From Piraeus port to Thessaloniki by Train

The Question:

Hi Stavros,
are there trains going from Pireaus Port to Thessaloniki or do I have to go to Athens to catch the bus to Thessaloniki?


The Answer:

Hello!
There are trains leaving from Athens to Thessaloniki. From the port of Piraeus you can either take the metro or the suburban railway in order to reach the main train station Larissis from where you will switch trains and take the one to Thessaloniki. If you choose to go by metro to the Larissis trains station, then you need to take the green line from Piraeus and then by changing to the red line stop at "Larissis station". If you prefer to take the suburban railway, then you will only need to take one train until the "Stathmos Athinon" station which is actually a second name for the Larissis main train station. Be aware that the metro departs from a different station than the suburban railway! Both station though are very close to the port of Piraeus and within walking distance!
Hope this helps!

-Stavros

From Piraeus to Patras by Train

The Question:

Yasou stavros,
I live on Paros island and want to take the boat late october from patras to venice which leaves patra at 2300 and am finding it very difficult to find out train timetables with the ose.gr site from Piraeus to patra. My boat gets to Piraeus about 15.30 and you wrote before there is a train direct from Piraeus to Patras? Or do I have to get up to Larissa station. Also maybe you know if the buses to patra pass by Piraeus as its such a struggle with bags to get to Kiffisou .Your info site is very helpful many thanks The Ose site is very bad cant even find Piraeus on it and I can read greek,
Yaxara Phillada


The Answer:

Hello!
Certainly there is a train departing straight from Piraeus port to Patras. This is actually the line of the suburban railway (proastiakos) that will take you up to Kiato and then you need to switch to the train of Patras. Nevertheless, to check timetables of the suburban railway you can visit www.proastiakos.gr and select the route from Piraeus to Kiato. Timetables will appear as well as the departure times of your connection train to Patras. As far as I have checked these are some of the trains that suit you in case you arrive at 15.30 at the Piraeus station:
15.44, 16.44, 17.44 etc.
Thank you for your kind words and I really hope I have helped!

-Stavros

From Corfu to Lefkas by Sea Plane

The Question:

Hello Stavros,
I'm trying to get to Levkas and had hoped to fly london to preveza 27th sep -12 october, all flights full.so now thinking athens or corfu and saw the sea plane.i just wondered if you knew who did daily flights to athens?
all the best


The Answer:

Hello!
The airline companies Olympic Airlines and Aegean Airlines are the ones who perform daily flights from Athens to Corfu. If you wish to travel from Corfu to Lefkas, then the sea plane company is called Air Sea Lines. Sea planes depart 4 or 5 times a week depending the time of the year.
Hope this helps!

-Stavros

From Corfu to Lefkas by Sea Plane

The Question:

Hello Stavros,
I'm trying to get to Levkas and had hoped to fly london to preveza 27th sep -12 october, all flights full.so now thinking athens or corfu and saw the sea plane.i just wondered if you knew who did daily flights to athens?
all the best


The Answer:

Hello!
The airline companies Olympic Airlines and Aegean Airlines are the ones who perform daily flights from Athens to Corfu. If you wish to travel from Corfu to Lefkas, then the sea plane company is called Air Sea Lines. Sea planes depart 4 or 5 times a week depending the time of the year.
Hope this helps!

-Stavros

Buses from Agios Konstantinos to Athens

The Question:

What time do buses go from Agios Konstantinos to Athens?Do they stop at Athens airport?


The Answer:

Hello!
Since bus schedules are subject to change at any time and without notice, there is no official timetable. You can call the suburban bus station of KTEL in Liosio, Athens and get information regarding the timetables (+30 210 8317147).
The Athens International Airport is not a stop for these buses. You need to take the metro to reach the airport.
Hope this helps!

-Stavros

Kavala Sightseeing

The Question:

Hello Stavros!
My friends and me will arrive two days later in Kavala but we will have only 1 day for sightseeing of Kavala, because later we wıll go to Thessaloniki. So it would be of extreme help if you could tell me what are the main interesting sights of Kavala and which places are a must to be seen.
Thank you in advance!


The Answer:

Hello!
Kavala is a beautiful city widely known for its powerful smoke industry of the past. The city has many beautiful sights to visit. The beautiful castle on top of the city has been recently reconstructed and nowadays there is a theatre where different kinds of performances take place. While walking away from the castle you can wander around the Old City where the home of Mechmet Ali can be found. His home is a museum which you can also visit. The Ancient Aqueduct from where the city was supplied with water is a marvellous sight. You will also have the chance to admire the New and the Old Town Hall, the Muncipal Library and the buildings of the old smoke industry. You should also not miss on the Archaeological Museum of Kavala and the Municipal Museum which is actually a picture gallery.
Hope I have helped!

