GREECE TRAVEL GUIDE

Click here for the latest Greece travel advisory from the US State Department.

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WARNING: Beware of pickpockets! I recommend wearing a money belt under your clothing to securely hide phones, cash, travel documents, credit cards, etc.

WHAT TO BRING:

  • causal slacks, jeans, or shorts

  • button shirts, polo shirts or T-shirts 

  • swimsuit

  • tennis shoes, filp-flops or sandals

  • underwear and socks

  • toiletries

  • medications: Bring enough to cover you for your time plus one extra week.

  • if you wear contacts, bring along a pair of prescription glasses in case you loose a lens

  • sunglasses

  • ear plugs and sleep mask

  • laptops or other electronic equipment and accessories (specific to your design specialty)

  • assortment of traditional art supplies (specific to your design specialty)

What NOT to Bring

  • expensive jewelry or clothing

  • an overabundance of items (the apartments have washing machines so there’s no need to overpack)

CELL PHONES: Many cell plans don’t include any calls, texts, or data while traveling internationally, and casual usage rates can be extremely high. To avoid this happening to you, check to see whether your cell company has any packages designed for international use. While many such packages are still expensive compared to using your phone at home, they’re usually much cheaper than "pay as you go" rates.

If you’d prefer to avoid roaming charges entirely, you can do so with an unlocked GSM smartphone. With one of these, you can remove your existing cell company’s SIM card, and replace it with one from a local company in your destination. Generally, the card itself will cost a few dollars, while $20 worth of credit will usually give you enough calls, texts, and data to last at least a couple of weeks. Most iPhone models have a SIM card slot that's unlocked for international use, no matter which company you bought it from. For Android users, contact your cell company to see if it will unlock your phone.

Finally, whether you’re using Wi-Fi or cellular data, consider using smartphone apps like Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp, or Google Voice when you need to stay in touch with friends and family. Rather than paying high international calling and text rates, these apps let you talk and send texts for free or cheap to anybody around the world as long as you've got a reasonable internet connection.

Turn off cell data (use Wi-Fi instead). If your smartphone isn’t unlocked and you don’t have a good international roaming package, there are still ways to avoid spending a fortune. The most obvious is to turn off cellular data before you board the plane to your destination, and leave it that way until you get home. At rates of up to $20 per megabyte, you could have spent hundreds of dollars downloading email before you’ve even got to the baggage carousel.

Instead, limit yourself to using Wi-Fi while you’re away. Most accommodation include wireless Internet, free, while cafes and restaurants can fill in the gaps when you’re on the go. It’s not quite as convenient as having cellular data at your fingertips, but it’s a whole lot cheaper.

CREDIT CARDS: You’ll be able to use credit cards for day-to-day expenses in most places in Greece. If you’re headed out to the local markets or the countryside, though, you may need to bring cash. Nerdwallet has some great tips for using credit cards overseas.

GETTING FROM ATHENS AIRPORT TO POROS: After flying into Athens, you will transfer to the Port of Piraeus and take the fast ferry or hydrofoil to Poros (You will need to arrive in Athens early in the day to make it on time. If this is not possible you may wish to arrive a day earlier).

  1. Fly into Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" (ATH).

  2. From Athens airport to the port of Piraeus you have three modes of transportation to choose from, a taxi, the metro, or public bus.

    • Taxis and UberTAXI: A taxi is generally the fastest and most convenient transfer option at around 40 minutes. You can find the airport taxi station at the Arrivals section, exit 3. Cabs are available 24 hours, 7 days a week, and most drivers speak English. Yellow taxis charge a flat rate of €54 during the day (5 am–midnight) and €70 during the night. This is expensive for a single traveler, but a good option if you’re in a hurry. When traveling in a group, taxis are an efficient and budget-friendly option.

    • Metro: An elevated pedestrian bridge connects the airport terminal to the metro station where you can purchase a ticket from a kiosk or agent. Metro line 3 departs at 30-minute intervals between 6:30 am and 11:30 pm from Athens airport. It is a modern line that takes you to the Monastiraki station in central Athens. At the Monastiraki station, change the platforms and take line 1 towards Piraeus port. Metro line 1 starts operating at around 5 am. In general, the journey from Athens airport to Piraeus port should last between 70 and 90 minutes. Line 3 travels around 40 minutes from the airport to the city center, while line 1 commutes around 30 minutes between the downtown and the port. It costs €10 and is generally an easy trip, but it may be confusing to those who are not used to metro systems. Delays are possible and you must be on your guard for pickpockets. Once you arrive in Piraeus, the port is a short walk from the metro station.

    • Bus: This is my personal favorite and the least expensive option. Take bus X96. It operates 24/7 at intervals between 20 and 40 minutes depending on the time and day. The price of a ticket is €6. You will find the bus terminal at the Arrivals gate on the airport, between exits 4 and 5. Purchase a ticket from a kiosk outside. Once aboard, stow your luggage and validate your ticket using the scanner on the bus. Enjoy the ride and depart in front of the port at the Piraeus (Drapetsona) bus stop. The duration of the journey from the airport to the port depends on the traffic. In ideal circumstances, you will need around 60 minutes to cover the distance. In normal traffic it takes 1.5 hours, in heavy traffic,2 hours.

  3. Currently the fast ferries and hydrofoils to Poros are operated by Blue Star Ferries. Times may change, so check the ferry schedule for the day that you wish to travel. Your goal is to get to Poros before 4 pm. The journey takes 1 hour on the Flying Dolphin. I recommend purchasing tickets online in advance (just in case). Once you arrive at Piraeus simply take your printed voucher to the Blue Star Ferries ticket booth and exchange it for a ticket. The attendant can point you to the embarkation point. Once aboard, stow your luggage, purchase snacks (if you like), find your seat and relax. Poros is the first stop. You’ll be met at Poros by a Project Lead holding a Project Resound sign.

If you arrive late and must take a later ferry—let us know by calling 1.912.547.4876 or emailing me at louis@projectresound.com. In this case we’ll pick you up when you arrive. Worst case scenario, enjoy the night in Athens, and take the morning ferry to Poros.

IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE: Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, or call the assistance call center:

  • 1-888-407-4747

  • From Overseas - +1 202-501-4444