Help with Matt Barrett's Guide to Greece Advice

1. I don’t know anyone who uses a travel agency. I have only done my own arrangements when traveling to Greece and elsewhere in last 20 years.

2. I had planned to ride the metro with my family but there was a strike. We took the bus instead. I have rode it other places as recently as a month ago. The biggest issue as I understand it is pickpocketing on tourist populated routes.

Are you going into Athens after an overnight flight? Some people prefer a taxi under such circumstances as you may not be at most alert. We had been in Greece for a week and a half already so that would not have been an issue for us and metro stop was more convenient for us than bus stop. The bus does put luggage under it so less to contend with.

Thanks Beth for the mention of bus due to strike! Usually I have a Plan B for such circumstances, but hadn’t thought of researching the bus options in Athens. I guess there is Google Map on the spot, but I like to know the basics. I’ll take a look and make note of bus routes.

I am well aware of pickpocket possibilities, which Barrett warns of ad
nauseam.

Please, let's stop this paranoia.

Yes, tourists sometimes get robbed on the metro like everywhere in major tourist cities in Europe with a subway network. There is absolutely no risk if you take basic precautions. I regularly take the metro in Athens (more often the buses) and watching tourists, and despite the announcements in English and Greek made on trains every 3 minutes "watch your belongings!" I see some of them with their bags wide open, their wallets visible, looking away or chatting with their friends, or with a phone sticking out of their back pocket, I wonder how they manage not to get robbed, even when they're at home.

So you don't want to be targeted by a pickpocket? Don't turn yourself into a target.

Info on the Metro doesn't indicate contactless pay and go options.

The information on Matt Barrett's website about transportation in Athens is almost 10 years old!

The tape2ride system was introduced earlier this year. It allows you to pay with your contactless credit card on the metro, bus, tram, and trolleybus. But to my knowledge, only Visa and MasterCard credit cards are currently accepted.

If you want information on transportation in Athens, you'll find it here:

https://www.oasa.gr/en/visit-athens/

So if you want to take the metro, take it. Just cross the footbridge as you exit the airport. You'll be at the metro station, where there are ticket machines (in all languages) and ticket counters staffed by real people.

You can also take the X95 express bus, which will take you to Syntagma Square for €5.50 (instead of €9 for the metro).

The bus network in Athens is much more extensive than the metro. There are perhaps 200 bus lines with thousands of bus stops compared to the 3 metro lines. It's a much better way to get around the city than the metro.
Unfortunately, there isn't a comprehensive map of bus lines, as far as I know.

You can use Citymapper, which is more reliable than Google Maps, especially for bus schedules.

Alternatively, there is the official OASA Telematics app, which is even more reliable and shows you bus locations in real time, but it may seem less user-friendly.

https://www.oasa.gr/en/passenger-service/tools/telematics-app/

Why would you want to use a travel agency?

If you can manage without one, Greece is one of the best countries to travel on your own, regardless of your age, nationality or bank balance.

Thanks, JoLui!!

Your post confirms all my suspicions regarding the Barrett Guide.

To answer some of your questions (and to ask a few of my own first):
• It would help to give length of stay (even ARR/DEP dates) & the island ...otherwise people may suggest unsuitable add-ons
• Have you booked Tours in Athens, or are you doing D-I-Y? If so, Rick S can still help you!! Click on LH Corner of page, "Watch Read, Listen" And under Audio Tours click "Athens" -- His FREE downloadable tours to sightsee on your own schedule. (listen ahead, so you know how to pace it). Acrop tour very good, Agora is only DIY audio around... and his walk Around Athens useful as a planning guide. This great online map http://www.orangesmile.com/destinations/img/athens-map-big.jpg makes route v. clear.

About Matt Barrett -- Yes site is a treasure trove, and Yes outdated; Matt's a retiree now, and hasn't revisited some topics.
Also, he has "relationships" with outfits llike tours, taxis, restaurants, and travel agencies... just be aware. "evergreen" segments that don't go out of date include these on food -- https://www.greecetravel.com/greek-food/index.html http://www.greecefoods.com/restaurants/ordering.htm

As for transit from Airport, I'm guessing you are solo (hint: it helps to say). Here's the story:
CARS: Flat rate for taxis or car service to central Athens =€ €40 daytime - no add-ons, tolll etc. Sometimes a taxi may try to scam you, so while in line it's good to click photo of rate-sign. Useful for parties of 2-4, harder-to-reach lodgings, big luggage.

PUBLIC TRANSIT to Syntagma Square (usual stop for tourists)

(1) METRO (€9), takes 45-60 mins (plus time to cross street, wait on platform, at the end, use escalator & stairs to reach street). Works fine if you have easy luggage, keep billfold hidden, are alert for pickpockets (they can cause crowding at exit door to create confusion) Metro can go to other neighborhoods, but may require changing.

(2) BUS --X95 EXpress €6 ...which I prefer when solo. Bus platform right outside Airport Door 5; goes every 30 mins or so, about 60 min ride, comfy & a/c, big bags piled IN bus in central "pen" Only 1-2 stops, so no pickpockets. You see Ath neighborhoods as you near center. Best part: Route terminates at Syntagma, no rush to grab stuff & get off, and you step right on to curb. Your choice.

Your approach is reasonable. We’ve taken the metro from the Athens airport with no problems. Although I do love the sight of a driver holding a sign with my name after a long flight.

