Acropolis ticket entry explanation

You are going to be one of the first entries of the day, so it won't be a complete zoo. Just be there before your entry time. Even at your entry time will most likely be fine. While a cab can't take you to the main entrance, they can get you close. The entry line moved quickly when we were there last month.

The Acropolis Museum is just down the hill and is well worth your time. The original Caryatids are there, well, 5 of them.

I was there at the entrance at 7:40 am. I was 4th in line. By 8 am the line stretched for a good block. Even if you are well back in that 8 am line, you will still have a far superior experience to anyone arriving later in the day.

My day pack (pretty standard in size) had to be checked at the Acropolis Museum, but the process was quite simple.

I was there in October ‘24.

You shouldn't worry too much about arrival times relative to the time slot you've chosen. As long as you're there by approximately +/- 20 minutes, it'll be fine. This is only for entering an archaeological site, not for catching a flight on time!

The Acropolis is the only place where it's best to book in advance, you won't have to wait (or a very short wait) to enter the other sites.

The policy regarding the acceptance of small backpacks varies depending on the site. I couldn't make a precise inventory site by site, and in Athens I now mainly visit museums and exhibitions other than the usual ones.
However, the places where a small backpack or any large object is not accepted are mainly indoor locations. Until now, there has always been a free locker room at the entrance. To give you an example, I have this type of small backpack: (mine cost me much less.)

https://www.lesportsac.com/products/route-small-backpack

Of course, to make entry easier, avoid carrying your lunch with a 1-liter bottle of soda, and finish eating your huge ice cream before reaching the ticket counter !

We checked our smallish back packs at the archeological museum. You weren’t allowed to have anything more than a purse.

But it wasn’t a big deal.

All your time frames are correct for arrival. It is better to be earlier. I would be there by 0745. Early in means a much better experience. Even simply the walk up. If you are walking up without crowds it is much better. Otherwise you are having to walk at the pace of all the people in front of you and that can be real slow. You will see on the way down how it most often goes if you are not early.
Plus, on the top an early arrival is better for photos and viewpoint and the general ambiance of less people. It will get very crowded.
This is a one time thing. Make sure you get your group of 6 there for 0745.