-Stavros

From Piraeus port to Athens International Airport

The Question:

Hello Stavros
We will be arriving in Piraeus Port Oct.25,2008 and staying at the Piraeus Dream Hotel.What is best way you would recommend?We would like to transfer to international airport by express bus for our 5:20 a.m flight to U.S.How would you recommend we proceed.
Thank You
Tony


The Answer:

Hello Tony!
From The Piraeus Dream Hotel you can catch the airport bus line X96 which departs from the metro station of Piraeus (green line). The bus departs at 00.30 and 01.00 and approximately takes 1 hour to reach the airport. As you need to take a transatlantic flight you need to be at the airport at least 3 hours in advance and this is why I am recommending this bus time. On the other hand, you can also take a taxi and even better reserve one to pick you up from the hotel. Since it is going to be in the night, traffic won't be an issue and you will arrive quite fast at the airport. The taxi cost won't exceed tha amoun of 55 euros. You can also ask at the hotel's reception to book you a taxi.
Hope this helps you!

-Stavros

How to get from Piraeus Port to Patras

The Question:

hello i am trying to find out how to get from piraeus to patra, i arrive in piraeus at 6 am on a sunday and i have to get to patra the quickest way.
I hope you can help,
thank you ..Dilly


The Answer:

Hello Dilly!
You can reach Patra by train or bus. If you wish to travel by train, then the train station of Piraeus (OSE station) is quite near the exit of the port of Piraeus and you can go on foot. From there you will arrive in approximately 3,5 hours in Patra right in the city center and by its port. If you wish to travel by bus, which is a little bit faster, then you need to reach the Kifissos Suburban bus station (KTEL). The station is quite away from the port and the transportation there is a little bit tricky. You can take the metro (green line) from Piraeus station and take off at Omonia. From you will have to take bus line no.051 and take off at the last station which is at the Kifissos Bus Station. The bus route from Athens to Patra lasts 2.5 hours if you take the express bus. If you do not wish to take all these public means of transport, then I would recommend a taxi to the bus station. It won't take you, depending on the traffic, take you more than 20 minutes to reach the bus station and it will cost you maximum 8 euros.
Hope this helps!

-Stavros

Where is Stavros in Corfu?

The Question:

hi, i was wondering about & where stavos corfu greece is. we may have relatives there.


The Answer:

Hello!
Stavros in Corfu is a small village in the Achilleion Municipality near the village of Benitses. Located not by the sea, but in the mountains, it is easy to reach by car.
Hope I helped!

-Stavros

From Istanbul to Nea Vrasna by Bus

The Question:

Hi Stavros!
Could you please tell me how to get from Istanbul to Nea Vrasna? I searched in the Internet but I can find bus only from Istanbul to Kavala/ Thessaloniki. Does the bus to Thessaloniki stop in Nea Vrasna (I looked the map and I guess it\'s on the way to Thessaloniki).
Thanks so much!


The Answer:

Hello!
The bus from Istanbul to Thessaloniki makes no stop at Nea Vrasna, because it is actually a small village and it will take the bus out of its route. As a result you need to reach Thessaloniki first and then take another bus to Nea Vrasna from there. This is the only option that you have actually so as to reach your destination.
Hope this helps!

-Stavros

Train connection between Thessaloniki and Igoumenitsa

The Question:

hi Stavros,
do you have infomation about, train connection between thessaloniki & igoumenitsa? also Schedules and Prices?
thank you very much..


The Answer:

Hello!
There is no train connection between Thessaloniki and Igoumenitsa. The only way to reach both cities respectively is by using the suburban buses of KTEL or by car!

-Stavros

Car Driving in Greece

The Question:

Do the tollsa take credit cards/Visa? So do we NEEDour car in Skopelos or is there public transportation around theisland.?
We will also be driving from Athens to Patra then up to Volos thenleave car for Skopelos,then back up to Philipi area then back down toIoannina, Trikala and Athens. How long will that take? Can we sightsee and do that in 6 days? how are the roads and how much in Tolls?Are there lots of hostels alone the way?
THANKS, Bill


The Answer:

