Transportation

As soon you settle in, you might want to grab a ride to the embassy for a look around. Yet since your car hasn't arrived yet, (if it has already then congratulations to you. It usually takes a couple of months for it to arrive) you might want to check out other forms of transportation.

Taxi

Taxis, everyone's own private chauffeur service…Actually some of the cars don't even have air conditioning but at least they can get you from place to place. Each car has its own meter (required by law now) so you don't have to worry about the price if the meter is on and working. So, when you get in the car - be sure to check! It shouldn't cost more than 5-7 euros anywhere you go, with the exception of the airport.

You have 2 choices on how to "catch" a taxi. The first one is easy: Let the Embassy's Emergency Receptionist help you out. Call the Embassy number - 210-729-4444 -- and ask for a Radio Taxi. This will cost you an extra 1 ½-2 euros. Tell the Embassy operator your name, where you are, and where you want to go. It usually takes about 15-30 minutes for the taxi to arrive, five to ten minutes, if traffic is good. Or you can call ahead for a specific time.

The second way to "catch" a taxi is to, well, "catch" a taxi. You can walk over to any busy street and stand on the sidewalk. Stretch out your hand like you are waving, but do not actually wave. An empty taxi will then stop at your position (more like a rolling stop). While it is stopping, tell (usually yell) the driver where you want to go. Tell him the general vicinity. For example, tell him that you want to go home, then tell the driver what area you live in. (you might say: Kiffisias, Halandri) If the driver will take you to your destination, then he will nod his head and motion for you to come in the taxi. If not, he will drive away. This could be a long process if where you want to go is far away, but eventually you will find one. When you do get in the taxi, tell the Driver the exact address (most speak some English). Most taxi drivers have maps in their cars. If yours does not, then just say the area and you'll have to show him from there. Also some taxi drivers will pick up extra people while you are in the car, if he/she does its ok because usually he/she'll drop you off first.

Bus

Taking the bus in Athens is a breeze - although all the road construction underway for the Olympics has made finding some bus stops a little complicated. Most of us use the buses that go up and down Kiffiseas Avenue, the much torn-up throughway that will take you from the northern suburbs (Kiffisea, Egali, Halandri, Psyhico, Filothei, Halandri) all the way downtown to the Embassy (where the same road is known as Sofias Avenue) and further to Syntagma Square (the big heart of the city). The most common numbers to take is the 450-550, 603 (to Psyhico,) 550 (to Kiffisia and Marousi)and 610 (to Filothei). You need to ask your parents to find out what bus is close to you. Then it is easy! Here is how.

Ok, first of all, you need a ticket. But where do you get a ticket? You can purchase a ticket at most kiosks if they are near bus stops. Also, bus tickets are available in all metro stops. In either case, just go up to the window and ask for the number of tickets you want. Be sure to specify whether you want metro or bus tickets when purchasing tickets in metro stops. This should not be a problem since most of the tellers speak English. If they do not, you can always point to the ticket you want.

So now that you have your ticket, it is time to brave the bus system. When you get on the bus, you have to "punch" your ticket by inserting your ticket into one of the orange boxes found on the bus. These can usually be seen near the doors. The ticket only goes in halfway so do not try to force it. Just keep pushing until you hear a sound similar to a cashier draw closing. Then remove your ticket and you are ready to ride the buses. Now, you will probably see people getting on without punching a ticket and it may seem that no one is checking who pays and who does not. Do not be fooled. There are random bus checks where an inspector will get on at a stop, wait until the doors close, then start working his way down the bus checking tickets. If you are caught without a ticket, you will be forced to pay a fee equal to the price of a month pass.

Now, as with all forms of transportation, it is imperative that you know where you live. Have your parents write down your address on an index card, which you can keep with you at all times. It is best if the address is in Greek so language will not be a problem. If your parents do not speak Greek, do not be shy about asking someone from the embassy. They will happily help you. Also, it is a good idea to memorize landmarks or anything around your house which you can easily recognize. This is especially true on the bus because stops are not announced. Instead you have to push a red button to alert the bus driver to stop.

Metro

The metro is relatively new here in Greece so it is easier to navigate than the buses. Find the closest stop to your house because the metro is usually the best way to get downtown. If you do not have a stop close to you, take a bus to the embassy, then walk past the Music Hall and you will reach Ethniki Amniya. This stop is easy to remember once you are on the metro because it has a little music symbol next to the stop name on the map (look for the map above the doors). When you exit the metro at this stop, be sure to follow the signs to the park.

As with the bus, the metro also requires a ticket. These can be purchased either from a machine (which only takes coins) or from a person at the window. Again, do not worry about being able to speak Greek since many of the people speak English. Even if they don't, they are usually patient enough to allow you time to get your point across.

Unlike the buses, a metro ticket must be validated before you get on the metro. This is done at little boxes (similar to those found on the buses and operated the same way) which are usually between the platforms or tunnels to the platforms and the area where tickets are purchased. A good way to find them is to look for a police station. The ticket boxes can usually be found either next to or in front of these stations.

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This survival guide was created by Erin and Caitlin O’Grady, Foreign Service Teens in Greece. If Athens is your next post or may be your next post and you have questions, email Erin and Caitlin FSTeenAthens@fsyf.org.