Piraeus to Athens step by step Please, Thanks

[happy_travellers]

Goodmorning:

 

We will be in arriving on the NCL Gem to Athens Tuesday May 18th/2010. We did Rome on our own last year arriving by train and would like to have a similar day in Athens. I am looking for a day that would include the highlights and some time just soaking in the culture.

 

Could some one please give me "step by step" instructions on getting from the port to Athens? Which metro stop to arrive at ect. Would like to do the Acropolis first then whatever you guys recommend in an orderly fashion. We are avid photographers and good walkers so we can take in quite a bit in a day. Thanks for all your help. Karen

[cruisemom42]

Here are the notes I've compiled (based on information on this board and my own research) for our DIY plan for Athens next June:

 

Depart ship early – around 7:00 to 7:15 am, because there is a lot to see and it does take a while to get into Athens from the port of Piraeus. You can walk to the metro (about 30 mins) or look for a taxi. There is a good, safe sidewalk, and as long as you keep the water on your left and keep walking past all the ferry piers, you can’t miss seeing the escalator and overhead walkway that lead across the main street to the metro stop. Fare is 1 €, or 3€ for an all-day pass, and the metro was very efficient since it is not affected by traffic.

There is only one subway line at Piraeus (Green line). The Green line is also called the Electric Train; it’s not considered the “metro” as the Red and Blue lines are. Beware of pickpockets on the trains. Take the Green line to Omonia station (Omonia square) and transfer there to the red line. Travel on red line to Akropolis stop.

 

When you get off the metro, look around to get your bearings. First, visit Hadrian’s Arch (at the entrance of the Temple of Zeus; Amallias Avenue) and the Temple of Olympian Zeus (completed by Hadrian around 130 AD). The Temple opens at 8am. You can buy your 12 € combo ticket here and use it at most of the places visited this morning. If time permits, visit the new Acropolis museum, close to the SE entrance of the Acropolis.

Next, head for the southeast entrance of the Acropolis (included in your 12 € combo ticket). There is so much to see there, including the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Propylaia, the Odeion of Herodes Atticus, and the Theater of Dionysus. (Get Frommer’s “Athens Past and Present” book and Peter Connolly’s “The Ancient City” before your trip to get oriented.) If you prefer a guide, there were several of them offering tours by the entrance. Be prepared: some part of the Acropolis is almost always in scaffolding.

Coming down off the Acropolis, walk to the ancient Agora (included in your 12 € combo ticket). (For a good map, see http://www.athensguide.com/map/athens.htm .) Tour the Temple of Hephaestos (the only ancient Greek temple with an intact roof), the Agora, and the small but excellent museum housed in the Stoa of Attalos. Then head next door to the Roman Forum (also included in combo ticket) and view the Temple of the Winds.

 

Then head towards the National Archaeological Museum: walk to the Monastiraki (Green line) metro stop nearby, and take it to Viktoria stop, then walk until you can see the museum. It should be time for lunch and there are tons of cafés near the museum.

Map showing location of Viktoria metro station and museum: http://www.dolphin-hellas.gr/Maps/Athens/Map-Mousseio.htm

At 7 €, the National Archaeological Museum of Athens is an amazing bargain. What a superlative collection! You can easily spend hours here and still not see everything. They have some incredible pieces, including the well-known smiling Kouros, the spear-throwing Poseidon rescued from the sea, the jockey of Artemision, and Trojan gold including Schliemann's "Gold Mask of Agamemnon".

After the museum, return to the Viktoria station and take the Green line Metro back to Piraeus, and walk or (hopefully!) taxi to the ship. Allow about an hour for transit back to the ship (e.g., plan to leave the Museum by 4pm).

Another good interactive map with photos and explanations: http://www.chem.uoa.gr/Location/AthensMap/Athensmap.htm

Highly recommended walking tours are offered by this company:

http://www.athenswalkingtours.gr/tour04.html

[happy_travellers]

That info is great!

 

Any other ideas would be wonderful. Karen

[TLCOhio]

That info is great!

