Travel Information
A. Flying to Athens
Athens is accessible with more than 130 countries being gateway to the amazing Greek islands and mainland destinations. The award-winning Athens International Airport (Venizelos International Airport) is located about 20 km (12 miles) east of the city. You may find out more regarding a flight from your destination to Athens below:
Upon your arrival, you have the three available options to get the city center:
EXPRESS Bus routes connect directly the Athens International Airport (AIA) with Athens city center. Service is provided on a non-stop basis seven days a week including holidays. Buses depart from the Arrivals Level. BUS tickets are sold at the info/ticket-kiosk (located outside the Arrivals between Exits 4 and 5), or onboard (ask operator) at no extra cost.
If you select this option you may take Metro Line 3 (Aghia Marina – Douk. Plakentias – Athens International Airport), which connects the Athens airport with the city center. Trains run every 30 minutes, 7 days a week from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. The trip from the Airport to Syntagma station (Athens center) lasts 40 minutes. Metro timetable and tickets here.
Taxis are available at the designated Taxi waiting area located at Exit 3 of Arrivals Level. A taxi from the airport to the city center costs around €35* from 5:00 a.m. to midnight, and €50* from midnight to 5:00 a.m.
Note: The charge is determined by the time of arrival at the destination and includes all applicable surcharges and extras. * applicable surcharges included: toll cost, luggage fee, VAT and airport charge.
B. Transport in the city
- In Athens, there is an extensive, low cost public transport network covering the city including bus, underground, trolley, tram and taxi. You can use all means of public transport with the same ticket (not from/to the airport). A single ticket costs €1.40 and is valid for 90 minutes.
C. Tickets for Public Transport
Tickets and passes (Ath.ena tickets) for public transport are sold at ticket booths and machines in all Athens Metro and tram stations. There are three types of Ath.ena tickets: a paper ticket, an anonymous card that you can top up, and a personalized card. These tickets can be used on all forms of public transport.
D. Ticket Prices
A standard ticket on Athens public transport costs €1.40. Students and senior citizens over 65 are entitled to a reduced fare of €0.60 (student ID and proof of age are required upon ticket control or during purchase). Children up to the age of 6 travel free of charge; ages 7-18 pay €0.60 (proof of age required is required upon ticket control or during purchase).
Each ticket can be used for 90 minutes on any form of public transport (except services to/from the airport).
- A Day Pass (€4.50) is valid for unlimited travel (except airport services) for 24 hours.
- A 5-Day Ticket (€9) is valid for unlimited travel on all modes of transport (except airport services and bus line Χ80) for 5 days.
- A 3-Day Tourist Ticket (€22) is valid for unlimited travel (including 1 round trip to/from Athens International Airport).
For more information on prices, visit the Athens Transport website.
For more information on public transport in Athens, call 11185 or visit www.oasa.gr
E. Metro
The fastest means of getting around Athens is the Metro. The Athens Metro system consists of 3 lines and connects to the tram, bus routes and suburban railway. The Metro runs daily from 5 am to midnight. Lines 2 and 3 operate until 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays. At peak hours, trains run approximately every 5-6 minutes however, during the evenings and nights trains run every 10-13 minutes. More at Athens Metro Website
Line 1 is an overground train (commonly known among Greeks as ESAP) that runs from the northern suburb of Kifissia to the port of Piraeus. It connects to lines 2 and 3 at three stations (Attiki, Omonia and Monastiraki). More at Athens Piraeus Electric Railways Website
F. Taxis
Taxis are not expensive (though there is a minimum fare of €3,50 during the day and €5 after 23:00). You can pick them up at taxi ranks, stop them in the street or ask the reception desk to call one for you. The fare is charged per kilometer and per hour, so it is better to make certain that the meter is switched on as soon as you set off. Beat (formerly Taxibeat) is an app-based yellow taxi service which finds your location, gives you choice of taxis and offers the options of paying in cash, by card, or Paypal. Uber is also available in Athens with the UberTaxi product—you can call an Uber via your app and a yellow taxi will pick you up. Radio taxis is another option if you don’t feel like hitting the pavement to hail a cab, or if you want to ask for a specific pick-up time and date.
G. Visa Information & Requirements
Visa regulations depend on your nationality and country of origin. Please contact your local Embassy / Consulate for full and official instructions on the specific visa regulations and application procedures that apply to you. It is the responsibility of the participant to obtain a visa, if required.
If you are uncertain concerning your Visa Requirements, please visit this online link to check if you are required to obtain a Visa to Greece.
H. Letter of Invitation
Individuals need an official Letter of Invitation, it can be requested upon registration to the conference. Such Letter of Invitation will be provided within a week of your request and following to the payment of your registration. The Letter of Invitation does not financially obligate the Conference organisers in any way. All expenses incurred in relation to the Conference are the sole responsibility of the attendee.
It is declared that ABF has no responsibility about prices and schedules of any means of transport.