Local transportation in Greece
May 16th, 2006, 09:01 AM
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Local transportation in Greece
So - we leave in less than 2 weeks. We had to revise our itinerary to go to Naxos instead of Folegandros due to the ferry availability.
Now I'm looking into local transportation and car rentals and am wondering what the costs should be.
For Athens, how much should a taxi be to the Hotel Grande Bretagne from the airport? Is it easy to get a taxi at the airport?
Also - on Crete - we will be going from Chania over to Heraklio and are wondering the best mode of transportation - taxi (how much), bus, or rental car. We weren't planning to rent a car in Crete as of right now...
In Naxos - we are staying at Villa Marandi. We are planning to rent a car for at least 1 day to explore the island which can be arranged by the hotel for about 50Euro/day for an automatic (neither of us drive manual) - is this a good price? We would appreciate any definite "must sees" on the island.
In Santorini we will decide what to do on car rental once we get there.
As always - any help is very appreciated. You all have been so helpful with ideas and in trip planning....
Now I'm looking into local transportation and car rentals and am wondering what the costs should be.
For Athens, how much should a taxi be to the Hotel Grande Bretagne from the airport? Is it easy to get a taxi at the airport?
Also - on Crete - we will be going from Chania over to Heraklio and are wondering the best mode of transportation - taxi (how much), bus, or rental car. We weren't planning to rent a car in Crete as of right now...
In Naxos - we are staying at Villa Marandi. We are planning to rent a car for at least 1 day to explore the island which can be arranged by the hotel for about 50Euro/day for an automatic (neither of us drive manual) - is this a good price? We would appreciate any definite "must sees" on the island.
In Santorini we will decide what to do on car rental once we get there.
As always - any help is very appreciated. You all have been so helpful with ideas and in trip planning....
May 16th, 2006, 09:31 AM
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Lorib1:
Athens - if you can get to a Metro stop, you can get to the airport. From downtown Athens, the metro takes about 45 minutes. I believe the price is about 10 Euro pp. We've also taken a cab, takes about 25 minutes (+/- depending on traffic, and cost us about 30 Euro with tip.
Crete - the 'New National Road' is the road from Chania to Heraklio. It's a very well paved road, but because it's only (in most spots) one-lane each way, and is very windy at times, the average speed is around 45mph. Count on two hours of driving from Chania to Heraklio. Driving in Crete is very manageable and safe. When on the New National Road, you kind of ride in half-way in the road, half-way in the shoulder. When a car comes up behind you, the driver will flash its lights at you - you'll pull over further onto the shoulder, and the driver will pass you.
Renting a car, for a day at a time, is very easy in Santorini - ask your hotel to set you up. If you're staying in Fira, the agency will meet you near the bus terminal, a short walk from most of Fira. Drop off will be in the same location.
Enjoy Greece - the people are wonderful !!!
Athens - if you can get to a Metro stop, you can get to the airport. From downtown Athens, the metro takes about 45 minutes. I believe the price is about 10 Euro pp. We've also taken a cab, takes about 25 minutes (+/- depending on traffic, and cost us about 30 Euro with tip.
Crete - the 'New National Road' is the road from Chania to Heraklio. It's a very well paved road, but because it's only (in most spots) one-lane each way, and is very windy at times, the average speed is around 45mph. Count on two hours of driving from Chania to Heraklio. Driving in Crete is very manageable and safe. When on the New National Road, you kind of ride in half-way in the road, half-way in the shoulder. When a car comes up behind you, the driver will flash its lights at you - you'll pull over further onto the shoulder, and the driver will pass you.
Renting a car, for a day at a time, is very easy in Santorini - ask your hotel to set you up. If you're staying in Fira, the agency will meet you near the bus terminal, a short walk from most of Fira. Drop off will be in the same location.
Enjoy Greece - the people are wonderful !!!
May 16th, 2006, 10:12 AM
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The Airport Metro stops at Syntagma Square, which is just across the street from the Hotel GB. The fare is 2 passengers for 10 Euro. A taxi will cost at least 25 Euro, perhaps more depending on time of arrival and number of bags.
May 16th, 2006, 10:44 AM
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I am not sure if we will be up to taking the metro, given our bags and also the overnight flight from NY (depends on how much sleep we get on the plane). Are there usually a lot of taxis at the airport in Athens?
May 16th, 2006, 05:40 PM
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lorib1:
We took a taxi from the Athens airport to the Grande Bretagne last summer when we arrived in Greece. It was expensive, but we were totally exhausted after our trip from TX to London and then to Athens. It was totally worth the cost of the trip.
