If you are in a hurry, the best way to get around the center of Athens is with a taxi, which can be flagged down from any street corner. Taxi fares are still among the cheapest in the world. The cheaper way is by taking buses and trolleys. The mini buses run through the center of Athens and one is even free.

  And remember, don't be afraid to ask someone which trolley or bus to take. Greeks are very helpful and almost all of them know English.

Bus :
Buses run frequently throughout the city, stopping at blue-colored bus stop signs. The fare for the bus is a 150-drachma ticket which must be inserted in a machine inside the bus to be valid. These tickets are available at special blue booths near bus stops or at many kiosks throughout the city. A trunk line bus system began to operate this winter in Athens with these buses connecting to local lines.

Cruises/yachting :
One-day cruise to the Saronic islands of Aegina, Poros and Hydra is available with departures daily from the marina terminal in Paleo Faliron & Piraeus. Departures are usually at 8.00 and at around 19.30 the ships return. Luncheon on board is included with the ticket. Some ships even offer entertainment such as discotheques as well as comfortable lounges. The cruise ships also have spacious sun decks, restaurants, bars and some even offer a swimming pool or cabins for those passengers who wish to have a siesta during the cruise. Poros is a picturesque island within a stone throw from the Peloponnese mainland, a green paradise with lemon trees and pine trees. Hydra is one of the most beautiful islands in Greece with an impressive amphitheatrical port and a number of outdoor tavernas, cafes and boutiques. Aegina offers the Temple of Aphaia and excellent swimming. If there is more time for the tourist while in Greece, there is also three, four and seven days cruises available throughout the Greek islands. For more information contact EOT or any travel agency in town. Yachting is very popular in Greek waters and for information on renting a yacht contact the Hellenic Professional Yachting Association, 22 Akti Themistokleous St., Piraeus, Tel. 452-9571. As famous Greek novelist Nikos Kazantzakis once wrote: ?To sail the Aegean is the joy that sinks the heart of man into paradise.?

Mortoring :
As a bona fide tourist your current driving license or international driving license would be accepted for up to a year. Vehicles are driven on the right-hand side of the road. Curb side parking is prohibited or restricted in many Athens streets. The speed limits vary but are generally 80 kilometers per hour on open country roads. At intersections where there are no traffic lights, drivers must give way to traffic on the right, including cyclists. Seat belts must be worn by drivers and passengers in the front seat. The horn should be used only in an emergency. Further motoring information can be gotten from the Greek Automobile & Touring Club (ELPA) by calling Tel. 779-1615. If you have any problem with your car or the road, call the ELPA emergency repair and towing service, dial 104. Petrol stations are open Monday-Saturday, 07.00 - 19.00. Some of them (usually one in every district) are open during the evenings and Sundays.

If you want to find out your own insurance representative in Greece or if you want to purchase insurance while in the country, contact the Motor Insurance Bureau, 10 Xenofontos St., Tel. 323-6733.

Airport :
The new Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos", located on the 5th km of Spata-Loutsa Avenue, has launched its operations.

Taxis :
Taxis are plentiful, but avoid during rush hours (13.00-15.00) when they are difficult to obtain. Also make sure you flag down one in an area where the cab can stop without causing traffic circulation problems, otherwise it won't stop. And don't be surprised if there are other customers in the cab when it does stop. If the taxi is going your way, it will take you along too. Most taxis are owner-driven, some are radio-controlled and licensed to carry no more than four passengers at a time. The yellow-colored cabs have set fares with running meters. Compared to other major European cities the fares are rather inexpensive. Tipping is not expected, except during the Christmas and Easter holiday seasons. Expect to pay a small extra charge for each piece of luggage placed in the trunk of the cab. After midnight and until 06.00 there is a small surcharge. Keep in mind that if a taxi flashes its headlights that means it is for hire.

Trains :
Information about train service throughout Greece and for destinations abroad by rail can be gotten from the Greek Railway Organization (OSE), the main headquarters of which is near Omonia Sq. at 1 Karolou St., Athens, Tel. 529-7777. There is also a branch office closer to Syntagma Sq. at 6 Sina St., Athens, Tel. 362-4402 to 6, which is also of service to tourists. There are reduced rated for persons under the age of 26 and foreign students on presentation of an identification card. EURAIL, INTER-RAIL, EURODOMINO and VERGINA FLEXIPASS passes are valid on Greek trains. Concerning the domestic routes, trains of high quality (INTERCITY) have put into service. Passengers who travel by Intercity trains can benefit from special offers (tourist cards, group tickets, return tickets, etc.) with reduced fares. For a restful journey during the evening, one can travel by night train on the Athens-Thessaloniki-Athens routes. In addition to the offered night services (sleeping cars or coach compartments), passengers can have their own cars transported by special wagons. There are two train stations in Athens, both located in Theodorou Deligianni St. The Larissa Station is for trains heading north or abroad while the Peloponnese station is for traffic towards southern Greece.

Metro :
The metro/subway runs from 05.30 to midnight daily and costs 200 drachmas for the line from Piraeus to Kifissia and 250 drachmas for the line from Sepolia to Syntagma and from Syntagma Sq. to Evangelismos, depending on where you get off. Tickets must be purchased before entering the train and must be cancelled upon entry. The line operates from the Athens northern suburb of Kifissia to the port of Pireaus, with stops in between at major areas of Athens like Omonia Sq., Monastiraki, Thisseion, Peace & Friendship Stadium, Olympic Stadium, Maroussi etc. Only a small portion of the journey is underground thus offering an excellent opportunity to see much of the Athens metropolitan area, untiring and inexpensive. During the rush hours the line operates every four minutes, but you are never forced to wait more than 10 minutes for the train to come along. The metro is especially helpful if you want to get to the port city of Pireaus from Athens or the cool and green northern Athens suburbs.

Trolleys :
Trolleys can transport you throughout Athens for a 150-drachma ticket, the same ticket used on the buses. These yellow or purple-colored trolleys stop at yellow-colored signs throughout the capital. Virtually all the trolleys stop at either Syntagma Sq., Academias St., Omonia Sq. or Kaniggos Sq.. Board the trolleys 2, 4, 11, 15 at Syntagma Sq. (National Garden), and three stops later you will be at the National Archeological Museum on Patission St. You can also pick up trolleys 7, 8, 13 at Vassilissis Sofias Avenue as far as the U.S. Embassy and go again to the museum a few stops later.