← Older revision
Revision as of 00:10, 24 July 2014
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* By '''[http://ametro.gr/page/default.asp?id=4&la=2 Metro]''' to the city center for €8. Group tickets (2 or 3 persons) are also available and they provide some discount (see below). The airport Metro line is an extension of Line 3 (blue line) that takes you to the downtown Syntagma and Monastiráki stations.
* By '''[http://ametro.gr/page/default.asp?id=4&la=2 Metro]''' to the city center for €8. Group tickets (2 or 3 persons) are also available and they provide some discount (see below). The airport Metro line is an extension of Line 3 (blue line) that takes you to the downtown Syntagma and Monastiráki stations.
−
Note that at the airport, both metro trains and suburban trains pass from the same platform. If you are travelling to the city
centre
, you should take the metro trains.
+
Note that at the airport, both metro trains and suburban trains pass from the same platform. If you are travelling to the city
center
, you should take the metro trains.
:Don't forget to '''validate your ticket''' before going down to the platform and boarding a train (there are validation machines at the top of the escalators in the ticket hall). Failure to validate your ticket at the start of the journey can mean a fine of up to €120. The ticket inspectors are rigorous and won't hesitate to call for police assistance if you start to object.
:Don't forget to '''validate your ticket''' before going down to the platform and boarding a train (there are validation machines at the top of the escalators in the ticket hall). Failure to validate your ticket at the start of the journey can mean a fine of up to €120. The ticket inspectors are rigorous and won't hesitate to call for police assistance if you start to object.
:Those taking the Metro from Athens to the airport should note that not all trains go to the airport; typically the airport trains run every half hour, while trains in the intervals don't go the whole route. Airport trains are indicated on the schedule and by an airplane logo on the front of the train, they are also announced by the signs on the metro platform. It's useful to go to the Metro station the day before, explain to the agent (most speak English) when you need to be at the airport, and ask what time you should catch the airport train from that station. You can also get this information at the airport metro station, which has a desk staffed most hours by someone who speaks English. It's possible but not necessary to buy your ticket in advance; buying in advance though means you won't risk missing your train if you find at the last minute you don't have change for the ticket machines and have to stand in a line to buy it from the agent.
:Those taking the Metro from Athens to the airport should note that not all trains go to the airport; typically the airport trains run every half hour, while trains in the intervals don't go the whole route. Airport trains are indicated on the schedule and by an airplane logo on the front of the train, they are also announced by the signs on the metro platform. It's useful to go to the Metro station the day before, explain to the agent (most speak English) when you need to be at the airport, and ask what time you should catch the airport train from that station. You can also get this information at the airport metro station, which has a desk staffed most hours by someone who speaks English. It's possible but not necessary to buy your ticket in advance; buying in advance though means you won't risk missing your train if you find at the last minute you don't have change for the ticket machines and have to stand in a line to buy it from the agent.
−
* By '''
suburban
railway
''' to Larissis Railway Station for € 6 via change at Ano Liossia Station. Suburban trains are not as fast as the metro trains. Change at Ano Liossia to Line 2 of the subway
that
takes
you to:
+
* By
'''
''[http://www.trainose.gr/
Suburban Railway]
'''
'''
to Larissis Railway Station for € 6 via change at Ano Liossia Station. Suburban trains are not as fast as the metro trains.
A
Change at Ano Liossia to Line 2
(red) or Doukissis Plakentias to Line 3 (blue)
of the subway
can
take
you to:
−
**
the
downtown Omónia and Syntagma stations.
+
**
The
downtown Omónia and Syntagma stations
(Line 2)
.
−
** Northern Greece and the Peloponnese, by train.
+
** Northern Greece and the Peloponnese, by train
from Larissa station (Line 2)
.
+
** The downtown Monastiraki and Syntagma stations (Line 3).
* By '''bus''': X92 to Kifissia, X93 to Kifissos Coach Station, X94 to Ethniki Amyna metro station (subway Line 3), X95 to Syntagma Square (subway Lines 2 and 3), X96 to Piraeus (subway Line 1) and X97 to Elliniko metro station (subway Line 2) for €5.00. It takes 45 min to 1.5 hrs depending on traffic. Buses, unlike Metro, operate 24 hours a day.
* By '''bus''': X92 to Kifissia, X93 to Kifissos Coach Station, X94 to Ethniki Amyna metro station (subway Line 3), X95 to Syntagma Square (subway Lines 2 and 3), X96 to Piraeus (subway Line 1) and X97 to Elliniko metro station (subway Line 2) for €5.00. It takes 45 min to 1.5 hrs depending on traffic. Buses, unlike Metro, operate 24 hours a day.
* By '''taxi''' for € 30-35: If you take a taxi be careful. According to a new law applied recently, taxi drives to the centre cost € 35 during the day and € 50 during the night. Be sure to ask if the price includes toll costs.
