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Get around Athens
By metro
The new Athens Metro (
http://www.ametro.gr
) system, opened in 2001 and currently being extended, is a
wonder to behold, and puts many better-known metro systems to shame.
Many Metro stations resemble museums, as they exhibit artefacts found
during excavations for the system. There are three lines:
- Line Μ1-ISAP (
http://www.isap.gr/ ): Piraeus -
Kifissia connects the port of Piraeus and the northern suburbs of Athens
via the city centre.
- Line M2: Agios Antonios - Agios Dimitrios connects western and
southern Athens.
- Line M3: Monastiraki – International Airport connects the city centre
with the northern suburbs (Halandri and Doukissis Plakentias stations)
and the International Airport.
The standard metro fare (as of January 2005) is €0.70 for trips between
all stations expept the Airport. The standard fare to or from the
Airport is €6, €10 for a return trip within 48 hours, €10 for a one-way
trip for a group of 2 persons and €15 for a one-way trip for a group of
3 persons.
A day ticket of €2.90 will let you use all modes of transport and
includes one trip to or from the Airport by bus only. A weekly ticket of
€10 will let you use all modes of transport between all stations except
the Airport.
The new combined ticket, introduced December 2004, costs €1 and is valid
for all modes of transport for 1.5 hours between all stations except the
Airport.
By suburban rail
The Suburban Railway (
http://www.proastiakos.gr/
) (Proastiakos) began being built in 2002 and finished in 2004,
starts from Larissis Station (OSE Main Line station and Metro station)
and terminates at the International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos).
By tram
The new Athens Tram (
http://www.tramsa.gr/
) connects the city centre with the southern suburbs and has
connections with the Metro lines. There are two tram lines:
- Line 1 (T1): Syntagma – Neos Kosmos – Palaio Faliro – Glyfada connects
the city centre with the coastal zone.
- Line 2 (T2): Peace and Friendship Stadium – Palaio Faliro – Helliniko
connects Faliro Olympic Complex with Helliniko Olympic Complex.
By bus
Athens is served by a network of diesel buses and electric trolley buses
run by the Athens Urban Transport Organisation (
http://www.oasa.gr/
). A standard bus ticket costs €0.45. Use the €2.90 day ticket to
travel to or from the Airport.
Nightbuses were first introduced in Athens during the Olympic Games in
2004. As of January 2005 the nightbus routes are:
- X14 Syntagma Square to Kifissia
- 040 Syntagma Square to Piraeus
- The airport buses
By taxi
Expect to pay about 20 euro by taxi during the day, and 30-35 euro after
midnight and before 5am. Note that taxi meters in Athens have two rates
- rate 1 applies from 5am till midnight, and rate 2, the double rate,
from midnight to 5am. Taxi fare fraud is not as widespread as it used to
be, but it still happens, so make sure the rate is correct. If you feel
you have been overcharged, ask for a receipt (they are obliged to give
one) and take the plate number, then phone the tourist police to report
the driver on 171.
From: www.wikipedia.org
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