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| Population |
10,964,020 (2001)
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| Religions |
| Greek Orthodox |
97.6% |
| Muslim |
1.3% |
| Roman Catholic |
0,4% |
| Protestant |
0,1% |
| Other (including Jewish) |
0.6% |
| source: www.Greekembassy.org |
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| Languages |
• The official language is Greek (spoken by 99% of the population).
• The most commonly used foreign language is English.
• Most of Greek people dealing with tourism also speak some French, German or
Italian. |
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Formal country name: Hellenic
Republic
Regime: Parliamentary republic
 Flag description: Nine equal horizontal
stripes of blue alternating with white; there is a blue square in the upper hoist-side
corner bearing a white cross.
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| International
organization participation |
Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA,
IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU,
ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA,
Schengen Convention, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL,
UNMIS, UNOMIG, UNWTO, UPU,
WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO,
WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC.
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| Environment
- international agreements |
Party
to: Air Pollution,
Air Pollution-Nitrogen
Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur
94, Antarctic-Environmental
Protocol, Antarctic-Marine
Living Resources,
Antarctic Treaty, Bio diversity, Climate
Change, Desertification,
Endangered Species,
Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes,
Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Nuclear Test
Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,
Ship Pollution, Tropical
Timber 83, Tropical
Timber 94, Wetlands
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| Signed,
but not ratified:
Air Pollution-Persistent
Organic Pollutants,
Air Pollution-Volatile
Organic Compounds, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol. |
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| January 1, January 6,
Lent Monday, March 25, Holy and Good
Friday, Easter Monday, May 1, Whit Monday,
August 15, October 28, December 25,26
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The
climate varies according to region.
In central and western Greece
the temperature is higher than
in Northern Greece. Generally
mild winters and warm summers.
From April to October, the winds
vary significantly from area to
area, in terms of direction, strength
and duration. Long periods of
sunshine.
Annual rainfall also varies according
to region. The average annual
rainfall in the Greek capital,
Athens, is 400 mm. Snow is common
on the mountains and in Northern
Greece. |
|
| Average
Temperatures |
Month |
Athens & Southern Greece |
Thessaloniki & Northern Greece |
| January |
52°F - 12°C |
45°F - 8°C |
| February |
54°F - 13°C |
51°F - 11°C |
| March |
58°F - 15°C |
54°F - 13°C |
| April |
65°F - 19°C |
65°F - 19°C |
| May |
74°F - 24°C |
74°F - 24°C |
| June |
86°F - 30°C |
86°F - 30°C |
| July |
92°F - 33°C |
90°F - 32°C |
| August |
92°F - 33°C |
90°F - 32°C |
| September |
82°F - 28°C |
80°F - 27°C |
| October |
72°F - 23°C |
69°F - 21°C |
| November |
63°F - 18°C |
58°F - 15°C |
| December |
56°F - 14°C |
50°F - 10°C |
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| Alternating current,
220 volts, 50 Hz. Appliances for 110
or 120 volts may be operated by using
step-down transformers of 220/110 volts
connected to each outlet, provided that
these transformers have two separate
windings which will eliminate any danger
of electric shock. |
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| Adequate, modern networks
reach all areas. IDD available throughout
the country. |
- domestic: microwave
radio relay trunk system; extensive
open wire connections; submarine cable
to offshore islands
- international: tropospheric scatter;
8 submarine cables; satellite earth
stations - 2 Intel sat (1 Atlantic
Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), 1 Eutelsat,
and 1 Inmarsat (Indian Ocean region).
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| The telephone system
supports international payphone cards
usage. |
| OTE is the Greek
Telecommunication Organization. |
| There are two different
dialing systems in Greece. Tone and
pulse. Therefore telephone sets must
be able to change from one system to
the other. Dual voltage (220/110 volts
50/60 hz) power adapters for wireless
telephone sets are required. |
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| Dialing
codes |
Country
code: +30
Every city has a different area
code (e.g. for Athens 210 or 211
for new numbers). |
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| Call
Information |
•
Call 11888 for telephone directory
information
• Call 139
for international call information |
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| Mobile
telephony |
Good
mobile telephone service supported
by GSM 900 and 1800 networks around
the country |
| Greek
cell phone companies |
| Cosmote |
(+30) 697 plus seven
digits |
| Vodafone |
(+30)
694 or 695 plus seven digits |
| Wind |
(+30)
693 plus seven digits |
| Q-telecom |
(+30)
699 plus seven digits |
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| Public
telephones |
Most
public telephones do not accept
coins. A telephone card is necessary.
