namaka

We are not due to arrive to the Athens airport until 02:35 am. I understand that the metro is already closed at this time and know that our best bet to get to our hotel (Hotel Attalos- 29 Athinas Street) is by taking the X95 bus to Syntagma Square.

1. Once we disembark from the bus at Syntagma Square, how far is our Hotel? Can we walk, or should we find a taxi given the time of night we are arriving?

2. When we leave the Hotel Attalos our flight leaves for Santorini at 05:30am. At what time should we leave the Hotel and head to the airport to be there in plenty of time? I am thinking at least 03:30am; does that sound reasonable? Should we also just take the same bus X95 back to the airport as well?

3. When we arrive back to Athens (Piraeus) after staying on the islands, our ferry is due to arrive somewhere around 7:00pm; What is the best way back to Hotel Attalos from the port?

As always, thanks for the help! : )

drchris

In response to your first and third questions, I went to Google Maps, get directions, and put Syntagma Square in the from space and the name and address of the hotel in the to space, and this is what I found. You can go to Google maps and print out the directions.

To walk to the hotel is a 12 minute walk. By taxi it would be 19-24 minutes depending on the route.

I have been to Athens and am not sure that I would want to walk there in the middle of the night. Also, while the route doesn't look confusing on the map, streets are not well marked. If you don't read Greek, it is especially difficult as there is surprisingly little signage in English. You might want to consider just taking a taxi directly from the airport to your hotel, though it will be pricey. See the following to get info on cost. Be sure to settle the fare BEFORE getting into the taxi.
http://www.athensairporttaxi.com/
http://www.athensinfoguide.com/gettingaroundtaxis.htm#2
http://www.athensinfoguide.com/gettingaroundbus.htm
http://gogreece.about.com/cs/newsfro...etaxiscabs.htm

Regarding your second question, just to be safe time wise, I would allow at least the two hours to get from your hotel to the airport, probably more, as you will have to get from your hotel to Syntagma Square (unless you take a taxi directly to the airport), then wait for the bus, which runs less frequently in the early morning.

I hope this helps and that others add additional info.
Enjoy!

yiassas

1. I would say it's just over 1km. Whether you can walk it or not is up to you & the amount of luggage you have to manage. Once you get off the bus, walk the short distance down hill (to your right as you get off), then look to your right along the bottom of the square, taxis will be in that area on the other side of the road.
2. 3.30am is about right, but be aware the buses are less frequent over night, although they don't take too long as the traffic is not so busy. General tip, purchase your tickets the day before, or even get the extras when you buy the ones at the airport as the kiosk is often not manned at night. Don't forget to validate them when you get on the bus in the orange box mounted on a pole.
3. The metro green line runs from Piraeus to Monastiraki station, the Attalos is 100yds or so from there. Care with wallets etc on this line, pickpockets rely on you being distracted with luggage, have any valuables tucked well away. Just carry the cash you need for the metro (€1.40 each)

yiassas

In response to drchris, it's not unsafe to walk at night, I do it regularly on my own (I'm female), the route is also quite straightforward.
Taxi 19-24 mins?? 3-5 mins is closer to reality!

namaka

Thanks to both of you for your responses.

yiassas, am I understanding correctly that you are saying the Hotel Attalos is about 1 km from Syntagma Square or are you saying that is where the taxi stand is?

ParisAmsterdam

I guess you didn't take the advice about Google Maps above? The taxis are 100 feet from the bus stop. The hotel is 1 KM. Have a look at this link:

http://tinyurl.com/3rrhhnx

In the middle of the night I'd stay on Ermou and
turn onto Athinas from it. A straighter route in a dark strange place is likely best.

namaka

you are right ParisAmsterdam, I did not look at Google maps;didn't really know I could do that on there (although I've should've known).

thanks for posting it for me!

1slandHopper

1.) I would walk it, its close and in a decent area (not unsafe)
2.) I would be safe and take a taxi so that you dont miss your flight. I have a certain motto that i use in Greece, and its that things dont always arrive on time, or go according to plan, so i would just be safe and have your hotel call you a taxi.
3.) Take the metro like it was mentioned above. My professor had her wallet stolen from her backpack that was zipped shut while she was in Monastiraki station. I, myself, have not had any problems with this, but just be aware of your surroundings. Have a great trip!

namaka

thank you 1islandhopper.

So the consensus is that we will walk to the hotel on arrival, perhaps take a taxi back to the airport for our flight to Santorini and take the metro from Piraeus back to our Athens hotel.

Thanks everyone; less than 65 days to go!