Taxis were easy to get at the Athens airport.
We used the train from Athens on our trip back to the airport and it is fairly easy to negotiate (luggage does make it a bit more involved) but by then we were totally rested and up for the adventure. If I had it to do over again, I would do it exactly the same way. Plus, you get to enjoy the sights of the city as you come into Athens and that was an experience that was breathtaking. We were very impressed with the train system, it is clean and very well marked.
You will love the hotel and the location in Athens. Have a great trip.
AKNIC
We took a taxi from the Athens airport to the Grande Bretagne last summer when we arrived in Greece. It was expensive, but we were totally exhausted after our trip from TX to London and then to Athens. It was totally worth the cost of the trip.
Taxis were easy to get at the Athens airport.
We used the train from Athens on our trip back to the airport and it is fairly easy to negotiate (luggage does make it a bit more involved) but by then we were totally rested and up for the adventure. If I had it to do over again, I would do it exactly the same way. Plus, you get to enjoy the sights of the city as you come into Athens and that was an experience that was breathtaking. We were very impressed with the train system, it is clean and very well marked.
You will love the hotel and the location in Athens. Have a great trip.
AKNIC
May 17th, 2006, 05:23 AM
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AKNIC -
Was the cost of the taxi to Grande Bretagne around 30Euro? That is what I am hearing here. I have a quote from a travel agent for 55Euro for a taxi - which seems high. We will be arriving at 10:00 in the morning on a Saturday with 2 bags + 2 carryons, so not sure how that factors into the price. Thanks!
- Lori
Was the cost of the taxi to Grande Bretagne around 30Euro? That is what I am hearing here. I have a quote from a travel agent for 55Euro for a taxi - which seems high. We will be arriving at 10:00 in the morning on a Saturday with 2 bags + 2 carryons, so not sure how that factors into the price. Thanks!
- Lori
May 17th, 2006, 05:41 PM
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lorib1:
I think the cost of the taxi was about
30 plus Euro. Saturday is a great day to arrive in Athens. The traffic is much lighter than during the week.
We landed about 5:00 PM on Saturday and there were
no delays in our taxi ride. However, Monday, the streets were packed with cars in Athens. Hope this helps with your plans.
AKNIC
I think the cost of the taxi was about
30 plus Euro. Saturday is a great day to arrive in Athens. The traffic is much lighter than during the week.
We landed about 5:00 PM on Saturday and there were
no delays in our taxi ride. However, Monday, the streets were packed with cars in Athens. Hope this helps with your plans.
AKNIC
May 17th, 2006, 05:45 PM
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lorib1:
You could also call or email the Grand Bretagne to ask what the typical cost of a taxi from the airport would be.
I found the hotel extremely helpful in making dinner reservations prior to our arrival. During our stay
the staff went out their way to help with directions or any questions or concerns that we had.
AKNIC
You could also call or email the Grand Bretagne to ask what the typical cost of a taxi from the airport would be.
I found the hotel extremely helpful in making dinner reservations prior to our arrival. During our stay
the staff went out their way to help with directions or any questions or concerns that we had.
AKNIC
May 21st, 2006, 07:43 AM
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Typical cab fare from Venizelos airport to Athens center should be in range 20-30 Euro. Anything above 30E strikes me as overpriced. I did this cab ride 3 times in last few weeks, never paying more than 25E.
Watch out for cab drivers cheating and using the more expensive "Tariff 2" during daytime, instead of "Tariff 1"; "Tariff 2" is only supposed to be during Midnight to 6AM (or similar hours).
On one of my cab drives originating at airport, the driver used "Tariff 2" for a couple miles before I noticed it.
Then the driver bald-faced Lied about it, saying "Tariff 2" is used on the high speed motorway. When I challenged him on that, he backed down and reverted to "Tariff 1" .
Regarding tips, I round up but don't ordinarily leave a tip. I've been told by hotel desk clerks a tip is not expected , unlike the US.
Watch out for cab drivers cheating and using the more expensive "Tariff 2" during daytime, instead of "Tariff 1"; "Tariff 2" is only supposed to be during Midnight to 6AM (or similar hours).
On one of my cab drives originating at airport, the driver used "Tariff 2" for a couple miles before I noticed it.
Then the driver bald-faced Lied about it, saying "Tariff 2" is used on the high speed motorway. When I challenged him on that, he backed down and reverted to "Tariff 1" .
Regarding tips, I round up but don't ordinarily leave a tip. I've been told by hotel desk clerks a tip is not expected , unlike the US.
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