Any other ideas would be wonderful. Karen

 

Agree 100% that the detail and info by Cynthia is super excellent. The only two items to add for consideration would be to not miss the Plaka with all of its shopping and dining options in such a historic and charming area. Sure, it's full of tourists, but the people watching is wonderful. Lots of people from Athens go there because it has so much to offer. Also, the new Acropolis Museum just opened and has many nice details and items from this historic site. Their website is:

http://www.theacropolismuseum.gr/?pname=Home&la=2

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[DreaminginFlorida]

Thank you,cruisemom42!

 

Have printed out your DIY info for when we are on the Ruby in May.:D

 

THX,

 

Claire

[cruisemom42]

Thank you,cruisemom42!

 

Have printed out your DIY info for when we are on the Ruby in May.:D

 

THX,

 

Claire

 

You're very welcome -- hope you will share your trip info when you return as we will be on the Ruby in June!

[floridafolks]

Here are the notes I've compiled (based on information on this board and my own research) for our DIY plan for Athens next June:

 

Depart ship early – around 7:00 to 7:15 am, because there is a lot to see and it does take a while to get into Athens from the port of Piraeus. You can walk to the metro (about 30 mins) or look for a taxi. There is a good, safe sidewalk, and as long as you keep the water on your left and keep walking past all the ferry piers, you can’t miss seeing the escalator and overhead walkway that lead across the main street to the metro stop. Fare is 1 €, or 3€ for an all-day pass, and the metro was very efficient since it is not affected by traffic.

 

There is only one subway line at Piraeus (Green line). The Green line is also called the Electric Train; it’s not considered the “metro” as the Red and Blue lines are. Beware of pickpockets on the trains. Take the Green line to Omonia station (Omonia square) and transfer there to the red line. Travel on red line to Akropolis stop.

 

When you get off the metro, look around to get your bearings. First, visit Hadrian’s Arch (at the entrance of the Temple of Zeus; Amallias Avenue) and the Temple of Olympian Zeus (completed by Hadrian around 130 AD). The Temple opens at 8am. You can buy your 12 € combo ticket here and use it at most of the places visited this morning. If time permits, visit the new Acropolis museum, close to the SE entrance of the Acropolis.

 

Next, head for the southeast entrance of the Acropolis (included in your 12 € combo ticket). There is so much to see there, including the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Propylaia, the Odeion of Herodes Atticus, and the Theater of Dionysus. (Get Frommer’s “Athens Past and Present” book and Peter Connolly’s “The Ancient City” before your trip to get oriented.) If you prefer a guide, there were several of them offering tours by the entrance. Be prepared: some part of the Acropolis is almost always in scaffolding.

 

Coming down off the Acropolis, walk to the ancient Agora (included in your 12 € combo ticket). (For a good map, see http://www.athensguide.com/map/athens.htm .) Tour the Temple of Hephaestos (the only ancient Greek temple with an intact roof), the Agora, and the small but excellent museum housed in the Stoa of Attalos. Then head next door to the Roman Forum (also included in combo ticket) and view the Temple of the Winds.

 

Then head towards the National Archaeological Museum: walk to the Monastiraki (Green line) metro stop nearby, and take it to Viktoria stop, then walk until you can see the museum. It should be time for lunch and there are tons of cafés near the museum.

 

Map showing location of Viktoria metro station and museum: http://www.dolphin-hellas.gr/Maps/Athens/Map-Mousseio.htm

 

At 7 €, the National Archaeological Museum of Athens is an amazing bargain. What a superlative collection! You can easily spend hours here and still not see everything. They have some incredible pieces, including the well-known smiling Kouros, the spear-throwing Poseidon rescued from the sea, the jockey of Artemision, and Trojan gold including Schliemann's "Gold Mask of Agamemnon".

 

After the museum, return to the Viktoria station and take the Green line Metro back to Piraeus, and walk or (hopefully!) taxi to the ship. Allow about an hour for transit back to the ship (e.g., plan to leave the Museum by 4pm).

