| How to access Athens |
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To help you plan your trip, there are quite a few maps we have on this page available for you to download and print out. The maps are displayed in "thumbnail images". We have also tried to make sure we can provide you with relevant website links to Greek Organizations so that you are kept up to date or would like to check some details out. Getting to and from the Athens International Airport
Arriving at the airport If your flight is coming in or leaving at around midnight or in the early morning hours, the metro system is closed and you will need a taxi. It will take you straight to your Hotel. You pay the driver directly. His fare is around 45 euros for any transportation to and from the airport from 12 am-6 am. During any other time, the fare is around 35 euros. Please note that all conference Hotels are really near Metro Stops. BUT if you have a lot of luggage with you, and were considering taking the Metro you might want to consider taking a taxi instead. Greece isn't known for its great sidewalks. So that would make lugging huge suitcases around a virtual nightmare. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECES OF INFORMATION: Please keep in mind, that once you get off the airplane and are in the area where you wait for your luggage if you want a luggage cart, you have to have a 1 euro (€1,00) coin with you to use it. For real time flight information on Airline Arrivals and Departures to & from Athens International Airport go to: http://www.aia.gr/currentflights.asp?langid=2 For other information concerning the Athens International Airport go here: http://www.aia.gr/pages.asp?pageid=977&langid=2 Below we have collected some information concerning public transportation options, which serve the Athens International Airport. We hope you find it helpful. The Attiko Metro System
More information on the Attiko Metro System http://www.ametro.gr
The Suburban Railway
Operating Hours from/to Athens International Airport Port of Pireus/Athens - International Airport 06:14 - 22:38 (6:14 am to 10:38 pm) International Airport - Port of Pireus/Athens 07:20 - 23:50 (7:20 am to 11:50 pm) More information on the Suburban Railway http://www.proastiakos.gr The EXPRESS Bus System We have heard from travellers to this country how excellently the airport is serviced via the bus system. If you are coming to or leaving Greece when the Metro and Railway services are closed, then the bus system is your best option outside hiring a cab, renting a car or walking! There are 7 bus routes which run throughout Athens (including the Port of Piraeus) and connect to the Airport:
Routes of Athens airport lines A ticket on the EXPRESS bus lines costs 3.20 euros and is valid for only one trip to or from the airport. You can buy a ticket for the EXRESS bus at the ticket kiosk at the airport, directly from the driver of the EXPRESS Bus, at the blue or yellow ticket kiosks located throughout the city, or, finally, at all metro stations. Detailed information on the EXPRESS Airport Buses: http://www.oasa.gr/index.asp?tml=1&pageid=103&menu=2&pg=1 Taxi There are plenty of taxis in queue outside the arrival halls at the airport any time day or night. Depending where your destination is in Athens, a cab will cost you anywhere between 35-45 euros (including baggage and Attiki Odo toll). If you arrive after midnight, the fare will be higher. Driving Yourself - Renting a Car Thanks to the new toll road, Attiki Odos, it's more convenient to move around the Athens now by car. If you rent a car you will most certainly use the Attiki Odo to get to your destination. Tolls The fare you have to pay at the toll station is 2.70 euros for cars. Attiki Odos For further information please visit: www.attikiodos.gr Getting around Athens The Metro There are basically 3 Metro lines. They start operating at 05:00 and end at 00:15 (5am-12: 15am). The Green Line: Port of Piraeus - Kifissia The Red Line: Ag. Dimitrios - Ag. Antonios The Blue Line: Egaleo - Athens International Airport Metro lines 24 Hour General Pass Ticket and Weekly General Pass Ticket The 24 hour ticket is valid for 24 hours and costs 3,00 euros. The Weekly Pass Ticket costs 10.00 euros. These are good deals because these tickets cover all your trolley, bus, metro, tram and suburban railway. They do NOT however cover trips to and from the airport EXPRESS lines or the use of the suburban rail or metro network from the Doukisas Plakentias to the Airport section.In other words, they are GREAT general passes to use to see Athens. For more information on the Attiko Metro,go to: http://www.ametro.gr The Tram The Tram has 4 lines, which serve the city center and Athens sea-side delta. The Tram network connects the centre of Athens, through Nea Smyrni with Paleo Faliro and from there it branches out along the coastal avenue to Alimos, Helliniko and Glyfada on one end and to the Faliriko Delta, Neo Faliro and the Peace & Friendship Stadium on the other end.
