In case a Chinese citizen, who has a lawful staying status in Greece, loses the passport (or it gets stolen), a private passport may be issued as replacement. For other Chinese passport holders traveling to Greece on short-term visits, a Travel Permit valid for one journey within one year may be issued to facilitate their return to China if the passport is lost (or stolen). A Travel Permit is an alternative to the passport (it can be valid for a year or for a single journey).

A Chinese citizen must contact the Embassy if: he/she falls victim of a crime, is ill and needs medical assistance, or has been arrested in Greece. The Embassy can also offer assistance in case a Chinese citizen dies in Greece.

Chinese Embassy in Athens

Address: Krinon 2A, Paleo Psychico, 15452 Athens, Greece
P.O. Box: 65188
Fax: +30-210-6723819

Website
Email: chinaemb_gr@mfa.gov.cn

Consular Section

Office Hours: 09:30-12:30 Monday-Friday
Tel: +30-210-6723282
Fax: +30-210-6718839

If a Russian citizen falls ill , is arrested, is victim of a crime, need medical assistance or has lost the passport, he/she needs to contact the Russian Embassy or the Consulate in Thesssaloniki in order to get assistance.

Russian Embassy in Athens

Address: 28, Nikiforou Litra str., Pfleo Psikhiko, Athens 15452

Phone: +30 210 672-6130, +30 210 672-5235

Fax: +30 210 674-97-08

Website

Email: embraf@otenet.gr

Russian Consulate in Thesalloniki

Address: 5, Dimosthenus str., Thessaloniki 54624

Phone: +30-231-0 257-201, 257-666

Fax: +30-231-0 257-202

When it comes to spending time on Mykonos, you should be happy to know that there are quite a lot of free things to do on the island.

Walk hand in hand on the narrow streets of Little Venice

“Little Venice” is one of the most beautiful places on Mykonos. The colorful historic houses have been turned into restaurants, bars, shops and nightclubs. But walking hand in hand and taking photos is free.

Visit the Mykonos Folk Museum

The museum is housed in 3 different buildings. The main building dates back to the 18th century and comprises the Cycladic costumes, traditional musical instruments, historic paintings and old photographs of the island. It is free to visit to visit the museum.

Visit Panagia Paraportiani

There are 365 churches on Mykonos but Panagia Paraportiani is the most famous. It is located in the center of Chora and dates back to the Byzantine era. It is decorated with frescoes dating back to the Middle Ages. Don’t overlook the view seen from the entrance to the church. Visiting the church is free, but remember that service takes place so be respectful.

Take photos of the windmills

The windmills are an icon of the island. The date back to the 16th century and currently there are 16 windmills left on Mykonos. The view from the hilltop is amazing. So pack your walking shoes, plenty of water and your camera.

Learn about the agriculture on the island

The Mykonos Agricultural Museum is located near the Windmills and offers an insight into the farming life on the island. You can see a preserved miller’s home, complete with period decorations. It is open every afternoon and entrance is free.

Visit Ano Mera

Ano Mera is the other real town on the island of Mykonos but since it lacks sea views, it’s not that popular among tourists. It is, however, home to two monasteries. You can easily spend an entire day here.

Sunbath at Paradise Beach

Paradise Beach is the most famous beach on Mykonos, both for sunbathing and partying. While it costs money to practice water sports, you don’t need to pay anything to lounge.

A quieter beach day at Psarou Beach

If you want to spend time in the sun but Paradise Beach is too loud of you, head to Psarou Beach, which is located northwest of Paradise. Get here early and if your budget allows, plan to enjoy a romantic picnic, as well.

And here are some things to do that cost a bit but are totally worth your time and money:

Visit the Archaeological Museum

Especially if you plan a day trip to Delos, visiting the Mykonos’s Archaeological Museum is an excellent choice as you get to learn about the background of the site. The museum is open from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (except on Mondays) and the entrance fee is €2.

