Greece and getting around
 

Does anyone have a suggestion on the cheapest and easiest way to get from the airport to our hotel in Athens? We do not like to do tours. We would like to go to Pelopennese, Nafplion and Mycenae. I heard there is a taxi driver name George who could take us there or one of his drivers. Got any suggestions on how to get there? Would this be a good day trip? How would you suggest going? Have you been to Olympia? How far is it from Athens? Is it worth going to?
Thank you,
T

First buy a good guide book, read it and come back with specific questions.
G.

I have the Rick Steve's book and will get the Loney Planet. I just wondered if there was a place where we could hire an independent guide for the day. I have tried to contact the hotel and other places on transportation to and from the airport. I have had no luck. I did read that the metro will be down until May of 08.

Hi angels,

This is a helpful site for athens:
www.athensinfoguide.com

There used to be a KTEL long-distance bus website, but it seems to be gone (someone here mentioned they pulled the schedules off it anyway).

There are buses that run from the airport to Syndagama Square (near the Acropolis area). I cant remember which bus exactly (X93??) but it is REALLY easy. There are English speaking bus kiosks right outside the airport doors - just go ask which bus - they will point to where you stand. I'm not sure where you hotel is though - I'm just guessing your in that area.

Nafplion is lovely so is the Peloponnese. Nafplion is about a 2-2.5 hour bus ride from Athens and you can eaily bus to Mycenae from there.

I don't know how much time you have but you could go to Nafplion, Monemvasia, Gythio/Aeropolis, Mystras then back to Athens - those are all nice stops (Monemvasia and Mystras are my personal Greece favorites).

The bus is easy to use in Greece - I wouldn't fork out for "George the Taxi Driver" myself, but type him into google and your sure to find him.

You could also rent a car, though I would pick it up on the outskirts of Athens and not drive in the city itself.

You can email that site above with any questions too - I found them very helpful when I planned by last Greek excursion.

Lonely Planet has good detailed info for Greece and includes lots of helpful bus info as well.

Enjoy,

MollyB

Hi Molly Brown,
The website was extremely helpful. Thank you very much. Have you been to Istanbul?

Nope, sorry angels - if you go though you'll have to come back and give me some advice! Ah, So many places to go...

Cheers,

MollyB

We used a mate of George the taxi driver in Athens years ago. You will find his details on www.greektravel.com which is a great site with loads of info. A bus will be MUCH cheaper than a taxi though.
Kay

there is a train. That said there are plans to work on the station sometime this year so it could be not running when you need it. Numerous bus's go back and forth reasonable prices. I to used the services of George well worth the money.

The long distance buses are very good in Greece. I would save the taxis for short trips once you are in the Nafplio area. You can also get buses to various places from Nafplio.