Hello Bill!
Tolls in Greece do not accept credit cards, you can only pay cash. Regarding Skopelos, as mentioned before, there is public transportation but if you will be visiting the island off season, then the scheduled bus itineraries are very rare and in my opinion won't help you move around. Unless you plan to stay and relax in just one place of the island.
As far as the rest of your questions is concerned, the route that you are describing to me and in that order is really tough to be achieved in 6 days. I would say even impossible. I will also explain to you by numbers:
From Athens to Patras it is 212km and it will take you 2 hours and 35 minutes to reach the city. From Patras to Volos it is 310km which means 4 hours and 10 minutes trip. The ferry from Volos to Skopelos takes approximately 3 hours if it a highspeed one. Again from there to Philipi it is 389km, meaning 5 hours trip. To Ioannina it is 464km, as a result a 7 hour trip. From Ioannina to Trikala it is 127km, so it'll take you 2 hours and back to Athens the distance is 425km and the duration of the drive 4 hours and 40 minutes.
As you can realise, it is almost impossible to visit all these destinations, just in 6 days. Although you will find plenty of sights and hostels or traditional pansions to stay in, at least, with this plan you will not make it in 6 days. It is better to omit some of these cities and rearrange your trip!
Hope this helps!

-Stavros

How far is Thessaloniki from Igoumenitsa?

The Question:

How far is from Thessaloniki to Gumenica? if you know please answer right away!!!i need that a lot!!! thanks!!! bye


The Answer:

Hey!
Thessaloniki is 415km from Igoumenitsa away. By car it will take you approximately 5 hours and 15 minutes to reach it.
Hope I this helps!

-Stavros

From Afissos to Volos and Thessaloniki by Bus

The Question:

We need to get from Afissos to Volos and then on to Thessaloniki airport on Friday 3rd October for a flight at aproximately 2pm. Can you advise if we can get a bus from Afissos to Volos and then on to Thessaloniki airport and if so, any idea of times and cost?
Thank you


The Answer:

Hello!
In order to reach Volos from Afissos, you can use the suburban bus KTEL. The first departure of the date that also suits your case is at 07.00 and the route to Volos is about 50 minutes. From Volos you can catch the 08.00 bus to Thessaloniki, and within 3 hours you will have arrived at your destination. From there you can either pick a taxi or take the city bus to the airport (distnace of 45 minutes) and you will have arrived in time for your flight at the Thessaloniki International airport.
Information regarding costs is actually not available online, and since it is subject to change at any time, it is better to contact the bus company KTEL so as to get informed.
Suburabn Bus KTEL in Volos: +30 24210 33254.
Hope I have helped you!

-Stavros

Bus Departure Times from Preveza to Athens

The Question:

Bus timetable from Preveza to Athens on a Sunday 28 Sept,,, Please


The Answer:

Hello!
According to the latest bus schedule buses depart at the following times from Preveza to Athens:
09.10-12.30-13.00-16.30-19.30.
Always keep in mind though, that bus departure times are subject to change at any time without prior notice, so it is always better to confirm with the bus company first before travelling. The phone number of the Preveza bus station KTEL is +30 26820 22213.
Hope I have helped!

-Stavros

Bus Departure Times from Thessaloniki to Volos

The Question:

what times do the buses leave Thessalonaki city to Volos on next Sunday 21st Sept.2008 please?


The Answer:

According to the latest bus schedule announced buses depart at the following times from Thessaloniki to Volos:
09.00-11.00-13.00-15.15-17.00-19.15-21.15-23.00
As mentioned repeatedly, it is always better to confirm bus schedules with the bus station help center before travelling, because it is a very common phenomenon in Greece, for timetables to change at any time without any notice. The phone number of the bus station is +30 2310 595424.
Hope I have helped!

-Stavros

Cost of going to Skopelos by Car

The Question:

Hi, thanks for info so do you know how much it costs for us two withour car to go to Skopelos? Or is it not worth the trouble but just touse the bus over on the island?
Thanks
WSD


The Answer:

Hello there!
The route from Athens to Skopelos will cost you approximately 23 euros, from which 17 euros will be spent for fuel, and the rest for tolls. The whole distance is 171km. If you will be travelling during this period, which is off season, then the bus schedules are not that convinient, so it would be better to take your car with you to the island. Keep in mind that you also need to pay a fee for the boat which is around 95 euros, one-way.
Hope I have helped!

-Stavros

How to get from the train station of Thessaloniki to the suburban bus station KTEL

The Question:

Hi Stavros,
I will be traveling from Sofia to Thessaloniki by train and then to Asprovalta by bus. How do I get from the railway station to the bus terminal and can you give me a link to the Asprovalta buses timetable?
Thanks a lot!
Elena


The Answer:

Hello Elena!
To reach the suburban bus station KTEL which is located at 69 Monastiriou str. you can either take a taxi or the city bus. You can also ask at the train station in order to find out the exact bus line that will take you to the bus central station. There is no reliable information on bus schedules, because they change very often and without prior notice! The phone number of the suburban bus station KTEL is +30 2310 500111.

