Another Athens Airport Transfer Question

Do you want to take the metro from the airport to the hotel?

There's no "Thesio", there's "Thissio" like the name of the neighborhood and the metro station. There's also a Thissio hotel in Athens.

What do you mean by "Train No. 1"? There are three metro lines in Athens, but line 1 (green) doesn't go to the airport, line 3 (blue) connects the airport to the city center (and Piraeus Ferry port).

Hi JoLui - Yes, it's Thissio (I have seen it spelled differently on different sites) and sorry if I confused the train terminology.

I am aware that I need to take Metro Line 3 (blue) from the airport to Monastiraki to make transfer to Line 1 (green). That's the basis for the question. Since the Metro line 3 is so infrequent, I was hoping I would not need to wait another 30 minutes to xFer for 1 stop to Thissio. Didn't think it would be a good idea for the 2 of us to walk through Monastiraki with check-in size luggages in tow (even if they are wheeled luggages).

Thanks!

I have taken the Metro to Thissio but not from the airport but from Eleonas Metro.

I have taken the Metro from the airport to Monistiraki numerous times and it's rather easy and straight forward especially when you are familiar with it.

If you want the Thissio Metro you'll have to switch at Monistiraki but it's really not a long walk to Thissio.

It took me less than 15 minutes with a small rolling suitcase and a backpack.

I usually have a small suitcase on wheels and one small backpack and have no problem navigating on the Metro. Since the airport is near the beginning of the run you'll have a choice of seats. There are luggage storage racks so you should sit close to them to keep an eye on them or you can stand right next to it.

I've never had any bags stolen or been pick pocketed on the Metro but stay alert.

The Metro from the airport will not usually be crowded but as you make each stop which there are numerous one to Monistiraki it will become very crowded especially the mornings as people head out to work or school or where ever.

Most schedules are not up to date as they sometimes change.

Expect at a bit of a wait from the airport but not terribly so.

I'm a bit confused as you say you have a transfer with Welcome Pickups to Piraeus and possibly have a long wait to clear immigration.

Since you'll clear customs at the airport on arrival you don't need to do so again.

Honestly, it's up to you whether you take a connecion at Monastiraki to Thissio or if you want to walk directly to the hotel from Monastiraki.

The first half of the walk between Monastiraki and the Thissio Hotel isn't very convenient when walking with checked luggage; the second half is better, as it's a large pedestrian avenue.

Whichever option you choose, getting off the Line 3 metro train at Monastiraki will require you to take the escalators and return to ground level, either to take the Green Line (which is almost at ground level) or to exit the metro station.
As you pass, between two escalators, you'll probably see a small exhibition area with some preserved ruins of Roman infrastructure that encased the Endanus River. The river still flows, you can see it behind the ruins.
.

If you connect to the green line (follow the Piraeus signs) and exit at Thissio, the route from Thissio metro station is entirely along this large pedestrian avenue:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Y7JA9ao8A2AaWpvy5

Being a regular user of Athens and its public transport, I don't know which option I would choose; it would depend on my mood at the time. Unfortunately, there is no bus line to the Thissio hotel.

Regarding the metro at the airport, a train departs every 36 minutes. You have to take the metro trains on the left platform, those on the right platform are the suburban trains.

The metro train without passengers stops on the platform about 25 minutes before departure. If you arrive at the right time, you will find seats, but as time goes by, the train fills up with passengers. If you arrive 5 minutes before departure, the train will likely be crowded.

See the timetables below:

https://www.stasy.gr/en/timetables/

tommyk5 - Thanks, I appreciate your insights on the No 3 line.
Our check in bags-ins are medium size travel pros, so big but not too big. ☺️
Sorry for the confusion about immigration clearance, which will be upon our arrival on Friday. I have read from some folks who missed their pickup time because they got out of baggage claim too late and didn’t want to risk that for us. That’s why I figured it was better to go for the metro.
I have already reserved with Welcome for driving us from hotel to Piraeus on Saturday, which is pretty straightforward.

JoLui,
Thank you so much for your detailed descriptions of the train schedule and the tracks and station information; it will come in handy when we arrive on Friday. And if we’re too close to departure time for the metro, the taxi stand will be the backup plan.

Annymack, don't worry too much about these logistical details. Everything will be fine.

Watch this video of how to get to the airport metro station. The girl in the video is leaving from the part of the airport that is in Schengen Zone B. Coming from a non-Schengen Zone A, you'll probably be closer to the pedestrian bridge that leads to the metro. Either way, you can't miss it.

https://youtu.be/ea7afB3_S1o?t=105

In the video, she gets off at Syntagma, you'll get off at the next station, Monastiraki.

