Surprise trip to Greece!
Jan 27th, 2017, 11:12 AM
#24
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Is the 11:45am an Aegean/Olympic flight? I think 1hr 15min is cutting it too close, but it would be theoretically possible if your inbound flight arrives on time or early, and you have checked in online and printed out boarding passes. That way you can bypass check-in and leave your bags at the drop-off point, then rush to the Santorini departure gate.
Just over a year ago the domestic departure gates at Athens Airport were a madhouse in the morning, with flights to airports all over the country leaving around the same time. The terminal building is small and efficient, but was designed before current security measures were put into effect.
I would book the 15:40 flight instead, which will be an A320 jet instead of a Q400 turboprop. You could step across the street to the Sofitel for lunch instead of hanging around the terminal. The terminal itself has a fair selection of shops and restaurants, and even a small museum (free) on the upper floor.
Just over a year ago the domestic departure gates at Athens Airport were a madhouse in the morning, with flights to airports all over the country leaving around the same time. The terminal building is small and efficient, but was designed before current security measures were put into effect.
I would book the 15:40 flight instead, which will be an A320 jet instead of a Q400 turboprop. You could step across the street to the Sofitel for lunch instead of hanging around the terminal. The terminal itself has a fair selection of shops and restaurants, and even a small museum (free) on the upper floor.
Jan 27th, 2017, 03:42 PM
#25
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Agree with Heimdall ... don't have a heart attack trying to make the 11:45. Besides being only 1 hr 15 mins, a bunch of planes come in, starting at 10, and in Athens the big hold-up is the passport control line .. the EU line goes fast, but non-EU line can be loooong and slow. Cool it, have a nice lunch, bring along a good book or -- if you are a millenial -- play a game on your phone, I guess. Check in 1 hr before Aegean plane.
Jan 29th, 2017, 01:10 PM
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It's possible you could even check in for your Santorini flight right after arrival, as the Aegean and Olympic desks are open all day. That way you won't have to cart around your luggage during the long layover, just keeping your carry-ons with you.
If your layover were a little longer there are places to go off the airport, but I think time will pass quickly even if you stay in the terminal. There are several ATMs on the Arrivals level, and a Germanos electrical shop just inside domestic departures where you can buy a SIM for an unlocked phone if you wish.
If your layover were a little longer there are places to go off the airport, but I think time will pass quickly even if you stay in the terminal. There are several ATMs on the Arrivals level, and a Germanos electrical shop just inside domestic departures where you can buy a SIM for an unlocked phone if you wish.
Jan 30th, 2017, 06:18 AM
#28
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Great info, Heimdall! Thanks again! Should I exchange USD for Euro here in the US or wait until I get there? I know you can exchange at the airport but I think the fees are pretty high, is there a better place to do this?
Jan 30th, 2017, 07:06 AM
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I like to have a few euros on me when I arrive in Greece, but those are what is left over from my last trip. I wouldn't recommend changing USD to euros in the US other than maybe €100 or so to have some in your pocket when you arrive in Greece.
The cheapest exchange rates are withdrawals from ATMs in Greece, and Greek banks (Piraeus Bank, Alpha Bank, National Bank of Greece) don't charge for ATM withdrawals, although your bank at home may. Avoid the independent Euronet ATMs, which are blue and yellow in color, and will charge a fee.
Some ATMs, even the ones operated by banks, will offer to settle the amount in your home currency rather than euros (Dynamic Currency Conversion or DCC). Always opt to take the amount in euros and you will get the lowest exchange rate. If you let the ATM convert the transaction to $ you will pay about 5% more.
Although I live in the UK I use a US debit card for my ATM withdrawals. Luckily my bank doesn't charge for foreign withdrawals, so all I pay is the 1% Visa foreign transaction fee, and get my euros at the interbank rate. Credit cards are accepted in Greece more and more lately, but many small businesses still prefer you to use cash.
The cheapest exchange rates are withdrawals from ATMs in Greece, and Greek banks (Piraeus Bank, Alpha Bank, National Bank of Greece) don't charge for ATM withdrawals, although your bank at home may. Avoid the independent Euronet ATMs, which are blue and yellow in color, and will charge a fee.
Some ATMs, even the ones operated by banks, will offer to settle the amount in your home currency rather than euros (Dynamic Currency Conversion or DCC). Always opt to take the amount in euros and you will get the lowest exchange rate. If you let the ATM convert the transaction to $ you will pay about 5% more.
Although I live in the UK I use a US debit card for my ATM withdrawals. Luckily my bank doesn't charge for foreign withdrawals, so all I pay is the 1% Visa foreign transaction fee, and get my euros at the interbank rate. Credit cards are accepted in Greece more and more lately, but many small businesses still prefer you to use cash.
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