HOHO in Athens

[Barwick Cruiser]

We will be in Athens for one day in June. Last time we did the Acropolis and this time we'd just like a tour around the city and then lunch and free time in the Plaka. Is there a HOHO bus that we can take to get a quick look at the different attractions? Does it go near the Plaka that we can disembark? Any info on this would be helpful.

Cathy

[agabbymama]

We will be in Athens for one day in June. Last time we did the Acropolis and this time we'd just like a tour around the city and then lunch and free time in the Plaka. Is there a HOHO bus that we can take to get a quick look at the different attractions? Does it go near the Plaka that we can disembark? Any info on this would be helpful.

Cathy

 

google is your friend

 

http://www.city-sightseeing.com/tours/greece/athens.htm

[John Bull]

Two ho-ho operators, offering broadly the same product and with prices only a euro apart at around €20

Both operate two routes - a feeder route from the cruise terminal to Athens and a round-the-city route.

 

To get best value, use them for your transfer from the cruise terminal - using it for that route alone may be cheaper than ship's "on your own" transfer.:)

Turn left out of the (older) cruise terminal, & the stand is a couple of hundred yards. Mebbe decide which service according to frequency or whichever departs next.

 

The city route is pretty uninspiring, but covers the main sights. You can alight either side of Plaka, at Syntagma Square or Thession.

 

This is the other operator

http://www.athens-citytour.com/

 

 

JB :)

Edited January 17, 2014 by John Bull

[Barwick Cruiser]

Two ho-ho operators, offering broadly the same product and with prices only a euro apart at around €20

Both operate two routes - a feeder route from the cruise terminal to Athens and a round-the-city route.

 

To get best value, use them for your transfer from the cruise terminal - using it for that route alone may be cheaper than ship's "on your own" transfer.:)

Turn left out of the (older) cruise terminal, & the stand is a couple of hundred yards. Mebbe decide which service according to frequency or whichever departs next.

 

The city route is pretty uninspiring, but covers the main sights. You can alight either side of Plaka, at Syntagma Square or Thession.

 

This is the other operator

http://www.athens-citytour.com/

 

 

JB :)

 

Thanks for the info, John Bull, just what I was looking for!

Cathy

[Hlitner]

We are not big fans of HoHo's for port days, and Athens is one example. For those that are content to just ride around Athens, it can be a good option. But if you want to actually see and feel Athens, you need to do an awful lot on foot (the Acropolis and Plaka come to mind). With the HoHo you can spend more then an hour (or a lot longer) of your day just waiting for the next bus...at places where you hop off. Athens has an excellent Metro (subway) system that is fast and cheap. In fact, there is even a train/subway from Pireaus to Athens which we use on most of our visits. From the Acropolis area it is only a few minute walk to get into the Plaka...and if you stroll through the Plaka district (with a decent street map) you can soon find yourself at Syntagma Square. The charm (if you want to call it that) of the Plaka district can only be discovered by walking and the only way to get up to the Arcropolis is on foot (it is quite a hike so one needs to be mobile). Other parts of Athens are also accessible by the Metro and/or other public transport such as the neat Funicular that can take you to the top of Mt Lycabettus (we visited Athens 5 times before we got a day clear of air pollution so that we could enjoy the view).

 

For those that want the HoHo's, they park along the street just outside the port. In fact, when we decide to walk around the harbor to where we can catch the train to Athens, the HoHo sales sharks are usually quickly "upon us" trying to sell their product :)

 

Hank

Edited January 18, 2014 by Hlitner

[Barwick Cruiser]

Thanks, Hlitner...more food for thought. We've done the Acropolis on a previous trip and aren't intending to go back there. We basically are looking for an easy trek around the city, highlighting the major sites and then wandering on foot through the Plaka, stopping somewhere along there for lunch before heading back to the ship. The schedule for the HOHO says it takes about 90 minutes to do a full loop, we probably wouldn't be getting off much except when it gets to the Plaka and then back to the ship. Should we just get a taxi to drive us by a few sites and then drop us at the Plaka?