-Stavros

How do I transport my car from Igoumenitsa to Thessaloniki and Istanbul

The Question:

Hi,
I am landing in Igoumenitsa, would travel to Thesalloniki and then head to Istanbul. would rather send my vehicle by cargo (train, land, air) and travel myself across Greece than driving. Do you know any cargo company that would ship my vehicle from Igoumenitsa (or nearby cities)to either Thesalloniki or , better, to Istanbul Turkey? How long and how much it would take? Thanks in advance. Any details would be handy.
cheers


The Answer:

Hello!
I believe that there is no train connection between Igoumenitsa and Thessaloniki, and since there is no airport in Igoumenitsa, your only option is to transfer your car by using special trucks (transportation companies). One of them, which you can contact and learn more details regarding the trasportation is Karelias Group, which also has a website http://www.karelias-trans.gr/en/.
Hope I have helped!

-Stavros

Is Thessaloniki's tap water safe?

The Question:

Should I drink water from Thessaloniki aquaduct?


The Answer:

Hello!
Usually the people in Thessaloniki drink water from the tap, and it is considered safe. But it depends on your preferences to decide if you're going to drink bottled water or not.

-Stavros

From Igoumenitsa to Preveza by Bus

The Question:

What time can a catch a bus from Igonumitsa to Preveza?
Thank you.


The Answer:

Hello!
The KTEL bus departs daily at 11.45am and 15.30 heading to Preveza. These bus schedules are subject to change at any time so it is better to confirm it with the bus station of Igoumenitsa first. The phone number is +30 26650 22315.
Hope I have helped!

-Stavros

Ferry from Santorini to Kos

The Question:

Hi there,
Is it possible to get a ferry from Santorini to Kos? We need to get to Turkeyand as a result have chosen Kos as the last island.
Thanks for your advice
Hieu


The Answer:

Hello there!
Unfortunately, there is no ferry connection between the islands of Santorini and Kos. Neither is there a flight connection. You need to return to Athens or Piraeus (port of Athens) and catch another ferry/ plane to Kos.

-Stavros

First Bus to Asprovalta from Thessaloniki

The Question:

Hi, Stavros,
Can you tell me where in Thessaloniki I can catch a bus to Asprovalta? Do you know when is the first bus to Asprovalta (on Sunday)?
Many thanks!
Jitka


The Answer:

Hello Jitka!
The first bus to Asprovalta on Sundays departs at 06.00 according to the winter schedule of 2008. But it is always better to confirm the bus schedules with the bus station of Thessaloniki, because they are subject to change quite often. The KTEL Bus station of Thessaloniki is located at 69 Monastiriou str. and the phone number is +30 2310 500111.
Hope I have helped you!

-Stavros

Taxi Cost from Thessaloniki to Volos

The Question:

we are flying into Thessaloniki, landing 11.20am and need to get to Volos before 14.30 to get the last ferry to Alonissos.
The bus apparently takes 3 hours between Thessaloniki and Volos, so we\'re looking at taxis.
How much would it cost to get from the airport to the ferry port - we\'ve been quoted about 200euro?
Many thanks
M


The Answer:

Hello!
As far as I have checked the taxi tranfer from Thessaloniki to Volos will actually cost you around 200 euros, but once more this depends on the taxi company that you will choose or if you do not use a taxi company, the deal with the taxi driver that you will make.
Hope I have helped!

-Stavros

From Igoumenitsa to Thessaloniki by Car

The Question:

Could you please advice me how long it might take me to drive from igoumenitsa to thesalloniki? am landing in ogoumenitsa from italy with my vehicle. wonder how lon it migt take my time to drive to thesalloniki or to take a train cargo to there.
thanks!!!


The Answer:

Hello!
The drive from Igoumenitsa to Thessaloniki will take you approximately 5 hours and 15 minutes. It is a 428km drive from which 241km are on motorways.
Hope this will help you!

-Stavros

Last Bus from Thessaloniki to Asprovalta

The Question:

Hi, Stavros,
Can you tell me where in Thessaloniki I can catch a bus to Asprovalta? Do you know when is the last bus to Asprovalta (on Saturday)?
Many thanks!
Rali

The Answer:

Hello Rali!
The main suburban bus station KTEL is located at 69 Monastiriou str. in the Ampelokipi area in Thessaloniki. The last bus to Asprovalta departs at 22.15, according to the most recent timetable but it is always better to confirm bus schedules with the call center +30 2310 500111.
Hope I have helped!

