kendu Posted February 19, 2010 #1 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Hey, our biggest concern is getting to Athens safely w/o a hassle. I don't want to pay more than $325 for a glorified bus ride and nothing more and the transportation there is spotty. Anyone done this before? What can I rely on? Getting to Athens is worth quite a bit but it is still only, I hear, about forty minutes away? Public transportation available? ANy tour companies that you recommend and trust besides the NCL excursions? Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisemom42 Posted February 19, 2010 #2 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Transportation is not spotty. Athens has excellent public transportation and it is very easy, cheap, and convenient to use. The "worst" part is the walk from the ship to the Metro station (Green line). Search this board and you'll find numerous posts with step-by-step directions for taking the Metro. Here is one, for starters: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1109593 (Cost is about 3 euro for an all-day ticket; hard to beat that.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cberge Posted February 19, 2010 #3 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Hey, our biggest concern is getting to Athens safely w/o a hassle. I don't want to pay more than $325 for a glorified bus ride and nothing more and the transportation there is spotty. Anyone done this before? What can I rely on? Getting to Athens is worth quite a bit but it is still only, I hear, about forty minutes away? Public transportation available? ANy tour companies that you recommend and trust besides the NCL excursions?Ken I have no idea where your info came from,but if you take the time and read some posts on this board all your questions will be answered and as Cruisemom says..transportation is very good in Athens and you should not have any problems,but please do soem reading on the board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kendu Posted February 20, 2010 Author #4 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Read up on your advice, Karen. I spent a lot of time with it and feel much better about the situation. Do you think if it is the middle of August the thirty minute walk might be a very bad idea? Thanks ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kendu Posted February 20, 2010 Author #5 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Sorry, Cynthia I meant to thank you also for your helpful response. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cberge Posted February 20, 2010 #6 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Read up on your advice, Karen. I spent a lot of time with it and feel much better about the situation. Do you think if it is the middle of August the thirty minute walk might be a very bad idea?Thanks ken Middle of Aug is going to be HOT!!! Take a taxi to metro or arrange to be picked up at pier and taken into Athens.You can do a day of sightseeing with a driver and if you share you can cut the cost.Here is a link ro two that may be of help to you.. Athens, Greece: Survival Guide Greece Travel: Matt's Guides to Greece, the Greek islands,Athens, hotels, trave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunshine nana Posted February 21, 2010 #7 Share Posted February 21, 2010 Have you checked with your roll call? Maybe you can go together with others and hire a van and driver. Also, be sure to read the thread on the pickpockets on the Athens metro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kendu Posted February 21, 2010 Author #8 Share Posted February 21, 2010 Thanks so much for the advice. Did I do this right? Is there a better way. Here is what I did: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=23250145#post23250145 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunshine nana Posted February 22, 2010 #9 Share Posted February 22, 2010 That's good for the roll call. To get to the Ports forumn, go to the bottom of the page on this page and click on the arrow until ports of call comes up, then click on Greece. Or go to the BOARDS top left of home page, click on Europe in the Ports section, then on Greece. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felestel Posted February 23, 2010 #10 Share Posted February 23, 2010 I am sure that this is a useful link for you http://www.athensguide.org/piraeus-port.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoadTripFanatic Posted February 28, 2010 #11 Share Posted February 28, 2010 Please be sure to check to see if the Metro is running when you are there. Sections of the line to Athens were closed d/t construction when we were there 3 weeks ago! We were told that we would have to take the bus for a few segments of the trip. I thought maybe the taxi guys were just saying this but I did verify it when we got home. We started walking toward the Metro to see for ourselves but the rain forced us to take a taxi. :) If you do take a taxi walk a few blocks away from the dock to find one for much cheaper! We walked all over the ruins of Athens and had a wonderful time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kendu Posted February 28, 2010 Author #12 Share Posted February 28, 2010 Hi, Thanks for the great advice. I will make sure Metro is running. Is there a way to be sure the taxi is honest? How much did they charge you? Thanks Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare TLCOhio Posted February 28, 2010 #13 Share Posted February 28, 2010 Hi, Thanks for the great advice. I will make sure Metro is running. Is there a way to be sure the taxi is honest? How much did they charge you? Thanks Ken Excellent point on watching and being very careful on "some" of the Athens cab drivers. A certain number of the drivers can be "creative" in how they do things, what they will do in "forgetting" to turn on the meter, claim it's a flat rate cost, how people don't notice or realize what's going on, etc. As you get in the cab, ask up front about costs, the meter running, etc. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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