* By '''taxi''' for € 30-35: If you take a taxi be careful. According to a new law applied recently, taxi drives to the centre cost € 35 during the day and € 50 during the night. Be sure to ask if the price includes toll costs.
−
It is advisable to grab a free copy of city transport map in the airport – in the city it is extremely helpful.
+
It is advisable to grab a free copy of
the
city transport map in the airport – in the city it is extremely helpful.
===By regional coach===
===By regional coach===
Line 89:
Line 89:
There are two KTEL coach stations, one at Liosion (near Aghios Nikolaos station on the Green line) and the other at Kifissias.
There are two KTEL coach stations, one at Liosion (near Aghios Nikolaos station on the Green line) and the other at Kifissias.
−
===By train===
===By train===
The national rail service, '''[http://www.trainose.gr Trainose,]''' connects Athens to other cities in Greece -however, do not expect the diversity and complexity of railroads you usually find in other European countries; the national railroad system is poor in Greece, in effect having only two train lines. One goes south to the [[Pelopponese]] and the other to the north, connecting Athens with the second major city in Greece, [[Thessaloniki]]. From there the line continues further to the north and all the way to the east, passing through many other cities of northern Greece and eventually reaching [[Istanbul]]. Be advised that there are two kinds of train you can use; normal, slow, type of train equipped with beds, and the so-called new 'Intercity' type which is more expensive because of a 'quality supplement fee' that grows with distance. For example, travelling from Athens to [[Thessaloniki]] by the 'Intercity' type will save you one hour at most, but the ticket will be almost double the price. 'Intercity' tends to be more reliable, yet more 'bumpy' than the normal train. There are no longer any international trains to and from Greece.
The national rail service, '''[http://www.trainose.gr Trainose,]''' connects Athens to other cities in Greece -however, do not expect the diversity and complexity of railroads you usually find in other European countries; the national railroad system is poor in Greece, in effect having only two train lines. One goes south to the [[Pelopponese]] and the other to the north, connecting Athens with the second major city in Greece, [[Thessaloniki]]. From there the line continues further to the north and all the way to the east, passing through many other cities of northern Greece and eventually reaching [[Istanbul]]. Be advised that there are two kinds of train you can use; normal, slow, type of train equipped with beds, and the so-called new 'Intercity' type which is more expensive because of a 'quality supplement fee' that grows with distance. For example, travelling from Athens to [[Thessaloniki]] by the 'Intercity' type will save you one hour at most, but the ticket will be almost double the price. 'Intercity' tends to be more reliable, yet more 'bumpy' than the normal train. There are no longer any international trains to and from Greece.
Line 116:
Line 115:
Bear in mind that there are often multiple entrances to the stations and often they go straight to the platform, so remember which entrance is for which. It is open from 5am to midnight.
Bear in mind that there are often multiple entrances to the stations and often they go straight to the platform, so remember which entrance is for which. It is open from 5am to midnight.
−
===By suburban
rail
===
+
===By suburban
railway
===
−
The '''[http://www.trainose.gr/ Suburban Railway]''' ''(Proastiakos by Trainose)'' is a new addition to Athens's network. The
main
line starts
from
Piraeus, passes through the main line train station
of
Larissis in Athens, and forks at
Neratziotissa
west to
Kiato and
[[Corinth]] and east towards the Airport.
+
The '''[http://www.trainose.gr/ Suburban Railway]''' ''(Proastiakos by Trainose)'' is a new addition to Athens's
public transportations
network. The line starts
at
Piraeus, passes through the main line train station
(
Larissis
)
in Athens, and forks at
Ano Liosia
west to [[Corinth]]
and Kiato
and east towards the Airport.
===By tram===
===By tram===
Line 219:
Line 218:
Athens is home to 148 theatrical stages, more than any other city in the world, including the famous ancient '''Herodes Atticus Theatre''', home to the Athens Festival, which runs from May to October each year. In addition to a large number of multiplexes, Athens plays host to a variety of romantic, open air garden cinemas. The city also supports a vast number of music venues, including the '''Athens Concert Hall''', known as the "Mégaron Musikis", which attracts world-famous artists all year round.
Athens is home to 148 theatrical stages, more than any other city in the world, including the famous ancient '''Herodes Atticus Theatre''', home to the Athens Festival, which runs from May to October each year. In addition to a large number of multiplexes, Athens plays host to a variety of romantic, open air garden cinemas. The city also supports a vast number of music venues, including the '''Athens Concert Hall''', known as the "Mégaron Musikis", which attracts world-famous artists all year round.
−
==Buy==
+
==Buy==
,
[[File:Souvenir shop.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Souvenir shop in Plaka.]]
[[File:Souvenir shop.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Souvenir shop in Plaka.]]
Line 226:
Line 225:
* [[Kolonaki]] is the upscale, hip, and artistic shopping area. Another is [[Kifissia]].
* [[Kolonaki]] is the upscale, hip, and artistic shopping area. Another is [[Kifissia]].