In some cases using your credit
card is possible. |
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| Fax
services |
Available
at: Post offices, OTE shops, Hotels,
Bookstores, photocopy shops etc |
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| Telegram
services |
Available
at: Post offices, OTE shops, Hotels
etc
Call 136 to send a telegram or
to obtain more information. |
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| Tourism
police |
171 |
| Telephone Directory information
(plus information on entertainment) |
11888 |
| OTE (Organization of Greek Telecommunications)
customer service |
134 |
| Telegram service domestic - international |
136 |
| International calls information |
139 |
| Emergency police
line |
100 |
| Fire
Brigade |
199
(forests 191) |
| Emergency port authority line |
108 |
| Emergency air police line |
210 9642000 |
| Ferry
schedules, KTEL
bus schedules and Railway schedule
information (recorded messages) |
14944 |
| Telepost |
210
3237051 |
| National center of emergency
Aid |
166
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| Athens & Piraeus Pharmacy information |
14944 |
| Weather & Pollution report |
14944 |
| Time |
14844 |
| ELPA
(Hellenic Automobile Touring Club) Tourism Information (08:00-15:00) |
10400 |
| Consumers Institute |
1721
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| Consumer Protection Organization |
210
3304444 |
| European emergency service |
112 |
| GNTO
(Hellenic Tourism Organization) |
210 8707000 |
| Olympic
Games Committee |
210 6878888 |
| Tourist Protection Line |
1572 |
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| AM 26, FM 88, short wave
4 (1998) |
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| Television
broadcast stations |
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| 36 (plus 1,341 low-power
repeaters); also two stations in the
US Armed Forces Radio and Television
Service (1995) |
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| Easy access in many internet
cafes all over the country. |
| Internet country code:
.gr |
| Internet Service Providers
(ISPs): 27 (2000) |
| Greek search engines:
in.gr, google.gr |
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| There are Post offices in
most towns and cities and on most of
the islands. |
| Post office hours: Mon
to Fri 0800 – 1400. There are some central
Post Offices in big cities that are
open Mon to Fri from 0800-2000 and Sat
0800 – 13.30 |
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| 27 Daily newspapers |
| International press available
at many kiosks. |
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| Euro (EUR) (since 1/1/2002) |
| Former currency: drachma
(GRD) (1 euro=340.75 grd) |
| See
also: Traveling to Greece > Currency
regulations |
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| There are many Bureaus
de Change throughout the country
open from morning until late evening.
You can also exchange money at banks
(commission varies). Banks are open
Mon-Thu from 0800 - 1430 and Fri from
0800-1400. There are some banks in central
locations in Athens (Omonia, Syntagma)
open in the afternoon. |
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| Visa, Diners Club, American
Express, Master Card are accepted at
most shops and restaurants. |
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| Shopping hours vary.
In Athens and other big cities shopping
hours are: |
| In
winter |
| Mon., Wed and Sat |
0900 - 1500 |
| Tue, Thu and Fri |
from 0900 - 1400 &
1700 - 2000 |
Biggest stores
& Super markets |
| Mon. - Sat |
0800 or 0900
- 2100 |
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| In
summer |
| Mon., Wed and Sat |
0900 - 1500 |
| Tue, Thu and Fri |
0900 - 1400 & 1700
- 2100 |
Biggest stores
& Super markets |
| Mon. - Sat |
0800 or 0900
- 2100 |
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| Entertainment
and culture |
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| Nightlife |
Restaurants
and cafe bars are open until
0230 or 0300 on Friday and
Saturday and until 0130
on other weekdays.
