Athens guide | part 4 of 6 ~ Transportation & practical info

Plus: Olympic Games 2004 information   Pireas port map   Printer-friendly (whole guide)

Getting around the city

For the purpose of this brief guide - once you are in the centre of Athens we recommend walking - most things of interest are within easy walking distance.
 

Public Transport: Metro, train, tram & buses

Public transportation has improved, especially with the introduction of the Metro Lines. Anything on rail (metro, tram) will be more efficient and reliable time-wise. A large network of buses and trolleys is also available.
You are advised to use the Metro, as traffic in Athens can make a snails progress seem very fast indeed at busy times. (In our view traffic is worse in say, London and Los Angeles, but that's little comfort). When the roads are clear, journeys can be surprisingly quick, but you might wonder if drivers are practicing for the Monte Carlo rally!
Tram (Light rail system):
Brand new. An excellent way to take the south coastal route and arrive at the beaches outside Athens.
Helpful: the updated site of OASA (Athens Urban Transport Organization - click top right for English). You will find right there, all the information you may need about routes, tickets and times regarding all means of public transport: metro, train, tram, buses, trolleys. Information about traveling from Athens airport to the centre or port (or wherever). Also, a useful route search. You can even order a transport guide map that will be sent to your address!
 

Taxis

If you are tired, hailing a taxi is OK and fares are among the lowest of European cities (see our taxi information in the Airport section below).
 

A note about taxis

The meter *must* be running when they start off (there is an immediate charge of 1.00 euro) and it should show a (tariff) "1", except after midnight it shows double tariff "2". This is compulsory and you should insist. If the meter is not running you can say "Monno may metreeti" - meaning, only with the meter.
Do not take "taxis" from touts at the airport - get one from the official taxi rank. 
It is quite normal for taxis to pick up other passengers en route, but everyone still pays the full fare for their trip (this is an accepted, though illegal, practice). 
Minimum fare is 2.70 euros.
You can call a radio taxi if you wish at a 1.50 euros surcharge for immediate use, with an additional charge (2.50 euros) to make an appointment for a later time.

Tipping is optional - usually round up the amount to be paid adding 1 - 2 euros (or about 10%). During the Easter and Christmas holiday period, there is a surcharge of 1-1.5 euros.

Athens Radio taxis:
Ikaros: Tel. 210-515 2800. Website: http://www.athens-taxi.gr
Kosmos: Tel. 18300 (210-4205000 calling from outside Athens)
Express: Tel. 210-994 3000

Europe: Tel. 210-502 9764

Hermes: Tel. 210-411 5200
 

Banking hours

From 08.00 to 14.00 Monday - Thursday. Fridays until 13.30. Closed Saturday and Sunday. ATM cash machines are in good supply around Syntagma square and the whole central area.
 

Changing money and cash machines

At the airport there are banks and ATM cash machines. Larger Hotels will change money for their guests. The Post office, banks and bureau de change are the obvious choices in the centre of Athens.
Currency converter & Euro guide
 

Domestic Airline and Ferry Offices

Most are on Philellinon (up from Syntagma Square) and Amalias (parallel to Philellinon). The Minoan ferries (for Crete) office is at the beginning of Vas. Konstantinou Avenue near the marble stadium ("Kalimarmaro"). The ANEK ferries (for Crete) office is in Pireas on the corner of Poseidonos Street and Akti Poseidonos (on one of the roads that passes the edge of the port). Blue Star ferries (for Crete)  is also on Amalias {see map location No8}.
 

Pireas

A simple map to locate ferries for Crete    Ferry Schedules
 

The Athens Airport

The New Athens Airport - Eleftherios Venizelos  [Opened in 2001]

All flights, all airlines, inbound and outbound use the new airport.  This makes connecting flights onward to Crete or other islands, far easier. It does mean a longer journey to the port at Pireas and to the centre of Athens;  noticeable to those of you who may be used to the old airport.
Airport telephone number: 210-353 0000. See flight schedules to Crete.