 

Another good interactive map with photos and explanations: http://www.chem.uoa.gr/Location/AthensMap/Athensmap.htm

 

Highly recommended walking tours are offered by this company:

 

http://www.athenswalkingtours.gr/tour04.html

You have done some great research. We did DIY Athens last year, so FWIW-- be prepared for backup plans--we too realized how easy it was to take train ---most of the line from Piraeus to Athens was closed for maintainance.

Combo ticket was a good idea.

We also enjoyed the changing of the guard at Syntagma Square and the lovely park nearby.---

We were disappointed to see so much scaffolding at the Acropolis--it had not been that way when we had been there years earlier--it was a detraction, so be prepared.

It is a fabulous city, so enjoy!!

[cruisemom42]

You have done some great research. We did DIY Athens last year, so FWIW-- be prepared for backup plans--we too realized how easy it was to take train ---most of the line from Piraeus to Athens was closed for maintainance.

Combo ticket was a good idea.

We also enjoyed the changing of the guard at Syntagma Square and the lovely park nearby.---

We were disappointed to see so much scaffolding at the Acropolis--it had not been that way when we had been there years earlier--it was a detraction, so be prepared.

It is a fabulous city, so enjoy!!

 

Thanks for the reminder -- it's always good to have a Plan B. I do keep monitoring the subway construction info on tripadvisor as well. As for research -- I thank all those who've posted their experiences here; most of the information is from others and it's much appreciated.

 

The scaffolding was present when I was last there in 2006 and it will probably always be there. Unfortunately when buildings are 2500 years old, they do require a lot of upkeep. :D

[TLCOhio]

Thanks for the reminder -- it's always good to have a Plan B. I do keep monitoring the subway construction info on tripadvisor as well. As for research -- I thank all those who've posted their experiences here; most of the information is from others and it's much appreciated. The scaffolding was present when I was last there in 2006 and it will probably always be there. Unfortunately when buildings are 2500 years old, they do require a lot of upkeep. :D

 

Agree with Cynthia that there will always be some scaffolding there. That's what our guide told us. BUT, it is a very, very big building and they will only be working on small segments at any one time. As shown below, you can move around and get an angle that works. Here's a picture that I lined up and then had our guide snap it. You can see some of the scaffolding there in the background. It was wonderful to have such a nice, sunny day there in mid June 2006. The view from that historic hilltop is so totally awesome. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

 

Enjoying a bright, sunny day in front of the famed Parthenon:

 

 

 

Examing relics with our guide near the Parthenon:

 

 

 

Outdoor theatre adjoining the Parthenon:

 

 

 

From the Parthenon, a view of Athens and another temple:

 

[MSPCUBS]

TLCOhio - awesome pictures. I'll be there in late January. Because of my mom's age (81), we'll take a cab to Athens from Pireaus.

[Onessa]

We just did a DIY excusion on our November cruise -- and the green line was closed for two stations for repairs. They routed us onto a bus which was a lot slower, but we still had plenty of time.

 

The other thing to be aware of is that almost of the the different museums have days that they are regularly closed. Research those as well as part of your planning (the Acropolis museum for example is closed on Mondays)

[D4]

We were there a month ago. There is a lot more scaffolding now and some of it is in front of the Parthenon. There are also 2 huge cranes behind it, but you can edit your pictures to remove those.

[TLCOhio]

TLCOhio - awesome pictures. I'll be there in late January. Because of my mom's age (81), we'll take a cab to Athens from Pireaus.

 

THANKS for the kind comments on the pictures! Glad you'll get see this great place in late January. Sorry to hear there is more scaffolding up now. You can shoot and edit around it, but it can sometimes to be hard to have the best lighting and angles there as we fortunately did on the one picture shown earlier. One strong caution is that walking up the steps and paths to the top of the Acropolis, you can encounter stone that can be fairly smooth and slick. Whether age 41 or 81, you need to be careful. People can get busy looking up and not focusing on where and how they are walking on that well-worn stone. Below are a couple more pictures of wonderful Athens, the Plaka, etc. Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

 

 

A small temple adjoining the Parthenon:

 

 

 

From Acropolis Hill, a view towards the old Olympic Statium in Athens, other Roman ruins:

