I will be taking the ferry from Mykonos to Rafina and arrive at 5pm on Sunday. I fly on Monday morning at 9am back to the States.

My question is:
1) Should I stay near Rafina, Airport or Athens overnight?
2) Is there much to do around Rafina in the evening?
3) Any hotel recommendations (budget is max. 80euro)?
4) Does train or buses run to the airport at 6am?

Thanks.

I'm afraid my Rafina info would be very dated (33yrs) , I lived just up the coast in Nea Makri for 2yrs.
Back then they were known for their fresh seafood restaurants.

I saved this from the Lonely Planet Thorntree last year.
This couple came in from the islands, stayed the night in Rafina and took a taxi in the early AM to the airport.

These the hotels he mentioned;

www.hotelavra.gr "Good international hotel" €105

www.aktihotel.gr/ New and almost as good as the Avra "perfect" €80
Hotel Corali didn't like the rooms €60

The Akti and Avra are across the street from each other and Corali is close-by.

Also Venere lists 5 hotels in Rafina.

I *think* someone mentioned in that thread that the taxi fare is roughly the same as Athens->Airport?
Regards, Walter

Personally I would stay near Syndagma Square (near the lovely Acropolis) in Athens. Buses run to the airport all night long from the square. Why miss out on an evening in the Plaka?

Just my two cents,

Naxos

If you're not concerned about getting in to Central Athens for "one last look" before you go home, consider staying near the airport instead. Recently this small B&B came to light:

http://www.stay-in-athens.com/index.htm

Take the Bus from Rafina to the Airport. Their website says they will pick you up and return you to the Airport.

thank you so much... I agree that it would be perfect to end the evening at the Plaka. Thanks for the push

I might stay near the Plaka or Syndagma Square , just need to find a hotel now

The closest hotels to Syntagma, within just a few minutes' walk to the Metro Station or the Airport Express Bus Stop are the Pan,
Arethusa, Metropolis and Amazon.

I would stay in Rafina at the Akti hotel (just renovated and fits your budget) and have no stress the last 16 hours in Greece. On the main square you will find some very nice tavernas, serving good authentic Greek food.
G.

And the first bus to the airport is at 6:15 (takes 20/25 minutes).
G

I realise this is an old thread though it caught my eye as I have the same question but in reverse! I land in the evening with my girlfriend and 2year old in athens 17:15 on 6th sept. Ive got a ferry from Rafina the following day at 15:45. So...... any thoughts on where to stay on the evening of the arrival? Is it best to stay Athens or Rafina? I was thinking Athens but then Id need to be close-ish to be able to get a bus over to Rafina (assuming a bus runs there). Any thoughts much appreciated!

If you have an early morning ferry from Rafina it would make sense to stay there the night before. You can take either a taxi, or a KTEL bus that leaves from in front of Sofitel, across the street from the terminal. You buy your ticket on the bus, not from the ticket booth at the terminal bus rank. I can recommend Hotel Avra, which is only a short walk from the ferry docks and the bus stop.

Avra room rates are about the same as budget hotels in Athens, and some rooms have views over the harbour. Rafina is a pleasant place to walk around, noted for its fish tavernas.