Usually, nightclubs are
open from 10.00p.m until
dawn. |
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| Cultural
Entertainment |
There
are many Theatres in Greece.
Every summer, many festivals
take place in different
Greek
ancient theatres. Greek
Museums
are one more attraction.
Contact the Ministry
of Culture for information
on opening hours and ticket
prices.
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| Information
on entering Greece |
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| Greece is signatory to
the 1995 Schengen Agreement. |
All E.U. citizens can
enter Greece without a passport or visa.
A valid ID card is required. British
citizens should have their passport
as they have no other ID card. Driving
licenses are not accepted instead of
an ID card. The following documents
are also valid: a) Laissez-passer issued
by the U.N., the E.U, the High Authority
of European Coal and Steel Community
or the E.E.C. and Laissez-passer issued
according to the Dublin Convention of
1990, only valid for the transfer described
therein. b) documents issued to stateless
persons and refugees according to the
Geneva convention of 1951 and the New
York convention of 1954. c) Hong Kong
certificate of Identity issued by the
previous British Administration.
d)Expired passports of nationals of
Austria,
Belgium, France,
Luxembourg,
Portugal,
Spain
and Switzerland
(maximum five years) and nationals
of
Germany (maximum one year).
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A Visa is not required
for the following people if they intend
to stay in Greece for up to three months:
a) Nationals of Andora,
Argentina, Australia,
Bolivia,
Brazil,
Brunei,
Bulgaria,
Canada, Chile,
Costa
Rica,
Croatia, Cyprus,
Czech
Republic, Ecuador,
El
Salvador,
Estonia, Guatemala,
Honduras,
Hungary,
Iceland,
Israel, Japan,
Korea Rep., Latvia,
Liechtenstein,
Lithuania,
Malaysia, Malta,
Mexico, Monaco,
New Zealand, Nicaragua,
Norway,
Panama,
Paraguay,
Poland,
Romania, San
Marino, Singapore,
Slovak
Rep., Slovenia,
Uruguay,
U.S.A.,
Vatican City and Venezuela.
b) holders of passports who are described
as "British Subject, Citizen of
the
United Kingdom, Islands and Colonies"
c) holders of Hong
Kong, China
or Macao and China passports.
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| For visits exceeding
3 months, authorization must be obtained
in person by applying to the Aliens
Bureau at least 20 days prior to the
3-month expiration date. |
| Information |
Office |
Address |
Contact
|
| Aliens
Bureau |
173,
Alexandras Ave., 11522 Athens |
(+30)
210 7705711-7 |
| Aliens
Center |
37,
Iroon Politechniou St., 185 10
Piraeus |
(+30)
210 4122501, 210 4241333, 210
4128607 |
| Aliens
Center |
25,
Tsimiski St. Thessaloniki |
(+30)
2310 521067 |
| Aliens
Center |
73
D. Gounari, Maroussi (Athens Suburbs) |
(+30)
210 8024808 |
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| In all nationality cases
a Visa is required if the traveler does
not hold a valid ID card or a valid
passport. |
| Citizens of all other
countries should contact the nearest
Greek
Consulate office or the Greek
Embassy in order to be properly
informed on visa requirements.
|
Entrance is refused to
a) Nationals of Turkey whose passport
indicates that they have visited or
intend to visit North Cyprus and holders
of documents issued by the Authorities
of North Cyprus.
b) Holders of passports issued by Bophutaswana,
Ciskei, Transkei or Venda, of Norwegian
"Fremmedpass" or "Reisbevis",
Somalian passports issued after 23/01/1991and
Ethiopian Emergency passports. |
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•
Tourist and business (single and
multiple entry)
• Transit
(single and double) |
| Processing
Time and Fees |
•
A processing time of approximately
five days should be anticipated
in most cases.
•
Fees depend on the nationality
of the applicant, and are
determined by reciprocity
between Greece and the respective
country.
• In
addition to the visa fee,
a non-refundable $4,65 application
fee is required. |
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| Requested
supporting documents |
•
Visa application form duly
filled out and signed by
the applicant. Applications
are available upon request,
and may be photocopied or
downloaded ( GREEK -- ENGLISH).
