AlessandraZoe

I booked my US/Athens flights a month ago (was able to get a Business Class upgrade that way) and have now planned my 2 days in Athens and the rest of my stay in Turkey.

Now it's time to book my "tween" flights and I'm torn between
--playing it safe and flying into Athens the night BEFORE our flight home
OR
--taking a chance, enjoy one last night in Istanbul, and fly to Athens the day of our return US flight.

Here's what's in stone: We fly home on US Airways at 11:30 from Athens. Earliest flight we could snag out of Istabul that day via Turkish Air: 8:05 a.m. with arrival at 9:30 a.m.

On paper, we can do this. In real world, I just don't know because I am so unfamiliar with Athens airport and with the reliability of Turkish Airlines. Do I have to go through security again once I get from Istanbul to Athens? Is there any type of problem with luggage I should know about?

One of the things that bugs me is that if I fly in night before, I probably would be best off $$ by forking over $$$$ for that darn Sofitel Athens Airport since taxis in and out of Athens are so darn pricey.

Your thoughts?

janisj

I would never (<u>ever</u be in another city let alone another country the night before an 11AM flight.

Any one teensy hiccup anywhere, and you miss your flight home.

Mimar

We made a similar decision to fly into Athens the night before. The reasoning was we need to add ease to our schedule to deal with possible disruptions in Greece. Like the air traffic controllers on strike.

However, we plan to take the subway to a hotel in Athens for that night. More possibility of disruption that way.

ParisAmsterdam

Check online and see how much a walk up ticket home from Athens will cost if you miss your connection. If you're fine with a couple grand or more per ticket then give it a go! ;^)

AlessandraZoe

Well, Janis, that's sorta my point: by nature I'm the type that allows a zillion extra hours for checking into CDG from Paris--and I <i>know</> that airport. I've been to IST twice, but can't remember it and haven't a clue as to how Athens airport runs.

At the same time, I just hate it that I more or less have to toss precious "experience" time out the window. Grrrr!

Since I posted, I'm searching for neat things NEAR Athens airport. I was told by a bunch of sources that the Sofitel was the only decent hotel there, that there's little to see nearby and that taxis in and out of town are expensimo. But I did see some glimmers of hope in my searches, and I am in hot active Google pursuit.

clausar

Do not even think of flying to Athens with only 2 hours to your connection flight !!!!!!
If there is any delay you will have a much bigger problem, than spending the night in Athens.
Why do you think that taxis in Athens are pricey? They are actually amongst the cheaper of Europe, a taxi ride to the Athens center has a flat rate of 35 Euro. ( distance of 40 km - try taking a taxi in Paris or London for the same distance....)

If you don't want to overnight at the Sofitel, there are 2 alternatives, either the Holiday Inn or Peris Hotel in Loutsa -near to the Airport.
Peris even offers a free shuttle, here is the link:
http://www.perishotelapt.gr/

janisj

To clarify: I wouldn't ever do it on separate tickets. If it was one booking, I would -- and hope to get a free night on the airline when I missed the flight

AlessandraZoe

Yeah, Janis, that's how I'm thinking, too. If there's some sort of delay, it IS my problem, not the airline's.

Thanks, Mimar, I'm going to look at the subway thing. Even though we'll spend two nights in Athens, I just haven't spent a lot of time of those logistics other than having a good hotel for the first two nights in an excellent location.

Thanks, Clausar. I did look at the Peris and the Holiday Inn, and currently, I'm still leaning towards the "Sof" if I have to be at the airport (although that opinion can change in an instant). If I have to stay put, I might as well be in one where I can walk across the street to the airport in the a.m.

AlessandraZoe

Mimar, I was unclear in my reply. More specifically, I'll be in Athens the first two nights (first day/night is Twilight Zone Jet Lag mode; figure we'll be frisky day/night two), but I have not checked into all the ins and outs of transport. So obviously, I need to brush up on Athens subway and bus info to get a grip on my end-of-trip options, too.

not_enuf_vaca

I'm going to try to make a connection from Ist to Frankfurt with 3 hours - wish me luck

Judy

Why not move your Athens time to the end of your trip? Can you get a flight to Istanbul the day you arrive?

AlessandraZoe

Not-enuf-vaca--OMG. I shall send you travel pixie dust.

Judy: Good question. Long answer.

The main part of our trip is in Turkey. We have booked a cycling/gullet tour on the Turquoise coast that covers 6 nights/7 days. Added into that mix is that our going to/from flight dates and connections were totally dictated by my husband's work schedule and by what dates I could confirm Business Class upgrades. I could get Business Class to Athens. Ergo...

BTW--The husband ain't exactly happy about missing this many days of work.

I digress.

So...
I knew I could not do Greece justice this time around--Greek islands are on my bucket list--and therefore I have kept my Athen's "wish list" to a bare minimum for this trip.