-Stavros

From Thessaloniki airport to the Port

The Question:

I am looking at a cruise that leaves from Thessaloniki and I want to know what is the distance between Thessaloniki airport and port and what is the best way to get from one to the other?
Thanks


The Answer:

Hello!
The port of Thessaloniki is located in the city center and can easily be reached. If you take a taxi from the airport then it will take you approximately 30 minutes to reach it, although this depends on the traffic. You can also take the airport bus to reach the city center, but it will definitely take you far more time, approximately 1h and 15 minutes, again according to traffic.

-Stavros

Sea Plane Timetable from Lefkas to Corfu

The Question:

What are the times and prices of sea plane Lefkas - Corfu (and return) tomorrow, Friday september 12th?


The Answer:

The timetable of sea planes from Lefkas to Corfu on the 12th of September are:
18.15 which is a non-stop flight and 10.40 with a stop at Paxoi island.
Hope I have helped!

-Stavros

Information on Anna Vissi tours and concerts

The Question:

Stavros,
My family will be traveling to Greece next summer - perhaps, you can help us with those arrangements. But another question first - we enjoy the music of Greek \"pop\" singer Anna Vissi. Do you know how we can find out about her tours in Greece and how to purchase tickets? Is there some Greek website for concert tickets? We are Greek and could read the website in Greek if need be.Efharisto!
George Elefsiniotis - Kent, Washington

Hello George!
So far there is nothing officially announced regarding Anna Vissi's tours in Greece or abroad. It is known though that she will be probably singing during the winter season at some night club of Athens, without having announced the rest of the details though. If you want to learn more about Anna Vissi, you can visit www.annavissi.net which is the official website of the singer. As far as concert tickets are concerned, they are always sold 2-3 weeks before the concert at big music stores and even at the spot on the day of the concert. No relevant website unfortunately so far.
Hope I helped!

-Stavros

Is it better to travel from Athens to Volos or from Thessaloniki?

The Question:

Hi Stavros,
Trying to get to Alonissos (no skiathos flights). We have a choice...
Fly to Athens (bus to Volos?) or Fly to Thessalonika. Which do you recommend?
cheers
Clive


The Answer:

Hello Clive!
The bus route from Athens to Volos will take you longer than the bus route from Thessaloniki to Volos. Moreover the bus station KTEL of Thessaloniki is far more easier to find and reach than the one on Athens. As a result, I would definitely propose to fly to Thessaloniki and from there head to Volos by bus or train.

-Stavros

From Kalampaka to Olympia

The Question:

Hi,
Is it possible to leave Kalambaka by bus in the morning and stay in Olympia that night. If not, where is a good place to stay in between these two cities.
Thank you.
Suzanne


The Answer:

Hello Suzanne!
If you start from Kalampaka, then you will have to reach Ioannina first by bus and from there change to another bus, which will take you to Patras. From Patras you will need to change buses again and take the one to Olympia. Since the whole route is approximately 6 hours without the stops and the bus changes, you can simply imagine that it is a long and tiring trip. As a result I would propose to you to stay in Patras for one night and leave the next day. Patras is actually the gate of Greece to the West, since it is the biggest port of Greece that connects it with Italy. It is nice city, easy to walk through and with lots of options.
Hope I have helped you!

-Stavros

Taxi cost from Volos airport to Afetes

The Question:

What would be the cost of a taxi from Volos airport to Afetes near Afissos and Neochori?This would be in August 2009.We would also need a return taxi two weeks after arrival.
Thank-you


The Answer:

Hello there!

Taxi costs depend whether the taxi driver works for a taxi company or for himself. The second choice is very common especially in smaller cities of Greece. As a result, you need to bargain the transfer cost to your destination as soon as you pick the taxi at airport. For the route in question, I suppose that the taxi driver should not charge you more than 40-50 euros (including your luggage) but once again, since there is no specific pricelist and taxi drivers decide on their own, this is no certain thing. Just keep in mind that the distance is 34km and that it will take you approximately 45 minutes to reach the village.
Hope I have helped!