• Valid passport.
• Green card.
• One recent
passport-size photograph
of the applicant.
•
Proof of availability of
sufficient funds to support
stay in Greece.
•
Destination in Greece and
references, if available.
• Money order,
certified check, or cash
payable to the consulate
of Greece for the visa processing.
• Letter of reference
from employer.
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Note:
The consulate reserves the right
to ask for further documentation, in
addition to the above mentioned.
The applicant must appear in person
for an interview at the consulate
nearest to his/her place of residence.
In case the applicant is unable
to appear in person he/she should
contact the consulate for instructions.
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| No vaccinations are required
before entering the country. |
| For visitors at high
risk of rabies infection, vaccination
should be considered. |
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| A yellow fever vaccination
certificate is required from all travelers
over six months of age coming from infected
areas. |
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Although Greece is geographically
situated in southeast Europe, health
precaution measures that apply in this
country’s case are the same as those
for traveling to Western Europe.
Tourists visiting Greece in the summer
must keep in mind that the sun radiation
and the heat may be very intense. |
| Supplementary
information:
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/westeurp.htm |
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| Importation of foreign
currency, gold and gold coins are free
and unlimited. Banknotes of more than
€10000 and import of gold, gold plated
objects or other precious metals must
be declared at customs in order to avoid
complications on departure. |
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| You can travel to Greece
with your pet but you have to carry
with you some health and vaccination
certificates. Rabies inoculation must
take place not more than 12 months (for
cats six months) and not less than six
days prior to arrival. You have to contact
the company operating the schedule that
interests you in order to be properly
informed on all regulations. |
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Most of the major international
airline companies operate flights to
Greece.
Greece has 17 international airports.
There are frequent direct flights to
and from every major European City,
to and from the USA,
CANADA,
Australia,
Cyprus,
Sofia,
Istanbul and various Asian cities.
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| Flight
duration |
•
From London
to Athens: 3 hours 15 minutes
• From Los
Angeles to Athens: 18 hours
35 minutes
• From New
York to Athens: 10 hours 10
minutes
• From Singapore
to Athens: 11 hours 25 minutes
• From Sydney
to Athens: 22 hours 5 minutes |
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| Athens
(ATH) |
• 27km (17 miles) northeast of the
city center. This is the biggest
airport in Greece and the only
one serving the capital of the
country. It received its first
visitors in March 2001.
• Check in countries: 157
• Passengers per year:16.000.000
• Airport facilities: duty-free
shops, car hire (Avis, Budget,
Hertz, Europcar and Sixt), 24-hour
banks, cash machines, bureau de
change, bar and restaurant facilities,
post office, business center and
hotel.
• There are regular
airport buses running 24 hours
from the Centre (Syntagma)
and the port of Piraeus.
The ticket costs €3,20 and is
valid for one trip to or from
the airport and unlimited travel
by all other public transport
modes (buses, trolley buses, metro)
for 90 minutes, except E22 bus line, from the time of
its validation during first trip
(validate only once). The airport
ticket can be purchased from the
drivers of the airport buses,
at all metro stations and at bus
ticket outlets.
• Athens International Airport is also accessible by Athens Metro line 3
(Blue).
• Attica Suburban Railway is also connected to Athens Metro line 1 in
Neratziotissa station and Athens Metro line 3 in Doukissis Plakentias
station. More info at
tel. 210-5272000, www.proastiakos.gr.
• Athens Airport is also connected
with Athens Railway station (Central-Northern Greece Terminal) by Metro Line 3
(Blue) up to Syntagma conjunction and boarding Line 2 (Red) towards
Agios Antonios terminal station to Stathmos Larissis.
• Athens Airport is also connected
with a) Rafina port by KTEL bus
lines and b) Maroussi. This service
is offered by the Municipality
of Maroussi and is free.
For more information contact the Airport
transportation services.
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| Other
big airports |
Thessaloniki
(SKG) (Micra) is 16km (10
miles) from the city. Regular
coach and taxi services are available.
