Athens - Help please

[all-afloaty]

 

Please can you help with Athens - which is the best way to go about it - on your own or with Thomson? Is the Acropolis close to the changing of the guard? Is it best to get a taxi? Does anyone know approximately how much a taxi is? Any ideas or information you have will be greatly appreciated! Getting excited and still got 3 months to go!!! :D:cool:

[joeholiday2]

This might help:

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1699381&highlight=athens

 

If you are good walkers you can walk along the front to the metro (about 25-30 mins) and get into Athens for very few euros. If you do this watch what time the ship leaves, you may not have enough time to do all you want.

 

One cruise we were on the ship left at 3pm so we didn't even go into Athens just stayed around Piraeus.

 

Weigh up how many other ships will be in, Athens could be very busy.

[shinycruiser]

I have been to Athens once, as part of a Thomson excursion during a Thomson Majesty cruise. I was advised to go it alone but decided not to. I would recommend the excursion just for the convenience and the fact that it takes away the worry of getting back to the ship on time.

[skioncruises]

Would definitely recommend the Thomson's "On Your Own" trips, especially in Athens, Rome or Florence as these cities can be prone to industrial action at the drop of a hat.:eek:

 

There is an escort/guide on the coach who gives information, maps, advice (eateries, toilets, etc.) and emergency telephone number for the escort (in case you get lost or delayed), before dropping you off at an appointed place where you will be picked up and taken back to the ship in time for departure. :)

[GaryT-UK]

I went on the Thomson excursion which had a coach tour of the city to see the main sites, we stopped for photos at the 1896 Olympic Stadium & then walked up the Acropolis with a quite informative guide. I don't really do private excursions, as I don't need the worry of "will I get back on time". I do remember the traffic was a nightmare the day we went, so it was nice to be relaxed.

[dronnygirl]

Definitely agree with skioncruises - the Thomson coaches take you into Athens and pick you up at a designated time. We did this and the rep on our coach said he had nothing to do all day so would take a free walking tour of Athens for anyone who wanted to go. About 12 of us took this up and had a fabulous day seeing places we would not have know about. No charge but we all gave him a good tip so everyone was happy!

[happy v]

Just to add my agreement of Athens on your own, mainly for Skions reasons i.e. the Greeks call strikes at the drop of a hat and you wouldn't want to be stuck!:eek::D

[CRUISIN LINDA]

Has anyone done the hobo bus from Pireus to Athens and then the other bus round Athens? That's what we were thinking of doing, but you have made me jittery now, with talk of strikes :eek::eek:

[all-afloaty]

Thanks everyone for the Athens advice, definitely going to do Thomsons Athens on your own - now just need to find out about the changing of the guard!

 

 

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[happy v]

Thanks everyone for the Athens advice, definitely going to do Thomsons Athens on your own - now just need to find out about the changing of the guard!

 

 

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The changing of the guard is brilliant, and just down the road from the Acropolis

[happy v]

Has anyone done the hobo bus from Pireus to Athens and then the other bus round Athens? That's what we were thinking of doing, but you have made me jittery now, with talk of strikes :eek::eek:

 

Linda I don't know about the hoho bus, but I do think the Greeks are unreliable and the Italians, always allow loads of time there as well..........I probably worry too much.;):)

[WeeCountyMan]

Somebody (can't mind where, so my apologies) mentioned the 10 Euro HoHo bus....... so I looked around online.

 

http://www.sightsofathens.gr/

 

It doesn't have as anywhere near as many stops as other bus lines - but it does start/end from the cruise terminal. The other HoHo lines seem only to operate from the terminal if you buy their double (ie red and blue) routes ticket package.

 

Maybe they offer a connection if you are only interested in the main (red) city route ? :confused:

 

I was a bit confused (simple country boy that I am) by the sightsofathens prices. The HoHo bus is 10 Euros, the touristic train is 4 Euros - a double package is 15 Euros........learly I've missed something obvious !!!

 

We chose to booked - it gets you into/back from the main attractions at a very attractive price which is basically all we need.

 

If you are tempted, can I suggest you take care when it comes to the payment options.

 

It wanted PayPal as default - we have PP but I prefer the credit/debit card option as our CC has no additional fees.

 

Even if you do go for the card option it defaults to settle at PayPal's prevailing exchange rates which I have to assume are less favourable than most (all ?) credit/debit card exchange rates.

 

Mindful of Martin Lewis's advice about paying with cards in foreign currencies (always pay in local currency abroad) I opted to settle in Euros and so was charged a straight 20 Euros.

