Lawlessness threatens to turn heart of Athens into no-go zone

Athenian cabbies are an eclectic
collection of individuals.
From the uncouth chain-smoker to the tourist-friendly
chatterbox, the whole gamut can be found inside the
yellow taxis that splutter around the city. It is usual for
cabbies to pick up more than one fare and not switch on
their air conditioning. Some drivers are notorious for
trying to rip off visitors, as well as locals, so it is a good
idea to ask how much a journey will cost before setting
off. If you get into a dispute, refuse to pay and demand to
be taken to the local police station or contact the tourist
police (dial 171 or 210.171). Keep in mind that journeys
between midnight and 5 a.m. are charged at double rate.
Discover Athens
Athens Sightseeing Bus Line
Bus 400. The Sightseeing public bus, Line 400,
tours the highlights of the City of Athens, with
ancient and modern landmarks on its route.
BUS STOPS
1. NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM
2. OMONIA (THE CITY’S COMMERCIAL HEART)
3. PSYRRI (TRENDY NIGHTSPOTS)
4. KERAMEIKOS (THE ANCIENT CEMETERY)
5. THISEION (ENTRANCE TO THE ANCIENT AGORA)
6. MONASTIRAKI (FLEA MARKET)
7. MARKET (VARVAKEIOS AGORA)
8. KLAFTHMONOS SQUARE
9. SYNTAGMA (PARLIAMENT)
10. BENAKI MUSEUM
11. NATIONAL GALLERY (ETHNIKI PINAKOTHIKI)
12. AMBELOKIPI
13. NATIONAL GALLERY (ETHNIKI PINAKOTHIKI)
14. PANATHENAIC STADIUM
(BIRTHPLACE OF THE MODERN OLYMPICS)
15. PLAKA
16. ACROPOLIS
17. TEMPLE OF OLYMPIAN ZEUS (NAOS OLYMPIOU DIOS)
18. GREEK PARLIAMENT (VOULI TON ELLINON)
19. UNIVERSITY (PANEPISTIMIO)
20. OMONIA
FREQUENCY
JUNE-SEPTEMBER 07.30-21.00 30’
OCTOBER & MAY 09.00-18.00 30’
NOVEMBER-APRIL 10.00-16.00 60’
• Line starts and ends at Athens Archaeological
Museum (on Vas. Irakleiou Street). • The duration of
the round trip is about 80-90 minutes. • At every stop
on this line you can find the exact schedules.
TICKETS
• The ticket costs 5 euros and can be purchased ONLY
on the vehicle. It is valid for 24 hours and provides for
unlimited travel on the Athens Sightseeing public bus
line and all other modes of public transport (except
the Airport and Saronida express bus lines and the
Metro and Suburban Railway lines from Doukissis
Plakentias Station to the Airport). • No other public
transport ticket is accepted on this line. • Tickets
should be validated on the first ride and be kept and
shown to the bus attendant every time you board the
bus or to inspectors who may ask for them on other
means of public transport.
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ATHENSPLUS • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2008
GETTING AROUND
Athens Metro
Metro
You can buy tickets using the automatic ticket issuing machines (ATIMs) in all metro stations and from ticket offices. ATIMs accept banknotes (€5,
€10 and €20) and give change. See instructions for use on each ATIM.
• Check to see if you are entitled to a reduced fare and always ensure that you hold the correct ticket for your destination.
• Before proceeding to the platforms for boarding, validate your ticket at a ticket validating machine.
• Authorized metro employees carry out inspections. If a passenger is found to be traveling without a valid ticket, pass or travel card, a penalty
fare 60 times the price of the ticket is imposed.
• Validate your ticket once at the station of your first boarding and hold on to it until leaving the station at your destination.