At Monastiraki, if you take Line 1 towards Piraeus and get off at Thissio, watch this video:

https://youtu.be/PdbK_3XkcZQ

At 1:54 in the video, you see the stairs/escalator on the right with signs for Piraeus; that's where you need to go.

The guy in the video continues straight because he's also going to take Line 1, but in the opposite direction, towards Kifissia. That's also where you need to go if you're exiting the metro. Anyway, just follow the Exit signs if you're leaving.

Very close to your hotel, I recommend going to the pleasant little pedestrian street "Iraklidon" where you'll find a few restaurants.
I recommend two of them: I Avli Tis Idylis : https://maps.app.goo.gl/e7RyP5rrbcWMX8BV7

And Kotsakia & Mantinades: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CNWV6iZXqwoCFLqT8

At I Avli Tis Idylis, you can eat on the terrace with a view of the Acropolis.

I prefer the vibe of Kotsakia & Mantinades, which I think is friendlier and more "local." It serves Cretan cuisine. But sorry, there's no view of the Acropolis. You can't have everything!

If you want to take home some pastries, head to Thissio Bakery (It's open until 10 p.m.) : https://maps.app.goo.gl/qp4ZdVHwRAbTcRBcA

There's also a supermarket right across the street, as well as an organic food store if you need to do some shopping.

Bon appétit!

JoLui - Thank you so much for the recommendations - you’ve read my mind! I had Kotsakia & Mantinades marked on my map because it looked like a real local family run place, and you just confirmed it for me. Acropolis view not necessary, I know I can see it by just walking around. :) Was also interested in the pastry shop to find some good bougatsa and a supermarket.
I should have mentioned that I’m staying at La Divina, right across the street from Thissio station, which was why I wanted to make the Xfer.
I will watch the videos before I leave for the trip.
Thank you, thank you!

If you stay at the Divina and not at the Thissio hotel, there is no need to change metro lines to go to Thissio, you will get to your hotel just as quickly if you exit at Monastiraki, it is only a 5 minute walk and it is entirely on pedestrian streets.

Walking is good for your health and helps burn off some calories (especially those from bougatsa!). :)

Indeed, I will take your sage advice as I’m planning to eat a lot on this trip!
Thank again!
a:)

I just wanted to follow up on this post for closure. I very much appreciated the information and advice that both tommyk5 and JoLui provided for our one day in Athens before boarding our ship for the Aegean islands cruise.
The Metro was a breeze to use and the walk to the La Divina hotel from Monastiraki station was very easy to navigate. I’m not even sure I was charged €9 (rather a much smaller amount) for the ride even though I tapped in and out.
JoLui - I checked out both restaurants you recommended in Thissio and ended up choosing to eat dinner at Kostakia & Matinade, loved the friendly service and the family style cooking.
The ride to port with Welcome Pickup went smoothly with a very nice driver.
Thank you again for your help!

Annymack, thanks for the feedback, and I'm glad everything went well.

Regarding tapping in and out in the metro with a credit card, can you specify whether your credit card is a Visa or a Mastercard?

From what I know, when the system was implemented at the beginning of the year, only these two were recognized at the metro turnstiles and on buses. But perhaps others are also recognized now.

That would be useful information.

Hi JoLui - we tapped with our VISA cards and the gate responded. It took several tries at the exit gate, but that could have been the bank verifying our initial int’l transactions.
I just looked at my bank transactions and it was charged by OASA Athens for $1.39…

Yes, $1.39 should correspond to the price of a single metro/bus ticket, which is €1.20.

But for the airport-Thissio metro ride, the price charged should have been €9.

Anyway, thanks for the info.

That’s interesting. We rode from the airport to Monastiraki. Since it probably would have taken us longer to wait for the transfer, we took your advice and walked directly to the hotel.

A successful journey! For others contemplating the Metro to major stations, a small note of warning... after people are vigilant about pickpockets on the train, sometimes they let down their guards on the escalator - and that's when quickfingers strike. A veteran of many Greece trips lost his billfold on the Monastiraki escalator... and had to change their entire itinerary because car rental depended on his ID/driver's license... not as easy to replace as credit cards are. Stay aware and have a happy trip!

A frequent traveler in Greece lost his wallet on the escalator in
Monastiraki…

That's why I recommend the bus.

Athens Metro: 3 metro lines, about 70 metro stations

Athens Bus: Over 200 bus lines, 25 TrolleybuslLines, thousands of bus stops.

Electronic displays in the buses/trolleys show the bus's location in real time and the names of upcoming stops in English.

No escalators or pickpockets on buses.

A city tour for €1.20 and up to 90 minutes instead of an underground trip.

No worries about being near the exit doors when you have to get off the train (a favorite time for pickpockets).

There is no general map of bus lines and stops, but you can simply use Google Maps, CityMapper, or OASA Telematics, the official app. All of them will give you all the bus lines & routes and bus stops from a given location.