Getting to Athens

Some useful tips for getting around Athens

By Plane

Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" (ATH) is a modern large-capacity airport East of the city center, with good flight connections to a large number of destinations, and good transport links to Athens.

Metro

A railway station is immediately adjacent to the airport terminal, accessible by an elevated walkway. Follow the signs "To the trains" to get to the train station. Once you purchase a ticket and pass the gates, go down to the platforms. "Metro line 3" is written on the ground of the platform where the metro leaves.Athens Metro line 3 from this station will take you directly to "Evangelismos" station, which is a 10 minute walk from the venue (14 stops, ~40 minutes).

You will need to purchase an Athens Transport ticket to/from the Airport (see below).

Buses

The airport is served by the Airport Express bus lines.

The X95 bus, boarding right outside Arrivals, will take you to "Evangelismos" stop, which is a 10 minute walk from the venue (17 stops, ~1 hr). You can pay using your contactless bank card or phone, or by purchasing an Athens Transport ticket to/from the Airport (see below).

Athens Transport Tickets

ATH.ENA ticket is a reloadable, contactless paper ticket that you can purchase and reload at many locations such as vending machines at Athens Metro stations, and also many kiosks and stores around Athens.

Prices are:
  • €9.00 for a single Metro ticket to/from the Airport
  • €5.50 for a single Express bus ticket to/from the Airport

  • €1.20 for a 90-minute single ticket (excl. Airport)
  • €4.10 for a daily ticket (excl. Airport)
  • €8.20 for a 5-day ticket (excl. Airport)

Students, Disabled persons and children under the age of 6 are entitled to unlimited free travel.

Taxis

Taxis are among the most affordable in Europe, and there is a designated waiting area outside exit 3 of the Arrivals level. A flat rate applies for travel to the city center (€40 daytime 05:00-23:59, €55 night 00:00-04:59).

Apps such as FreeNow and Uber can be used to book Taxi rides to/from the Airport. The ride is around 30 minutes with light traffic.

Car Rental

There are numerous car rental agencies both within and around the airport, some of which offer a meet-and-greet service for vehicle pick-up. Take Toll Motorway A6 (Attiki Odos) to the city centre. Route passing through Mt. Imittos Ring Road (Periferiaki Imittou) is usually faster (~30 minutes with light traffic).

By Car

  • Coming from the North: Motorway A1, also known as Athens-Thessaloniki-Evzonoi (A.TH.E.) Motorway, part of European Route E75, is the principal North-South road connection in Greece. Take the exit to the Airport (Markopoulo) for Motorway A6 (Attiki Odos), then exit 11 to Kifisias Avenue towards the city center.
  • Coming from the West (via ferry from Italy to Igoumenitsa): Follow Motorway A2, also known as Egnatia Motorway, part of European Route E90, then National Road 6 (E92) down to the junction with Motorway A3 (E65), then Motorway A1 (E75) to Athens (see above "from the North").
  • Coming from the East: Follow Motorway A2, also known as Egnatia Motorway, part of European Route E90 West, then take Motorway A1 (E75) to Athens (see above "from the North").
  • Please be aware that you will frequently have to pay road tolls at Toll Plazas to use the above Motorways.
  • Vehicles with foreign license plates and rental or hire cars (first 40 days) are not subject to the Daktylios Low Emission Zone scheme when driving in Athens.
  • The venue offers valet parking at a cost of €25/day.

By Train

There are no fast rail links from Europe. You will need to make an international train connection at Thessaloniki and then take the train to Athens (~5 hours).

Travelling Within Athens To The Venue

The venue (Divani Caravel Hotel) is located at: Leof. Vasileos Alexandrou 2, Athens 161 21 in the Ilisia neighborhood at the center of Athens.

Taxis are among the most affordable in Europe, and you can use apps such as FreeNow and Uber to book rides. We would recommend this over hailing taxis on the street.

The nearest Athens Metro and Bus stops with major links are named "Evangelismos" after the nearby hospital (~10 minutes on foot). For public transport, please see Athens Transport tickets above.

Road Safety

You may encounter aggressive driving in Athens and as a pedestrian or (motor)cyclist you should take extra care.

Moreover, drivers sometimes do not stop at pedestrian crossings. Be careful and stay safe!

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