Travel - Internal
AIR: The national airline, Olympic Airways flies from Athens to Alexandroupolis, Astypalaia, Chania (Crete), Chios, Heraklion, Ikaria, Ioannina, Kalamata, Karpathos, Kassos, Kastellorizo Kastoria, Kavala, Kefaloniá, Kerkira (Corfu), Kithira, Kos, Kozani, Lemnos, Leros, Milos, Mykonos, Mytilini, Paros, Preveza, Rhodes, Samos, Santorini (Thira), Siros, Sitia, Skiathos, Skiros, Thessaloniki, and Zakinthos; from Rhodes to Heraklion, Karpathos, Kassos, Kastellorizo, Kos, Mykonos, and Santorini (Thira); from Chios to Mykonos, Samos and Thessaloniki; from Heraklion to Santorini (Thira), Mykonos and Paros; from Karpathos to Kassos and Sitia; from Kefaloniá to Zakinthos; from Kos to Leros and Samos; from Mykonos to Mytilini; and from Thessaloniki to Chania, Heraklion, Ioannina, Kavala Kerkira, Kos, Larissa, Lemnos, Mykonos, Mytilini, Rhodes, Samos and Santorini. There are also regular services to the Greek Aegean Islands (including Cyclades, Dodecanissa, North Aegean Sea and the Sporades).
Departure tax: €8,51.
SEA: It is both cheap and easy to travel around the islands. There are ferry services on many routes, with sailings most frequent during the summer. The main ports are Attica, Piraeus and Rafina, although there are regular sailings to the islands from the smaller ports of Patras, Kyllini, Thessaloniki, Igoumenitsa, Alexandroupolis, Kavala and Volos. Tickets can be bought from the shipping lines’ offices located around the quaysides. In major ports the larger lines have offices in the city centre. There are two classes of ticket (First Class and Economy Class) which offer varying degrees of comfort; couchette cabins can be booked for the longer voyages or those wishing to avoid the sun. Most ships have restaurant facilities. During high season it is wise to buy tickets in advance, as inter-island travel is very popular. Routes from Piraeus: There are regular sailings to the following ports: Dodecanese: Astipalaia, Chalki, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Kassos, Kastelorizo, Kos, Leros, Lipsi, Nissiros, Rhodes, Symi, Patmos, Rhodes and Tilos. Cyclades: Aegiali and Katapola (both on Amorgos), Anafi, Donoussa, Folegandros, Heraklia, Ios, Kimolos, Kythnos, Koufonissia, Milos, Naxos, Mykonos, Paros, Santorini, Schinoussa, Serifos, Sifnos, Sikinos, Siros and Tinos. Peloponnese: Gytheion, Hermioni, Kithira, Methana, Monemvassia and Porto Heli. Saronic Gulf Islands: Aegina, Hydra, Poros and Spetses. Crete: Agios Nikolaos, Chania, Heraklion, Kastelli, Rethymnon and Sitia. Samos: Karlovassi and Vathi. North Eastern Aegean Islands: Agios Kirykos (Ikaria), Evdilos (Ikaria), Chios, Limnos, Mitilini (Lesvos) and Psara. Northern Greece: Kavala and Thessaloniki. Check sailing times either with individual lines, the Greek/Hellenic National Tourist Organisation, or in Piraeus upon arrival in Greece. Routes from Rafina: There are local services from Rafina (near Athens) to: Agios Efstratios, Amorgos, Andros, Chalkida (summer only) Chios, Donoussa, Heraklia, Karistos (Evia), Kavala, Koufonissi, Kythnos, Limnos, Marmari (Evia), Milos, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Schinoussa, Serifos, Sifnos, Syros, Thessaloniki and Tinos. Other routes: These include Agia Marina–Nea Styra; Perama–Salamis; Rio–Antirio; Aedipsos–Arkitsa; Eretria–Oropos; Glifa–Agiokambos; Patras–Ithaca; Patras–Kefalonia (Sami); Patras–Corfu; Patras–Paxi; Preveza–Aktion; Igoumenitsa–Corfu; Corfu–Paxi; Kyllini–Zante; Kyllini–Cephalonia (Poros); Kavala–Thassos (Limenas); Kavala–Thassos (Prinos); Keramoti–Thassos; Alexandroupolis–Samothrace and Lavrion–Kea. Hydrofoil: A hydrofoil service (also called the Flying Dolphins) offers a fast and efficient service from Piraeus, travelling to many of the nearby islands. Although this is somewhat more expensive than travelling by ferry, journey times are cut drastically. There are also fast hydrofoil services from Zea Marina (Piraeus), Lavrion, Agios Konstandinos, Volos, Kimi (Evia), Thessaloniki and Gytheion. For further information on various ferry and hydrofoil timetables, contact Hellas Flying Dolphins: Two Aetolikou Street, 185 45 Piraeus (tel: (10) 422 5100; fax: (10) 413 1111; website: www.dolphins.gr). Yachts: Numerous types of yachts and sailing vessels can be chartered or hired with or without crews. ‘Flotilla holidays’ are popular, and the Greek/Hellenic National Tourism Organisation (see Contact Addresses section) has a full list of companies running this type of holiday.
RAIL: The two main railway stations in Athens are Larissa (with trains to northern Greece, Evia and Europe) and Peloponnissos (with trains to the Peloponnese). Train information and tickets are available from the Hellenic Railways Organisation (OSE) in Athens (tel: (10) 529 8739) or in Thessaloniki (tel: (310) 538 367; website: www.osenet.gr). Travelling north, there are regular daily trains from Athens to Thessaloniki, Livadia, Paleofarsala, Larissa, Plati, Edessa, Florina, Seres, Drama, Komotini and Alexandroupolis (connections from Thessaloniki and Larissa). Travelling south, there are regular daily trains from Athens to Kiato, Xylokastra, Diakofto, Patras, Olympia, Argos, Tripoli, Megalopolis and Kalamata.