And I enjoy doing my own research, so I don’t use travel agents. For our first trip in 2003 I used the Thomas Cook Greek Island Hopping book & Matt Barrett’s website. Both are dated now but I still refer to them, and I recommend them not so much for specific information on transportation or hotels, but for overall descriptions and to show how the islands are grouped by ferry lines.

But when someone comes to this forum having done little research or with a unique circumstance or very tight timeline, I think a good travel agent can be helpful as well.

I've found Matt Barett's information to be dated. I use it for general information.
Once you understand the ferry system, you can plan your own trip to islands. In 2018 we ferried from Rafina to Tinos to Santorini to Heraklion.
In 2018, we were aware of pickpocket possibilities and we saw no problems using the metro from the airport.

Thanks to all the above posters!

Janet - Thanks! It was one of your very helpful posts a year or so ago that helped me plan this trip - delayed from my original 2024 plans. I was purposely vague with details on the upcoming trip of which stops/sites/sights/island I have researched extensively in light of my personal interests. So many posters are so helpful and want to recommend things - and frankly I don't want to be tempted at this point by more options or second guess myself (as has happened with Matt Barrett). I appreciate the transport specifics you supplied. I had not thought about the bus - I will look into that. It would be fun to see things coming into the city. I think the final stop will be near my hotel. That might well be preferable to the Metro. Thanks for the links - I'll check on those. (and, yes, solo - my most frequent mode of travel)

Charlene - Oh yes, that sign with MYNAME!!! What a welcome to a foreign clime! However, public transport in Athens looks quite in line with my experiences elsewhere. Thanks for affirming the Metro from your own experience.

Leonard - Thank you also for your perspective on Matt and your experience.

Our info is 10years old back when Matt Barrett’s advice was “fresh” but we still took the metro (successfully) and planned our own free time. Valuables were in neck wallets and money belts under our clothes and we practiced the polite phrases in Greek. One reason I would favor the bus over the metro is you can see the layout as you go. We came up from the metro underground at twilight and travel weary and had no reference point. A passing Greek Australian kindly pointed us in the right direction.

As others are saying, the information is dated.

As for the multitude of recommendations to use car services (I'm sure "George the Taxi Driver" is still mentioned), travel agencies, guides...and the dire warnings that will happen if you do not; I just notice that at one time the majority of the income from the site came from advertisements and recommendations of those same entities, so viewpoints may be biased.

Local travel agencies (at least at one time) are good for purchasing ferry tickets in the few days ahead of sailing, saves having to head down to the dock to find a ticket office. Anymore, resources on the web are more valuable,

Thanks Patty and Paul.

I am now leaning towards the bus from the airport to my hotel. I know I'll be eager for my first peek at Athens!

I did think all the travel agency recs were a bit suspicious, but didn't look hard enough to see if there were any disclaimers on $ exchange.

I just took a look at the suggestions for Paris - a city I visit frequently. If I had looked at that first, I would have dismissed most of the Greece advice as outdated and biased. Clearly the website is old and "personal". I'm surprised RS still mentions it.

Most experienced travelers to Greece including many of the posters here do all their bookings themselves including flights, accommodations, transfers, rental cards, etc.

But those are experienced travelers who have knowledge of how to do it.

I used Barrett's guide as ONE of several websites for research. I agree that much of what's on his websites are dated and he recommends high-end accommodations and transfer companies (maybe he gets a commission?)

Still it is comprehensive and helpful.

I've taken the Metro to/from the airport (Athens/Piraeus) numerous times and have never had any problems but that doesn't mean to lower your guard. Common sense is your best "weapon".

The bus may be a safer option if the hype about pick pockets on the Metro bothers you. Less expensive but longer time to get to destination but a great alternative.

There are private transfer companies in Greece like Welcome Pickups, Uber and several others which will be safer than a regular taxi but I've never been scammed the few times I used a taxi but there's always a few that take advantage of tourists.

Private transfer offer door-to-door service but there is a higher cost for a private transfer as opposed to the Metro/Bus.

A travel agency will take care of everything and is more convenient but there is a premium for an agency.

Nothing wrong with using one if that is more piece of mind but with websites and travel forums you can get a lot of helpful and honest recommendations as we don't get a commission for volunteering out time or advice.

I will comment, that at one time, using a Greek travel agency did offer insight to rooms and hotels available, knowledge of ferry schedules, and the ins and outs of the islands. One tout often used was that in the event of a ferry cancellation or delay (as does happen) a travel agency would rebook for you, avoiding cancellation fees with the hotels they use, where-as you likely would be out the cost of the room. Not sure if that is the case anymore, and you can control that in your booking now.

The other information on the site, places, cultural things, is worth a look, but not vastly different than what you find elsewhere.

Thanks.

My trip is fully booked including island transport - DIY as per my usual practice. Just checking that I didn't miss something as Barrett, presumably including his agent advice, seemed to be frequently recommended. Obviously, I missed nothing. He is out-of-date and advice is not relevant to me.

I've checked the X95 Bus - it will be perfect for transport to my hotel. Thanks to those who suggested it - Metro seems easy also, I had latched onto that thought without considering that the Express Bus would be much more scenic, even if perhaps a bit slower.

I will use the Metro at times during my trip, I'm sure. I have no over-blown concerns for pickpockets.

My questions have been fully addressed. The posts have confirmed my suspicions on the lacking "value", at least to me, of Barrett's Guide. Thanks to all.