Powered by AL Bing Hello, this is Bing. I'm happy to help you with your travel plans for Athens, the capital of Greece and one of the oldest cities in the world. Athens is a fascinating destination that combines ancient history, culture, art, and modern amenities. Here is a comprehensive travel guide for Athens, including some pictures and useful tips. When to visit Athens Athens has a Mediterranean climate, with mild, moderately rainy winters and hot, sunny summers. The city is located near the 38th parallel and covers a wide area in the plain of Attica, which is surrounded by mountains on three sides and overlooks the sea to the south, The best time to visit Athens is during the spring (April-May) or autumn (September-October), when the weather is pleasant, the crowds are smaller, and the prices are lower. You can enjoy the outdoor attractions, such as the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora, and the National Garden, without suffering from the heat or the rain. The summer (June-August) is the peak season for tourism in Athens, as well as in the rest of Greece. The city is very busy and lively, with many festivals, events, and nightlife options. However, it can also be very hot and humid, with temperatures reaching up to 40°C (104°F). If you visit Athens in the summer, make sure to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen and a hat, and avoid the midday sun. You can also escape to the nearby beaches or islands for some refreshing breeze and water activities. The winter (November-March) is the low season for tourism in Athens, as well as in the rest of Greece. The city is quieter and less erowded, but also less vibrant and colorful. The weather can be chilly and rainy, with occasional snowfall on the mountains. However, it can also be sunny and mild, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F). If you visit Athens in the winter, you can enjoy the indoor attractions, such as museums, galleries, theaters, and restaurants, without long queues or high fees. You can also take advantage of the lower prices and discounts on accommodation and transportation, How to get to Athens Athens is well-connected by air, land, and sea with other parts of Greece and the world. The main gateway to Athens is the Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” (ATH), located about 30 km (19 mi) cast of the city center. The airport serves domestic and international flights from various airlines and destinations. You can find more information about COVID-19 restrictions and measures at the airport on their official pag. To get from the airport to the city center or vice versa, you have several options: + Metro: The airport is connected to the city center by metro line 3 (blue line), which runs every 30 minutes from 6:30 am to 11:30 pm, The journey takes about 40 minutes and costs 10 EUR for a single ticket or 18 EUR for a round-trip ticket. You can buy tickets at the airport metro station or online. + Bus: There are four express bus routes that connect the airport to different parts of the city: X93 to Kifissos bus station, X95 to Syntagma Square, X96 to Piraeus port, and X97 to Elliniko metro station. The buses run 24/7 every 15-30 minutes. The journey takes about 45-90 minutes depending on traffic and costs 6 EUR for a single ticket or 10 EUR for a round-trip ticket. You can buy tickets at the airport bus station or online. + Taxi: You can find taxis outside the arrivals hall of the airport. The taxi fare from/to the airport is fixed at 38 EUR during daytime (5 am to midnight) or $4 EUR during nighttime (midnight to 5 am). The journey takes about 30-60 minutes depending on traffic. + Car rental: You can rent a car at the airport from various car rental companies. You will need a valid driver's license and a credit card. The average price for a compact car is about 30 EUR per day. You can compare Prices and book online. How to get around AthensAthens has a public transportation system that consists of metro, tram, bus, trolleybus, suburban railway (proastiakos), and cable car (teleferik). The system is operated by STASY S.A., a subsidiary of OASA S.A., which is responsible for planning and managing public transport in Attica ‘The metro is the fastest and most convenient way to get around Athens. There are three metro lines: line 1 (green line), line 2 (red line), and line 3 (blue line). The metro runs from 5 am to midnight on weekdays and until 2 am on weekends. The metro connects with other modes of public transport, such as the tram, the bus, the trolleybus, and the suburban railway. The metro also serves some of the main attractions in Athens, such as the Acropolis, the ‘Syntagma Square, the Monastiraki Square, and the Omonia Square. The tram is another way to get around Athens, especially along the coastal area. There are three tram lines: line 3 (73) from Syntagma Square to Glyfada, line 4 (T4) from Syntagma Square to Neo Faliro, and line 5 (TS) from Neo Faliro to Glyfada. The tram runs from 5 am to | am on weekdays and until 2:30 am on weekends. The tram connects with the metro at Syntagma Square and Neo Faliro stations. ‘The bus and the trolleybus are the most extensive modes of public transport in Athens, covering almost every part of the city and its suburbs. There are hundreds of bus and trolleybus routes that operate from 5 am to midnight on weekdays and until I am on weekends. Some bus routes also operate 24/7 as night buses. The bus and the trolleybus connect with the metro, the tram, and the suburban railway at various stations. ‘The suburban railway is a mode of public transport that connects Athens with other cities in Attica and beyond. ‘There are four suburban railway lines: line 1 from Piraeus to Chalkida, line 2 from Ano Liosia to Kiato, line 3 from Athens International Airport to Kiato, and line 4 from Piraeus to Athens International Airport. The suburban railway runs from 5 am to midnight on weekdays and until | am on weekends. The suburban railway connects with the metro at Piraeus, Neratziotissa, Doukissis Plakentias, and Athens Intemational Airport stations. The cable car is a mode of public transport that connects Athens with Mount Lycabettus, a hill that offers a panoramic view of the city. The cable car runs from 9 am to 2:30 am on weekdays and until 3:30 am on weekends. The cable car station is located at Aristippou Street in Kolonaki. To use public transport in Athens, you need a ticket or a card that you can buy at metro stations, tram stops, bus terminals, kiosks, or online, There are different types of tickets and cards depending on your needs: ‘+ Single ticket: This is a paper ticket that allows you to use any mode of public transport for 90 minutes within Athens urban zone. It costs 1.40 EUR. * Daily ticket: This is a paper ticket that allows you to use any mode of public transport for 24 hours within Athens urban zone. It costs 4.50 EUR. + Three-day tourist ticket: This is a paper ticket that allows you to use any mode of public transport for 72 hours within Athens urban zone, including one round trip to/from Athens International Airport by metro or bus. It costs 22 EUR. + Five-day ticket: This is a paper ticket that allows you to use any mode of public transport for five consecutive days within Athens urban zone, It costs 9 EUR. * Weekly ticket: This is a paper ticket that allows you to use any mode of public transport for seven consecutive days within Athens urban zone. It costs 14 EUR. * Monthly card: This is a plastic card that allows you to use any mode of public transport for one calendar month within Athens urban zone. It costs 30 EUR. + Personalized card: This is a plastic card that allows you to load different types of tickets or cards onto it electronically. It costs 5 EUR for the card itself plus the cost of the tickets or cards you load onto it. + Reduced fare ticket or card: This is a paper or plastic ticket or card that allows you to use any mode of public transport for a reduced fare if you belong to certain categories of passengers, such as students, seniors, disabled people, etc. You need to show proof of eligibility when buying or using it. You need to validate your ticket or card before boarding or after boarding depending on the mode of transport: ‘+ Metro: You need to validate your ticket or card at the automatic gates before entering the platform area. + Tram: You need to validate your ticket or card at the machines inside the tram after boarding ‘+ Bus and trolleybus: You need to validate your ticket or card at the machines inside the bus or trolleybus after boarding.* Suburban railway: You need to validate your ticket or card at the automatic gates before entering or after exiting the platform area, ‘+ Cable car: You need to show your ticket or card at the entrance. If you do not have a valid ticket or card or if you do not validate it properly, you may face a fine of up to 60 times the value of