Many people are currently writing to me unsure whether the ATMs will still spit out money and whether there will actually be no more ferries to Ikaria in September? I know the information is pretty good and not exactly tourist-friendly hidden on the web, but that’s what I’m here for! I did some research for you:

Cash

The usual means of payment in Ikaria is and remains cash, but at the moment this applies to the whole of Greece! For us locals, life is made quite complicated by the “capital controls” and you can hardly do business properly anymore unless you pay in cash. The banks are no longer issuing large amounts to Greeks and so hotel owners/restaurants/supermarkets/shops can no longer pay their suppliers and wholesalers. So at the moment everything is cash-based and hand-to-hand. In Ikaria, credit cards were only accepted in hotels and car rental companies, but now everyone understandably prefers cash.

Even though Greek citizens can only withdraw a maximum of 60 euros per day from banks/ATMs, this limit does not apply to holders of foreign debit or credit cards. If you think about it, €60 a day is more than most Greeks earn! As is well known, the minimum wage is €350 per month! But the media likes to talk about the whole thing in order to stimulate the fear business! As a foreigner, you can withdraw at any time without any limit.

I recommend bringing as much cash as possible in €100 or €50 notes with you or withdrawing them directly from the ATMs in GR. Notes larger than 100 dollar notes are impractical because no one can change them! I always carry cash on me (not in my purse of course), even when I’m traveling for my shop in Athens, and I’ve never had any problems with pickpockets. You should just be vigilant and use your common sense: keep a small amount (up to a maximum of €100) in your wallet when you’re on the go, leave the big money in the safe at the hotel or carry it on your body. Plus, I’ve never had to wait longer than three people in front of me at an ATM, and the machines have never been empty!! It’s all pure scaremongering!

Timetables

The ferries to Ikaria all run as scheduled. I have picked out the best routes for you. If you know others, I would be grateful for your tip!

Hellenic Seaways

Piraeus-Paros-Naxos-Evdylos-Fourni-Karlovassi from June 15th to September 6th, 2015: Nissos Mykonos

Piraeus-Syros-Mykonos-Patmos-Evdylos-Ag. Kyrikos-Fourni-Karlovassi-Vathi-Chios-Mytilene-Limnos-Kavala from September 7th to October 11th, 2015: Nissos Mykonos

Piraeus-Syros-Mykonos-Patmos-Ag. Kyrikos-Vathi-Chios-Mytilene-Lymnos-Kavala from June 15th to October 12th: Nissos Rodos