Athens International Airport (AIA) to/from Downtown Athens
Athens International Airport (AIA)
is your most likely port of entry to Greece. All Olympic Airways (National
Greek Air Carrier) flights arrive in and depart from the Western Terminal
(access via Siggrou Ave.), and all other international flights arrive in
and depart from the Eastern Terminal (access via Vouliagmenis Ave.). There
are two options available for ground transportation between AIA and Downtown
Athens:
Buses and Trolleys:
Athens and its outskirts are linked
by a web of bus and trolley lines, and you can get maps of these lines
at the Greek National
Tourist Organization (GNTO) as well as specific verbal info on major
routes as to which "number" bus or trolley to take for your destination.
Bus and trolley tickets are GDR120 (US$0.45) each and can be purchased
at special booths and kiosks near the bus stops.
The Metro:
Once you are on the bus or trolley, validate your ticket by asserting it into one of the meters for that purpose; the ticket will be punched and dated. Then keep the ticket until you leave the bus, since it's not uncommon to have a ticket checker to check their validity (if you are found that you haven't punched your tickets, you're required to pay a GDR 4,800 (US$16.00) fine.There are several major bus terminals for destinations outside central Athens; at the Zappeion, for instance, buses go south to Glyfada, Voula, Vouliagmeni and Varkiza. Many buses leave from the huge bus stop at Academias and Sina Strs to the northern suburbs of Halandri, Psyhiko, Maroussi and Kifissia. All buses have their route number and destination on the front.
Athens' metro system is now being expanded. Limited in terms of destinations as the metro is currently, it does manage to connect Piraeus with downtown Athens and the northern suburb of Kifissia with some major stops -(such as the one at the Olympic Stadium) on the way.Trains run every four minutes during rush hours and no less frequently than every ten minutes at all other times (expect between midnight and 5:30am, when the metro is closed). Metro tickets are purchased at the stations and will cost either GDR120 or GDR 180 (US $0.50-0.60), depending on how far you are going. For a map, go to the GNTO office (see appropriate section).
Taxi fares begin at GDR200 ($0.80) and all cabs have meters (if the driver does not turn the meter on, remind him/her to do so). Minimum charge in any taxi hiring is GDR 500 ($1.80). All taxis also have charts in Greek and English on their dashboard, explaining the changes you can expect to incur for baggage, the airport surcharge (only coming from the airport and not going at), rates between midnight and 5am (charged at a faster meter rate), holiday surcharges, etc. Tipping is neither expected nor practiced, though it's customary to round off the fare.Radio Taxis:Although you will occasionally see signs for taxi stands in central Athens, you'll seldom find taxis there. Getting a cab in Athens on the street is usually a matter of flagging it down and calling out the area or street where you are going as they approach you (make sure you "mouth" your destination clearly, because the driver won't slow down very much). It is rare to get a cab to yourself during rush hours, so expect other people to be in the cab or to pick up others heading in the same direction after you're already in. When you piggy-back like this, you'll still pay the normal rate, with the meter (conceptually) beginning at GDR200.
If you have to be somewhere and want to reach your destination on time with a taxi, it's advisable to call one. Your hotel can certainly do that for you, but if you want to do it yourself or if you are not in your hotel, there is a number of reliable and efficient radio taxi fleets operating in Athens. All radio taxis are metered, and their meters also begin at GDR200, however, radio taxis tack on an extra GDR300.A short list for fares:Some of the following radio-cab fleets require as little as a 15-minute waiting period between the time of your call and their arrival, but all will require that you speak a bit of Greek. A list of them is:
Athina I: 922-1744, 921-7942
Ermis: 411-5200
Express: 993-4812, 995-1136
Ikaros: 513-2316, 513-2319
Kosmos: 805-5000
Parthenon: 582-1292
Piraeus P1: 418-2333
Proodos: 643-3400, 643-2240
Pyrsos: 502-3583, 502-3783
Radio Taxi Glyfada: 894-4531
Radio Taxi Kifissias:808-4000, 808-4101
Base Rate: GDR200
Inside City Limits: GDR58/km
Outside City Limits: GDR113/km
Waiting Rate: GDR2000/hr
Radio Taxi Appointment Fee:GDR300
Radio Taxi Simple Call Fee:GDR200
Pick up from Airport Fee: GDR300
Pick up from Seaport Fee: GDR160
Bags over 10kg: GDR55/each