-Stavros

Ferry connection between Igoumenitsa and Corfu

The Question:

Hi Stavros,
I will arrive in Igoumenitsa on Sunday 12.09.08 at 12.45pm, will there be still be ferries sailing to corfu town either that same afternoon, or early the next morning as we are catching a flight, from Corfu on Monday afternoon.I have checked ferry time tables and they keep coming back as 1 sailing at 13.15 each afternoon.I will look forward to your reply.
Kind Regards
Graham


The Answer:

Hello Graham!
There are ferries departing during the whole day and arriving at Igoumenitsa. Most of them belong to a local ferry company and tickets are only sold at the spot and as a result neither ferry timetables nor prices are available online. As far as I have checked there is a ferry connection every hour to Corfu. You do not need to worry since this is a local connection that serves hundreds of people daily.
Hope I helped!

-Stavros

Ferries from Volos to Alonissos

The Question:

Ferries from Volos to Alonissos island.

The Answer:

You can check all scheduled ferry itineraries at www.fantasticgreece.com/boats. Depending on the season of the year, Alonissos is served by highspeed ferries. In September there is the 14.30 ferry that arrives in Alonissos in 3 hours.

-Stavros

From Corfu to Igoumenitsa by Ferry

The Question:

Yassou Stavros
How easy is it to get from Corfu to Igoumenitsa? Are there ferries running most days? Is it necessary to book if foot passengers?
Cheers
Rowan

The Answer:

Hello Rowan!
Actually it is very easy to travel from Corfu to Igoumenitsa. There are frequent ferry connections and they run daily. It is not necessary to book simple passenger tickets in advance, especially if you're planning to travel during these months, but in case tou wish to check timetables and prices you can have a look at www.fantasticgreece.com/boats.

-Stavros

Tickets for Jennifer Lopez concert

The Question:

Where can i buy tickets for Jennifer Lopez concert?

The Answer:

Tickets can be bought from the Metropolis stores, Village cinemas, TicketHouse and online at www.ticketpro.gr!

-Stavros

Fares from Kalamaria to Thessaloniki International Airport

The Question:

How much does the fare from tsounta str. (kalamaria) to the international airport of thessaloniki cost..?rgds

The Answer:

Hello!
I don't understand to what type of fare you are reffering: taxi fare or bus fare?
The taxi fare depends on the traffic that you will meet, the passengers and the luggage that you may have, whereas the bus fare will not exceed the price of 5 euros.

-Stavros

From Kalampaka to Agios Ioannis (Pelion) by Bus

The Question:

Hello Stavros,
We want to go from Kalambaka to Agios Ioannis (Pelion)on September the 22th .Which bus should we take? and at which moment of the day shall we leave Kalambaka?
Thank you Stavros!
Alexandre.


The Answer:

Hello Alexandre!
To reach Agios Ioannis in Pelion, you need to first take the KTEL bus from Kalampaka to Volos and from there change bus with direction to Agios Ioannis. Buses from Kalampaka to Volos depart at 07.42, 08.53, 11.53, 17.36 and 21.00 and the route lasts 1 hour and 10 minutes. As said before, bus timetables are subject to change at anytime, so it is better always to confirm schedules with the bus station. Bus timetables from Volos to Agios Ioannis are not announced yet, but are quite frequent. In case you wish to call them, the call center from the bus station KTEL in Volos is +30 24210 33254.
Hope I helped!

-Stavros

The New Acropolis Museum

The Question:

Hi Stavros!
Have the 4 original Caryatids been moved to the new Acropolis Museum yet?If so, will the new museum be opened on Oct. 25?How long does it take to get from the Acropolis to the new museum? Is it best to visit the new museum on the way from the Temple of Olympian Zeus to the Acropolis, or on the way from Filopappou hill to the Agoras?
Thanks again,
Marlene


The Answer:

Hello Marlene!
The 4 Caryatids along with the 5th which is a copy will be hosted by the New Acropolis Museum. As far as the opening of the new museum is concerned, according to the official announcement of the Museum, it is going to open some time in the end of 2008 to beggining of 2009. The date has not been specified yet. The ground floor of the New Acropolis Museum is already open for the crowd daily from 10.00 to 12.00, but you can just admire the architecture of the building and the findings in the ground of the museum territory that are protected by glass.
The New Museum is just 5 minutes away from the entrance of the Acropolis and it is on your way from the Temple of Zeus to the Acropolis Hill, on the Dionysiou Aeropagitou pedestrian street.

