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Post by yorkshiremouth on Jun 19, 2017 10:24:59 GMT
I've not been on a local bus in Skiathos before, just the coach transferring between the airport and accommodation.
What are they like?
Modern? Old?
Comfortable? Uncomfortable?
Hot? Air conditioned? (important, that one)
Okay for the kids?
Safe? Maniac-driven?
Cheers.
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Post by philipt22 on Jun 19, 2017 11:10:18 GMT
What are they like? Fairly new Comfortable? Uncomfortable? If you can get a seat there comfortable but at peak times its standing room only! Hot? Air conditioned? (important, that one) From what I remember air conditioned but I might be wrong. It has been 12 years since we visited. Okay for the kids? Yes but they might have to stand or sit on your lap. Safe? Maniac-driven? I felt very safe.
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Jun 19, 2017 11:41:45 GMT
Cheers, that's appreciated.
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Post by kevb on Jun 19, 2017 12:13:09 GMT
They can get a bit claustrophobic when full but take it in good spirit and the journey soon passes, its mainly a problem on the route into town early evening or out of town last thing at night. It was OK for me frst 2 times as I stayed in Kouk so I always got a seat. Last time in Troulos they were getting a bit busy by time they got there but usually OK. Its folks getting to town from places like Achladies that have the problem. I'm there peak time this year so opted to stay somewhere walkable to town.
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Post by philipt22 on Jun 19, 2017 12:15:57 GMT
It should be easy for you going into Skiathos Town. If I'm right in remembering you're staying at Skiathos Palace which is only 1 or 2 stops from the Kouk terminus. You should be fine getting a seat most times of day, just don't decide to get the bus the same time as the Kouk beach lovers are heading from the beach to their various accommodations.
Depending on how late you stay out in the evening you should be fine getting a seat on the return journey. The latest we returned to Troulos was about 11:30 and we had no problems; the revellers were still revelling and I think the last bus back left town at 1am. I wouldn't of fancied that, I guess that would be chaos.
4 days for us 36 days for you; have a fantastic holiday!!
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Post by dennisn on Jun 19, 2017 12:52:19 GMT
The buses are safe enough, the drivers all take it steadily. Unlike the taxi drivers who seem to be like suicide bombers on holiday!
Have a look at Woody's map and you'll see bus stop numbers - the bus conductors (yes, bus conductors. None of your fancy one man operators) usually call out the number (and name) of each upcoming stop. A popular one going into town is "Number 4 Acropolis " where a lot of keeners get off to walk through the back streets into town. Listen carefully and learn to understand the conductor's English. But do go all the way one day so that you see where the terminus is for the return journey. And be nice to the blonde lady bus conductor bloke (her husband is her driver) and tell her I'll be there on 1st July - she'll be so looking forward to that. She doesn't have the zebra bus.
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Post by dennisn on Jun 19, 2017 13:01:32 GMT
Oh, I've just remembered, in (I think) 2015, they introduced a policy of No Standing. Honest Injun! They abandoned that policy when they suddenly realised they didn't have 400 buses, only 4.
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Post by kathos on Jun 19, 2017 14:11:12 GMT
New buses with aircon were introduced a couple of years ago, the aircon on the old ones was an open window
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Buses
Jun 20, 2017 8:17:22 GMT
Post by yorkshiremouth on Jun 20, 2017 8:17:22 GMT
It should be easy for you going into Skiathos Town. If I'm right in remembering you're staying at Skiathos Palace which is only 1 or 2 stops from the Kouk terminus. You should be fine getting a seat most times of day, just don't decide to get the bus the same time as the Kouk beach lovers are heading from the beach to their various accommodations. Depending on how late you stay out in the evening you should be fine getting a seat on the return journey. The latest we returned to Troulos was about 11:30 and we had no problems; the revellers were still revelling and I think the last bus back left town at 1am. I wouldn't of fancied that, I guess that would be chaos. 4 days for us 36 days for you; have a fantastic holiday!!
Cheers Phil, yes we're at the Palace.
If my mem'ry serves me well we used to get the water taxi from Achladies into town around 7:00-ish, so we certainly won't be on with those returning to town from the beach. Is there a time when the evening traffic dies down?
One possibility is taking the bus to Achladies, then the water taxi to town because we love the water taxi so much.
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Buses
Jun 20, 2017 8:28:48 GMT
Post by yorkshiremouth on Jun 20, 2017 8:28:48 GMT
New buses with aircon were introduced a couple of years ago, the aircon on the old ones was an open window EXCELLENT!
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Post by Tre on Jun 20, 2017 22:05:22 GMT
Air con? Mmm It's definitely there but, "move along, move along" squashed up, arm pits...... should be ok into town from Skiathos Palace though as you're more likely to get a seat. Doubt the buses will even stop at 15 for us in..... 10 days time!! Too full! We've been known to get the bus to Kouk, stay on, & pay again into town say at around 8pm in July!! Gotta love a Skiathos bus journey.....
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Buses
Jun 21, 2017 8:38:57 GMT
Post by yorkshiremouth on Jun 21, 2017 8:38:57 GMT
Air con? Mmm It's definitely there but, "move along, move along" squashed up, arm pits...... should be ok into town from Skiathos Palace though as you're more likely to get a seat. Doubt the buses will even stop at 15 for us in..... 10 days time!! Too full! We've been known to get the bus to Kouk, stay on, & pay again into town say at around 8pm in July!! Gotta love a Skiathos bus journey.....
I get the general idea - the buses start at Kouk, and obviously become more and more full as you head towards town.
But do they ever get full straight away at Kouk?
I'm still amazed (I know, I do go on) that the water taxis from Kouk stop so early.
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Post by Tre on Jun 21, 2017 8:50:38 GMT
It has been known. When we stayed at the Palace we were happy to do a deal with a passing taxi to get into town if the bus passed us full.
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Post by kevb on Jun 21, 2017 8:58:13 GMT
I never saw one fill up at Kouk either time I was there but it was late Aug/early Sep both times so maybe just over the real peak. I could imagine it being possible at a really busy time, say 6:30-7pm in peak season but you'd be pretty unlucky not to get on at the Palace. As Tre says there will be taxis hovering vulture-like at the possibility of a full bus. Personally if a bus passed full and I was at the Palace I'd just walk down into Kouk for the night instead and try another time.
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Buses
Jun 21, 2017 9:42:38 GMT
Post by yorkshiremouth on Jun 21, 2017 9:42:38 GMT
I know it's probably already been said, but how much is the bus for 2 adults and 2 kids (7 and 9)?
And how much is a taxi?
Cheers.
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