Day trip to Delos

The entire island is an archeological site and can be visited only by boat and as part of a tour. It definitely rivals Olympia and Delphi on the mainland Greece.

Explore the Aegean Maritime Museum

It is located close to the Mykonos Folk Museum and contains model ships, old maps and antique navigational instruments. The garden is also filled with artifacts. Entrance is €3 and the museum is open from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Shopping

Mykonos is a well known shopping destination and you can find plenty of things here: from designer clothes and jewelry to interesting souvenirs. In Little Venice you can hind local handicrafts, for example.

Party all night long

During the summer, Mykonos draws party goers from all over Europe (and beyond). The club which is hot this year, might not exist next year and the trends keep up with the music industry. You can dance to music played by well known DJs from all over the world. Parties on the beach are also at their best here.

Photo credits:
Little Venice , Ano Mera , Windmills , Delos , Shopping in Mykonos , Beach party

Update:

Unfortunately, all international trains linking Greece to the rest of Europe have been canceled as of February 2011. But, it’s still possible to travel by train, at least part of the itinerary.

The Balkan Flexi Pass, the Multiple Countries Pass and the Global Pass can still be used because you can travel by train all the way to Sofia (Bulgaria) or Bucharest (Romania). For either cities, take the bus to Thessaloniki and once in Greece and you can travel by air, land or water to other parts of the country.

Traveling by train is, generally, a sure way to get to your destination on a rather low budget. Although if you plan to travel right in the middle of the summer you will need to book your tickets up to 90 days in advance, the prices don’t change during the year so planning the budget is really easy. Plus, if you are taking a night train you are assured a comfortable place to sleep the night way without being bothered so you wake up fresh in Greece ready to explore the country.

Using the rail passes

Although rail passes don’t offer unlimited travel (as many might think) they are a great way to save when you plan to travel by train. There are several types of passes which you can use when visiting Greece and they usually depend on your plans.

Balkan FlexiPass

It’s the perfect option if you plan to visit Greece and other countries near-by (Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, etc). You can buy passes for 5, 10 or 15 days of travel within a month. Then you only need to get the seat from the train station and the supplements (if you want a couchette for example). It also comes with discounts at several hotels in Athens, a cheap RT flight from Athens to one of the islands and discounts for several ferry rides. Prices start at €86 per adult (26 years and older), for 5 days travel *. Youth tickets (12-25 years old) are also available. It’s valid only accompanied by your passport or ID card.

Greek Rail Pass

If you plan to travel by train only in Greece then this is the best option for you. You can choose between 2 and 10 days of travel within a month but the pass is available only in 1st class. It also comes with discounts for ferry travel, discounts at several hotels in Athens, discounts for several tours (including Athens sightseeing) and free admission to the Railway Museum in Athens. Prices start at €100 per adult, for 3 days travel.

Multiple country pass

If the Balkan FlexiPass doesn’t comprise the countries you want use the train in, then you can get the multiple country pass. Prices depend on what countries you plan to visit.

Global pass

Allows you to travel by train in 21 European countries (including Greece). It’s valid for 10 or 15 days of travel within two months. It also comes with discounts for ferry travel, discounted Danube cruise, discounted sightseeing tours, free travel in Paris using the metro, discounts at hotels, free transfers and many more. Prices start at €605 per adult for 10 days travel.

How to get to Greece by train from several European countries/regions

Update:

The easiest way to get to either UK or France from Greece is via Italy. Travel by bus or train to Patras, then catch a ferry to Italy (either Bari or Brindisi). From there, connect to the trains which reach Paris or London, depending on your needs.

If you want to get to Eastern Europe from Greece, your only option is the bus. Thessalonii is connected to both Sofia and Bucharest. And from either cities you can catch buses, trains or flights to other parts of Eastern Europe.

Getting to Greece by train from UK or France

To get from UK to France you can use the Eurostar trains (which go under the British channel) or catch a train from the Ebbsfleet railway station. Alternatively, there are ferries from Dover to Calais and then you need to take a train to Paris.

