Public Transportation

Hi,
We are going on a family trip to Greece from 11th Oct to 18th Oct(arriving into Athens airport and going out from the Athens airport). How good is the public transportation there? Is it convenient to rent a car. I read on one of the websites that driving is kinda difficult on their roads. We are travelling with 2 kids and also our dad is accompanying us.

Thanks in advance.

Public transport links from the airport are good, but you don't say what your plans are.

If your sticking to Athens, stick with public transports. If you're going to tour the mainland (especially with two kids in tow) I'd take the hire car option. If you going to an island, you'll need to mix and match.

I've hired cars lots of times in Greece and never had a problem driving there. The Greek driving style is a little quirky, but I wouldn't call it difficult.

Let us know a little bit about your plans/destinations and there are a shedload of good people on here who will help I'm sure.

My personal opinion is don't even think of rent a car and Drive in Athens. I never use my car for transport within Athens during the day time and on week days, instead I use taxi that is very cheap or the metro (not the buses) I don't mean that Greek buses are bad but depending where you want to go bus is not the fastest way due to heavy traffic almost every where.
If you will stay in Athens there is no need to rent a car because within Athens historical centre you go walking or use the metro, if you would like to visit the Athens Riviera you can use the tram from Syntagma square. In case you want to visit Sounio or Delphi or Corinth and Mycenae then you can rent a car but drive carefully, Greek drivers are not the best in the world if you understand what I mean. Alternatively you can visit the above historic sites by organised coach tours from several travel agencies. Try Dolphin Hellas www.dolphin-hellas.gr ,a very reliable travel agency at 16 Syngrou Avenue .

I agree that I wouldn't drive in Athens. And if you're heading to the islands, just rent a car for the day once you're there. Don't waste the money driving on the ferries to the islands.

Dave