 

 

 

 

A view from our AVA Hotel balacony of Roman relics in Athens:

 

 

 

Outdoor dining in the Plaka. Lots of music and fun, plus good food:

 

[CAD]

I am writing this from Deck 7 of the Norwegian Jade, using the free wireless at the Port of Piraeus : )

 

Thought you'd like to know that the metro green line between Piraeus and Athens is back up and working normally. To find the train station, just stay on the road around the harbour (going by many, many ferry docks) until you get to the pedestrian bridge. At the bridge, turn right and you are there. There are map signs along the way for reassurance, and they will have a holder with pocket maps of the same one, right where you exit the terminal building.

 

Cheers!

[TLCOhio]

I am writing this from Deck 7 of the Norwegian Jade, using the free wireless at the Port of Piraeus : )

Thought you'd like to know that the metro green line between Piraeus and Athens is back up and working normally. To find the train station, just stay on the road around the harbour (going by many, many ferry docks) until you get to the pedestrian bridge. At the bridge, turn right and you are there. There are map signs along the way for reassurance, and they will have a holder with pocket maps of the same one, right where you exit the terminal building.

Cheers!

 

THANKS for the update! Let us know what you liked most, did and experienced in Athens. Enjoy your cruise! Terry in Ohio

[happy_travellers]

I am writing this from Deck 7 of the Norwegian Jade, using the free wireless at the Port of Piraeus : )

 

Thought you'd like to know that the metro green line between Piraeus and Athens is back up and working normally. To find the train station, just stay on the road around the harbour (going by many, many ferry docks) until you get to the pedestrian bridge. At the bridge, turn right and you are there. There are map signs along the way for reassurance, and they will have a holder with pocket maps of the same one, right where you exit the terminal building.

 

Cheers!

 

Would love to hear what you were able to see and how on your day in Athens. Have a great trip! Karen

[Kayamore]

Here are the notes I've compiled (based on information on this board and my own research) for our DIY plan for Athens next June:

 

Depart ship early – around 7:00 to 7:15 am, because there is a lot to see and it does take a while to get into Athens from the port of Piraeus. You can walk to the metro (about 30 mins) or look for a taxi. There is a good, safe sidewalk, and as long as you keep the water on your left and keep walking past all the ferry piers, you can’t miss seeing the escalator and overhead walkway that lead across the main street to the metro stop. Fare is 1 €, or 3€ for an all-day pass, and the metro was very efficient since it is not affected by traffic.

 

There is only one subway line at Piraeus (Green line). The Green line is also called the Electric Train; it’s not considered the “metro” as the Red and Blue lines are. Beware of pickpockets on the trains. Take the Green line to Omonia station (Omonia square) and transfer there to the red line. Travel on red line to Akropolis stop.

 

When you get off the metro, look around to get your bearings. First, visit Hadrian’s Arch (at the entrance of the Temple of Zeus; Amallias Avenue) and the Temple of Olympian Zeus (completed by Hadrian around 130 AD). The Temple opens at 8am. You can buy your 12 € combo ticket here and use it at most of the places visited this morning. If time permits, visit the new Acropolis museum, close to the SE entrance of the Acropolis.

 

Next, head for the southeast entrance of the Acropolis (included in your 12 € combo ticket). There is so much to see there, including the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Propylaia, the Odeion of Herodes Atticus, and the Theater of Dionysus. (Get Frommer’s “Athens Past and Present” book and Peter Connolly’s “The Ancient City” before your trip to get oriented.) If you prefer a guide, there were several of them offering tours by the entrance. Be prepared: some part of the Acropolis is almost always in scaffolding.

Coming down off the Acropolis, walk to the ancient Agora (included in your 12 € combo ticket). (For a good map, see http://www.athensguide.com/map/athens.htm .) Tour the Temple of Hephaestos (the only ancient Greek temple with an intact roof), the Agora, and the small but excellent museum housed in the Stoa of Attalos. Then head next door to the Roman Forum (also included in combo ticket) and view the Temple of the Winds.

