mgwest

My wife and I will be arriving in Athens, at the airport, from Mykonos on September 24. Our hotel is central and overlooks the acropolis (near the metro stop of the same name). I was thinking of taking the metro from the airport to Syntagma and transferring to get to the Acropolis station.

My hotel suggests a taxi (55 Euros) or express bus 95 to Syntagma Square. I also just read about metro construction and having to transfer from train to bus part way.

Any info/suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

brotherleelove2004

Ask your hotel if the Blue Line between the Airport and Syntagma Stations and the Red Line between the Syntagma and Acropolis Stations are included in the bus transfer. I don't think they are.

travelerjan

Where did you read this about the Metro construction??? I don't believe the Blue Line (airport line) between Airport and Central Athens has been obstructed all this year. Go back and read your source again -- the only recent Metro disruption has been on the GREEN line, between Monastiraki and Thissio... and I believe even that is cleared up. If the metro is OK for you, yes, you can just change to Red line for 1 stop, to Acropolis station.

YOu say that y our hotel did not mention use of the Metro. Could this be because you are arriving at the airport near or after midnight, when Metro service stops?? You have not shared your arrival time, which means we have to guess, in order to advise you. If you indeed arrive as the Metro is shutting down, then you should consider the X95 bus to Syntagma. It gets there as fast as a taxi will and is only 3.2 Euros per person. It goes every 20-30 minutes, is comfortable, not crowded at night and has a large central area for bags. No one can get on after the bus leaves the airport.

Upon arriving at Syntagma Square, If your hotel is Athens Gate or Airotel Parthenon, both near the Acropolis Metro, and you have moderate-size rolling luggage, why not just walk down Amalias Avenue about 10 minutes? It's slightly downhill, and well-paved sidewalks. I have done it many times, and I'm a retiree. Or else you can hail a taxi for the 6 blocks, and pay about 5-6€. Your call.

colduphere

We took the metro from the airport to Syntagma last month. Very easy.

Heimdall

Either the metro (€10 for two tickets) or X95 bus (€3.20) will get you to Syntagma Square. Buses run 24 hrs, while the metro closes between midnight and about 5:30 am. Since you need to get to the Acropolis area, it would be easiest to take the metro and transfer at Syntagma to the line for Acropolis.

If you are arriving after midnight, that would explain the high cost of the taxi quoted by your hotel. During the day it should cost no more than €35 for the trip from airport to central Athens. Some of us are budget travellers, while others don't mind paying more for the convenience of a taxi direct to the hotel door.

I was in Athens in late June, and took both metro between airport and Syntagma Square, and metro between Syntagma and Acropolis. If there is any contruction on those lines it started since then.

mgwest

Thanks everyone.....I've been "Internetless" for a couple of days as we install, setup and transfer files, etc. to a new laptop.

We are arriving around 1pm at the airport and based on your feedback we'll take the metro and transfer to the red line at Syntagma.

Janet, we're staying in "Your" room at the Phaedra and Lee we're staying at Lauda from the 14-16th. We've received so much help/assistance from our Fodor "friends" that made the planning of this trip a real pleasure. Janet & Lee in particular have been a hugh help and an excellent source of info on Greece. Thank you!

We're retired folks too so if the weather is nice we might just walk to the hotel from Syntagma.