To get from Paris to Greece, firstly you need to get to Italy. There are both night and day trains from Paris to Milan (do make sure to book couple of days in advance). From there you need to get by train to Bari and Brindisi. All ferries to Greece depart from either one of these ports.

Alternatively, you can get by train from Paris to Vienna (Austria) then catch another train to Bucharest (Romania). Then make sure to reserve a ticket for the night train between Bucharest and Thessaloniki.

Read more about:
>>Getting from Paris to Athens
>>Getting from London to Athens

Getting to Greece by train from Scandinavia or Germany

If you need to get from Scandinavia to Greece, the first stop is Copenhagen (Denmark). Then you need to catch a train to Germany (Hamburg or Munich). Now catch a train to Vienna (Austria).

From here you have two choices: either travel by train to Italy, then catch a ferry to Greece from Ancona or you can get on a train to Bucharest (Romania) and then use the night train from Bucharest to Thessaloniki.

Getting to Greece by train from Eastern Europe

Greece is connected to Eastern Europe via Bulgaria and Romania. There are direct trains from Bucharest (Romania) to Thessaloniki. And since Bucharest is connected to Budapest via night trains you can easily get to/from pretty much any European country to Greece.

Note:*the price is first-hand information from the Railways’ Agency; you will find different prices online (starting with €187 per adult for 5 days, 1st class). Therefore if you can, get the info from a train station or a railways’ agency.

The article was first published on June 17th, 2009 and has been updated and republish on February 2, 2012

Quick summary

If the budget is not too low and you don’t exactly like to spend (a lot of ) time in trains and buses, then choose to fly between the two capitals. In about 2 ½ hours you’ll be at the destinations.

However, if you like to watch the scenery passing by and don’t mind spending about a day in the train and/or bus, then you can choose one of the slower means of transportation. The cheapest option is definitely by bus for the entire length of the trip.

Flights from Athens (airport code: ATH) to Vienna

Unfortunately, the route between the two capitals isn’t served by low-cost carriers and you have to choose among Austrian Airlines, Aegean Airlines and Olympic Airways if you choose a direct flight. Starting with May 2012, expect to pay from €84 one way on Aegean Airlines (2h 20 min flight), but outside the travel season (for example March, the fares start at €160 one way on connecting flights via Serbia)

Do keep your eyes on the airlines’ sales though as you can end up saving quite a lot on airfare.

>>book a flight to Athens

Trains from Athens to Vienna

Update:

Unfortunately, all international trains to Greece have been suspended as of February 2011. So you can either travel from Thessaloniki to Sofia (Bulgaria) by bus and then get on a train via Belgrade to Budapest and then Vienna, or travel from Thessaloniki to Bucahrest (Romania) by bus and then get on a train to Budapest and then Vienna.

Getting from Athens to Vienna by train can be quite daunting and is not exactly an adventure recommended for those who lack patience or don’t like trains.

The shortest route takes little over 19 hours (according to DB BAHN ) and you’ll be making several stops along the way; more precisely in: Eboli, Napoli, Rome, Venice and Salzburg.

You can also create your own route, via Bucharest (Romania) and Budapest (Hungary). It is one of the busiest routes during summer and you need to book the tickets in advance. First, you need to get to Thessaloniki and from there get on the train to Bucharest. The journey takes 18 hours. From Bucharest, choose the direct train to Vienna and travel for another 18 hours. It is daunting and long but it’s one of the most beautiful train rides in Europe.

You can buy a train pass which allows for city breaks. Of course, the total travel time will increase but you’ll get to see more cities along the way and get to relax as well.

Read more about:
>> Getting from Athens to Thessaloniki
>> Getting around Eastern Europe

Buses from Athens to Vienna

Long haul bases connect the cities in Eastern and Central Europe but there aren’t any direct links from Athens to Vienna. Here’s a simple route:

Step 1: Athens to Thessaloniki

You can travel from Athens to Thessaloniki by plane, train, bus or ferry, depending on you spare time and budget.

