We will be arrivng in Athens at 3:20 pm and taking the ferry to Chania, Crete at 8:30 that same evening. Do we have time to see anything on this brief stopover or should we go directly to the ferry docks from the airport? How does one get from the aiport to the Piraeus ferries? (we are first time visitors to Athens obviously!)
is there a bus from airport to ferries?
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My Rough Guide says..
"It's about 9km from the airport to Central athens or to Pireas. the easist way to travel is by taxi which should cost 1000-1500dr depending on traffic (guide published 1997). You may find you have fellow pasengers in the cab. this is premitted and each drop-off will pay the full fare.
If you're happy to carry your own bags you could also travel by bus. The #19 bus connects both airport terminals to Piaes allowing you to get straight to the ferry. It has 12 departures daily between 6am and 9.20pm. Tickets cost 160dr. Take the bus to the end of the route, Platia Karaiskaki which fronts the main harbour with the Crete ferry agencies.
Or you can get the #91 bus to the centre of Athens, store your baggage for 200dr /piece at pacific Ltd Nikis 26- just off Sindagma, where the bus drops you (open Mon-Sat till 8pm and Sun till 2pm)
Pireas is the then the last stop on the single line Metro which you can board at Omonia or Monastiraki squares. the journesy take about 25mins and trains run till midnight, with a flat fare of 75dr. The main harbour is just south of the metro station- turn left and follow the harbour round."
Pretty comprehensive, eh? I've just remebered why I like the Rough Guides so much.
You don't say how much time you will be spending in Athens on the return. If you'll have time later, I wouldn't risk missing the ferry by spending the hours in Athens;traffic can be dreadful around that rush hour. If it were me, I'd take a cab from the airport to simplify things (worth it, to me) and if traffic seemed ok, drive close enough to the parthenon to get a glimpse of it--always thrilling. I's spend the rest of the time relaxing in a cafe in Piraeus, boning up on Greek phrases, recovering from my flight and anticipating beautiful little Chania, one of the prettiest towns in the islands.
If you are in Athens you can always take the 'subway' train to Piraeus. When taking a cab in the daytime, make sure a 2 isn't showing in the meter. If it is, you're being ripped off, which in Athens is very likely.
While in August in Athens, we never had to share taxis with other people, but each trip to and from the airport was charged "double" compared with the meter. It seemed to be the common practice with Athens taxi drivers... The amount in itself was small but still the rip-off was there!