Transportation within Athens
If you are in a hurry, the best way to get around the center
of Athens is with a taxi, which can be flagged down from
any street corner. Taxi fares are still among the cheapest in the world.
The cheaper way is by taking buses and trolleys. The mini buses run through
the center of Athens and one is even free.
And
remember, don't be afraid to ask someone which trolley or bus to take.
Greeks are very helpful and almost all of them know English.
| Bus |
| Buses run frequently throughout the city, stopping
at blue-colored bus stop signs. The fare for the bus is a 150-drachma
ticket which must be inserted in a machine inside the bus to be
valid. These tickets are available at special blue booths near bus
stops or at many kiosks throughout the city. A trunk line bus system
began to operate this winter in Athens with these
buses connecting to local lines. |
|
Cruises/yachting |
| One-day cruise to the Saronic islands
of Aegina, Poros and Hydra is available with departures daily from
the marina terminal in Paleo Faliron & Piraeus. Departures are
usually at 8.00 and at around 19.30 the ships return. Luncheon on
board is included with the ticket. Some ships even offer entertainment
such as discotheques as well as comfortable lounges. The cruise
ships also have spacious sun decks, restaurants, bars and some even
offer a swimming pool or cabins for those passengers who wish to
have a siesta during the cruise. Poros is a picturesque island within
a stone throw from the Peloponnese mainland, a green paradise with
lemon trees and pine trees. Hydra is one of the most beautiful islands
in Greece with an impressive amphitheatrical port
and a number of outdoor tavernas, cafes and boutiques. Aegina offers
the Temple of Aphaia and excellent swimming. If there is more time
for the tourist while in Greece, there is also
three, four and seven days cruises available throughout the Greek
islands. For more information contact EOT or any travel agency in
town. Yachting is very popular in Greek waters
and for information on renting a yacht contact the Hellenic Professional
Yachting Association, 22 Akti Themistokleous St., Piraeus, Tel.
452-9571. As famous Greek novelist Nikos Kazantzakis
once wrote: ?To sail the Aegean is the joy that sinks the heart
of man into paradise.? |
| Mortoring |
As a bona fide tourist your current driving
license or international driving license would be accepted for up
to a year. Vehicles are driven on the right-hand side of the road.
Curb side parking is prohibited or restricted in many Athens
streets. The speed limits vary but are generally 80 kilometers per
hour on open country roads. At intersections where there are no
traffic lights, drivers must give way to traffic on the right, including
cyclists. Seat belts must be worn by drivers and passengers in the
front seat. The horn should be used only in an emergency. Further
motoring information can be gotten from the Greek
Automobile & Touring Club (ELPA) by calling Tel. 779-1615. If
you have any problem with your car or the road, call the ELPA emergency
repair and towing service, dial 104. Petrol stations are open Monday-Saturday,
07.00 - 19.00. Some of them (usually one in every district) are
open during the evenings and Sundays.
If you want
to find out your own insurance representative in Greece
or if you want to purchase insurance while in the country, contact
the Motor Insurance Bureau, 10 Xenofontos St., Tel. 323-6733. |
| Airport |
| The new Athens International Airport
"Eleftherios Venizelos", located on the 5th km of Spata-Loutsa
Avenue, has launched its operations. |
| Taxis |
| Taxis are plentiful, but avoid during rush
hours (13.00-15.00) when they are difficult to obtain. Also make
sure you flag down one in an area where the cab can stop without
causing traffic circulation problems, otherwise it won't stop. And
don't be surprised if there are other customers in the cab when
it does stop. If the taxi is going your way, it will take you along
too. Most taxis are owner-driven, some are radio-controlled and
licensed to carry no more than four passengers at a time. The yellow-colored
cabs have set fares with running meters. Compared to other major
European cities the fares are rather inexpensive. Tipping is not
expected, except during the Christmas and Easter holiday seasons.