* For a more reasonable price tag, try '''Ermou Street''', beside Syntagma Square. Turn right off Ermou at the MAC makeup shop and you'll find yourself on Aghiou Markou and other small streets which are home to incredibly cheap shoes, bags, jewellery, gifts, homewares, and so on.
* For a more reasonable price tag, try '''Ermou Street''', beside Syntagma Square. Turn right off Ermou at the MAC makeup shop and you'll find yourself on Aghiou Markou and other small streets which are home to incredibly cheap shoes, bags, jewellery, gifts, homewares, and so on.
−
* '''The Mall''' at the Metro Station "Neratziotissa" (Line 1) is the biggest shopping mall in Athens with a large variety of shops, cafés and restaurants and, arguably, one of the most "hi
tec
" cinemas in the city. You can go there by using metro line 1 or the Suburban Railway (Nerantziotissa station).
+
* '''The Mall''' at the Metro
and Suburban Railway
Station "Neratziotissa" (Line 1) is the biggest shopping mall in Athens with a large variety of shops, cafés and restaurants and, arguably, one of the most "hi
tech
" cinemas in the city. You can go there by using metro line 1 or the Suburban Railway (Nerantziotissa station).
* The '''Golden Hall''' is a shopping mall at '''Kifissias avenue''' in Maroussi and includes shops with luxury brands, as well as luxury cafés, bars and restaurants.
* The '''Golden Hall''' is a shopping mall at '''Kifissias avenue''' in Maroussi and includes shops with luxury brands, as well as luxury cafés, bars and restaurants.
* The '''Athens Heart''' is a shopping mall close to the center of Athens.
* The '''Athens Heart''' is a shopping mall close to the center of Athens.
Line 233:
Line 232:
==Eat==
==Eat==
[[File:Plaka Restaurants.JPG|thumb|left|250px|Restaurants (taverna) in the side streets of the Plaka district]]
[[File:Plaka Restaurants.JPG|thumb|left|250px|Restaurants (taverna) in the side streets of the Plaka district]]
−
* For quick, decent and low-budget meals that do not fall into the commercialized fast food category, try a souvlaki' (pronounced soo- VLAH-kee), mainly grilled meat (pork, chicken, it's your choice) vegetables (tomato and onion slices) and Greek 'tzatziki' (pronounced tzah-TZEE-khee) which is yogurt enriched with garlic and cucumber. All the above (often accompanied by French fries) are wrapped inside a thin slice of pan bread, named 'pita' (PEE-tah). Prices of 'souvlaki' vary according to the confidence and/or nerve of the cornershop owner, but usually you can get one from €1.70 to €2.20; add some soda, salad and French fries and you can have lunch for no more than €7 - if you ask for a take away, the price is considerably cheaper than if you sit at a table. You can get souvlaki just about everywhere, especially where tourists roam, though they are a bit more expensive in those regions. The best souvlaki stands in central Athens are both in Monastiraki, adjacent to each other and just off the main square in front of the Metro stop: '''Savvas''' at
Mitropoleas
86-88 and '''O Thanasis''' at Mitropoleos 69.
+
* For quick, decent and low-budget meals that do not fall into the commercialized fast food category, try a souvlaki' (pronounced soo- VLAH-kee), mainly grilled meat (pork, chicken, it's your choice) vegetables (tomato and onion slices) and Greek 'tzatziki' (pronounced tzah-TZEE-khee) which is yogurt enriched with garlic and cucumber. All the above (often accompanied by French fries) are wrapped inside a thin slice of pan bread, named 'pita' (PEE-tah). Prices of 'souvlaki' vary according to the confidence and/or nerve of the cornershop owner, but usually you can get one from €1.70 to €2.20; add some soda, salad and French fries and you can have lunch for no more than €7 - if you ask for a take away, the price is considerably cheaper than if you sit at a table. You can get souvlaki just about everywhere, especially where tourists roam, though they are a bit more expensive in those regions. The best souvlaki stands in central Athens are both in Monastiraki, adjacent to each other and just off the main square in front of the Metro stop: '''Savvas''' at
Mitropoleos
86-88 and '''O Thanasis''' at Mitropoleos 69.
* If you're interested in a sandwich, cheese pie, spinach pie or the equivalent of a fast snack, try Grigoris ('''Γρηγόρης''') or '''Everest''', two chains of fast food to be found in most districts of Athens and the rest of Greece. '''Goody's''' is the Greek equivalent of McDonald's and offers a fair variety of tasty meals, including pasta, different salads, burgers etc.
* If you're interested in a sandwich, cheese pie, spinach pie or the equivalent of a fast snack, try Grigoris ('''Γρηγόρης''') or '''Everest''', two chains of fast food to be found in most districts of Athens and the rest of Greece. '''Goody's''' is the Greek equivalent of McDonald's and offers a fair variety of tasty meals, including pasta, different salads, burgers etc.