Wikimedia Hackathon 2023/Travel/ja
The in-person Wikimedia Hackathon 2023 is taking place in Athens, Greece. On this page, you will find information about various was to travel there - feel free to improve this page!
The Hackathon coordination team is still actively working on this page to update and add content. Please be aware that the information on this page could change or evolve in the upcoming weeks.
You can also check the page about Athens on Wikivoyage.
Travel by plane
For those traveling on a Schengen visa from outside of Europe, remember to keep a digital or physical copy (in case there is no internet access) of your return ticket & proof of accommodation for the entire duration of your stay in the Schengen area. There seems to be extra scrutiny these days upon arrival at immigration.
Athens International Airport
Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (Διεθνής Αερολιμένας Αθηνών «Ελευθέριος Βενιζέλος», Diethnís Aeroliménas Athinón "Elefthérios Venizélos"), commonly initialised as AIA, is the largest international airport in Greece, serving the city of Athens and region of Attica.
The main terminal building handles all intra-Schengen flights, as well as several non-Schengen flights. All of the airport's 144 check-in desks are located in the Main Terminal and it has three separate levels, one for arrivals, one for departures and a food court level complete with a view of the eastern runway.
Ground transport
Railway and Metro
A metro station is immediately adjacent to the airport terminal, accessible by an elevated walkway. Athens Metro line 3 and the suburban railway service Proastiakos run trains to and from this station.
There is no direct international railway connection with Athens.
Taxi
Taxis are available at the designated Taxi waiting area by exit 3 of the arrivals level. You can arrange a fixed price for the ride and it is recommended that you do so. The price is approximately 40€ for day service (05:00-24:00) and 55€ for night service (24:00-05:00). VAT and tolls are included. The duration of the trip is about 30 minutes.
Uber Taxis are available online, but not UberX. The most popular alternative, especially among the locals, is FREE NOW (also local taxis).
Bus
Four bus lines (X93, X95, X96, X97) connect directly to the Athens greater area.
Travel by train
The Athens Suburban Railway (Proastiakos) also calls at the metro station immediately adjacent to the airport terminal.
According to the current timetable, there are:
- Two trains per hour to Doukissis Plakentias, where you can change for Line 3 of the Metro;
- Two trains per hour Neratziotissa, where you can change for Line 1 of the Metro;
- One train per hour to the Athens railway station, where you can change for Line 2 of the Metro at Larissa Station;
- One train per hour to the Piraeus railway station, where you can change for Lines 1 and 3 of the Metro, as well as the ferries.
There are currently no international rail services at the moment, but you can take an overnight ferry between Italy and Greece (Venice, Ancona or Bari on the Italian side; Patras or Igoumenitsa on the Greek side). Consider the Interrail Greek Islands Pass (6 days within 1 month), which includes ferry services. (The Patras–Kiato–Athens train connection takes ca. three hours.)
Other travel options
Travel inside of the city
Travelling from hotel to venue and vice versa
Hotel → Venue
from Omonia metro station (Line 1 of Athens Metro - Green Line) towards Piraeus ⇒ Monastiraki metro station
/Interchange/
from Monastiraki metro station (Line 3 of Athens Metro - Blue Line) towards Dimotiko Theatro ⇒ Kerameikos metro station
Venue → Hotel
from Kerameikos metro station (Line 3 of Athens Metro- Blue Line) towards Airport / Doukisis Plakentias ⇒ Monastiraki metro station
/Interchange/
from Monastiraki metro station (Line 1 of Athens Metro - Green Line) towards Kifisia ⇒ Omonia metro station
Alternative route
Hotel → Venue
from Omonia metro station (Line 2 of Athens Metro - Red Line) towards Elliniko ⇒ Syntagma metro station
/Interchange/
from Syntagma metro station (Line 3 of Athens Metro - Blue Line) towards Dimotiko Theatro ⇒ Kerameikos metro station
Venue → Hotel
from Kerameikos metro station (Line 3 of Athens Metro- Blue Line) towards Airport / Doukisis Plakentias ⇒ Syntagma metro station
/Interchange/
from Syntagma metro station (Line 2 of Athens Metro - Red Line) towards Anthoupoli ⇒ Omonia metro station