Expect to pay a small extra charge for each piece of luggage placed
in the trunk of the cab. After midnight and until 06.00 there is
a small surcharge. Keep in mind that if a taxi flashes its headlights
that means it is for hire. |
| Trains |
| Information about train service throughout
Greece and for destinations abroad by rail can
be gotten from the Greek Railway Organization (OSE),
the main headquarters of which is near Omonia Sq. at 1 Karolou St.,
Athens, Tel. 529-7777. There is also a branch office closer to Syntagma
Sq. at 6 Sina St., Athens, Tel. 362-4402 to 6, which is also of
service to tourists. There are reduced rated for persons under the
age of 26 and foreign students on presentation of an identification
card. EURAIL, INTER-RAIL, EURODOMINO and VERGINA FLEXIPASS passes
are valid on Greek trains. Concerning the domestic
routes, trains of high quality (INTERCITY) have put into service.
Passengers who travel by Intercity trains can benefit from special
offers (tourist cards, group tickets, return tickets, etc.) with
reduced fares. For a restful journey during the evening, one can
travel by night train on the Athens-Thessaloniki-Athens routes.
In addition to the offered night services (sleeping cars or coach
compartments), passengers can have their own cars transported by
special wagons. There are two train stations in Athens,
both located in Theodorou Deligianni St. The Larissa Station is
for trains heading north or abroad while the Peloponnese station
is for traffic towards southern Greece. |
| Metro |
| The metro/subway runs from 05.30 to midnight
daily and costs 200 drachmas for the line from Piraeus to Kifissia
and 250 drachmas for the line from Sepolia to Syntagma and from
Syntagma Sq. to Evangelismos, depending on where you get off. Tickets
must be purchased before entering the train and must be cancelled
upon entry. The line operates from the Athens northern suburb of
Kifissia to the port of Pireaus, with stops in between at major
areas of Athens like Omonia Sq., Monastiraki, Thisseion,
Peace & Friendship Stadium, Olympic Stadium, Maroussi etc. Only
a small portion of the journey is underground thus offering an excellent
opportunity to see much of the Athens metropolitan
area, untiring and inexpensive. During the rush hours the line operates
every four minutes, but you are never forced to wait more than 10
minutes for the train to come along. The metro is especially helpful
if you want to get to the port city of Pireaus from Athens
or the cool and green northern Athens suburbs.
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| Trolleys |
| Trolleys can transport you throughout Athens
for a 150-drachma ticket, the same ticket used on the buses. These
yellow or purple-colored trolleys stop at yellow-colored signs throughout
the capital. Virtually all the trolleys stop at either Syntagma
Sq., Academias St., Omonia Sq. or Kaniggos Sq.. Board the trolleys
2, 4, 11, 15 at Syntagma Sq. (National Garden), and three stops
later you will be at the National Archeological Museum on Patission
St. You can also pick up trolleys 7, 8, 13 at Vassilissis Sofias
Avenue as far as the U.S. Embassy and go again to the museum a few
stops later. |
| Ships |
| Ship schedules for all the islands are
issued weekly by the Greek National Tourism Organization (EOT) and
are available at the GNTO Infodesk, at 2 Amerikis St. (groundfloor,
next to ?Aliki? Theatre). The ships all leave from the port of Pireaus.
During the summer tourist season, most boats towards the Greek islands
are full. It is best to plan ahead and if possible to purchase return
tickets. Boat connections are frequent between the islands during
the summer. Most travel agents in Athens can be
of service to you in purchasing boat tickets. Information on ships
leaving for abroad can be gotten by calling 411-1311 to 9. Hydrofoils
serving the nearby islands of the Saronic Gulf and the Peloponnesian
coast, leave from the port of Pireaus and Zea port. Seats are reserved
and ticket prices are higher than regular boat services. For schedules
and information call Tel. 459-3223, 413-8231. |
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Hotels in Greece |
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Athens Information |
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| Transportation |
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