Step 2: Thessaloniki to Bucharest (Romania) by bus

There are several bus companies serving the route, including Eurolines. One way tickets start at €16 (65 RON).

Step 3: Bucharest to Vienna

You can travel from Bucharest to Vienna by plane, train or bus, depending on your spare time and budget. The cheapest choice, however, is the bus. One way tickets start at €65 and there are several bus companies offering connections.

Driving from Athens to Vienna

You can rent a car in Athens and plan to drive all the way to Vienna. Since both countries are in the European Union you shouldn’t have problems picking up in Athens and dropping it off in Vienna, especially if you plan to drive only through European Union countries (the route via Bucharest – Budapest).

According to Google Maps, the shortest route is via Thessaloniki – Belgrade (Serbia) – Szeged (Hungary) – Budapest (Hungary) – Vienna. It’s a total of 1728 km which can be covered in about 18 ½ h. Plan to make stops along the way. Budapest is definitely worth a day of sightseeing.

View Larger Map

Another option in order to drive only through European Union countries it to choose the following route: Athens – Thessaloniki – Sofia (Bulgaria) – Bucharest (Romania) – Arad (Romania) – Szeged (Hungary) – Budapest (Hungary) – Vienna (Austria). It’s much longer (2269 km) but you can plan to stop several times along the way. Bucharest, Sibiu (along the road to Budapest) and Budapest are definitely worth a day of sightseeing.

View Larger Map

Photo credits: Vienna St. Stephan Cathedral by Cristina Puscas, Austrian Airlines at Vienna Airport , Bucharest Train Station (Gara de Nord) , Eurolines Bus

Note: the article was first published on April 19th, 2010 and has been republished on February 1, 2012.

Quick summary

If your vacation time is limited or you just don’t like to spend a lot of time getting from one place to another, choosing the plane is the best option. However, if you don’t mind a bit of adventure and time is something you don’t lack, you can choose one of the longer routes between the two cities and can even take a ferry from Italy to Greece.

You’ll probably notice that we don’t talk about driving between the two cities. The reason is very simple: the distance to cover is very long and unless you plan to drive around Europe for several weeks, it’s not exactly a choice of transportation to consider.

Flights from Athens (airport code: ATH) to Paris

Paris is one of Europe’s air transportation hubs and is served by three airports. And that makes for a lot of choices when it comes to flights and airlines. The Balkans (Greece included) aren’t exactly known for being served by many low-cost carriers. Plus, the distance to cover between Paris and Athens isn’t exactly short either.

The airlines connecting the two capitals are: EasyJet , Air France , Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air. Single flights from Athens to Paris Orly start at €75 on easyJet in 2012 (regardless of when you travel).

>>read more about EasyJet Flight Deals

Trains from Athens to Paris

Update:

Unfortunately, due to the economic crisis in Greece, the Greek government implemented major rail cuts, including stopping all the international trains to/from Greece. If you travel from Western Europe , the closest you can get by train to Greece is Bucharest (Romania). From here you can take a bus to Thessaloniki . The journey takes about 12 hours and prices start around €16 one way. From Bucharest, you can travel to Budapest and onwards to Vienna and then further to Paris. The route is long, though.

Whether you like to see the scenery pass by you or you are one of the collateral victims of a volcano’s nasty behavior, the idea of traveling by train from Athens to Paris (and vice-versa) is not a bad one…but you need quite a bit of patience.

The shortest route takes about 18 hours and 30 minutes (according to DB BAHN ) and you’ll be making stops in Milan, Napoli and Battipaglia.

Ferries from Athens to Paris

It’s probably not an option that will spring into anyone’s mind when you think of the two capitals’ locations, but, it is possible to get from Athens to Paris (and return) by ferry…actually by train (or plane), ferry and bus.