 

Then head towards the National Archaeological Museum: walk to the Monastiraki (Green line) metro stop nearby, and take it to Viktoria stop, then walk until you can see the museum. It should be time for lunch and there are tons of cafés near the museum.

 

Map showing location of Viktoria metro station and museum: http://www.dolphin-hellas.gr/Maps/Athens/Map-Mousseio.htm

 

At 7 €, the National Archaeological Museum of Athens is an amazing bargain. What a superlative collection! You can easily spend hours here and still not see everything. They have some incredible pieces, including the well-known smiling Kouros, the spear-throwing Poseidon rescued from the sea, the jockey of Artemision, and Trojan gold including Schliemann's "Gold Mask of Agamemnon".

 

After the museum, return to the Viktoria station and take the Green line Metro back to Piraeus, and walk or (hopefully!) taxi to the ship. Allow about an hour for transit back to the ship (e.g., plan to leave the Museum by 4pm).

 

Another good interactive map with photos and explanations: http://www.chem.uoa.gr/Location/AthensMap/Athensmap.htm

 

Highly recommended walking tours are offered by this company:

 

http://www.athenswalkingtours.gr/tour04.html

 

This is terrific. Thank you so much. How do you get money exchanged to pay entrance fees in the different countries on the cruise?

[Kayamore]

Goodmorning:

 

We will be in arriving on the NCL Gem to Athens Tuesday May 18th/2010. We did Rome on our own last year arriving by train and would like to have a similar day in Athens. I am looking for a day that would include the highlights and some time just soaking in the culture.

 

Could some one please give me "step by step" instructions on getting from the port to Athens? Which metro stop to arrive at ect. Would like to do the Acropolis first then whatever you guys recommend in an orderly fashion. We are avid photographers and good walkers so we can take in quite a bit in a day. Thanks for all your help. Karen

 

Could you give me some information on doing Rome on our own. We will be arriving there in Feb. 2010?

[TLCOhio]

This is terrific. Thank you so much. How do you get money exchanged to pay entrance fees in the different countries on the cruise?

 

Greece is on the euro. I assume you be in other ports where the euro is used and that you will have a supply of that currency. Will you use ATM's to get your euro's?

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[cruisemom42]

This is terrific. Thank you so much. How do you get money exchanged to pay entrance fees in the different countries on the cruise?

 

As Terry noted above, most countries you'll visit on a Med cruise now use the euro, which definitely cuts down on the hassle of exchanging currencies. Two exceptions are Turkey and Egypt. Both of those countries accept dollars and euro informally (e.g., for shopping, etc) but may not accept them for things like entrance fees.

 

The best way to get euro is to use ATMs. Although most banks now charge a fee, the rate is still much better than you would get from almost any bank or currency exchange (which may claim they charge no "fee" but generally give you a poor exchange rate instead....)

[happy_travellers]

As Terry noted above, most countries you'll visit on a Med cruise now use the euro, which definitely cuts down on the hassle of exchanging currencies. Two exceptions are Turkey and Egypt. Both of those countries accept dollars and euro informally (e.g., for shopping, etc) but may not accept them for things like entrance fees.

 

The best way to get euro is to use ATMs. Although most banks now charge a fee, the rate is still much better than you would get from almost any bank or currency exchange (which may claim they charge no "fee" but generally give you a poor exchange rate instead....)

 

Hi guys, a customer of mine was in Dubrovink Croatia this summer and said that although the Euro was accepted in very touristic areas you needed their currency for smaller restaurants and local stores.

 

Karen

[happy_travellers]

Could you give me some information on doing Rome on our own. We will be arriving there in Feb. 2010?

 

Hi, it is so easy and cheap to take the train to Rome. We caught a taxi to the Civitavecchia train station however there was a shuttle bus also.

 

We got off the train at the San Pietro stop and followed the crowd to St Peters. It was 8:30 am and St Peters was almost empty, what a site! We took the trip to the dome for 7 euros then I walked up the stairs to the cupola, it is a very narrow steep staircase. My husband turned back because of Vertigo but I was able to get great pics of the Vatican from the top. When we came back down we did not take the elevator but stairs and once on ground level we took a door to the left and walked in to the Basilica.

