Becca

I have asked a similar question before on this topic, but now I have a different slant to it:

We land at Athens Airport on a Sunday afternoon at 4:20 p.m. We then have a flight on Olympic Airlines to Santorini that takes off at 6:25 p.m. Originally we had planned to only have carry-on bags, but I'm wondering if we decide to check a bag, does this give us enough time to get our luggage, pass through customs and get to the Olympic Airlines gate (assuming we land on time), or should we really try to do all carry-on? Thanks!

brotherleelove2004

Assuming you arrive on time 2 hours is plenty of time to collect your bags and make it to the Olympic ticket line to check in for your flight to Santorini. And if have entered the EU through another country with a connecting flight to Athens there won't be any customs inspection in Athens, that will have already taken place.

Becca

Prior to arriving in Athens, we have a connection in Amsterdam. So we will clear customs there? All we have to do then is collect baggage in Athens and head to the Olympic Airlines counter?

brotherleelove2004

As far as I know, yes. You will be presenting your passports in Amsterdam. They'll be stamped and you'll be free to enter the EU for 3 months with that stamp, so there's no need for another stamp when you arrive in Greece. Even though there's a customs area by the baggage carousels, I've not been stopped or asked about my luggage the last 3 times I've been there. Even if you are it will only be a cursory inspection at most, so head upstairs as soon as you're through and find the Olympic ticket counters. The departure gates are not far away. Once you've checked in and gone through the XRAY security checkpoint you'll wait until it's time to board a bus that will take you out to your plane.

taller_is_better

I'm also going to Greece and have done quite of bit of research - just a note the Olympic Airlines has been on the bankruptcy teeter-totter - I chose another airline.

Becca

Okay, does this mean that I'm going to get to Greece in two weeks and Olympic will have gone under? Yikes.

kp7_slu

We have a similar situation. We are flying on British Airways from London to Athens. From Athens, we want fly to Chania. I am trying to book our flight to Chania. There is one flight one hour and five minutes after we land in Athens. The next flight isn't until 5 hours after we land. Can anyone offer any suggestions regarding which flight we should select? Thanks!

brotherleelove2004

It's extremely unlikely you'll make that flight in 65 minutes. If you can't find a flight on either Aegean or Olympic Airlines before 5 hours, that's the one you should book.

sallyjane3

I just got back from Santorini and gotta tell you I know why Olympic may go under! Chaos from the beginning to end of my flights back and forth between Athens and the island. Surly personnel who could not manage smiles or pleasant voices.

The manager of my hotel in Fira told me a friend of his (an Olympic employee) had phoned him to alert any of his patrons of the massive delays the airline was experiencing. She told him they were blaming the weather...which was absolutely gorgeous in both places!

She called him back later and gave him the go-ahead to send us to the airport. More chaos. Several people almost missed the bus to the plane bc the boarding wasn't even announced. With the delay still posted on the board, we just happened to overhear an agent quietly talking about boarding the bus.

Pack your patience.
sal

kp7_slu

Thanks for your help!