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Airport transfer from Athens International airport to Athens Select Hotel

Just yesterday I saw where the transport from the Athens Select Hotel to and from the airport was 40 euros. Now I get an email saying it is 50-65 euros depending on the time of day-perhaps I saw an old website. I totally understand charging more for certain times of the day, but I wasn't budgeting for that. I have checked into going on the metro, but is that safe? I read that the metro going from Athens to Piraeus and back is full of pickpockets. I just don't know if taking the metro is the best idea after getting off a long flight. Has anyone used Uber? Does Uber have as good a service as they do in the states? Any suggestions? Thanks!

Posted by
3149 posts

I think you must mean the Acropolis Select Hotel.

The taxi fare is fixed at €38 between 5am and Midnight, €50 for a late-night trip. There might be a small added "handling" charge for baggage weighing more than 10 kilos.

The Metro is safe as long as you are hyper-vigilant and don't sling a bag over your shoulder so it's behind you. For that hotel's location you will have to take the Airport Blue Line Metro to Syntagma square and transfer to the Red Line to the Syngrou Fix Station followed by a 5 minute walk to the hotel. And if you plan to go to Piraeus from your hotel it means the Red Line back to Syntagma, then the Blue Line to Monastiraki followed by the Green Line to Piraeus. So plan accordingly.

Posted by
769 posts

Hi - Im actually using a similar service for the Philippos hotel (also via sister hotel Herodian).
They have a 45-Euro fixed rate paid to the driver who will be greeting at airport and an "introduction" to athens on the way in (a bit of history perhaps). This is about 5 euros more than grabbing a taxi at the curb. Hera Hotel website has something similar only its pre pay. Id recommend trying that vs Uber. Might be worth checking the other two options out.

Did you email your Hotel direct via email (concierge will likely answer it quickly).

My situation is supposed to land before 6pm so it avoid the later evening fee which I thought is later in the night to early AM. If you have a late landing expect to pay a bit more but if its your first time to the city - a bit extra may be worth it. Save money at home and after the trip - but spend a bit more during to make it easier! :)

Posted by
7054 posts

There's no reason to think that using the Metro is unsafe (tons of people use it all the time, just like any other Metro system). I think every guide book is overzealous about pickpockets...if you watch your stuff and have command over it, it shouldn't be an issue. Also, have you looked into any of the buses from the airport (Express bus, etc.)?

The hotel directions look pretty straightforward. If you're on a budget, public transport will be a fraction of a private transfer:
https://acropoliselect.gr/how-to-get-here/

Posted by
3149 posts

The guidebooks are not overzealous about pocket pickers. It has become an 'epidemic' on the Metro, often several people working together to jam up the doorways, making it easier for one of them to do the picking while the others create a distraction. Just be vigilant and you'll be fine.

Posted by
16 posts

Thanks everyone! Yes, Lee, I meant Acropolis Select Hotel. They sent me an email today offering to set up the service. We arrive mid-day net week, but they said it would be 50 euros for the two of us. We travel very light and don't check luggage and tend closer to the backpacker m.o. even though we are 60-ish, so I don't think we would incur any additional charges other than gratuities for our bags. As far as pickpockets, so far so good and we travel a lot, but almost everyone I know has had an issue with it. Maybe we don't attract attention since we look like aged backpackers. :) The tour guide/taxi driver sounds very intriguing! Thanks so much, everyone, for your help!

Posted by
32362 posts

Joni,

I assume you're taking the RS Greece tour? As I recall, that's the same hotel that was used on my tour.

I took the Metro and had no problems. The nearest station is Syngrou-Fix, which is about a 5-10 minute walk to the hotel (quicker once you learn the neighborhood). Be sure you're wearing Money Belts and other valuables are safely stored in your luggage.

Posted by
16 posts

Hello, we are not taking the tour on this trip. We have taken two others, and they are great. Thanks for the name of the metro stop near our hotel! I was trying to figure that out.

Posted by
2456 posts

Joni, the Acropoli Metro Stop is almost the same distance to the Acropolis Select Hotel, but a MUCH more lovely welcome to Athens, looking up to the Acropolis and right beside the Acropolis Museum. Whichever Metro Stop you use, be sure you have a clear map from Google Maps or elsewhere, so you are walking in the right direction from the Metro to the hotel. It's quite easy to get confused and head off in the wrong direction, especially your first time. (I did.)

Posted by
11925 posts

And from the Acropoli stop its downhill to the hotel.

Posted by
3 posts

Yikes, the posting for Viator page shows $19.92 and when calculated for 2 was $78....don't think so....sorry about the mistake...