Step 1 Paris to Venice (Italy) by train or plane

If you choose the train, the shortest route between Paris and Venice takes 13 hours without any stops.

If, however, you choose the plane, a one way ticket between the two cities starts at €60 and is offered by Ryanair . Other airlines serving the route include: easyJet, Air France and Alitalia .

Step 2 Venice to Patras (Greece) by ferry

Patras (Patra) is connected to two Italian ports: Ancona and Venice. The journey is very long (32 hours) and the tickets are always booked in advance.

It is possible to book the ferry tickets online here .

Step 3 Patras to Athens by bus

There are departures every half an hour between the two cities. In Athens the terminal is called KTEL Peloponnisou. The journey takes about 3 hours and the one way ticket costs €12. There are both express buses and regular buses (the only difference is that the express buses stop in Athens and Patras only).

Buses from Athens to Paris

The distance to cover is long and you should plan this journey step by step. First, catch a bus from Athens to Thessaloniki and then catch another bus to Bucharest (Romania). From here you can either take a direct bus all the way to Paris, or choose to stop along the way. You can , for example, travel from Bucharest to Vienna by bus , visit Austria’s capital for a day or two, and then continue to Paris.

Note: the article was first published in April 2010 and updated (and republished) in January 2012.

Quick summary

If you are on a tight schedule, our advice is to book your flight well in advance (or look for deals) in order to benefit from the cheap fares. Otherwise, if you have a lot of time on your hands and a rather high budget, you can plan to travel by train or ferry. However, it gets boring quite soon, especially if you are not used to long train ride. But you can plan short city breaks along the way and that’s when the train journey gets interesting.

Flights from Athens (airport code: ATH) to London

Various airlines fly from Athens to London Heathrow and London Gatwick. Aegean, British Airways, bmi and EasyJet are just some of the airlines offering direct flights between the two cities. Outside the high season expect to pay from €70 one way on Aegean. It’s a 4 hour flight. During the high season, expect to pay from €75 one way on EasyJet. Return flights in July 2012 start at €200 per person.

Also, all these airlines offer promotional fares quite often, so make sure to keep your eyes on their sales and don’t forget to follow them on Twitter or Facebook.

Read more about:

>>EasyJet Flight Deals
>>bmibaby Flight Deals

Trains from Athens to London

Update:

As of February 2011, there aren’t any international trains connecting Greece to other parts of Europe.

However, it’s still possible to travel between Athens and London by train and ferry (see the Ferries from Athens to London section below) or train and bus (see the Buses from Athens to London section below).

Getting from Athens to London by train is not an adventure for those who mind spending a lot of time traveling. There are three possible routes between the two cities.

The shortest route takes almost 26 hours (according to DB BAHN ) and you have to make quite a lot of stops along the way. More precisely in: Eboli, Roma, Milan, Chiasso, Bellinzona, Basel and then you’ll get to Paris Est. From here you need to get to Paris Nord to get on the Eurostar train to London.

There’s another possible route via Eboli, Salerno, Parma, Milan, Zurich and Paris Est. Then, of course, get to Paris Nord to hop on the Eurostar for the last leg of the trip. The total travel time is 26 ½ hours.

The longest route takes almost 29 hours and you’ll be changing trains in: Battipaglia, Milan, Basel before you get to Paris Est. Then you need to travel to Paris Nord and take the Eurostar to get to London.

Or you can create your own itinerary via Munich, Vienna, Budapest, Bucharest and Thessaloniki but you’ll be traveling for about 3 days. This is the busiest train route in Europe during summer. You can buy a train pass to save money and it also allows for short city breaks.

Ferries from Athens to London

It is possible to travel by ferry from Athens to London. However, you need two days and a lot of patience.

Step 1: Athens to Patras (Patra) by train

There are daily connections between Athens and Patras. Trains depart from Larissa Station and you cannot book tickets online.

