Shuttles

Shuttles from the airport to the hotel will be provided for Taboola employees that will be coming for the conference dates only. This schedule is being finalized and will appear on this site in January. For those traveling outside of the conference dates, please see the transit information below for options to get around the city of Athens.

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Public Transportation

Using public transportation for the first time in Athens can be an adventure to say the least; the best way to learn is to get out and immerse yourself in it.

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Traveling on foot is a great way to get a vibe of the city and take in the sights, especially since many of the main attractions are located in central Athens. However, for travelling longer distances, the transit system in Athens can take you to the furthest areas such as Piraeus, Lavrio, and Rafina.

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The options for getting around in Athens include the metro, bus/trolley, tram, and taxi.

 

Metro

 

The metro is without a doubt the quickest and easiest way to get around Athens. Although it can be challenging to read the Metro signs that are sometimes may appear only in Greek,  I was able to get a decent grasp of the Metro relatively quick. It’s quite straightforward as it comes only as three lines, making it easier to navigate compared to other cities like Paris with far more intricate systems.

 

Syntagma station in the center of Athens doubles as a museum, housing the antiquities and other archaeological artifacts discovered during the construction of the metro. Make sure to take some time to stop and check out the artful displays before or after your commute!

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Suburban Railway (Proastiakos):

 

If you’re looking to take a break from the hustle and bustle of a big city like Athens, the suburban railway offers access to major archaeological sites and tourist destinations to other cities in Greece, like Corinth, where you can plan a day trip with your friends.

 

Please note that different fares apply. The standard 90-minute ticket for the Athens region covers all Proastiakos journeys from Piraeus to Magoula and Koropi stations, while different fares are charged for more distant stations. For more information visit the TrainOSE Website.

 

Bus/Trolley:

 

Taking the bus in Athens is not as enjoyable of an experience as the Metro; the Athens Urban Transport Organization S.A. (OASA)'s bus network can be confusing and unpredictable at times. Even using google maps, locating the correct stop is difficult as bus stops are often hidden away on side streets.

 

The trolleys are similar to a bus but run on electricity and the signs for the stops are usually yellow. They are affordable and a 90 min ticket from the Metro can be used to connect with another bus, trolley or the tram. Lastly, the buses sometimes go on strike for several hours at a time as well.

 

A useful app is “Moovit”, which alerts you of a strike ahead of time so you can avoid any inconvenience.

 

Trams:

 

The environmentally friendly tram connects Syntagma Square with the beach areas along the coast, including Glyfada neighborhood in the east and Piraeus in the west. There are 3 lines operating exclusively along the scenic sea-front promenade.

• Line 1 “Syntagma – SEF” - linking downtown Athens to the Peace and Friendship Stadium,

• Line 2 “Syntagma – Voula” - runs between the city center and southern suburb of Voula and

• Line 3 “Voula – SEF” - running along the coastal zone.

The tram is an affordable option for unlimited one-way travel with up to 5 stopovers in 90 minutes. Within that time, you could easily stop at a local market for some fresh produce and then head to the beach for a refreshing drink by the sea.

 

 

Taxis:

 

Taxis operate a 24-hour service and are quite cheap. They can be hailed down on the street or otherwise picked up at taxi stands around major tourist squares such as Monastiraki and Syntagma. You can also book one calling the radio taxi line.

 

Most taxi drivers speak English, however you will come across some who don’t. Why Athens has provided address information to locations featured on this website, written in both English and Greek to assist you with this.

Fares are charged with a meter after the initial base rate of €3.44 is applied. The tariff is €0.74 per Km and will double after midnight through to 5am. There are flat fares to and from the airport: 38 euros to central Athens (including luggage, VAT and road tolls). A flat fee of 55 euros from midnight to 5am. These prices are for standard taxi fares that are not pre-arranged such as private taxi transfers that are offering a superior service. If you are getting into a taxi from the airport, you will be directed into a queue outside the arrivals hall.

 

Athens Taxi tips:

1. Always check the taxi meter is on, most drivers will do this automatically

2. It is common for the driver to round the fare up to the nearest euro

3. If there is a demonstration planned (usually announced in advance) many arterial roads will be closed off. You will need to factor in additional time to your planned journey particularly if you’re travelling to the airport

4. Occasionally, taxis do go on strike in Athens. Your options would be to engage a private car service that can be organised through your hotel (can be very expensive), hiring a car yourself or public transport

5. Our experience with taxi drivers that are randomly picked up inside the Plaka area has not been great and best avoided. Taxis around Piraeus Port are also not highly regarded.  If you can plan ahead, try and pre-book one in advance or walk out of the area to a main road where your chances of getting a better service will increase dramatically

6. By downloading Taxibeat App. to your phone, you can book a yellow taxi and guarantee a driver that speaks English at no additional cost (note you can only book taxis on demand with this app – no pre-booking, and can’t book taxis from the airport)