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Are you ready for WCEU 2023 in Athens?

Traveling to Athens from Europe

If you were planning to save some money and choose train or a bus to get to Athens for WCEU we will have to disappoint you a bit but as well give you some guidelines.

Unfortunately, there is no direct train or bus service from Frankfurt, Paris, or Amsterdam to Athens, Greece. Traveling by train or bus from these cities to Athens would require multiple transfers and a significant amount of time.

However, you could take a train or bus to a nearby city such as Sofia, Bulgaria or Thessaloniki, Greece and then continue your journey to Athens by another mode of transportation such as a domestic flight or bus.

For example, you could take a train from Frankfurt to Sofia, which would take approximately 26 hours and cost around 120-200 EUR depending on the class of travel. From Sofia, you could then take a domestic flight to Athens for approximately 50-100 EUR depending on the airline and the time of booking.

Alternatively, you could take a bus from Amsterdam to Thessaloniki, which would take approximately 30-35 hours and cost around 80-150 EUR depending on the operator and the time of booking. From Thessaloniki, you could then take a bus or train to Athens for approximately 20-40 EUR.

Keep in mind that these travel times and costs are estimates and can vary depending on factors such as the mode of transportation, and the operator. It’s important to research your options and book your travel in advance to secure the best deals.

However, if you wanted to make a road trip it is possible to drive to Athens from Frankfurt, Paris, or Amsterdam, but it is a long journey that would require multiple days of driving and several border crossings. The most direct route would take you through several countries including Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Greece.

The total distance from Frankfurt to Athens is approximately 2,500 km, from Paris to Athens is approximately 2,800 km, and from Amsterdam to Athens is approximately 3,000 km. The driving time would depend on factors such as traffic, road conditions, and border crossings, but it could take up to 30-35 hours of driving time.

In addition to fuel costs, you would also need to consider tolls, vignettes (road taxes), and other expenses such as food and accommodation. The cost of tolls and vignettes can vary widely depending on the countries and roads you take, but it could add up to several hundred euros.

Overall, driving from Frankfurt, Paris, or Amsterdam to Athens is not the most practical or cost-effective option, especially when compared to other modes of transportation such as flying. If you decide to drive, make sure to plan your route in advance, check border crossing requirements, and take necessary precautions such as ensuring that your vehicle is in good condition and carrying necessary documents such as insurance and registration papers.

The fastest way to get to Athens from central Europe would be to take a direct flight from a major airport such as Frankfurt, Paris, or Amsterdam. Several airlines offer direct flights to Athens from these cities, which can take approximately 3-4 hours and it will cost you anywhere from 270-500 euros for the round trip. The price depends on the operator.

Getting to the city from the airport

If you’re traveling to Athens by plane and need to get to the city from the airport, there are several options available to you. Here’s a rundown of some of the ways you can get to downtown Athens:

By rent-a-car: Athens International Airport is located 33 km southeast of Athens, and can be reached via the Athens ring road (Attiki Odos). The drive from downtown Athens takes 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic.

By Metro: Metro Line 3 connects the airport to the city centre (Syntagma Square). The journey time is approximately 40 minutes, and trains run every 30 minutes, 7 days a week from 6:30 am to 11:30 pm. One-way tickets cost €9 (€4.50 for children, teenagers, and those over 65), while return tickets cost €16.

By Bus: 24-hour express buses connect Athens International Airport with the port of Piraeus and the Intercity Bus Terminal (KTEL Kifissos). These non-stop services operate daily, including public holidays. All buses drop off passengers at the Departures Level and depart from the Arrivals Level. Bus tickets are sold at the ticket booth outside the Arrivals hall (between Exits 4 and 5.) One way tickets cost €5.50 (€2.70 for children, teenagers, and those over 65). There are four express bus routes from the airport.

By Suburban Railway: The suburban railway (Proastiakos) connects Athens Airport with Larissis Station, the central Athens railway station in approximately 45 minutes. Trains depart from Athens airport every 15-25 minutes to Doukissis Plakentias station, where you can transfer to the Athens Metro network, using the same ticket.

By Taxi: Taxis are available outside Exit 3 of the Arrivals Level. A taxi from the airport to the city centre costs a flat rate of €40 from 5 am to midnight, and €55 from midnight to 5 am. The rate is determined by the time of arrival at the destination and includes all applicable surcharges.

Getting to the venue

To get to the venue by Metro, this is the station closest to it and it’s name is Megaro Moussikis and the line M3 is going there

We hope this information is helpful in getting you to your destination quickly and easily, when you get to Athens there are some important things to know about the city itself.

Is Athens a dangerous city, well it isn’t but there are some districts which you might want to avoid during the night.

Here you can find the map with all central Athens districts 

Like many other major cities, train and subway stations are hotspots for pickpockets and petty criminals who target tourists. Moreover, areas popular among tourists such as Psiri, Monastiraki, Syntagma, Glyfada, Thissio, and Monastiraki are also targeted.

Districts that you might want to avoid visiting during the night are Agio Panteleimomas, Omonia, Exarcheia, and Colonus.

However, during the day, you can find the best places to visit in these areas, Omonia might be one of them as well.

We hope this information has been helpful in planning your trip to Athens for WCEU. We wish you a wonderful stay in Athens and an enjoyable time at the conference!