Registrations for the 13th international seminar of the EFRJ “Crossing Borders - Building Futures: Restorative Justice for Children and Young People on the Move” are open until 28 April 2025. More info here.
Practical information
On this page you can find all the useful information for your stay in Athens during the 13th EFRJ Seminar (16-17 May 2025): where to sleep, what to see and how to move in the capital of Greece.
Registrations
Venue & Hotel
University of West Attica
The seminar will take place at the Conference venue of the University of West Attica, at Elaionas campus in collaboration with the Department of Social Work, located at Thivon 250, P.C. 12244, Aigaleo, Athens.
- From the airport - There is no direct public transport connection between the University of West Attica and the airport of Athens. It is recommended to take Metro Line 3 (the blue line) from the airport and get off at Aigaleo station. From the Theodoros Polikandriotis bus stop, take bus 703 or 845, which go directly to the university. Another option is also to take bus 852 from Estauromenos bus station.
- From the city center - It is recommended to take Metro Line 3 (the blue line) from Sintagma and get off at Aigaleo station. From the Theodoros Polikandriotis bus stop, take bus 703 or 845, which go directly to the university. Another option is also to take bus 852 from Estauromenos bus station.
Find here the timetables and route maps to all public transport lines in Athens.
Hotel
Athens offers a variety of different accommodation options (see for example www.booking.com, www.airbnb.com). The EFRJ organising team will be staying at Arethusa Hotel, 6-8, Mitropoleos Str. & 12, Nikis Str. Athens, P.C. 10563.
Travelling to Athens
By air
Athens airport is connected to 172 domestic and international destinations, including all major cities around the world. The city’s international airport, Athens International airport Eleftherios Venizelos is located 32 km from the city centre. Metro Line 3 (Blue Line) connects the airport with Athens city center & Piraeus - "Dimotiko Theatro". More information is available on stasy.gr. Moreover, 4 Express bus lines connect the airport with Syntagma (X95), Piraeus (X96), Kifissos & Liossion Intercity Bus Stations (X93) & "Elliniko" Metro Station ("Dafni" night hours) X97. For more information, you may call 11185 or visit the website Airport Express Bus Lines – OASA. The journey time is approximately 40 minutes. Trains run every 30 minutes, 7 days a week from 6:30 am to 11:30 pm. One way tickets cost €9 (€4.50 for children, teenagers, over 65), return tickets cost €16. Additionally, the suburban railway (Proastiakos) connects Athens Airport with Larissis Station, the central Athens railway station in approx. 45 minutes. Trains depart from Athens airport every 15-25 minutes to Doukissis Plakentias station, where you can transfer to the Athens Metro network, using the same ticket. For more information you may call +30 210 527 2000 or visit Proastiakos Suburban Railway Website. Finally, taxis are available outside Exit 3 of Arrivals Level. A taxi from the airport to the city centre costs a flat rate of €40 from 5 am to midnight, and €55 from midnight to 5 am. The rate is determined by the time of arrival at the destination and includes all applicable surcharges.
By water
Piraeus, the main port in Athens, is located around 10 km southwest of the city centre and 45 km from the airport. Athens Metro Line 3 connects Piraeus to the city centre (Syntagma Square) in 20 minutes. The same line reaches the Athens Airport in about 55 minutes. Line 1 (overground train) runs from the port of Piraeus and meets Athens Metro line 3 at Monastiraki Station, which takes you to Syntagma Square. Moreover, bus 040 runs from Piraeus to Syntagma Square 24 hours a day. The X80 is an express bus from Piraeus to Syntagma, running every half hour from 7 am to 9:30 pm, available from May through October. Finally, you may call one of the radio taxis or a taxi app like Taxiplon or the Beat app to have a taxi waiting for you at the port. The cost from Piraeus to the city centre is around €25.
Local transport in Athens
The Athens public transport system is affordable, reliable and covers most of the city and suburbs. You can use all means of public transport using the same ticket (a single ticket costs €1.20 and is valid for 90 minutes).
Metro
The fastest means of getting around Athens is the Metro. The Athens Metro system consists of 3 lines and connects to the tram, bus routes and suburban railway.
The metro runs daily from 5 am to midnight. Lines 2 and 3 operate until 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays. At peak hours, trains run every 5-6 minutes.
Athens Metro: Website / Tel. +30 214 414 6400
Line 1 is an overground train (known as ISAP) that runs from the northern suburb of Kifissia to the port of Piraeus. It connects to lines 2 and 3 at three stations (Attiki, Omonia and Monastiraki).
Athens Piraeus Electric Railways: Website / Tel. +30 210 324 8311
Suburban Railway
This overground train provides a direct link between Piraeus port and Athens International Airport. It also connects Athens to Halkida in Evia and Kiato and Corinth in the Peloponnese. The suburban railway operates from 4:30 am until 11 pm daily.
Suburban Railway: Website / Tel. 14511
Buses & Trolleybuses
The Athens bus and trolleybus network is very extensive. Most buses and trolleybuses run daily from 5 am to midnight, but do check the timetable of your route.
Airport Express buses operate on a 24-hour basis. These services connect Athens International Airport with the city centre (Syntagma Square), Piraeus port and the Intercity Bus Terminal (KTEL Kifissos).
OASA: Website / Tel. 11185
Tram
The tram network connects central Athens with the coastal suburbs of Faliro, Voula and Piraeus. It takes approximately one hour to get from Syntagma Square to the final seaside stops at Voula or Piraeus.
There are two tram lines; T6 connects Syntagma with Faliro (Pikrodafni station) and T7 connects Voula (Asklipeio Voulas station) with Piraeus (Agia Triada station). The two lines meet at Pikrodafni station.
The tram connects to the Metro and overground train at four stops: Syntagma, Syngrou/Fix, Neos Kosmos and SEF (Peace and Friendship Stadium in Faliro). See the timetable here.
The tram operates from 5:30 am to 12:00 am daily.
Tram S.A.: Website / Tel. +30 214 4146400
Tickets for Public Transport
Tickets and passes (Ath.ena tickets) for public transport are sold at ticket booths and machines in all Athens Metro and tram stations. There are three types of Ath.ena tickets: a paper ticket, an anonymous card that you can top up, and a personalised card. These tickets can be used on all forms of public transport.
A standard ticket on Athens public transport costs €1.20. Students and senior citizens over 65 pay €0.50 (student ID and proof of age required). Children up to the age of 6 travel free of charge; ages 7-18 pay €0.50 (proof of age required).
For more information on prices, visit the Athens Transport website.
For more information on public transport in Athens, call 11185 or visit www.oasa.gr
Weather
With over 300 days of sunshine a year, Athens is known for its mild climate and clear blue skies. Temperatures usually remain above 22º Celsius from April until October. Remember to use sunscreen. More information on local tips can be found here.
Useful information
Emergency Number: 112
Photo credits:
- Main photo: Acropolis by Andreas Kontokanis on flickr.com
- All the other photos are from the official Athens webpage.