There is a duty-free shop, cafeteria
and bar. |
| Heraklion
(HER) (Crete) is 5km (3 miles)
from the city. Bus and taxi services
are available. Airport facilities
include a cafeteria and a duty-free
shop. |
| Corfu
(CFU) (Kerkyra) is 3km (2
miles) from the city. Regular
coach and taxi services are available.
There is a duty-free shop, cafeteria
and bar. |
| Rhodes
(RHO) (Paradisi) is 16km (10 miles)
from the city. Coach and taxi
services are available. Airport
facilities include a duty-free
shop, car hire (Avis, Rent-a-car),
bank and bureau de change, cafe
and a 24-hour bar. |
| There
are also international airports
at Chania
(CHQ), Kalamata
(KLX), Karpathos
(AOK), Kavala
(KVA), Kefalonia
(EFL), Kos
(KGS), Lesvos
(Mytilini) (MJT), Mykonos
(JMK), Preveza (Lefkos) (PVK),
Samos
(SMI), Skiathos
(JSI), Thira
(Santorini) (JTR) and Zakynthos
(ZTH), most of which serve predominantly
summer traffic.
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There are direct ferry
connections between Greece and the following
countries:
Italy (from and to Patra,
Kerkyra
(Corfu)and
Igoumenitsa) and Turkey.
Turkey (from and to Mytilini
(Lesvos), Rhodes and Chios, Samos and Kos)
• Since 2001 there have been no
more routes to Cyprus, Egypt and Israel
operated by cruise
lines.
• Other major Greek
ports are Piraeus, Rafina, Lavrio,
Thessaloniki,
Volos
and
Heraklion.
• In summer
there are more connections and it is
possible that international schedules
are operated to and from more Greek
ports.
Find all available information on
international ferry schedules through the Greek Travel Pages (GTP)
website
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| Transportation
to / from ports: |
•
Patra
port: The port of Patra is next
to the Railway station and to
the Local and Intercity (KTEL)
bus station. There are taxis serving
passengers. Some shipping companies provide bus services from Athens.
• Kerkyra,
Igoumenitsa,
Lesvos,
Rhodes, Chios, Kos, Samos, Mytilini:
Bus services from 05.30 - 22.00
(approximately) and taxi services.
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| International
Railway schedules |
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| The national railway
company is Hellenic Railways Organization
Ltd (OSE) (web site: www.osenet.gr
and www.ose.gr). |
| Services |
•
Transportation services for passengers,
luggage, parcels and merchandise.
• Carriages with beds, restaurant,
snack bar. |
|
| Tourism
Information services |
•
Big time table boards at all stations,
tourism information desks at major
stations, free timetable leaflets
distribution. For complaints passengers
should address to the head-officers
of the stations. Call
1110
for
schedules information (recorded
messages). More information: (+30)
210 3627947 and (+30) 210 5297777.
There are direct railway connections
between Greece and the following
countries: Romania, Bulgaria,
Slovenia, FYROM, Czechia and Turkey. |
|
Also, OSE offers bus
transportation services between Greece
and other countries by the following
coach schedules:
Athens Thessaloniki Xanthi Patra to
Istanbul, Tirana, Filipoupolis, Varna,
Vernico Tarnovo Koritsa, Filipoupoli
(via Ormenio) and Sofia (via Ormenio).
European tourists may contact Eurostar
(tel: (01233) 617 599 (travel agents)
or (08705) 186 186 (public; within the
UK) or (01233) 617 575 (public; outside
the UK); web site: www.eurostar.com),
Rail Europe (tel: (08705) 848 848. Url:
http://www.raileurope.com
) and SNCF in Paris (tel: (8) 36 353
535 in order to be informed on ways
to reach Greece.
The central arrival and departure point
for all international railway schedules
is Thessaloniki railway station, next
to Dimokratias (Democracy) Square. (Information:
(+30) 2310 517517).
At the station there are restrooms,
information office, restaurant and snack
bar, press kiosks and some small gift
shops.
