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The first thing we consider on a trip to Greece in a campervan or motorhome is how to get there, how much it will cost us and how long it will take to get there.

That is why our first step in preparing our travel to greece by motorhome , which you can read on the blog with everything important to know about Greece in a motorhome and with our experiences there, was to make a comparison of kilometers, expenses of the different options that exist to access Greece in a motorhome and times that it would take us to arrive .

From that comparison we leave you the data below.

By highway

To get from Barcelona, ​​where we start, to the Peloponnese in Greece, where we plan to start our route, it is necessary to travel approximately 3000 kilometers through different European countries, of which part are from the Balkans. Countries where we know that the roads are not good at all, nor is the driving of their premises.

3000 kilometers what are some 33 hours of driving approximate and that suppose a total cost about €1000 from Barcelona to Patras. €2000 round trip.

The costs in gasoline we calculate that they are 726 € plus a few almost €300 in tolls, with our average consumption of 11 liters per 100 km, at €2,20 on average per liter of gasoline.

By sea, via ferries

From Barcelona we can go to Greece through two ferries and a 3,5-hour drive by highway.

Remember to look at the post we have made about 10 things you should never do on a motorhome ferry, where we explain regulations and tips for boarding a ferry.

For both the first and second ferries, the majority operator of the ferry routes is from the Grimaldi Lines group, and we recommend you go directly to their website and not to intermediary search engines that raise the rates with their commissions.

Step 1 to access Greece by ferry by motorhome: Ferry 1

Un first ferry to board is the Barcelona to Italy. We have not seen them leave from other Spanish ports, so outside of Barcelona we do not see other options from Spain. From Barcelona they go to one of the 4 Italian ports where there are lines. Savona, Genoa, Livorno and Civitavecchia, arranged from north to south of the Italian west coast.

To make this trip to Greece the best port is Civitavecchia for being the line with more regularity and further south and thus save us kilometers of driving.

Step 2 to ferry to Greece by motorhome: A little driving

From Civitavecchia, the next step will be to drive to one of the 4 ports on the east coast of Italy they have lines with Greece. ports are Venice, Ancona, Bari and Brindisi, arranged from northern to southernmost in Italy.

Which better optimize the route and driving is the port of Ancona, to which we would only drive 3,5 hoursIf not, the next best ones would be Bari and Brindisi further south and which we will reach from Civitavecchia in 6-7 hours of driving.

Step 3 to access Greece by ferry by motorhome: Ferry 2

And finally, from the chosen port on the Italian East coast we can access different Greek ports. Main greek ports of arrival are Corfu, Igumenitsa and Patras, from further north to south, and knowing that Corfu is an island.

The price we see for each ferry with our motorhome 7,5 meters long and 3 meters high, traveling in a pet-friendly exterior cabin with two dogs, two children and two adults, is approximately €400-500. In total, for the two ferries plus gasoline to cross Italy between port and port it will mean 1000€. 2000 round trip.

The price also varies according to the dimensions of the vehicle to board, the type of accommodation and who is staying, being able to reduce considerably to a few $600 for 2 children and two adults if traveling in a smaller camper van and in the cabin for the two ferries and one way. 1200 round trip.

You should also know that on some very few ferries and with very few seats there is the option of camping on board, that is, stay and sleep in your motorhome inside the exterior cellar, which reduces the cost of the trip a little. You have to look at this option with a lot of time, since as I told you there are very few places available.

In conclusion, it costs less or the same to travel by ferry than by road.

The advantages, however, are many. There is no wear and tear on the motorhome engine, no physical and psychological fatigue for drivers, children or dogs. So if you are wondering how to go to Greece by motorhome, keep this option in mind.

By air and rent at destination

The third option and answer to how to go to Greece by motorhome is to travel by plane and rent a motorhome at the destination.

If you do not have a motorhome or if you do, but perhaps you will go for a few days, without a doubt this is the option that will be more profitable and cheaper.

Our choice, itinerary and experience to access Greece by motorhome

In our case, seeing that the price was the same by road as by ferry and seeing that in time it would also take 2,5-3 days, we decided to buy the ferry tickets and do the following itinerary:

• Ferry from Barcelona to Civitavecchia
• Drive 3,5 hours from Civitavecchia to Ancona, in Italy
• Ferry from Ancona to Patras

In total, the cost was 1000 euros in total to get from Barcelona to Greece, 2000 to go and return, choosing pet-friendly exterior cabins on all ferries and being 4 plus two dogs that also pay. Another important thing to know is that the price was 3 months in advance of the trip. You should know that against before you buy it better so that you get a better price.

Remember to look at the post we have made about 10 things you should never do on a motorhome ferry, where we explain regulations and tips for boarding a ferry.

Important to keep in mind

Important: Between ferry and ferry we leave enough hours in case there were delays in the ferries and thank goodness because we had a delay of 3 hours in the first one.

Another thing you should know is that return to optimize kilometers and expenses the ferry we took the ferry in another greek port, in Igumenitsa, north of Greece, to Ancona. Always think about the route you will take and choose the port afterwards to optimize resources and expenses well. In this case, planning a trip like this adds up, more than improvising the route and trip.

Our experiences on the ferries to Greece

About the ferries we took, tell you that they all operated Grimaldi Lines. Although the one from Ancona to Patras, was from their Greek subsidiary. It is called Minoan Lines, but to buy them it is done from the Grimaldi Lines page as well. The only thing that changes is that on the boats the people who work are mainly Greek and on the Grimaldi boat, pure and simple, they are all Italian.

All ferries had children's play area, various restaurants and bars and swimming pool. And depending on the ferry, there were other services such as a spa, gym, casino, ice cream parlor, shops, etc. The spa was the only extra payment, the rest is free. That's why the pool is outside and is only open in summer.

In addition, in July we live some activities on board the Grimaldi ferries, basically dance classes and disco activities. If you like to party, a plus to make the trip more entertaining.

Conclusion of our experience

En conclusion, our experience on the ferries on this trip to Greece has been positive compared to the road. Much better for children and for those of us who drive too, better than driving 32 hours. Although it is true that the ferries are ferries and not cruise ships, and we must differentiate it well, here the cabins and services are far from the luxuries of the hotels on the sea that are on cruise ships, so expect what is fair as a means of transport that is and they will surely surprise you.