Luggage carts (baggage trolleys) are available at 1.50 euros. 
The airport is designed to cater for disabled people.

Athens Airport hotels:
Sofitel (a 5-star offering and the only hotel "at" the airport). You can walk from your arrival gate to the hotel lobby in under 10 minutes. Indoor pool. Rooftop dining. Tel: 210-3544000. Book now

Holiday Inn 5-star hotel, 10 km (7 minutes) from the airport (on Attiki Odos highway, on the way to the centre). Free airport shuttle service. Indoor pool. Tel: 210-6689000. Book now

Airport information website: www.aia.gr

Baggage store: Pacific Left Luggage - Level 0/Arrivals. Tel. 210-353 0160.

See also Hotels in Athens centre.
 

Getting to and from Athens airport to the centre of Athens by Metro, train & express bus

The easiest & fastest way:
Airport to the centre of Athens, Monastiraki (and vice versa): in only 45 minutes!
* Suburban train leaving from the airport and connecting with Metro Line 3 at Plakendias station. You can continue on Line 3 to the centre (Syntagma or Monastiraki) or change to Line 1, at Monastiraki station, to continue to Pireas port.
* Also, some of the metro trains of Line 3 "surface" at the Plakendias station and continue all the way to the airport. There is a train (Metro or Suburban, alternating) every 15 minutes.
NEW: The Suburban (above ground) rail from Athens airport was extended and now goes all the way to Pireas port (takes about 50 minutes).
* Metro (or Metro & Suburban rail) tickets Monastiraki to Airport (and vice versa) cost 6.00 euros one-way, 10.00 euros return.

*Useful: Information about traveling from Athens airport to the centre or port (or wherever) on Athens Urban Transport Organization (OASA) and on on the Athens Airport site.
More about the new Suburban train ("Proastiakos") routes. Tel. 210-5272 000. info@proastiakos.com.gr. The Suburban train routes from the airport (jpg file) from 10 May 2007.

Athens Metro website (poorly designed and slow site!)
Also, on our site, see below and more information about Lines, connections and tickets, or see the Athens Metro map and Athens centre map (with the Metro Lines on). 

Driving from the Airport to Athens centre. Tip: Follow signs for "ELEFSINA" until you see signs for Athens/centre (strangely there are no signs saying "Athens" to begin with!)

Buses leave from Door 5 of the Arrivals level.
Tickets costs 2.90 euros, valid on all means of public transport for 24 hours (but only one trip only to or from the airport). You use the same ticket for the entire journey or a bit of sightseeing on the way!
More about buses and other transport from the airport on the OASA website.

X94 Express bus to the Metro station, "Ethiniki Amyna" on the signs, better known as Pentagono (travelling time: 50-70 minutes).
First bus 07.30, last bus 21.55 (frequency 10-20 minutes).

X95 Express bus to the centre, (Syntagma) (average travelling time: 70-90 minutes). Every 10-30 minutes, 24 hours a day (travelling time: 70-80 minutes).
Connecting with Metro Lines 2 & 3.

X96 express bus, all the way to Pireas taking a route that avoids the centre of Athens, partially along the coast (travelling time: 90-120 minutes).
Every 20-40 minutes, 24 hours a day.

From Pireas buses start at Karaiskaki Square - opposite Strintzis Shipping company at the port (see map).

Taxis at the airport
There is a taxi rank at Door 3 of the Arrivals level. Taxis cost about 30 euros to the centre; 35 euros to Pireas - plus 3 euros airport surcharge (the meter stays at tariff 1 for these trips, except after midnight, when tariff 2 applies). Taxis charge 0.30 euros more for each piece of luggage over 10 kilos.
Recommendation: try to adjust your position in the taxi line to coincide with a newer looking taxi - whether you get into a shiny new Mercedes or a battered old Fiat, you pay the same rate.

Limousine service: Level 0/Arrivals (between Doors 3 and 4). Tel. 210-353 0100.

