I have an 8 hour layover in Athens, in October. I am unsure whether to go into the city or not. Have you gone into Athens from the airport for a few hours? If so, would you recommend it?
The reasons I am put off by the idea is, that the following site make it seem like it would cost me 16 Euros return for the metro into the city. Is there a day ticket that isnt so expensive that I could buy instead of 2 tickets for 8 Euros each?
Also, what the site says about metro strikes is a bit worrying, when I would be short of time already strikes would be a complete pain.
http://www.athensguide.com/airport.html
If I do decide to go into to the city, which would be a good metro stop to get out at. I don't want to rush around. Just someplace nice to sit, with something to look at. Maybe the old part of the city? Or a beach?
Reply to this Hi Mell, yes it is a nice idea to go into Athens center, there is a cheaper day return, though it is still quite expensive. No need to worry about strikes as they are always announced beforehand, there is a local travel desk in the baggage hall, check it out, it has all the time tables, disturbances etc. I would recommend going to Monastiraki, which is the last stop. It is right beneath the Acropolis, and you can walk around the old city (Plaka) with archaeological sites (visible from the street), ottoman mosques, museums, renovated old houses, cafes and restaurants. Mostly pedestrian area, lots of tourists of course, but highly recommended. You can also go to Rafina which is at the sea, nice town, there are some small beaches. Or take the X96 bus to Voula or Glyfada, two suburbs on the sea. There are beaches, and cafes and restaurants etc. The buses are a cheaper option. I think you will have a nice day in any of these, though personally I very much like Plaka, with its small town atmosphere in the bustling metropolis. If it is very hot I would prefer the beach though. Depends on when you are going.
Reply to this Wow! Thanks Inga 😊 I think, you have caused me to make up my mind.
I will go to Monastiraki. Why miss out on seeing the Acropolis again for the sake of saving less than 20 Euros, and since I will know before getting on the metro if there will be a strike there is no real risk.
I wish I was staying in Athens longer, but some time is always better than none. Last time I was there, was 23 years ago. It is so long ago, that I can't even remember which part of the city I stayed in. I slept on a hotel roof at the time with a view of the Acropolis and other monuments in the distance around it, with streets with fantastic restaurant food nearby and a market to buy food in too. At the time, some Greek people used to complain at me and my ex about how much money we could afford to spend, on the types of food we bought. They said, this is the food they have on special occasions. We would never have been able to afford the same in London, where we had worked to earn the money we were spending in Greece. Greece was so inexpensive at that time. 😊
I always think, it is a real pity that there isn't an option to make layovers longer, like a couple of nights.
It will be in October, that I will be in Athens. My layover in Athens on the way back is a bit shorter, but by that time I might have more confidence with the metro etc so maybe will be able to go into the the city again.
Reply to this Hi Mell,
October should be great, not so hot but still warm and nice to walk around. The Theseion area has lots of cafeterias and restaurants, it is popular with the locals too, but you will find places to sit down all over Plaka. I personally like the Tower of the Winds, and the pedestrian street Dionysos Aeropagiti to the east of Acropolis, just wonderful. Here is also the new Acropolis museum, if you have any interest you should visit. The cafeteria there is very good by the way, and the view over Acropolis is special to say the least. it is quite an extensive museum so if you have limited time go straight to the top floor.
Prices in Athens will be at the level of West Europe nowadays, unfortunately.
One warning, like in many big cities pickpockets are a problem, both on the metro and in the Plaka area, so look out for your belongings.
I agree that stopovers is a great way to see places, but very few airlines allow them without charging a higher price. A pity really.
Reply to this Im really looking forward to Athens now, Inga. I wonder if Athens will look like I remember. Sometimes, when I go back to places, I went to when I was very young, they dont seem to be the same place. I think, maybe I looked at things in a different way, when I was young and that is why they dont seem like the same place 20 years later. 😊
Reply to this Hi Mell, it will certainly not be like you remembered it. Greece has gone through an enormous change in the last 23 years. First, a boom with modernization and then the last few years a deep recession. As a result of the first there are lots of new fancy buildings, a fantastic metro (and less air pollution), the museums are no longer dusty glass cupboards but wonderful places (if you had the time you could visit the Benaki Islamic museum or the Cycladic Art museum, both amazing and just a couple of picks). In Plaka many of the 19th century houses have been lovingly renovated to their old glory and most of the streets in the historical centre are pedestrian (thanks heaven and whoever in charge made this a reality). You probably even won't notice any recession in Plaka, as this is showing in the less privileged suburbs and some areas of the centre outside the Plaka area. Have a nice trip and enjoy Athens!
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In response to: Msg #159656 The cheapest way into the city I think is the X95 bus from the airport to Syntagma Square. It's 5 Euro each way and takes about an hour. From there it's easy to walk to Monastiraki, Plaka and Akropoli.
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In response to: Msg #159880 Yes you are right that the bus is much cheaper but it may take forever, depending obviously on traffic. As Mell only has a few hours I think it is worth to pay some extra and get to the centre smoothly, and back. Which may be even more important.
Reply to this Thanks folks! 😊
Yes, with just an 8 hour layover this time, taking the faster and less confusing option of the metro is more important than saving money.
The bus information is also very welcome though, as one never knows when shortish layovers will become very long ones, and then time does not matter so much. When I was flying to India one time, my layover in Istanbul of 10 hours turned into 3 days. I got it reduced to around 20 hours by asking the airline staff at Istanbul to put me on any flight going to India, as soon as possible. I managed to get on one for 20 hours later, but it did mean me, my daughter and my boyfriend being separated for the entire flight, because they just had a few undesirable seats left, in the middle of rows in random spots on the plane. 😊
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