Cathy

[Ssislandgirl]

Agree with Hlitner 100%

Also try to visit the most popular sights as early as you can ( 8am at opening time), otherwise the crowds are almost overwhelming. We visited Athens last September and arranged for a taxi driver to pick us up from Piraeus and drive us to our must-see sights. He only charged 20 Euros/person for our 5 hour excursion. I wrote about our day in my travel blog

 

http://pandbtraveladventures.blogspot.com

 

Click on the tab labeled as Sept. 30th on the left side of the blog.

Athens has a lot to offer. Make a "must-see" list and enjoy!

Petra

[cruisemom42]

Thanks, Hlitner...more food for thought. We've done the Acropolis on a previous trip and aren't intending to go back there. We basically are looking for an easy trek around the city, highlighting the major sites and then wandering on foot through the Plaka, stopping somewhere along there for lunch before heading back to the ship. The schedule for the HOHO says it takes about 90 minutes to do a full loop, we probably wouldn't be getting off much except when it gets to the Plaka and then back to the ship. Should we just get a taxi to drive us by a few sites and then drop us at the Plaka?

Cathy

 

I haven't done the HOHO bus in Athens (not a big HOHO fan), as the sites are all grouped very close together anyway unless someone has difficulties walking...

 

My main question would be -- can you even get a good look at the sites from the HOHO if you don't get off? For example, I would imagine it's difficult to see into the Agora without getting off and going in.

 

And have you been to the great new Acropolis Museum? It's located at the foot of the Acropolis, so you don't have to trek up to the top if you've done that. However, it IS a gorgeous space with good explanations, air-conditioned and with great views of the Acropolis itself.

[OldBoot]

We're in Athens 2 nights pre-cruise. This is also the Easter weekend, so I understand many attractions will have very limited opening hours. Was thinking the HOHO might be a good idea in this case to get a city tour?

 

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[Hlitner]

Cathy, When you say the "major" sites we are not sure about your best option because that would depend on which "major" sites. But we do want to post a general warning about Athens taxis. Like the taxis in many major cities (including some in the USA) not all taxi drivers are honest and will often try to run-up the meter, negotiate a high price, etc. So if you are going to use a taxi, make sure you negotiate the price (and itinerary) before you venture into the vehicle.

 

We have had awful experiences with Athens taxis so really have a bias :(. One night, while we were staying at the Athens Hilton, we had dinner at our favorite Athens restaurant (Daphne's) and tried to get a taxi from near Syntagma Square back to our hotel (perhaps 1 1/2 miles). We asked several taxis and they all quoted ridiculous prices (at least triple the correct price) and refused to use their meters. They figured we had no choice since it was pretty late :). Being the stubborn traveler, and hating to get ripped-off, we simply walked back to the hotel :)

 

Hank

[John Bull]

I'll respectfully disagree with those who don't rate the Athens ho-ho.;)

 

I did say that the city route was pretty uninspiring, and as other have said - & as you're probably already aware - most sights within Athens are tolerably walkable. We did that first-time-round.

So if your ship's captain agreed to berth alongside the Acropolis :D there'd be no need to bother with the ho-ho.

But ships' captains aren't that obliging ;), so it's a pleasant, very convenient & reasonably cheap way of getting from Piraeus to Athens & back. Cheaper & more flexible than ship's overpriced transfers. No hike to the metro. No haggling with taxi-drivers who don't use their meters.

The city route is merely a bonus if you want to use it. :)

 

Just MHO, though plenty use other options.

 

JB :)

[OldBoot]

Thanks JB. That was very helpful and cost saving advice.

 

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[petlady7]

Athens has an excellent Metro (subway) system that is fast and cheap. In fact, there is even a train/subway from Pireaus to Athens which we use on most of our visits. From the Acropolis area it is only a few minute walk to get into the Plaka...and if you stroll through the Plaka district (with a decent street map) you can soon find yourself at Syntagma Square. The charm (if you want to call it that) of the Plaka district can only be discovered by walking and the only way to get up to the Arcropolis is on foot (it is quite a hike so one needs to be mobile).

Hank

 

 

Hi

We only have 5 hours in Athens so am doing my homework , I have found the HOHO that just drops off for the Acropolis , blue route for 9 euros( we havent got time for the city tour) , we then want to walk from the Acropolis to Syntagma Square through Plaka , how will we know which way to walk ? , where can we get a good street map as mentioned ? We need to know as much as possible beforehand to save time dithering and avoid going the wrong ways etc , any help much appreciated