Athens Travel Forum

We are scheduled to arrive at Athens airport on 5/21 at 4:15. Doing a land/cruise package thru Trafalgar tours and free airport transfers are included. We are going to buy Metro tickets anyway. I have read that I can buy a Metro ticket at the airport that will include Metro transport into the city center from the airport and city metro/bus/tram x24hr. I'm assuming the airport transfer will be by shuttle or car and its going to be right around rush hr. Will it be faster to take the Metro into the city or use the airport transfer? Our flight home is 5/31 leaving at 7:20am and I'm planning to use the free transfer for that. Thanks for all your time and advice!!

As I understand it, you are eligible for one free transfer and you plan to use that for your return trip? Good plan, as the metro will not be up and running to get you to the airport in time for your check-in. Also, there is some sort of work going on on the metro that is affecting the line to the airport - I hope that Athens VTers will elaborate (or else you can look in the Athens Forum 'cos this came up recently).

I have just re-read your posting and it seems that you have free shuttles for both inward and outward travel. If so, just use the free airport transfers. You will be met at the airport, your luggage will go straight onto the shuttle and you will be deposited directly outside your accommodation. Much less angst and cafuffle. I have no idea where your accommodation is, but if you were to take the metro from the aiport, it would take about 45 minutes to reach Syntagma Square station and then you would probably have to change, and then when you reach the nearest metro stop, you would have to lug your suitcases to the accommodation. So, the time taken could easily be as long or longer than using the free shuttle, even using the free shuttle in rush hour. Especially as, as i said, there is some sort of work going on with the metro........

Hello! There is a metro for and from the airport from 6:30 in the morning until 23:30 at night every half hour and the ticket costs 6 euros and includes transport (of all means) within one hour and a half. There is another ticket 24hours but it does not include transfer to/from the airport. For Divani Palace the closest metro station is Evaggelismos and it takes around 40 minutes to go there. So it must be faster than a bus in a rush hour, which will take an hour or more. You can see this and more information in the page of athens metro www.amel.gr (for english press the english flag on the left)
I hope this was of any help,
Enjoy!

I did read posts abt the Metro line to airport closing down for work. Some posts say that will happen 5/30, others have said 6/1 or 7/1? It sounds like the 6 euro metro ticket from the airport to city center is different from the 24hr metro ticket? can anyone elaborate on this information....again thanks for all the comments ;)

I think Greekinspain answered your question - there is a 6 euro ticket to/frojm the airport. Then there is a 24 hour metro ticket but that doesn't include the airport section.

Yes, they changed the final date of the constructions many times. It was supposed to start on february but now they say june or july. Nobody really knows yet! It's the greek way... :)

Use your free bus anyway because it will drop you right there at your hotel.

From Evangelismos station you have to walk for 10' but it will be hot in summer and you will have to carry your bags so the bus sounds great...

I use the local bus anyway to reach the airport every time. The number of the bus is X95 and it costs 3.20 euro. The ride takes 40-60minutes from Sintagma Square (Evangelismos is the next stop towards the ariport) depending on the traffic. Have in mind that the bus runs every 10-15 minutes even during the night...

Thanks for all the replies!!! I think I've got it figured out now. I'm pumped abt hangin' out in Athens...

Take the free transfer to your hotel. Like others have pointed out, I agree with this being the best option. Getting in and out of the metro or bus with luggage and then getting to the hotel is not worth the money you save??? If you have a free transfer why wouldn't you want to use it? It only take about 40 minutes by transfer from the airport to the hotel. Have a a great time in Athens. If you need anything else, please drop me a line. Janet