Zakynthos - getting grandchild delivered by Easyjet

[brownsox]

Our plan was for 12 year old grandson to be brought out by his Dad who would return to London on the same flight. Easyjet say that's not possible so he'd have to stay the night before returning.
Does anyone know Zakynthos well enough to know how practical it would be for us to bring the dad back to the boat to sleep and back to the airport by 10am the following morning? Or if that's really difficult, are there inexpensive B&Bs or equivalent near the airport?
Our boat's in Italy right now, we've never been in Greek waters. Rod says the marina in Zakynthos is used for tripper boats and yachts in the main harbour. Can we be confident of finding a space there while we organise the exchange - and again on the return leg, while Grandpa does the flying part?

 

[CJ13]

Suggest you use Agostoli. It's an easy Taxi to the airport, plenty of space on the town quay or at anchor & if the weather is bad a free unfinished but perfectly safe Marina on the east side. Plenty of space in May 2013. We used Agostoli as our Port of Entry when we crossed from Syracusa.

 

[brownsox]

Thanks for quick reply. Flights seem no better to there - and earlier morning too which makes life difficult. But if Zakynthos is a problem for finding a space etc ... ?

 

[NornaBiron]

What time of year are you planning to be there?

 

[duncan99210]

Zakinthos should have plenty of space even at the height of the season. It's a short taxi ride from the harbour to the airport. Argostoli on Kephalonia is also a possibility not as close to the airport though and also a bit soulless but so is Zakinthos. Argostoli Port a police have occasionally had a reputation as being a bit jobs worth when booking in.

Kephalonia is a nicer cruising ground than Zakinthos so maybe a better bet overall.

 

[keelbolt]

I had to put in to Argostoli last year after a fire on board and the Port Police couldn't have been more helpful. One of the nicest places i've been stuck in!

 

[grafozz]

i live in Kefalonia and my boat is in the marina very close to the airport , if I can be of any help , just ask ., Graham

 

[AndrewB]

Our plan was for 12 year old grandson to be brought out by his Dad who would return to London on the same flight. Easyjet say that's not possible so he'd have to stay the night before returning.

Why not? Since Easyjet stopped allowing unaccompanied children under 14, and dropped their escort service, I can see more people wanting to do this. Forcing you to a full re-check in thus missing the return flight, seems to add insult to injury. All the budget airlines to the Ionian have recently adopted the same policy regarding children - some set the age limit at 16. But there are other airlines which do offer an escort service for children, if you can find one going the right way, and be sure of someone meeting the flight.

By the way, it would be easy enough to get to the airport from Zakynthos harbour in the morning. There is a taxi rank close to where yachts moor. Beware in August the wall where yachts moor does get full - at that time of year it would be best to arrive a day ahead to be sure of finding a place. Anchoring is not permitted in the harbour.

Note also there is a scam going in Zakynthos (mentioned before here) that a 'yacht agent' will show up when your yacht arrives and ask for harbour dues. You can accept this if you want, it is legit and the guy is helpful, but if you are staying more than one day you'll find it much cheaper to go to the harbour office to pay.

 

[Cheery]

Have you tried this airline?

http://en.aegeanair.com/travel-information/travel-guide/children-travelling-alone/

 

[brownsox]

Thank you all so much for those really useful replies. It's early July. I checked all the airlines for escort/age but no luck. Aegean Air was the only one but it meant a change in Athens ...
So we've now settled that his Dad will stay overnight with us and fly back the next day. Annoying but hey.
And it's definitely Zakynthos because the Kefalonia flight leaves London even earlier in the morning.
It is frustrating that you can't get the return flight. Easyjet said you must be there 2 hours before to check in which seems ludicrous when you've already checked in at the other end and needn't leave the airside area. But I'm not disposed to criticise the budget airlines as they've made our 4 annual flights to and from points all round the Med easy convenient and cheap for the last 9 years! Thanks again, Forum.

 

[lille_bee]

when I saw the thread title " getting grandchild delivered by Easyjet", I thought "blimey, Easyjet are branching out into midwifery!"...

 

[SamanthaTabs]

The easy jet rule changed very swiftly after allowing my (then aged 15 and 13 year old) daughters to fly into stanstead then refused youngest returning to home country with elder sister.

 

[ostra4]

Is it not possible to just check in online with no bag for return leg ? Does the easy jet system detect same passenger comming back less than two hours before take off ?

 

[affinite]

Is it not possible to just check in online with no bag for return leg ? Does the easy jet system detect same passenger comming back less than two hours before take off ?

EJ turn the aircraft around in 45 minutes !
Checkin closes 45 mins before departure so it doesnt leave enough time to get off and check in again for return.

Edit - Sorry just re-read your post. As you say why not checkin on line and then go straight back through security. Its probably still not feasible because of turnaround times.

 

[ostra4]

At a small Greek airport with no luggage to collect its almost certain you would be fine , wouldn't risk it at Gatwick or similar though .Id pay to select seats near front so I got a good start after landing through passport into Greece -