Cheap fares: Mini-group tickets (two to five adults and one or more child) offer 25-40 per cent off the normal fare. Hellenic Tourpass: valid for ten, 20 and 30 days and issued to single, group and family travellers. They entitle the holder to unlimited travel on trains (second class) for a reduced cost. Prices depend on the number of passengers and duration of validity. Other reductions available for passengers residing outside Europe, include Eurail and Eurail Youthpass cards. Senior Citizen Travel Cards: Entitle passengers over 60 years of age to a 50 per cent reduction on rail travel and five free trips. The cards are valid for one year. Group Tickets: Entitle passengers to a 50 per cent reduction for groups of at least ten persons. Family Travel Card: Entitles families to 25-50 per cent reduction on rail travel. For further information on the above schemes, contact the the Hellenic Railways Organisation (OSE).
ROAD: Greece has a good road network on the whole, totalling approximately 116,150km (72,174 miles), mostly paved. Traffic drives on the right. Examples of some distances from Athens: to Thessaloniki, 511km (318 miles); to Corinth, 85km (53 miles); to Igoumenitsa, 587km (365 miles); and to Delphi, 165km (103 miles). Bus: Buses link Athens and all main towns in Attica, northern Greece and the Peloponnese. Service on the islands depends on demand, and timetables should be checked carefully. Some islands do not allow any kind of motorised transport, in which case islanders use boats, or donkeys and carts to travel around. Fares are low. The Greek/Hellenic Railways Organisation Ltd (OSE) runs bus services to northern Greece from the Karolou Street terminus and to the Peloponnese from the Sina Street station. Bus information: There are two long-distance bus terminals in Athens: Terminal A and Terminal B. For information on long-distance buses, run by KTEL, from Athens to the provinces, enquire at Terminal A, 100 Kifissou Street, Athens (tel: (10) 512 4910) or Terminal B, 260 Liossion Street, Athens. Further information can be obtained from KTEL offices (website: www.ktel.org). Taxi: Rates are per km and are very reasonable, with extra charge for fares to/from stations, ports and airports. Taxis run on a share basis, so do not be surprised if the taxi picks up other passengers for the journey. There is an additional charge from 0100-0600, with double fare from 0200-0400. Car hire: Most car hire firms operate throughout Greece. For details, contact the Greek/Hellenic National Tourism Organisation (see Contact Addresses section). Reservations can be made by writing or telephoning the car hire agency direct. Regulations: The minimum age for driving is l8. Children under ten must sit in the back seat. Seat belts must be worn. There are fines for breaking traffic regulations. The maximum speed limit is 120kph (70mph) on motorways, 110kph (60mph) outside built-up areas and 50kph (31mph) in built-up areas. There are slightly different speed limits for motorbikes. It is illegal to carry spare petrol in the vehicle. EU nationals may import a foreign-registered car, caravan, motorcycle, boat or trailer for a maximum of six months. This period may be extended to 15 months for a fee and further paperwork. Documentation: A national driving licence is acceptable for EU nationals. EU nationals taking their own cars to Greece must obtain a Green Card, to top up the insurance cover to that provided by the car owner’s domestic policy. It is no longer a legal requirement for visits of less than three months, but without it insurance cover is limited to the minimum legal cover in Greece. The car registration documents have to be carried at all times. Nationals of non-EU countries may need an International Driving Permit and should contact ELPA (Automobile and Touring Club of Greece). Road assistance: A breakdown service is available on main roads, conditions of which have vastly improved. For details, contact ELPA, 395 Messogion Street, 153 43 Athens (tel: (10) 606 8800; fax: (10) 606 8981; e-mail: elpa@techlink.gr). Emergency breakdown services can be contacted toll free by dialing 104. There are good repair shops in big towns and petrol is easily obtainable.
URBAN: Buses: There are several services around Athens and Attica. The terminal at Mauromateon Street, Areos Park, Athens has regular services to Amfiaraio, Marathonas, Nea Makri, Porto Rafti, Ramnous and Sounio. Trolley buses (ILPAP) and regular buses (ETHEL) have frequent links to tourist attractions and places of interest. Tickets for buses and trolley buses can be purchased from the Athens Urban Transport Organisation (OASA) at various booths and kiosks situated around the city. For further information contact OASA at 15 Metsovou Street, 10682 Athens (tel: (10) 883 6076; fax: (10) 821 2219; e-mail: oasa@oatenet.gr; website: www.oasa.gr).
Metro: Athens has a reliable underground system (ISAP) that consists of three major lines. The old line runs north–south between Athens (suburb of Kifissia) and Piraeus daily 0500-0015. Since 2000, the long-awaited projects for a further two lines have been completed. Line 2 runs between Sepolia and Dafnia and line 3 runs between Ethiniki Amyna and Syntagma. Tickets can be purchased at every Metro and ISAP station. Information on timetables and schedules can be found from Athens Metro (website: www.ametro.gr) or OASA (see address details above).
TRAVEL TIMES: The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Athens to other major cities/islands in Greece.
| Air | Road | Sea | | Corfu | 0.50* | 11.00 | - | | Crete | 0.50 | - | 12.00 | | Mykonos | 0.45 | - | 5.50 | | Rhodes | 0.55 | - | 14.00 | | Thessaloniki | 0.50 | 8.00 | 14.00 | | Thira | 0.40 | - | 12.00 |
Note: *The travel time by road to Corfu includes a sea crossing from Patras.
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