how to get to Hydra from the Athens airport
Jul 2nd, 2007, 10:22 AM
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how to get to Hydra from the Athens airport
Hello all,
Looking for some advice on how to easily get to Hydra from the Athens airport. I've read several posts, but can't quite make out whether taking the metro or bus from the airport to Piraeus is most efficient. I realized that I had accidentally allocated an extra day in Athens after our flight back from Santorini and thought that my husband and I could visit Hydra (or any other island in the Saronic Gulf area) for a day, and maybe stay the night. Also, since I've read that it's best to buy the ferry tix that day due to the unpredictable ferry schedules, where in Piraeus is best to purchase tickets to Hydra? Is there a specific travel agency or do each of the ferry lines have their own ticket offices? Also, since I've read that Hydra is often a weekend getaway for locals, would it be hard to find accomodations at the last minute since I plan to arrive on a Saturday in late September? Should I make reservations ahead of time? Thanks so much!
Looking for some advice on how to easily get to Hydra from the Athens airport. I've read several posts, but can't quite make out whether taking the metro or bus from the airport to Piraeus is most efficient. I realized that I had accidentally allocated an extra day in Athens after our flight back from Santorini and thought that my husband and I could visit Hydra (or any other island in the Saronic Gulf area) for a day, and maybe stay the night. Also, since I've read that it's best to buy the ferry tix that day due to the unpredictable ferry schedules, where in Piraeus is best to purchase tickets to Hydra? Is there a specific travel agency or do each of the ferry lines have their own ticket offices? Also, since I've read that Hydra is often a weekend getaway for locals, would it be hard to find accomodations at the last minute since I plan to arrive on a Saturday in late September? Should I make reservations ahead of time? Thanks so much!
Jul 2nd, 2007, 02:35 PM
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hello mc,
there is a new direct train line from the airport to piraeus and you can check the time schedule here:
http://www.proastiakos.gr/files_file...ir230607v1.jpg
The journey takes approximately 50min.
With bus i have a feeling that it might be longer. Not sure though..
check the timetable here:
http://www.oasa.gr/index.asp?asp=rou...m=0&s_t=16
Personally i would choose the train. Sometiemes the traffic in Athens can be horrible.
For Late September i don't think you'll have a problem finding tickets, but since you'll be travelling on a Saturday, maybe it's best to book them ahead.
You can check timetable & prices here:
http://www.hellenicseaways.gr/index.asp?a_id=209
or
http://www.euroseas.com/
If you don't want to book online, when you 'll get to Piraeus you'll ask for the Hydra 'exit'. There you will find the various ticket offices where you can buy your tickets.
there is a new direct train line from the airport to piraeus and you can check the time schedule here:
http://www.proastiakos.gr/files_file...ir230607v1.jpg
The journey takes approximately 50min.
With bus i have a feeling that it might be longer. Not sure though..
check the timetable here:
http://www.oasa.gr/index.asp?asp=rou...m=0&s_t=16
Personally i would choose the train. Sometiemes the traffic in Athens can be horrible.
For Late September i don't think you'll have a problem finding tickets, but since you'll be travelling on a Saturday, maybe it's best to book them ahead.
You can check timetable & prices here:
http://www.hellenicseaways.gr/index.asp?a_id=209
or
http://www.euroseas.com/
If you don't want to book online, when you 'll get to Piraeus you'll ask for the Hydra 'exit'. There you will find the various ticket offices where you can buy your tickets.
Jul 2nd, 2007, 08:11 PM
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Thanks Christine. Sounds like the metro is the most efficient. Is it in the metro station at Piraeus that I look for the Hydra exit or is it out somewhere near the harbor? Thanks again!
Jul 3rd, 2007, 01:49 AM
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The metro station in Piraeus is opposite from the harbour. It's just that the harbour has different exits for ships, depending where you want to go. (ex. Cyclades, Dodecanse etc).
When you'll arrive at Piraeus you can ask there.
From this map http://www.euroseas.com/find.html
i can see that the bus station is a little bit closer to the exit for Hydra, but no big deal. You'll just have to walk 5min. from the metro to get there.
When you'll arrive at Piraeus you can ask there.
From this map http://www.euroseas.com/find.html
i can see that the bus station is a little bit closer to the exit for Hydra, but no big deal. You'll just have to walk 5min. from the metro to get there.
Jul 3rd, 2007, 05:37 AM
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I've done this several times, including a few weeks ago.
The metro from the airport runs every half hour reliably. It's about a ten minute walk from the terminals to the metro stop. There is a two-person one way ticket for ten Euros. To get to Piraeus you have to change at Monastiraki but there are escalators. The metro station is some distance from the Saronic ferries and is the walk can be confusing and unpleasant. There are schedules available which are usually kept to and can enable you to figure out when you are going to get to Piraeus.
The bus leaves very frequently from right in front of the arrivals terminal and is much cheaper. The scheduled time I think is a little over an hour, but in practice it can take anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours or more, depending on traffic. It gets you much closer to the boats.
Personally I prefer the bus.
On the basis of recent experience I would strongly advise buying hydrofoil tickets in advance, not because these boats are unreliable but because they often sell out. I'd also recommend reserving a room in advance: even on a weekend you can no doubt find something by looking around when you get there, but it might take up a lot of your already limited time, and you might have to accept something that's not in accord with your preferences or budget.
The metro from the airport runs every half hour reliably. It's about a ten minute walk from the terminals to the metro stop. There is a two-person one way ticket for ten Euros. To get to Piraeus you have to change at Monastiraki but there are escalators. The metro station is some distance from the Saronic ferries and is the walk can be confusing and unpleasant. There are schedules available which are usually kept to and can enable you to figure out when you are going to get to Piraeus.
The bus leaves very frequently from right in front of the arrivals terminal and is much cheaper. The scheduled time I think is a little over an hour, but in practice it can take anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours or more, depending on traffic. It gets you much closer to the boats.
Personally I prefer the bus.
On the basis of recent experience I would strongly advise buying hydrofoil tickets in advance, not because these boats are unreliable but because they often sell out. I'd also recommend reserving a room in advance: even on a weekend you can no doubt find something by looking around when you get there, but it might take up a lot of your already limited time, and you might have to accept something that's not in accord with your preferences or budget.
Jul 3rd, 2007, 09:36 AM
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littlebigshot now there are trains DIRECTLY to piraeus without having to change in Monastiraki. It has been a new addition this month.
That's why i believe that the train will be much easier and reliable on the travel time. (55minutes from the airport to Piraeus.
That's why i believe that the train will be much easier and reliable on the travel time. (55minutes from the airport to Piraeus.
Jul 3rd, 2007, 11:44 AM
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this does not answer your question, but i spent a short time on hydra and thought you might like to read my old report.
http://preview.tinyurl.com/37humr
http://preview.tinyurl.com/37humr
Jul 11th, 2007, 01:39 PM
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i donīt know why that link doesnīt work.
do a search on europe forum and type in "great trip athens, hydra" and it should come up.
please note this was just before the olympics.. so prices are not probably valid anymore and the metro line has been extended.
do a search on europe forum and type in "great trip athens, hydra" and it should come up.
please note this was just before the olympics.. so prices are not probably valid anymore and the metro line has been extended.
