Hi--
My husband and I are visiting our daughter in Athens (where she will be spending the fall semester) the last week in October. We only recently learned that this was our only visitng time option (the joys of trying to plan with an avoidant 20 yo) and it appears there are no nonstop flights from DC to Athens after early October. Because we are going for such a short period of time, I am researching possible creative work-arounds to the 13+ hour flights-such as flying into another country then on to Athens, etc-but with no luck. I plan to consult a travel agent but wanted to check if this group had any thoughts/insights. Many thanks!
Posted by
France Southwest
3092 posts
United operates a direct flight from DC to Athens until October 24.
There may also be some options via NYC with Delta Airlines which operates a daily flight NYC to Athens all year round
Posted by
Folsom
2782 posts
We are flying to Athens via Istanbul from San Francisco next month. Turkish Airlines. Not nonstop, but a short hop to Athens. It’s a long flight from SFO to IST but we are flying business class which should help ease the pain. See if Turkish flies from DC.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, USA
3590 posts
THe fastest Nonstop from East Coast (philly, NY or Newark) to Athens is about 9 hours ... and yes, getting from DC to Philly airport is going to take 3-4 hours no matter how (flight, Amtrak & taxi). But you won't do better with the Europe transfer... Many of those from US arrive Heathrow, Amsterdam, Frankfurt etc around 7-8 am, but you have to wait around till 11,,, so no time saved... and possibily of delay there because of airstrip traffic. Take a good book,
For the avoidant 20-year-old, 2 strategies... for the greedy, shopping for expensive things. For the nerdy, tours to less-frequented places -- like the LaLounis Jewelry Museum, or (if she's an activitst) the Melina Mercouri Foundation ... amazing photoramic exhibit of how this famous actress almost single-handed brought down the "generals' coup" of the 1970s ... and then as Ministry of Culture Re-Educated adults and students alike about their ancient Culture. Thrilling.
Posted by
Maryland
16 posts
Suggest you look into a non-stop from Philadelphia on American. We typically fly out of BWI or IAD/Dulles for European travel. However we are choosing to fly from Phila in early October on a non-stop to Athens. Yes it’s a few hour drive to Phila but in the end we weighed the pros and cons and decided it was a better value than either driving to IAD which for us is 1 hour on a good day or having to change planes somewhere in Europe. Good luck. I hope your daughter has an amazing fall semester abroad and you enjoy your visit!
Posted by
6056 posts
I flew DC to Athens on Lufthansa--try to change in Munich and not Frankfurt if possible (that airport can be a bear--just don't do too short of a layover, two+ hours should be fine).
Posted by
NH (USA)
1322 posts
Unfortunately there is no "quick" way to do this without a connecting flight somewhere.
Did you try a search on a third party like Sky Scanner or even a Google Flight search to see what your best options are? Then you can go directly to that airline's website.
Most experienced travelers recommend dealing directly with the airlines
I doubt a travel agent can do any better.
FYI I did a test booking on Google Flight for Dulles to Athens with United late October and found a non-stop to Athens but 1 stop on the way back.
Unfortunately the return flight is 13 hours + depending on the airlines.
That could change depending on the exact date of travel.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you to all for the awesome advice!
Posted by
429 posts
Norse Atlantic has a JFK to Athens direct flight