Athens is considered to be the birthplace of "congress" and "symposium". The Athenians were the first to realise the immense cultural importance of the democratic discussion and the creative exchange of views and ideas.
Athens of today is a modern metropolis, a vibrant, appealing, hospitable and exciting city. It is also one of the safest and most affordable cities in Europe as it is stated in the official EU statistical publication. Athens is also a cultural channel, the city of artists and a scientific centre.
Athens, a gateway between the east and the west, hosts artistic happenings, festivals, conventions, athletic competitions, and celebrations.
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ATHENS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
The Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos, opened in March 2001, is dedicated to customer satisfaction and provides high security standards and top quality service for all travelers. It is connected daily with over 50 cities around the world. The Athens International Airport is located 33 km southeast of Athens and is easily accessible by car via the Athens City Ring Road (Attiki Odos), a six-lane motorway, to Glyfada, Vouliagmeni. Public transport to Athens and the port of Piraeus is provided by express airport bus connections on a 24-hour basis (Express Lines E96 & E95).
ATHENS METRO
Athens Metro network consists of 2 lines (Line 2 and Line 3) and 23 station with trains arriving every 3 minutes at rush hours and every 5-10 minutes at all other times. An additional line (Line 1) of the ISAP network (www.isap.gr) connects the Port of Piraeus to the northern suburb of Kifisia via central Athens. The Athens Metro connects Syntagma Square with the Athens International Airport in 27 minutes.
Hours of operation:
Lines 2 and 3 operate daily from 05:30 – 24:00.
Line 1 operates daily from 05:00-00:30
Useful tips:
While inside the train, announcements are made before every stop.
Metro tickets are sold at the stations’ cashiers and by automatic tellers.
Metro tickets are valid on ISAP trains but not vice-versa.
Remember to validate your ticket before you move on to the platform.
SUBURBAN TRAIN
The suburban train of Athens, a modern project inaugurated in July 2004, connects the centre of Athens (Larissis train station) to the Athens International Airport via 9 stations in 41 minutes. The suburban train operates from 04:26 to 23:36, with departures every half an hour. The coaches are modern and offer plenty of facilities for the comfort of passengers.
TRAM
The tram was enthusiastically welcomed in Athens, in July 2004, nearly 40 years after the old tram routes were terminated in the Greek capital. Its 5 routes operate daily, serving 47 stations. Tram vehicles arrive every 8 minutes between 06:00-01:00.
BUSES
The broad bus network of Athens covers almost every point of the city and the suburbs with 7,500 stops. The fleet consists mainly of modern buses, environmentally friendly, with air conditioning and facilities for the elderly and passengers with special abilities.
Useful tips: Tickets must be bought before boarding (from bus terminals and from the majority of kiosks) and validated in the designated machines (orange coloured) within the vehicles. To stop a bus for embarkation you must make a hand signal to the driver. To disembark you have to notify the driver by pressing the “stop” button in time. The OASA Call Centre (185 – dialing from within Greece) operates from 07:00-21:00 on weekdays and from 09:00-17:00 on weekends.
TAXIS
Taxis are yellow with a red-letter taxi-sign on top. Have in mind that taxis in Athens can be stopped on their way with a hand signal and they often take more than one passenger at a time embarking and disembarking at different points. For exclusive use of a taxi you are advised to call a “radio taxi”. In any case you can request a taxi from your hotel’s concierge.
