Cost of taxi from harbor to Plaka district in Athens.

I have booked an Oceania cruise next April ('07) that will end Athens and I
want to stay in Athens for a few days before returning to USA. I have few
transportation questions for others in the newsgroup.

What is the best way (taxi, bus, ?) to get from the cruise terminal in
Athens to the hotel in the Plaka district? What is the cost for this
transportation?

My return flight leaves the Athens airport at 10:15 AM. What time should I
be at the airport to get through security etc for this flight?

Actually you will disembark in the Port City of Piraeus which is about 25 miles
from old Athens and the Plaka district. Taxi or prearranged Limo is by far the
best independent way to go. If you opt for a Taxi it will be $30 to $40 and
there will be a long line at the Terminal so get off the ship as soon as you
can.

From a hotel in or near Plaka it is about 30 minutes to the Airport. My thought
is that you should plan on leaving the Hotel no later than 07:30am to be at the
Airport by 08:00. Have a great Cruise ......

Cal Ford
Lido Deck Cruises



In article PI4dh.1968$g_3.326@trndny02, Jim Giblin says...

I have booked an Oceania cruise next April ('07) that will end Athens and I
want to stay in Athens for a few days before returning to USA. I have few
transportation questions for others in the newsgroup.

What is the best way (taxi, bus, ?) to get from the cruise terminal in
Athens to the hotel in the Plaka district? What is the cost for this
transportation?

My return flight leaves the Athens airport at 10:15 AM. What time should I
be at the airport to get through security etc for this flight?

"Jim Giblin" wrote in message
news:PI4dh.1968$g_3.326@trndny02...
I have booked an Oceania cruise next April ('07) that will end Athens and I
want to stay in Athens for a few days before returning to USA. I have few
transportation questions for others in the newsgroup.

What is the best way (taxi, bus, ?) to get from the cruise terminal in
Athens to the hotel in the Plaka district? What is the cost for this
transportation?

My return flight leaves the Athens airport at 10:15 AM. What time should
I be at the airport to get through security etc for this flight?




Depends. The cheapest way is by train. This is also the fastest. Schlepping
luggage is no fun, though.

If you go for a taxi, I'd suggest pre-arrangement or, at the very least,
agree on a price beforehand. Athens taxi drivers are rather famous for
inflating fares. (Setting the meter at double rate, having rigged meters,
"forgetting" reset the meter, refusing to use the meter and if not
prearranged insisting on outlandish prices, etc. If any of the above happens
to you, insist on involving the police. Insist. This usually results in an
immediate serious reduction in the fare.

The Athens airport is well-designed, but given the security checks here,
there, and everywhere, you still want to be there at least 2 hours before
departure -- many carriers are advising 3 hours.

April is a great time to visit Greece. In my opinion, much nicer than high
summer (which is great for broiling on the beach, but not for much else).

If you tell me which hotel, I can tell you how far it is from the nearest
metro stop .. if you are considering taking rail from the port.

Paul

Security is very lax at Athens Airport. No need to arrive before one-half
hour.
"pfriedmanNoSpam" wrote in message
. ..
"Jim Giblin" wrote in message
news:PI4dh.1968$g_3.326@trndny02...
I have booked an Oceania cruise next April ('07) that will end Athens and
I want to stay in Athens for a few days before returning to USA. I have
few transportation questions for others in the newsgroup.

What is the best way (taxi, bus, ?) to get from the cruise terminal in
Athens to the hotel in the Plaka district? What is the cost for this
transportation?

My return flight leaves the Athens airport at 10:15 AM. What time should
I be at the airport to get through security etc for this flight?




Depends. The cheapest way is by train. This is also the fastest.
Schlepping luggage is no fun, though.

If you go for a taxi, I'd suggest pre-arrangement or, at the very least,
agree on a price beforehand. Athens taxi drivers are rather famous for
inflating fares. (Setting the meter at double rate, having rigged meters,
"forgetting" reset the meter, refusing to use the meter and if not
prearranged insisting on outlandish prices, etc. If any of the above
happens to you, insist on involving the police. Insist. This usually
results in an immediate serious reduction in the fare.

The Athens airport is well-designed, but given the security checks here,
there, and everywhere, you still want to be there at least 2 hours before
departure -- many carriers are advising 3 hours.

April is a great time to visit Greece. In my opinion, much nicer than high
summer (which is great for broiling on the beach, but not for much else).

If you tell me which hotel, I can tell you how far it is from the nearest
metro stop .. if you are considering taking rail from the port.

Paul