Step 2: Patras (Patra) to Ancona by ferry

Patras is connected to Italy by two ferry routes: one serving Ancona and one Venice. It takes 21 hours to get to Ancona and the cheapest ticket (deck) costs € 52.00/person/one way.

Step 3: Ancona to London via Pesaro Milan, Dijon and Lille

Yes, you need to change trains 4 times before you get to London and the entire journey takes little over 17 ½ hours.

Alternatively you can get on a ferry from Patras to Venice (32 hours, €54/person/one way deck ticket) and then get on a train in Venice. You’ll be making only two stops along the way (Dijon and Lille) before you get to London and the total travel time is 15 ½ hours.

It is possible to book the ferry tickets online here .

Buses from Athens to London

Since there are no direct buses to connect the two cities, you can create your own itinerary.

Step 1: Athens to Thessaloniki

You can travel from Athens to Thessaloniki by plane, train, bus or ferry. The bus ride takes 6 ½ hours and costs about €35 per person.

>>read more about Getting from Athens to Thessaloniki

Step 2: Thessaloniki to Bucharest (Romania)

There are direct buses linking Thessaloniki to Bucharest and the journey takes about 12 hours. During summer there are quite a lot of weekly departures available (Eurolines is one of the companies serving the route). Prices start at €16/one way (65 RON).

Step 3: Bucharest to London by train

The shortest route is via Budapest, Linz, Frankfurt, Köln, Aachen, Liège-Guillemins, Bruxelles-Midi then you need to transfer to Bruxelles-Midi Est and get on the Eurostar to London. This route takes almost 39 hours.

Of course, you can plan your own route via Budapest, Vienna and Munich. As mentioned above, this is one of the busiest European train routes during summer.

Driving from Athens to London

You can rent a car in Athens and travel all the way to London. Since both countries are in the European Union there shouldn’t be a problem to rent a car from one country and drop it off in another , but do make sure to rental company you chose allows that.

Regardless of which route you take, you’ll be faced with using a ferry and a car transport, which means you have to pay a fee to take the car on them. Also, the route is about 3000 km , which means you need to plan plenty of stops along the way. Consider a stop in Brindisi for a night (as you’ll use the Igoumenitsa – Brindisi ferry crossing), then you can stay a night in Bologna, followed by a night in Turin, before stopping in Geneva. Make another stop on the road to Paris and also stay a night in France’s capital.

View Larger Map

Note: The article was first published on March 30th, 2010 and has been republished in January 2012.

Photos by Cristina Puscas and may not be used without permission.

Summary:

If you have a lot of time on your hands, the cheapest option is to take the bus. If you lack time but your budget is enough for a plane ride, you can get from Athens to Istanbul in about 1 h 20 min.

Flights from Athens to Istanbul

Both cities are served by international airports. There are direct flights offered by Olympic Airlines and Turkish Airlines (2 flights per day each). The flight time is about 1h 20 min.

Non stop flights start at €102 on Olympic Air , should you decide to fly in 2012 (including during the high season). Return flights start at €168 on the same carrier.

>>Here you can book Olympic Airlines flights

Ferries from Athens to Istanbul

The Turkish ports have direct connections only with several Cycladic Islands (Chios, Kos, Lesvos or Rhodes) so if you need to travel by ferry from Athens (Piraues) to Istanbul, the first step is to get to one of those islands.

