical to run the rental businesses at a lower price.
When you arrive off the boat, you will find several companies that specialise in vehicle hire.
OFF-PEAK SEASON
On the other hand you will be able to negotiate a substantially reduced rental price off season.
If you are planning a long stay it might be worthwhile doing some quick arithmetic. it may work out cheaper to hire your car or scooter in Alexandroupolis, fill the tank with petrol, and pay to transport it across on the boat.
The same applies to cycle rental. Alternatively, it might possibly work out cheaper to buy a cheap secondhand bicycle in Alexandropoulis, if you are planning on an extended stay on the island.
Photo Credit: This photograph was taken by the site author.