We are doing the RS Greece tour in October. We are flying from Paris to Athens, arriving at 4:30 pm. on a Monday afternoon. The group meetings starts at 6 pm. We also have one checked bag (more time waiting). The hotel is the Acropolis Select (usual RS hotel for this tour). I was wondering which is the fastest way to get to the hotel? Taxi, metro, or bus. We have instructions how to get to the hotel by either metro or taxi. I also realized that it will be a minor miracle if we make it to the hotel by 6 pm. I just hope we get there before everyone leaves for dinner. Second question is the cost of a taxi from airport to downtown Athens. I think that there is a fixed price of 40 euro, which covers everything but the tip. Is that correct and I assume I need to let the taxi driver know ahead of time, that 40 euros is what I'm paying, tip excluded. Thanks for any input.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3120 posts
You'll be arriving during rush hour so the Metro will be fastest. Take the Airport Metro to Syntagma Square and transfer to the Red Line, south 2 stations to Syngrou-Fix. From Syngrou-Fix you can flag down a taxi to take you to the hotel, which is a few blocks away. Look at Google Maps for the hotel to understand where to go.
The fixed taxi price from the airport into Central Athens is €35 and tipping isn't required. http://www.athensairporttaxi.com
Posted by
Seattle, WA, US
1005 posts
I've stayed at the Acropolis Select and it will be easier to walk there from the Metro station than to flag down a cab--depending on the amount of luggage you have. A cabbie may not be too happy about taking passengers for about a block and a half.
Let the tour people know you may be late so that they can leave a message about where dinner will be held that night. It's a great trip.
Posted by
38 posts
Is 35 euros pp price ?
There are two of us.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3120 posts
No, €35 is the total cost for both of you together.
Posted by
Bend, OR
576 posts
Can four people ride in one taxi, or are two needed? (Can you tell I don't use taxis very much?)
Posted by
1 posts
If you decide to take a taxi it is almost guaranteed the driver will give you some sort of story about why the price has gone up or that there are extra charges like luggage fees or taxes. Maybe by October things may change so update before you go but if not stick to your guns and don't pay more than E 35. If you choose to take the metro the charge is (at this time) E8 pp but coming from the airport it only costs E14 for 2 people. We were able to get that ticket from a ticket seller both times. I'm not sure if it's the same if you purchase it from a machine.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3120 posts
Max capacity for a taxi is 4 passengers but there may be extra charges for baggage handling in and out of the trunk. You should see prices posted in plain sight in the taxi.
Posted by
Bend, OR
576 posts
Thanks, Lee. I am asking this for my daughter who will be dragging a big wedding dress, etc., with her and therefore doesn't want to take the usual metro into the city. Do Athens cabbies accept credit cards or will they have to stop at the airport ATM and get Euros before they get into the cab?
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3120 posts
I'm fairly certain it's a cash-only situation. There are plenty of ATMs in the airport. Be sure to notify your banks of your itinerary so they don't freeze your account from suspicion of theft or fraud.
Posted by
38 posts
thanks Lee
Posted by
5 posts
Hi knowledgable travelers,
What is the best way from syntagma Sq. to
Posted by
5 posts
Hi,
what is the best way to get from Synagma Sq. to Piraeus Port to catch a 7am departure ?
BB
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3120 posts
"Best way" is a subjective opinion. You have a few options.
1-Take the Blue Line Metro from Syntagma one stop west to the Monastiraki Metro Station and transfer to the Green Line train to Piraeus. The 7am morning Blue Star Ferry to Santorini departs from very nearby the Piraeus Metro Station.
2-Walk from Syntagma Square to the Monastiraki Metro Station, which is about 1/3 mile west, down Mitropoleos Street.
(The Metro begins daily operations around 5am so you won't have any problems getting to Piraeus for that early departure.)
3-Take a Taxi.
Posted by
Brighton, UK
1386 posts
BB
In addition to the options Lee outlines you can also get the number 40 bus direct from Syntagma to Piraeus. Normally the metro is a better bet, because of traffic, but at that time in the morning you shouldn't have a problem.
Get off the bus at the Dimotiki Theatre and walk about 10 minutes down the hill to the boats. You want Gate E7 but can enter at Gate E8 and cut across to your left. There's a helpful map of the gates here
http://www.cruisenewser.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/piraeus-cruise-port-map.jpg
Walking down from the Dimotiki Theatre you emerge onto the map via Vas Georgious Avenue next to Ag Spiridon Church.
Alan