 

I think "Celebration" (length 214.66 metres) would berth at Terminal A, since this is advised as where ships below 300 metres are moored - that would mean Gate E11, stop P1 for this HoHo.

 

Don't quote me on that, I'm not infallible - even though it's a 50-50 call on which gate !!!

[kruzseeka]

There is a new Express bus service the X80 which runs every half hour starting at 7.00 am at the bus stop immediately outside of the new cruise terminal B (Themistocles). It also picks up outside Terminal A which I think is the one Thomson usually use. That's the one which costs €4 and the ticket is valid for all buses and the Metro for 24 hours. Bargain!

 

We caught the 7.30 one, were the only passengers and the driver couldn't have been more helpful. It drops you in exactly the same place as the Thomson's 'Athens on Your Own' transfer, opposite Hadrian's Arch which is the stop you need for the Acropolis. It goes past this stop, loops round via Syntagma Square first as the drop off is on the wrong side of the road initially so you stop on then get off as the bus comes back - only takes a few minutes and you will have seen Syntagma Sq and the Parliament building too on the way. The Acropolis is a 10 minute walk from here and you pass the new Acropolis Museum on the way.

 

It took us 20 minutes (quicker I guess because it was quite early) and we were on the Acropolis by just after 8am which gives the temperatures was no bad thing! If you were considering a DiY approach I would definitely recommend using the X80 in preference to the Metro which is quite a hike from the port and Thissio the station for the Acropolis is further away than the nearest X80 stop. If you want the benefits of a commentary and the tour then the hoho is a good option but the Acropolis, Agora, Plaka, Syntagma Sq and Parliament building for the changing of the guard are all close together and easily covered on foot in one day. Since many of these sites are within a pedestrianised area you have to walk between much of the important 'must sees' anyway.

 

For anyone going independently and therefore without a guide a good idea is to download the Rick Steve's audio guide (free) of the Acropolis. It was excellent.

 

Enjoy Athens. We love it.

 

P. S. For anyone 'of a certain age' don't forget to take some official ID (we take driving licences with photo, date of birth and they do check the details). We were able to get into the Acropolis and Museum for half price. ;)

 

 

P. P. S. Each time we've been to Pireaus with Thomson we've been berthed at Terminal A and a couple of weeks ago we saw Celebration berthed there so I think you are right WCM re which port it's likely to be.

Edited September 1, 2014 by kruzseeka

[shot2bits]

Yea, it was me who mentioned the HoHo bus for 10 euros. Turn left out of the port to the area where all the buses are and it is the blue ones you want. We tried it and there were no probs. did all the main areas you would want, including the changing of the guard with the funny walk, Acropolis etc. if you don't get off, it takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, but obviously you get on and off as you want. We had no problems and it was preferable to staying in Piraeus, although you can get on the little road train which takes you round the local area if you don't fancy braving Athens. Others are right about the Greek penchant for striking on a whim so make sure you build a time cushion in to your schedule. Enjoy.

 

 

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[kruzseeka]

I think it must have been the day you were in Athens that we spotted Celebration shot2bits! Was that 8th August? Hot day! Phew!

Edited September 1, 2014 by kruzseeka

[shot2bits]

Yes,, Kruzeeka, that was the day! I put some pictures of QE on one of these threads, can't remember which one though. It was a very hot day, in fact it was a very hot two weeks, temps well in to the forties every day!

 

 

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[kruzseeka]

Yes,, Kruzeeka, that was the day! I put some pictures of QE on one of these threads, can't remember which one though. It was a very hot day, in fact it was a very hot two weeks, temps well in to the forties every day!

 

 

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Yes I saw the pics - I think you thought they were Istanbul - I didn't think it looked quite right as I couldn't see the buildings on the dockside but now you've mentioned it, it definitely looks like Pireaus. ;)

[Ray Moore]

We have booked a 6 hour trip with cruise excursions. com it cost £49 each and that includes entry to the Acropolis

 

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[shot2bits]

Yes I saw the pics - I think you thought they were Istanbul - I didn't think it looked quite right as I couldn't see the buildings on the dockside but now you've mentioned it, it definitely looks like Pireaus. ;)

 

 

Yea, my name on here says it all! Completely shot to bits!!!

 

 

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[shot2bits]

We have booked a 6 hour trip with cruise excursions. com it cost £49 each and that includes entry to the Acropolis

 

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That's not bad! Just allow time for queuing because there are a lot of them. Queues that is.

 

 

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