For more information concerning the Tram go to: http://www.tramsa.gr/html/en/index.php Tram lines The Bus and Trolley Network There are many buses and electric trolleys, which serve Athens. They run basically from the earlier morning hours until around midnight. Buses:
Trolleys:
Fares for the the Attiko Metro System, Trolleys and Buses There is a common ticket for the subway, bus or trolley which costs 0,80 Euros. Its duration is valid for one hour and a half. During that time you can use it for any means of transportation and as many times as possible. You validate your ticket on the first means of transportation you use. If the time expires and you are still inside e.g. a bus, you have to validate your ticket once again for your last ride. You can buy your tickets at the yellow or blue kiosks which are generally located close to the terminals. You can also buy tickets at most newspaper stands and commercial kiosks. For further information please visit: http://www.oasa.gr/index.asp?tml=1&pageid=109&menu=3&pg=1 One of the Best Ways to Tour Athens via the "Athens Sight-Seeing" Public Bus Line 400 You catch the bus, purchase your ticket directly from the driver and he will take you on a tour of the Center of Athens and a bit beyond. Feel free to hop off the bus at each stop, explore the area and then hop back on when you are done. Please keep in mind; the Athens Sight -Seeing Bus (public bus #400) is only available from June - September. Public Bus Line 400 Top Ticket Price for the Athens 400 Sightseeing Bus The ticket costs 5,00 euros per person and can ONLY be purchased directly from the driver. This ticket is valid for a full 24 hours and covers your UNLIMITED travel on the Athens Sight-Seeing Bus, Buses, Trams, Trolleys and the Metro! You validate the ticket when you first get on the bus. Be sure to show it every time you board another bus, or trolley or on other means of transportation. (The fare does NOT cover the airport EXPRESS bus lines or the Metro and Suburban Railway lines from Doukisas Plakentias to the Airport) Top Your Tour! Where the Athens Sight-Seeing Bus Will Take You: The Stops: 1) The National Museum (Archaeological Museum) It is not recommended leaving Athens without having visited this incredible museum. 2) Omonia Square One of the city's oldest squares lined with modern as well as neoclassical buildings. The Metro Station at Omonia Square is also one of the 3 key Metro exchange stations, the other two being Attiki and Syntagma Square Station. 3) Psyrri This is the old town part of Athens with its quaint historical homes. There are many, many restaurants and cafes there to enjoy. Also, this is just about THE MAIN PARTY PLACE of Athens... making it the center of Athens Nightlife. (Recommendation: to get your first taste of Greek Ouzo here!) 4) Keramikos This is where the ancient cemetery is located. Important people of ancient Athenian times were buried here. It is just a short walk from Plaka and Monastiraki. 5) Thisseo Home of the Temple of Hephestus, and the Ancient Market and much more. Walking distance from Plaka and Monastiraki. 6) Monastiraki Heart of the Archaeological Park. This area sits at the foothills of the Acropolis in the South West Section. Home of a good percentage of Athens antiquities. Loaded with quaint restaurants, picturesque cafes and many shops as well as the Athens Flea Market. 7) Varvakios Street Athens traditional market... many shops. Don't forget to barter! 8) Klafthmonos Square Visit the Church of Agii. Theodori, Athens oldest Byzantine Church. 9) Syntagma Square Location of the Parliament Building as well as the National Botanical Gardens. 10) Benaki Museum Various collections from Neolithic to modern Greece as well as artefacts from other ancient cultures. Be sure to stay for lunch at the rooftop restaurant-cafe of the Benaki museum. 11) National Gallery Museum dedicated to the history of Greek and Western European art. 12) Ampelokipoi Modern Commercial area of Athens. Many beautiful, restored neo-classical buildings. Home of many embassies and also of the Megaro Moussikis (the Opera/Concert hall). 13) National Gallery After the previous stop at Ampelokipoi, the bus turns around and stops once again at the National Gallery. 14) Panathenaian Stadium Ancient Marble Stadium built by Lycourgos in 330-329 BC for the athletic competitions of the Great Panathinaea Festivities. At the end of the 19th century it was restored by Averof and was home the Olympic Games which were restarted in 1896. 15) Plaka Center of the Archeological Park in Athens. Home to many antiquities as well as restaurants, cafes and tourist shops. Very popular with Athenians and tourists alike. Located near Monastiraki and Syntagma Square. Sits at the foothills of the Acropolis. 16) Acropoli Location of the Acropolis, Acropolis Museum and large parking area for visiting the Acropolis. Great area for shopping. 17) Olympic Zeus Temple (Olympiou Dios) Impressive Gate to Athens. According to the traveller Pausanias, the temple of Olympian Zeus was founded by Deucalion and completed by Hadrian in 2nd century AD. In the Hellenistic and Roman periods it was the largest temple in Greece. 18) Greek Parliament (Syntagma Square) Do not miss the change of guard every hour of the day! 19) University Home of the University of Athens, the Academy of Athens as well as the National Library of Greece. It certainly is worth the trip to view these three supreme examples of Greek neoclassical architecture. 20) Omonia Square The last stop! One of the city's oldest squares lined with modern as well as restored neoclassical buildings. The Metro Station at Omonia Square is also one of the 3 key Metro exchange stations, the other two being Attiki and Syntagma Square Station. * The bus stops at each stop every 30 minutes from 07:30am to 09:00pm. You can find a time schedule at each bus stop. You can board the bus at any stop. For more information on the Athens Sight-Seeing 400 Bus please visit: http://www.oasa.gr/?pageid=105 |