-Stavros

From Thessaloniki to Igoumenitsa by Bus

The Question:

Kali mera Stavro,
please can you tell me a bus connection from Thessaloniki to Igoumenitsa? Where are the buses starting in Thessaloniki and what is the price? How long is the ride?
Echaristo para poli
Peter


The Answer:

Kali mera Peter!
In order to reach Igoumenitsa by bus, you will first have to reach Ioannina and then change bus with direction to Igoumenitsa. Buses depart from Thessaloniki to Igoumenitsa at 07.30, 11.00, 13.30, 15.00, 18.00 and 21.30, but since bus timetables are subject to change very easily, it is always better to confirm the timetable with the call center of the main bus station in Thessaloniki (+30 2310 500111).
The exact location of the suburban bus station KTEL in Thessaloniki can be seen in a map at http://www.ktel-thes.gr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=93&lang=el. Prices change and depend on the time of the year. The route from Thessaloniki to Igoumenitsa is approximately 5.5 hours.
Hope I helped!

-Stavros

From Evzoni to Igoumenitsa by Car

The Question:

Which way to chose from Evzoni to Igoumenitsa:
1. Evzoni (E75) (FYROM border) - Katerini - Larisa (E92) - Trikala - Kalampaka - Metsovo - Ioannina - Anatoli - Paramythia (E90) - Igoumenitsa
or
2. Evzoni (E75) - Chalastra (E90) - Ellisporitos - Kozani (E90) - Siatista - road to Kalampaka - Malakasio (E92) - Ioannina - then same to Igoumenitsa.
Whic one is better? Which one is shorter and how many km?
What is your suggestion?
thanks a lot!


The Answer:

Hello there!
I would recommend the second route, although the ideal option would be for you to start from Evzoni continue through E75 heading to Thessaloniki, then exit to Katerini, enter the E90 motorway, Egnatia Odos, pass by Grevena and Votonosi and finally take the exit to Igoumenitsa.
The distance is 395km from which 223km are on motorways and it will take you approximately 5 hours to reach your destination.
Hope I helped!

-Stavros

How much do the metro tickets and the Acropolis tickets cost?

The Question:

Hi Stavros,
I have several more questions:
How much does it cost to ride the Metro?How much is a day ticket?Where do we buy the tickets?Is it easy to buy Metro tickets, with directions in English? How much is a ticket to the Acropolis and what other sites does the ticket include?
You are such a help!
Thank you,
Marlene


The Answer:

Hello Marlene!
The metro tickets cost 0.80€ and can be used for all means of trasport within 1,5 hours. The day ticket on the other hand costs 3€. Tickets can be bought from the automatic machines inside the metro stations or from the cashiers which can also be found inside the metro stations. The automatic machines as well as the cashiers will help you in english and there are maps and guidelines everywhere in the metro in both english and greek, so it is quite easy to move around.
The ticket to the Acropolis costs 12€ and 6€ (the reduced one) and also includes other sites such as the Acropolis Museum, the Ancient Agora, the Cemetery, the Roman Forum, the Olympion, the Archaeological museum of Keramikos and the museum of the Ancient Agora.
Hope this is useful to you!

-Stavros

Recommended Sight Tour in Athens

The Question:

Hi Stavros!
I'm writing and asking a second request. We (two of us) will be in Athens for one day - a Saturday in October. We arrive and depart on a cruise ship. I would like to list the sites we would like to see and ask that you put then in the order that would be best for our walking tour. We plan to take the Green line of the metro from the Piraeus station, change to the Red line at Ononia and get off at Akropoli. If this is not the best way, please tell me.
These are the sites we want to see:
Acropolis
Filopappou Hill
Plaka
Ancient Agora
Roman Forum/RomanAgora
Hadrian's Arch
Temple of Olympian Zeus
Olympic Stadium
Changing of the Guard
National Garden
Then we need to know where to get the metro to go back to the ship. What time must we be at the metro station in order to be at the ship by 4:45? Can we do all this in one day if we get to Akropoli station by 8 a.m.?
Some of the places we just want to look at - arch, stadium, Temple of O Zeus. Some we just want to walk through - Agoras and Plaka.
Please give us any suggestions that you have to make this day work out for us.
Thank you so much,
Marlene


The Answer:

Hello Marlene!
So these are a lot sights to visit in just one day and in your case few hours.
In order to be at the Piraeus port at 4.45, you need to take the subway from the "Monastiraki" station (green line) at 4.15.
As a result here is a quick sight plan that you can follow if you arrive at 08.00 at the "Acropolis" station.
Firstly, visit Hadrian's Arch and the Temple of Olympian Zeus which is 5 minutes from the Acropolis station and will take you about 40 minutes. Then head to the Acropolis, which will take you at least 1,5 hour and then visit the Filopappou hill which is close nearby and will take you 1 hour. From there take the road through the Acropolis and Pnyka and walk down the Ancient Agora and at tha same time you will also walk through the Roman Agora. As soon as you have finished with that you will be in Plaka, so pay a quick visit. This will take you almost 1.5-2 hours. You can stop for midday break and eat something or if you're still feeling strong, you can catch the subway from "Monastiraki" and take off at Syntagma, to see the guards and the change of the shift in front of the Greek Parliament.
You won't have enough time for the National Garden and the Olympic Stadium, unless you visit these sights after the Temple of Zeus and Hadrian's Arch and omit the Acropolis, but this would be a shame and pity in my opinion.
Hope I have helped!