Transportation to/from station: Taxi
and public bus services.
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These five border stations
operate and provide services 24 hours
every day.
Drivers can also enter Greece by car-ferry
(see “International
Ports”). |
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Traveling within Greece
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| Athens
|
In
Athens there are trolley buses
(ILPAP), regular buses (ETHEL)
and three metro lines. Tickets
for buses and trolley buses can
be purchased from the Athens Urban
Transport Organization (OASA)
at various booths and kiosks situated
around the city. Only Bus Line
number 040 (Syntagma - Piraeus)
and the bus lines to the Airport
operate 24-hour schedules.
For further information contact
OASA at 15 Metsovou Street, 10682
Athens (tel: 210 883 6076; fax:
210 821 2219; e-mail: oasa@otenet.gr.
The web site of the Organization
of Urban Transportation of Athens
(OASA) www.oasa.gr is a user-friendly
site with much valuable information.
Information is also available
by phoning 185. |
| Metro:
Athens has a reliable subway system
(ISAP) that consists of three
major lines. Line 1 (Green) runs
between Kifissia (Athens-NE) and Piraeus (SW) daily
05:00-00:15 and 05:00-02:00 every Friday and Saturday. Line 2 (Red) runs between
Agios Antonios, Peristeri (Athens-N,NW) and Agios
Dimitrios (Athens-S,SE) and Line 3 (Blue) runs
between the Athens Airport at Spata (Attica-E) and Egaleo (Athens-W).
Tickets can be purchased at every
Metro and ISAP station. Information
on timetables and schedules can
be found at Athens Metro web site.
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| Tram:
Operating since 2004, the Tram is conducting urban transportation with two lines
both starting at Syntagma square (Athens centre) and continuing via
Paleo Faliro (Athens-S) to a. Piraeus (Attica SW) or b.
Voula (Attica SE). Tickets can be purchased from the automatic sales
machines located at each station, or from the Athens Urban
Transport Organization (OASA)
at various booths and kiosks situated
around the city of Athens. For more information call (+30) 210-9978000, (+30)
210-9978035, (+30) 210-9978057. Website: www.tramsa.gr. |
| Thessaloniki |
In
Thessaloniki there is regular
bus service. Tickets can be purchased
from the Thessaloniki Urban Transport
Organization (OASTH) desks from
0700 - 2100.
For further information contact
OASTH at 90, Papanastasiou St.,
Thessaloniki.(Web site: www.oasth.gr,
tel. (+30) 2310 981100,
(+30) 2310 981250. For complaints
call
(+30)
2310-981207 and (+30) 2310 949103.
Bus schedule information is available
by phoning 185. |
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| Rates are per km. Taxi
routes to/from stations, ports and airports,
carriage of luggage heavier than 10kg
and call taxi services are charged extra.
All taxi drivers must have the official
price list in their taxi and must turn
on their counter. There is an additional
charge from 0100-0600 (double fare).