The following ferry connections are available between Greek islands and Turkey:

Chios (Greece) to Cesme (Turkey)

• daily
• time: 1 h
• price: €25, one way, adult

Kos (Greece) to Bodrum (Turkey):

• daily
• time: 20 min (high speed) or 1 h (regular)
• price: €30, one way, adult (regular)

Lesvos (Greece) to Ayvalik (Turkey)

• almost daily
• time: 1h 30 min (regular)
• price: €40, one way, adult

>>more information on Ferries from Thessaloniki to Lesvos

Rhodes (Greece) to Marmaris (Turkey)

• daily
• time: 1h (high speed)
• price: €50, one way, adult

>>more information on Ferries from Rhodes to Kos (and return)

Rhodes (Greece) to Fethiye (Turkey)

• May & June: 3 times per week
• July & August: daily
• time: 1 h 30 min (high speed)
• price: €58, one way, adult

Rhodes (Greece) to Bodrum (Turkey)

• Monday & Friday
• time: 2 h 15 min (high speed)
• price: €60, one way, adult

Once you arrive in one of the Turkish ports, you need to get to Istanbul. Here are the options:

• from Cesme: by bus (8 hours)
• from Bodrum: by bus (13 hours) or by plane (1h 10 min)
• from Ayvalik: by car or by ferry to Bandirma and then by car
• from Marmaris: by plane from Dalaman (1h 20 min)
• from Fethiye: by bus or plane via Bodrum or Marmaris

Just to give you an idea about the total price and time involved, we’ll assume the following route (in June):

Athens to Rhodes by ferry

• departure: Thu, 7 p.m.
• arrival: Fri, 7:04 a.m.
• price: €53 , economy class

>>more information on Ferries from Athens to Rhodes

Rhodes to Bodrum by ferry

• departure: Fri, 4:30 p.m.
• arrival: Fri, 6:45 p.m.
• price: €60

Bodrum to Istanbul by plane

• departure: 9:35 p.m.
• arrival: 10:45 p.m.
• price: €232 , economy class (Turkish Airlines)

Total cost: €345 per person, one way
Total travel time: 15 h 30 min

Trains from Athens to Istanbul

Update :

Unfortunately, the Istanbul to Thessaloniki sleeper has been suspended due to the economic crisis in Greece. As of February 2011, there isn’t any international train connecting Greece to the rest of Europe.

In order to get from Athens to Istanbul by train, first you need to get to Thessaloniki. There are several trains per day connecting the two Greek cities and they take between 5h 30 min (intercity) and 5 h 30 min (regular).

>>more information on Getting from Athens to Thessaloniki

Once in Thessaloniki, you can catch the train to Istanbul which leaves two times per day (7:18 a.m. and 7:37 p.m.). The journey takes about 14 hours.

The total ticket price (Athens to Istanbul) is €54 per person, one way, 2nd class.

Buses from Athens to Istanbul

Buses remain the only by land direct option between Athens and Istanbul. The Turkish Company Metro Turizm is one of the companies operating on this route. They run a bus per day, which departs Istanbul at 6 p.m. and gets to Athens 16 hours later. The single fare is either €59 or €64.

Driving from Athens to Istanbul

You can rent a car in Greece and plan to drive to Istanbul. However, make sure to ask if you are allowed to take the car across the border. The shortest route involves two ferry crossing and a total travel time of 13 h 15 min . However, if you plan to avoid paying the ferry ticket for your car , you can choose the 1091 km route via E75 and A2/E90. The total travel time is 12 h, so make sure plan some stops along the way (in Thessaloniki , for example).

View Larger Map

Other related information:

>>Ferries from Athens: How to deal with the Port of Piraeus
>>Getting from Athens to Piraeus
>>Getting from Athens to Meteora
>>Getting from Athens to Santorini
>>Getting to Halkidiki
>>Getting from Athens to Corfu
>>Getting from Thessaloniki to Meteora
>>Getting from Hydra to Santorini (and return)
>>Getting from Thessaloniki to Kavala

Note: this article was first published on May 13th, 2009 and the information has been updated as of January 2012

Crete is 260 km long and only 60 km wide but surely can win a beauty contest, if it were to compete with other Greek islands. Although many travelers come here for then sea, sun and sand, the island has a lot more to offer : the fertile plains, the rugged mountains, the bustling cities and the sleepy picturesque villages. Many remains of the Roman and Turkish buildings can still be visited on the island.

