"Athens: a love-hate story" a Athens Travel Page by zontania

The new airport of Athens is not actually located in Athens, but in an area called Spata. Flying over it during daytime, you can see the magnitute of ecological destruction made by the marble quarries. Soon, Attica will not have any hills or mountains - it will all be flat!

It is a long building that requires a lot of walking. There are no facilities for the disabled other than wheelchairs. After arrival, make sure you exit from the right door, otherwise you will have to walk all the length again (what stupidity of the designers! makes me value Gatwick airport).

The new roads linking Athens to it have tolls. Your taxi driver will charge you the toll fare which is currently 1.80 euro.

The taxi driver will also charge you for each piece of luggage even if he doesn't lift a finger to load/unload it. You will also have to pay a 2.20 euro airport surcharge for the honour the taxi driver has made to pick you up/set you down at the airport. These charges along with the flag fare (minimum fare) will present you with a bill of 8 euro approximately and that's before you've even set foot in the cab!!!

OK, let's not get frustrated even if the character seems dodgy... You are allowed to change your mind and not take the taxi after all. There are alternatives. (Note if you do decide on taking a taxi, you can ask the driver to use the non-toll road.)

Buses... haven't tried them. I think you have to buy your ticket at one end then queue at a different end of the airport for your bus.

The metro does not come to the airport. You need to take a bus to the first metro stop some 20 minutes away.

My opinion of the new airport: I hate it. I've paid through the nose all these years for its creation, not only through State taxation but also through 'airport taxes' (and so have you!) It looks nice with its chic shops and cafes but goods and services are overpriced and there are few places to sit down. Also, I am outraged by the fact that you have to pay for your luggage trolley, 1 euro, money that is not returned to you upon return of the trolley to the depot!

In a few words: legalised highway robbery perpetrated under the auspices of the Greek State. I want all of you to put in a complaint in the suggestion boxes to be found at the airport - join in the protest against the 1 euro charge for trolleys! If we can win this small victory, then we can tackle the issue of taxis.