Taxi drivers tend to pick up passengers
for more than one route. In order to
do so, they must ask your permission. |
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| There are 37
airports in Greece |
Olympic
Air
domestic destinations |
From |
To |
| Athens |
Alexandroupolis, Astypalea, Chania (Crete), Chios, Heraklion, Ikaria, Ioannina, Kalamata, Karpathos, Kassos, Kastellorizo, Kastoria, Kavala, Kefalonia, Kerkyra (Corfu), Kythira, Kos, Kozani, Limnos, Leros, Milos, Mykonos, Mytilini (Lesvos), Naxos, Paros, Preveza-Aktion, Rhodes, Samos, Santorini (Thira), Sitia, Skiathos, Skyros, Syros, Thessaloniki, Zakynthos (Zante) |
| Rhodes |
Heraklion, Karpathos, Kassos, Kastellorizo, Kos, Mykonos, Santorini (Thira) |
| Chios |
Mykonos, Samos, Thessaloniki |
| Heraklion |
Santorini (Thira), Mykonos, Paros |
| Karpathos |
Kassos, Sitia |
| Kefalonia |
Zakynthos |
| Kos |
Leros, Samos |
| Mykonos |
Mytilini |
| Thessaloniki |
Chania, Heraklion, Ioannina, Kavala, Kerkyra, Kos, Lemnos, Mykonos, Mytilini, Rhodes, Samos, Santorini. |
|
Aegean Airlines
domestic destinations |
From |
To |
| Athens |
Alexandroupolis, Chania (Crete), Chios, Heraklion, Ioannina, Kavala, Kefalonia, Kerkyra (Corfu), Kos, Limnos, Mykonos, Mytilini (Lesvos), Rhodes, Samos, Santorini (Thira), Thessaloniki
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| Thessaloniki |
All year: Chania, Heraklion, Mytilini, Rhodes
Summer only: Kos, Mykonos, Santorini (Thira)
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AirSea Lines
Sea plane services
domestic destinations |
From |
To |
| Kerkyra (Corfu) |
Ioannina, Ithaki, Kefalonia, Lefkada, Patra, Paxos
|
| Ioannina |
Kerkyra (Corfu)
|
| Ithaki |
Kerkyra (Corfu), Kefalonia, Patra
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| Kefalonia |
Kerkyra (Corfu), Ithaki, Patra |
| Lefkada |
Kerkyra (Corfu) |
| Patra |
Kerkyra (Corfu), Ithaki, Kefalonia
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| Paxos |
Kerkyra (Corfu) |
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There are also regular
services to the Greek Aegean Islands
(including Cyclades,
Dodecanissa,
North
Aegean Sea and Sporades
islands).
There are also private airline companies
operating schedules to many islands.
At all airports there are bus and taxi
services.
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| There are 525
ports in Greece. There are many
sea connections between the mainland
and the islands (227 inhabited islands)
as well as between islands. There are
ships
of many different types: Car ferries,
catamarans, hydrofoils and high-speed
ships. Certain types are for passengers
only. The
shipping companies announce their
schedules a couple of months before
operation begins. Schedule frequency
is higher in summer.
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| The greatest and closest
port to the Greek capital (Athens) is
Piraeus.
There are routes from Piraeus to most
of the Aegean Sea islands (Cyclades,
Dodekanissos, North Aegean, Argosaronicos
Gulf, Crete, East Aegean) and to some
Peloponnissos
ports. Also there is a connection between
Piraeus and Thessaloniki (Macedonia). More info about Piraeus Port
and how to get there at www.gtp.gr.
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| There are two more ports
serving Attica: Rafina
port and Lavrio
port. |
| Those ports are connected
with Athens by
KTEL orange bus lines. Information: Tel. (+30)
210 8808080
(to Lavrio and Rafina). Website:
www.ktelattikis.gr
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| The main ports that connect
the mainland with the
Ionian Sea Islands (Kerkyra-Corfu, Lefkada, Paxi, Kefallonia, Zakynthos, Ithaki,
Kythira) are Patra,
Igoumenitsa, Kylini
and Gythio. |
| The main ports that connect
the mainland with Sporades
islands (Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonnissos) are:Volos (Magnesia)
and Agios
Konstantinos (Fthiotida). |
| The main ports that connect
northern Greece with some
Aegean islands are Kavala, Alexandroupoli and Thessaloniki. |
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| The main railway station
in Athens is situated at Diligianni
& Filadelfias St. There are two
terminals, one serving northern Greece,
Evia and Europe (Larissis Station) and
the other serving Peloponnissos (Peloponissou
Station). |
| Train
information & tickets |
Hellenic
Railways Organization (OSE), 1
Karolou Street, 104 37 Athens,
tel: (+30)
210 5297002
|
Hellenic
Railways Organization (OSE), 6
Sina Street, Athens,
tel: (+30)
210 3624405 |
| Rail
information |
(+30)
210 529 7777,
1110
(recorded messages),
Web site: www.osenet.gr
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| Car/Vehicle
transportation |
Call
(+30) 210 529 7777 in order to
obtain more information |
| Pets |
Pets,
carried in baskets or other suitable
containers, are allowed aboard
railway carriages. Small dogs
may be hand-carried, provided
they do not annoy fellow passengers |
| Reaching
Athens R/w stations |
There
are many different bus lines to
the Railway Station: 024, 057,
714, 719, 732, A10, A11, A12,
B10, B11, B12, B5, Γ10, Γ12, Ε12.
