So many questions.....

[Dawn1967]

So it's just over 4 weeks till my trip to Halki (can't wait) and I have so many questions to ask. Firstly our flight time has changed and we now land on Rhodes at 16.30 will we miss the ferry? We're booked on a package with Olympic. Next as I've already established we need to bring cash how do the prices compare to the rest of Greece? Just trying to plan our budget. Are there sunbeds on the beach (if so how much etc) are there any other facilities, taverna, loo, shower etc (at the beach that is)? Is there anything besides basic essentials I should consider to bring with me?
Thanks in advance, sorry for all the questions!!

[Liz]

Hi
I'm not sure about your transfer , you may have a night on Rhodes if you arrive at that time .
As for the beaches yes there are tavernas with loos sunbeds etc some charge some don't
Money .. Halki is a little more expensive than other places in Greece but not THE most expensive it depends how much you eat and drink
Bring sun creams etc they are expensive there and anything else you can't live without .. Sorry I'm vague it's two years since we've been so I'm not sure of current prices , I'm sure someone else wi have better info for you

[jamesthebutler]

Dear Dawn,

There is a recent very helpful 'at a glance' post from Kinygos about ferry and transfer timings.

As to the comparison of prices, I can't be of much help simply because it has been quite a few years since we have been to any other part of Greece than Halki. That said, I think that Halki has done everything it can to reflect a sensible reality in prices but don't forget that, in the main, what you see is what you get because it has to come over to Halki from the mainland.

Of course, trying to offer up a view about costs is even more difficult because we all are very different in our spending plans – quite frankly, if you choose to have an ‘eat in, drink out’ day then you can have an enjoyable time at pretty minimal cost. There are, I believe, others who inhabit this board who have a somewhat more enlightened approach in the food and drink department – this may be difficult to accept, I know…………..
Recent returnees will be able to give some examples of prices, but a meal in one of the tavernas (Cheese balls, Halki shrimps and Salad, plus 500ml Retsina and a small bottle of water) that has cost us around 31 Euros for the last two years. The Grill Houses also offer up excellent food at very good prices.

The sandy beach at Pondamos and the shingle beach at Ftenagia both have excellent Tavernas and the facilities you mention, again, I’ll leave it recent returnees, but I thought sun beds were around 10 Euros for 2 for the day. The recently ‘revamped’ beach facilities at Kania - and ‘revamped’ is stretching the imagination to the limit - now has a lovely little cantina with some sun beds – again, this is where recent returnees can give you the 2013 update. Depending on where you are staying, it takes us about 30 mins to walk over to Kania. Again,depending on where you are, you might want to allow about 15 mins to walk to the other two.

You may also wish to factor in the pretty minimal cost of the minibus for either a trip to or from Kania and most certainly if you want to go to the Monastery or the Castle. We have walked to (and up to the Castle many times) and now get the mini-bus to the Monastery and walk back – about 2 and bit hours – there are some Ninjas on this site who have legged it there and back (an early start recommended).

The important thing is bring yourselves, leave your worries behind – sometimes easier said than done says the bloke who has brought draft budgets to work on – and enjoy this lovely place.

JtB