It is indeed possible not to find any seats available on the High Speed or Speed Runner to Milos if you try to purchase your ticket in the morning of departure, but generally, in June this is unlikely. This year, however, things are different. The deregulation of the shipping industry and the retirement of several, older ferries means that there might be a shortage of seats on morning ferries to the islands. In any case, if you do not have your ticket reserved in advance, there are ticket agents very close to the boat inside the port, so you do not have to go look for tickets in the busy travel agencies in Piraeus or Athens.

Advance reservation of a hotel is ALWAYS recommended. As for trusting your credit card with greek websites, I cannot speak for everyone, but generally, yes, you can. All hotels listed on kalimera are trustworthy, carefully selected establishments, so you can trust them. I would not trust 3rd party websites that do automated reservations on the internet, however, not because of credit card problems but because it is impossible for them to really know what is available and when. About the ONLY way to properly reserve a hotel in the greek islands in my opinion, is through PERSONAL customer service, that is, direct communication with the owners via email (recommended) fax, or telephone.

Most hotels ask that you deposit some funds in order to reserve your room, say, 10% or 1-2 nights' stay in advance. The most often used downpayment method is via an IBAN bank money transfer. If you have internet banking, then an IBAN transfer is your best bet.

If you'd rather use your credit card, you'll find most hotels in the greek islands prefer not to accept them because they get charged an additional 7% or more by their banks. However, there are still ways to do it. Some establishments are starting to use PayPal and/or VISA direct. Using either one of those electronic money transfer methods does NOT disclose your credit card number to the recipient, so it is a very safe way to send money to anyone. VISA Direct will cost you 3 Euros per transaction, while PayPal is free.

I personally help a few hotels with their reservations, so I handle electronic transfers myself, on behalf of the hotel. Most of our guests prefer the IBAN bank money transfer method, even though some have opted to use PayPal. I am not yet set up to accept credit cards via PayPal, only money transfers from your PayPal balance. I can accept VISA Direct money transfers, however.

If you'd like help with reserving a hotel in Milos, I'd be glad to assist you. You may peruse the listings on kalimera and decide for yourself which one you'd like to stay at, and I'd be able to help with the electronic transaction if you'd like me to. I am in Milos from May through October.

- Andreas