There is also a metro line stop
(Stathmos Larissis) below the Station.
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| The Greek road network
covers a total of about 116,150 km.. |
| Car |
| Distances
from Athens |
|
| Road
signs |
Road
signs are written in Greek and
Latin characters (according to
Greek pronunciation). |
| Tolls
|
There
are tollgates on many spots both
to Northern Greece and to the
Peloponnese. There are tollgates
on the highway that leads to Athens
airport |
| Importing
vehicles |
EU
citizens may import their car,
caravan, motorcycle, boat or trailer
for a maximum of six months. This
period may be extended to 15 months
for a fee and further paperwork. |
| Rent-a-car
/ Gas stations |
There
are many rent-a-car offices all
over Greece. Gas stations are
easy to reach but tourists must
note that in most cases credit
cards are not accepted. |
| Road
conditions / Safety |
The
road conditions are very different
from place to place. The main
arterial roads and the national
highways are generally safe but
there are several motorways considered
unsatisfactory. On countryside
roads sharp turns are very common.
Drivers must be very careful,
especially at night. They must
remember to have their safety
belts on, to drive without exceeding
the speed limits (100-120 km/h
on highways unless otherwise posted
and 50 km/h in residential areas
unless otherwise posted) and to
drive on the right. Persons up
to 18 years old are not allowed
to drive. Children under 10 must
sit in the back seat. Traffic
and signaling are the same as
in most European countries. Special
care should be taken in Greece
when crossing unguarded railway
crossings. There are high fines
for breaking traffic regulations. |
| Driving
License |
EU
citizens can use their national
driving license. All other visitors
must carry an International Driving
License. |
| Useful
contacts |
Information
on insurance matters:
International Insurance Office
10, Xenofontos street, Athens
Tel. (+30)
210 3334100,
Fax. (+30)
210 3334149, Website:
www.eaee.gr.
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Free
assistance for certain repairs,
general information on driving
around Greece and legal advice:
ELPA Road Assistance Service.
Address: 395 Messogion Street, 153 43 Athens
Call center:
10400,
Tel: (+30) 210 6068800, Fax: (+30)
210 6068981, Website: www.elpa.gr
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KTEL
buses (web site: www.ktel.org)
are
the public buses that operate schedules
around the country. There are many routes
that connect many different locations.
In every prefecture there are local
KTEL buses serving inhabitants and tourists.
Service on the islands depends on demand,
and timetables should be checked carefully.
There are two main KTEL Trunk Routes
Stations in Athens:
- A. At 100 Kifissou Street, Athens (2nd entrance Drakontos & Pappou Streets).
Tel.+30 210 5124910, (+30) 210 5124911, (+30) 210 5124914). Kifissou Trunk Routes station is connected
with Piraeus by bus line 420 and with Athens (Omonia) by bus line number 051.
- B. At 260 Liossion Street. Tel. (+30)
210 8317179. The bus lines that serve transportation to this Terminal are 024, 701,
704, 714, 717, 719, 747, Α10, Α11, Α12, Β10, Β11, Β12, Γ10, Γ12.
For KTEL Bus schedules call: 14505. Taxi service is available at both stations
24h a day.
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| Useful information for people with special needs |
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| In big cities there are special platforms
at every bus/trolley stop so that people in wheelchairs
can easily board. The metro stations and lines are very
easy to access. Many of the cruise ships are equipped
to accommodate people with special needs. People with
special needs have priority at all public offices. At
all airports there are special facilities and services.
Unfortunately access to some archaeological
sites may be difficult. Regarding transportation ticket
prices, in most cases there are discounts. Disabled people
can contact the GNTO
(Hellenic Tourism Organization) Offices worldwide
in order to obtain more information. In 2004 the Special
Olympics took place in Greece. |
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