 

We walked to the Castel Dant Angelo crossing the Ponte Sant Angelo bridge getting great pics of the Angels on the Bridge. We walked along the River until the Umberto Bridge and took Via Zanardelli to Piazza Navona to see the wonder fountains . From there we walked to the Pantheon which more wonderful than I expected. The light in the Pantheon is so beautiful and the sculptures and the floor are incredible. From there we found our way to the Victor Emmanual Monument and walked up the stairs to the left and around to the back near the Patio restaurant. There is were we saw an amazing view of the Coloseum and ruins, there are maps of what you are seeing. It was great to get a view and pictures because you have to pick and chose what you can see in a day! From there we walked to the Trevi Fountain (there was a sign that we followed). It was a nice walk with shops to see and past man restaurants. The Trevi Fountain is beautiful but not as big as I expected. We tossed a coin in it so we will be back! From there we walked to the Spanish Steps going past incredible shopping areas. We stopped for lunch alfresco at a near by restaurant for Pizza and drinks and a little people watching. We walk along Via del Babuino to Piazza del popolo . We walked up stairs to the Pincio Park and got a faboulous view over the city to St Peters. We then took the Metro at Flaminio to Termini Station. It is a LONG walk through the Station to the Platform for Civitavecchi. We caught the 3:30 pm train with lots of time to spare.

 

This is the type of day I would like to have in ATHENS one full of sights and experiences. I found that coming in to the city and getting off at St Peters and catching the train from Termini saved us backtracking time. All that for 9 EUROS and Lunch!!!!!

 

I would love advice on how to get the most of my day in Athens! Thanks Karen

[tom_uk]

Going back to Piraeus/Athens (oh, if only I could...), getting from the ship to the metro has become a little more difficult in the last year or so. I'll explain why.

 

Go to this webpage, which shows a map of the Port of Piraeus. The issue is that whereas smaller cruise ships (e.g. Celebrity Galaxy) used to dock at position E11, newer larger ships (e.g. Celebrity Solstice) now have to dock at position E12. The metro station is somewhere near position E5, up in the top-right corner of the map; it's actually the other side of the road in that area and you can see the bridge over the road to get to it on the map).

 

The extra distance between E11 and E12 is about an additional 5 minutes walk, maybe a bit more. So what used to be up to 20 minutes walk round the harbour is now a 20 to 30 minutes walk.

 

(The map was downloaded from the official Port of Piraeus website, which you can find here.)

[TLCOhio]

The best way to get euro is to use ATMs. Although most banks now charge a fee, the rate is still much better than you would get from almost any bank or currency exchange (which may claim they charge no "fee" but generally give you a poor exchange rate instead....)

 

Agree 100% with Cynthia on ATM's and getting your currency there. BUT, not all credit cards charge the same amount. Check with your various banks and see their current options/costs. We found our debit card through our bank worked to be the best value. Do that checking ahead. And don't assume the best deal from a year or two ago is still your ideal option now. Banks fees and charges are always changing. Also, alert your credit card company that you will be overseas so that they can note that on your file. Then, you and they are less likely to be surprised by "unusual activity" and card use.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

[happy_travellers]

Agree 100% with Cynthia on ATM's and getting your currency there. BUT, not all credit cards charge the same amount. Check with your various banks and see their current options/costs. We found our debit card through our bank worked to be the best value. Do that checking ahead. And don't assume the best deal from a year or two ago is still your ideal option now. Banks fees and charges are always changing. Also, alert your credit card company that you will be overseas so that they can note that on your file. Then, you and they are less likely to be surprised by "unusual activity" and card use.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

I always take a bit of foreign currency with us. I would never rely on bank machines (computer glitch, card not working ect). I put anything big on Visa and use local currency for drinks ect. In Canada our banks have Euros readily available and other less common currency can be ordered in 3-4 days. I can't imagine not be able to get some foreign currency at a bank in the US. Totally agree with letting your credit card company know that you are going away, learned this the hard way!

 

Karen