Top tips for staying on right track

May 21 2007 Liverpool Echo

THIS guide to transport in and around Athens for Wednesday’s final – and other pieces of information – has been supplied by members of the Liverpool FC Supporters Club, GR Branch, in Athens, and collated by two members, Theo Peppas (father) & Thanos Peppas (son).

All the information will be available at their website: www.liverpool.gr, in the English section.

TICKET PRICES

Metro Railway System: 0.80 euros for Metro Line 1 to 3 zones; 0.70 euros for Metro Line 1 to 2 zones; 0.40 euros for students for all the zones.

Buses and the trolleys: 0.50 euros; 0.25 euros for students.

Special ticket prices 1.00 euro. This is for all the transportation, including buses, metro, trolleys and tram, but only for 1hr 50mins from validation time; 0.50 euros for student ticket.

Daily ticket: 3.00 euros. For all transportation for 24 hours from the validation time.

Weekly ticket: 10.00 euros.

IMPORTANT: All the above tickets are not acceptable from and to Athens International Airport, as there are different tickets for buses and trains.

However, you will be able to use the tickets above up to Doukissis Plakentias station. From Plakentias station to the airport or from the airport to Monastiraki or Syntagma you will have to use different tickets. Prices (and packages for 2/3 people) below:

Ticket for the Express buses X95 and X96: 3.20 euros, 1.60 euros for students. Ticket for the Metro railway systems (from Monastiraki or Syntagma to Athens International or reverse) 6.00 euros, 3.00 euros for students. Ticket for 2 persons by Metro: 10.00 euros; for 3 persons 15.00 euros.

Do not use the suburban railway! It is more expensive and more complicated as you are not able to go to the centre of Athens so use the Metro.

SECTION 1

From Athens International Airport to Syntagma Square and Piraeus.

Go out the arrivals gate and you will find the terminal stops of our two buses, X95 and X96.

X95 Athens International – Syntagma Square: This is the one that most fans are going to use on their way to Syntagma. There are 16 bus stops to Syntagma (remember it is an Express line).

X96 Athens International – Piraeus: Almost the same but this one goes on to Piraeus port and makes a stop at the Municipal theatre of Piraeus. This bus goes all the way down Poseidonos Avenue, with stops at Glyfada and Voula suburbs.

Central points are Syntagma Square, Piraeus and Omonoia. The final destination is Eirini, home of OAKA stadium.

SECTION 2:

Railway system: There are three railway systems that you may use. The first that some fans will use is the blue line from the airport to Monastiraki.

METRO LINE 1 (ISAP) – PIRAEUS – KIFISSIA (green). METRO LINE 2 (METRO) – AGIOS ANTONIOS – AGIOS DIMITRIOS (red). METRO LINE 3 (METRO) – MONASTIRAKI – DOUKISSIS PLAKENTIAS –AIRPORT (blue)

On Line 1 there are 24 stations, separated in three zones. From Piraeus to Monastiraki is zone 1, from Omonoia to Ano Patissia is zone 2 and from Perissos to Kifissia is zone 3.

The tickets differ from the other two lines. If you want to go through the three zones you will have to use an 0.80 euros ticket, but if you go through only 2 zones (for instance from Attiki to Eirini) you will buy 0.70 euros ticket.

There are no zones on lines 2 and 3.

For Line 3, all routes are from Monastiraki to Ethniki Amyna and Doukissis Plakentias. The routes from Monastiraki to airport are every half hour.

If fans would like to avoid the trouble of traffic jams, I suggest they use Metro Line 3 (blue), which goes from Athens International Airport to Monastiraki, and has got a stop at Syntagma Square before the terminal station, Monastiraki.

If your hotel or destination is in Piraeus there’s nothing to worry about. Get off at Monastiraki station and just change line. You will have to go up the stairs and find the information that says Piraeus – Kifissia. Once you find it, take Metro Line 1 train to Piraeus.

SECTION 3: To and from OAKA Stadium by train.

WHEREVER you would like to go, use the Metro. It is faster.

The best way of going to the stadium – the Olympic Athletic Centre of Athens – will definitely be the train line 1 (green). The station which is next to the stadium is Eirini. You will be able to see the stadium on your right as the train goes down to Kifissia. Getting to the stadium from the centre of Athens by train is easy.

From Metro Line 1 directly to Eirini Station is on Green Line 1. If you take the train from Piraeus, you will count 20 stations.

From Metro Line 2 you change at Omonoia. If you are staying in the centre of Athens and you are near Syntagma Square, take Metro Line 2 to Agios Antonios. Count two stations and get off at Omonoia. After you disembark, take the stairs and change from Metro Line 2 to Metro Line 1.

Make sure that you take the train which goes to Kifissia or Eirini.

If your hotel is near a station on Metro Line 3, things are simple enough. Go to Monastiraki and change trains to Metro Line 1 Piraeus – Kifissia.

If the Reds win the destination will be Omonoia or Thissio to celebrate!

SECTION 4: To and from OAKA Stadium by bus

X14. Probably the most important bus line all fans must know. It is an express line from Syntagma Square to the stadium. The bus terminal is at Syntagma, next to the tram terminal.

Buses that stop at the Olympic Stadium (OAKA) are the 550 (Palaio Faliro – Kifissia); A7 (Kanningos Square – Kifissia – Nea Kifissia).

There is a bus line from Piraeus – Kifissia route (similar to the Metro Line. Buses are every 30 minutes.

SECTION 5: Useful bus routes

400. This bus line is important to fans who would like to discover Athens. The bus passes all the sights, the Acropolis, Ermou st. Syntagma Square, Omonia Square and the Greek Parliament.

For May, the routes goes from 09.00 until 18.00 (last bus from Archaeological Museum) and they are every 30 minutes.

Tickets cost 5 euros and you buy on the bus. You are free to use the ticket unlimited for one day. There is a guide that will tell you what you are able to see at every stop. The route takes 80 to 90 minutes.

040. Piraeus – Syntagma: This is the bus line that connects Piraeus with the centre of Athens. A1. Piraeus – Voula: This route goes all the way down to Voula through Posidonos Avenue. B1. Piraeus – Ano Glyfada: This might be useful to those who will be around Glyfada Square.

SECTION 6: Tram Lines

The tram lines connect Glyfada and Syntagma. There are many places that you will be able to change for Metro Lines 1, 2 and 3.

SECTION 7 IMPORTANT TIPS:

1. Do not use the suburban railway.

2. Make sure that you always have a validated ticket.

3. Try as much as you can to use the Metro. It is safer, faster and there are no possibilities to get lost.

4. It is strongly suggested you purchase a weekly ticket for all transportations.

5. Be aware of your wallet and bags.

6. If on the tram from Glyfada (Kolimvitirio) and you want to go to Syntagma Square, change for Metro Line 2 at Neos Kosmos and go to Syntagma by train, unless you want to go to Zappeion, in which case continue by tram.

Enjoy your stay here with us, and may we win a sixth European crown and celebrate all together!