Although it’s an island, don’t assume you can see everything in one trip. But that’s ok because you can plan for another vacation here (or stay longer).

If you have limited time on your hands, here are some attractions to visit and things to do in Crete:

Some of the things to do in Crete include:

• visit the Minoan Palace at Knossos: it is the most important archaeological site on the island. Some of the rooms have been recreated so you can feel the grandeur of the place. The first palace was built here in about 2000BC but has been destroyed by an earthquake. Around 1450BC a bigger palace was built but it , too , has been destroyed (it is believe by the Santorini volcano eruption).









• explore the Minoan Palace at Faistos: the ruins are just as famous as the ones at Knossos. The view is superb and the area is not that crowded.









• Malia Palace is excellent too: it’s the third largest Minoan palace on the island and it’s not as crowded as the other two. It was built around 1900BC but it has been destroyed by an earthquake and then rebuilt in about 1650BC.




• soak up the sun on one of the beaches: if you are brave enough you can try two of the best nude beaches in Greece – Red Beach and Filaki Beach.









• explore Ayios Nikolaos: it is one of the prettiest towns in Crete, really well known for its twin harbors. You can also visit the Archeological Museum.




• visit the Arkadi Monastery: it is one of the most important monasteries on the island. In 1866, it became the symbol of the Cretan struggle for independence. Don’t miss visiting the ossuary, where the skulls and bones of those killed in 1866 are preserved.









• visit the archaeological site of Gortys (or Gortyn) : it was a Greco-Roman city. Its ruins spread over fields of olive groves. An old church and the Agora are the most important ruins to explore.




• explore the Venetian fortress in Rethymnon: the third largest city in Crete is home to a superb fortress built in the 1570s. The museums are also worth your time.









• see the frescos at Panagia Kera: this little church is the most famous in Crete thanks to the frescos which cover ever inch of the walls.




• see the ruins of Gournia: it presents the live in an ordinary Minoan town. The site dates to 1500BC and you can see the houses and workshops. Do keep in mind that only a quarter of the ancient city has been discovered.




• a romantic time at the Venetian harbor in Chania: the city is the second largest on the island and many travelers consider it the most charming on the island. Spend a romantic time checking out the Venetian harbor, do some shopping and visit the museums. After all, Crete is one of the most romantic Greek islands









• walk the Samaria Gorge: it is the longest gorge in Europe. The length of the hike is 18 km and it can be done by anyone reasonably fit. It can get overcrowded during summer.




• experience the laid-back atmosphere in Sitia: the north-coast town still keeps the Greek charm. The good is amazing and the waterfront offers a relaxing atmosphere.









• take a ferry to one of the near-by islands: when you visit a Greek island it’s a shame to leave without hopping on a ferry and exploring some of the places near-by. Gavdos is a very good choice.

Read more about:

>>When to book your Greek ferry ticket
>>Hotels in Crete
>>Most Romantic Hotels in Crete
>>Best Hotels in Crete for under €100

Photo credits:Palace of Knossos , Arkadi Monastery , Chania harbor , Faistos , Beach
Venetian Fortress , Sitia

If you’re into history and want to see some of the most famous sites in the world, then adding Athens to your round the world trip might be a good plan. Part of the beauty of taking a long-term trip is to go see some of the cities and sites that you’ve always dreamed of. Athens fits the bill with a history like no other and sites that date back thousands of years. Who wouldn’t want to visit the Acropolis, see the Parthenon, and walk the same streets as famous philosophers.

The 2004 Olympics saw a renovation of Athens, making it much more travel friendly. The public transport options are much better than they were a decade ago, and while it does still have traffic and walking issues, it’s much more pedestrian friendly than it once was. There is an archaeological walk that takes in many of the famous sites and it is mostly car free. And if you do happen to get sick of sight-seeing and crowds, it’s easy to get away to one of the four surrounding mountains for some outdoor activities.

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