Parking at the airport
Short-term (less than 4 hours): P1 & P2
Up to 20 minutes: free of charge
21 minutes-1 hour: 3.00 euros, over 1 hour: 2.10 euros/hour.
Long-term: P3
Up to 1 hour: 3.00 euros, up to 2 hours: 5.00 euros, up to 3 hours: 7.00 euros etc.
 

Maps

See our Athens map, with all the places we mention in this guide "landmarked" for your convenience.

And our Athens Metro map with all the Metro lines and stations.

Maps in print:
A useful semi-pictorial "3-dimensional" and quite detailed map, with some convenient landmarks of Plaka, Acropolis and Thisseo, can be bought at most kiosks - "PLAKA Athens - Sky Map". 
Or, if you are arriving at the airport, there is usually a similar map available - free - at stands at the airport. Just pick up a map (along with an Athens public transportation map which is also available and essential).

The Greek Tourist Information Office (EOT) has a free map of the larger central area of Athens including a map of Pireas. Amalias 26 (Syntagma, opposite the Gardens) {see map location No10}, Tel: 210-331 0392, or 210-331 0716. Saturday and Sunday closed (!).
Alternatively you can buy the "Toubi's - Attiki: Athina Pireas" map from a kiosk.
Armed with these two maps, you are equipped to find everything mentioned in this CreteTravel.com Mini-Guide and more. 
 

Newspapers & press

Readily available at kiosks on Syntagma square {see map location No12}- opposite the parliament building and in front of McDonald's and the Post Office. These kiosks carry major international newspapers & magazines from around the world. The Athens News is a daily English language paper focused on Greece and some international news, the German daily paper is Athener Zeitung.
These kiosks also stock some cigars ("Poora"). For a better selection the Cigar shop on Philellinon. Turn right as if you are walking out of McDonald's, pass the post office and cross Mitropoleos Street, it's about 100 metres up, on the left.

Around Syntagma and at Metro stations, you may also find free publications (some available in english) like Athens Voice and others.
Foreign books and magazines are also available in Eleftheroudakis on Panepistimiou str. or the Eleftheroudakis shop below Starbucks on Mitropoleos (Cathedral) square.
Tip: Seek out the "TimeOut Athens - Visitor's Guide" (in english), published summer 2004. It is an excellent and concise tool for your visit to Athens. Costs 3.90 euros. Available at foreign press stores, bookstores and centrally located kiosks.
 

Weather and air

The clearest days in Athens are wonderful, with sunny, clear views across the city and its monuments. It can be this way in any month, but at times Athens suffers from noticeable and quite severe pollution. It's clearest after windy or rainy weather.

Winters during the mid-November to end of February period can be cold, with daytime temperatures occasionally falling to low single digit figures (centigrade), snow is rare. You can expect the norm to be 10-16 degrees. The likelihood of rain is higher, mostly in January and February.

Summers are hot and dry with 28-38 degrees the expected range. Consider these conditions to apply from mid-May until the end of September.

Spring and autumn tends to have a sample of both summer and winter weather, in temperature and rainfall, usually somewhere in between the two  - but these periods are typically mild.

We should point out that, in common with worldwide weather changes, recent years have seen greater unpredictability in climate. Athens is not immune to this trend!
 

How to cross the road in Athens!

A note about walking or crossing the street in Athens. Do not worry, but do pay attention. Do not presume that all cars will stop at a red traffic light - they do not. And do not presume that a one-way street may not have traffic going in both directions; scooters and mopeds especially, routinely ignore traffic direction regulations. The way to approach all this is simple, when you cross the street look at what car and driver are doing (not what they "should" be doing). If a green light shows that it's OK to cross you must first, look for yourself to see that all cars have stopped and none are still approaching the junction, then proceed and keep watching. Presume that motorized vehicles have right of way. Simple!
 

Plus: Olympic Games 2004 information   Pireas port map   Printer-friendly (whole guide)

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