-Stavros

From Pyrgos to Kalamata by public transport

The Question:

Hello
How do I travel by public transport.. train or bus from Kyllini to Kalamata. Is it possible to get timetable of trains and buses from Pyrgos to Kalamata?

The Answer:

Hello!
In order to reach Kalamata you need to take a suburban bus (KTEL) from Pyrgos. There is also a suburban bus connecting Kyllini with Pyrgos, so as soon as you arrive at Pyrgos, you will have to change buses to reach Kalamata. There is no specific timetable since bus timetables change very often, but if you are interested in learning more, maybe it is better to call them at the Pyrgos Bus station +30 26210 22592.

-Stavros

From Athens International Airport to Aegina

The Question:

Dear Mr. Stavros,
How and how fast fast we could get from the Athens airport to Aegina?Our son is a musician on a theatre ship (Caravan Stage Co.) that will leave Aegina to go through the Corinth Canal to Kaito. He said we could ride with him. This will be sometime around the time we get to Athens, but right now, we do not know exactly when. In case we get to Athens in time to meet up with them for this adventure, we want to know how to move as quickly as possible through customs and head off to Aegina.
Thanks
CathyB

The Answer:

Hello Cathy!
As soon as you arrive at the Athens International Airport, then you have 2 options: either to take a taxi to the port of Piraeus and from there take the ferry to Aegina or to take the bus (X96) from the airport straight to the port of Piraeus and then take the ferry to Aegina. Depending on the day and the time of the day that you will arrive the traffic can be strong and it can take you up to 40-45 minutes to reach the port. From there the ferry route with a flying dolphin (highspeed ferry to Aegina) is 40 minutes.
Hope I have helped!

-Stavros

From Igoumenitsa to Thessaloniki by Car

The Question:

Pls inform us about approximately travel duration /hours drive/ by car from Thessaloniki to Igoumenitsa.
Thanks for your help.
Best regards,
Ana

The Answer:

Hello Ana!
The route from Igoumenitsa to Thessaloniki is 5 hours and 15 minutes approximately. It is 417km from which 221km are on motorways. It is recommended that you take the road through Ioannia, Trikala, Larisa, Katerini and then you will arrive in Thessaloniki.
Hope I helped!

-Stavros

Taxi Cost from Thessaloniki to Volos

The Question:

How much does a taxi cost from Thessalonike to Volos ?
Best wishes,
Tim

The Answer:

Hello Tim!
Since the route is quite long, a pre-booked taxi will take you around 200-250 euros. The price varies according to the taxi company though but this is a general idea.
Hope I helped!

-Stavros

How to ask for a return bus ticket in Greek

The Question:

Hello Stavros,
Is it possible to buy a return bus ticket when travelling in Lesbos and how would I ask for that in Greek please.

The Answer:

Hello!
Of course it is possible to buy a return bus ticket!
You can ask for a "met' epistrofis isitirio", which actually means "return ticket".

-Stavros

Ferry connection between Lesvos and Lavrion

The Question:

Are there any ferries between Sigri (lesvos) and Lavrion in september?

The Answer:

Hello there!
As far as I have checked there is no ferry connection between those two destinations during September!

-Stavros

From Pelion to Volos and Skopelos

The Question:

Hello Stavros,
we want to go on 8th of September from Mourisi (Pelion) to Volos and from there to Skopelos on the same day. We booked a studio for this evening and the following on Skopelos, so we have to arrive this day.We have found only one connection from Hellenic Seaways from Volos to Skopelos on this day. The departure time is 9:00AM. With the first bus from Mouirisi we can\'t catch this ferry boat. Are there any other ferry boat connections on this day to Skopelos, which we could take? Else, do you have any other idea?
Thank you very much Stavros,
Jakob


The Answer:

Hello Jakob!
On the 8th of Septemeber there is also a ferry departing from the port of Volos at 14.30. So maybe this is more suitable for you. If you want to check ferry itineraries, just visit www.fantasticgreece.com.
I hope you will make it on time!

-Stavros