Plus, as a wiser traveler, I know that as long as I can walk (and probably past then), I shall return to any place I visited and liked. I loved Istanbul and know I can create a beautiful itinerary there for my husband, who has never been before.

AlessandraZoe

Minar--You have solved my problem (I think). Metro it is! To hell with the Sofitel (yes, by now, I'm drinking). I think I'm going with a hotel practically on top of a Metro line near Syntagma Square for the last night: Airotel Parthenon.

My Logic: Price is 1/2 of Sofitel, we'll be IN Athens, we can choose the budget level of food we'll purchase rather than have it forced upon us in that darn pricey place.

I'm not averse to spending a few $$ on this trip. We are staying at the nearby AVA for the initial fly-in two nights (I booked a luuvvvly room there). But I'm thinking since this second stay in Athens is not that far away, if we enjoyed a good restaurant the first time around, we can do a re-do.

Speaking of...
Clausar: I printed out some of your resto ideas from an older thread to start chipping away at restaurants. Thank you so much for giving me a leg up. I have decided to repost the places you listed and I have condensed your comments. Hope you don't mind.

Brasserie Valaoritou - Valaoritou Street 15
http://www.brasserie.gr/index.php ( the menu is in English)
excellent place for lunch in the heart of Athens, where you will be amongst locals! Try one of the plates of the day, they change every day and they are delicious!

Laundrette - Voukourestiou 34
Very small restaurant offering excellent Greek kitchen, plates are changing every day - they only have a few tables
As the name says.. it was a Laundromat before.

OIKEIO - Ploutarhou 15
Small cozy restaurant with excellent Greek kitchen, many different plates are changing on daily basis.

All 3 restaurants are located near Syntagma Square in fashionable Kolonaki

Trapezaria - Theodorou Negri 1 - near Acropolis
http://www.trapezaria.gr/index.php
New very good restaurant offering modern Greek kitchen
It looks like the dining room of a Greek family !!

Attikos - Mina
Garibaldi 7 - near Acropolis
They offer delicious Greek food almost like home cooked, and they have a terrific terrace with unique view ( Parthenon, Philopappos Hill and Herodion Theater) Mrs. Mina will personally take care of you, don't miss her famous orange pie....

All these restaurants are in walking distance from Ava hotel.
Reminder: These are Clausar's recs and I'm sure searching "Clausar" will give others many great tips.

clausar

AlessandraZoe

The Airotel Parthenon ( if you ask for directions, do not ask for Airotel, this is the name of the chain that Parthenon belongs to, nobody knows Airotel. People know it as Parthenon Hotel)
The Parthenon Hotel is located closer to the Acropolis station than Syntagma Square.
You will have to change from the blue line to the red line at Syntagma Square. Acropolis is the first stop.



Parthenon is a decent moderate 4 star hotel, do not expect any luxury. It has a very good central location !!!!

brotherleelove2004

Do NOT attempt to fly to Athens on the day you're scheduled to return home. Go the day before.

There are 3 small, reasonably-priced hotels out near the Athens Airport which, by the way, is very efficiently designed and easy to navigate. At least 2 of these hotels offer free airport pickup and return: St. Thomas B&B, Peri's Hotel, Pantheon Hotel. All have websites.

AlessandraZoe

Clausar--Yep, I was looking for a "get out at Syntagma Square and be done" place, but then I noticed this one. I checked on TripAdvisor and lots of people said that the transfer/stop to this hotel was really easy. Hope you agree.

Understood about moderate: I will have had enough luxury on the trip. I just need a nice clean bed without forking over $$$$. What I value would be staying for my last nights in a location I will probably understand from my first two days (in luxury) on the trip.

Relieved that you like the location. So please let me know if you think the transfer is as easy as other say.

Here's where I'm coming from--There are certain Metro transfers in Paris that are extemely simple. There are others that involve such long walks (correspondences) up and down stairs underground that it just is too much even with the light and limited luggage that we carry.

So let me know: Easy or Ok or Go Home! Thanks!

AZ

colduphere

We took the metro to Syntagma Square, climbed a few stairs and then walked 250 meters to the Athens Cypria Hotel. It was not the Four Seasons but it was cheap and pleasant enough.

ParisAmsterdam

The Athens metro is very new, very modern and very easy. No hundred year old stations like in Paris. One thing... when you get your tickets at the airport be sure to stamp them in the yellow machines... I think the fine for not stamping is 60 times the price of your ticket! Tickets are also cheaper for 2 people IIRC. Enjoy Athens!

AlessandraZoe

Thanks, ParisAmsterdam. Great tips.

Judy

One time we did stay at the Sofitel as we had an early AM flight. We prepaid which brought the price down quite a bit. We checked in, took the metro into Athens and back. We did not have to dine at the Sofitel, nor did we have to take luggage on the metro. It has been a few years so can't remember the exact cost but, for us, it was worth it to simply walk across the street to check in for our flight.