Athens Travel Forum

Is there a hop on hop off bus in Athens

Briefly, yes. However, we never took it, as we walked to everywhere. I am sorry I cannot give you any more details but I know there is one because in the tourist info we received, there was information about it. However, it is not called a hop on/hop off bus. I will delve around and see if I can find specific info for you.

Gosh, that was easy - here is the link:

http://www.athensinfoguide.com/wts.htm

Thank you

I tried it. Not worth while imho.

There is always so much traffic in the center of Athens that you are going to hate it spending more than 90' for a full circle of it! Make a itenerary on your own with a map (and the help of VT pages) and you'll be ok on your own foot! :)

happy travels,
konstantinos

why was it not worth it

because its a regular local bus, not the one you probably know from other cities that you can go upfloor and take photos etc

thank you - that makes sense

You really don't get to see anything that you want to see, just city streets.
As said above, use a map and make your own itinerary. Either on foot or by regular local bus to the area and then walk from there.

I also took this bus in the interests of research in May 2007, tho I've been to Athens many times. Agree that's not worth it, not because it's a city bus but because Athens street layout & 1-way system results in MAJOR backtracking & sits in traffic. The ONLY use (and it is valid) is if you are a solo tourist staying in Plaka. The hop on/off is 5€ and is good for 24 hours (48?). Taking it to the Nat. Arch. Museum will pay for it, since a taxi would be 5€. Then (w. study of route map in its brochure) u could take it to other less-walkable spots like Kerameikos cemetery, Thissio and Old Olympic Stadium. Otherwise ... no no no.

To see major sites efficiently & D-I-Y, print out a good map like this one
http://www.athensguide.com/map/athens.htm (print color,high res, p. 2 only)
-- and hi-lite a walking route that you have a guide for: A greatone that follows the Pedestrianized walkway AROUND the Acropolis (print out!) is
http://www.athensinfoguide.com/walk3.htm

A great cheap mini-ride is "Happy Train" a miniature open-air choo-choo that can go in narrow Plaka streets; you get it between Syntagma Square and MOnastaiki.. cost is 5€. NOTE: get it after 6 pm only, so you don't sit in traffic! Fun fun.
http://greekpixandwords.com/photos/athens1/047_Tourist_Train_-_Agora_DSC05295.html
http://www.sunshine-express.gr/Welcome_Page.htm
http://www.sunshine-express.gr/images/Silver_Ring_Large_051231.pdf

Another good d=i=y walk tour is on Rick steves' site... quite detailed as he is planning a Greece guide I hear... Use it with the map I linked u to, and hi-lite his route -- Scroll down to "self-guided walk." he takes you thru Ancient Agora, up to Acropolis, back down etc. PRINT OUT ... excellent.
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/greece/athens.htm

These will do u MUCH better than bus tours... Athens is for walkers (or at nite a little choo-choo!)