TRAVEL INFORMATION

Traveling documents:

Click the link below to determine whether your country requires a visa application: https://www.mfa.gr/en/visas/visas-for-foreigners-traveling-to-greece/countries-requiring-or-not-requiring-visa.html

Greece belongs in the Schengen Area hence VALID Schengen visa Holders are allowed to travel to Greece for a maximum of 90 days in a 6-month period.

Flying to Greece:

Athens is easily accessible, with numerous direct and connecting flights linking it to major international cities and countries, ensuring widespread availability. The primary airlines flying to Athens include:

• AEGEAN AIRLINES
• AER LINGUS Plc
• AIR BALTIC Corp. SIA
• AIR CANADA
• AIR CHINA International Corp.
• AIR FRANCE
• AIR SERBIA
• ALITALIA
• AUSTRIAN AIRLINES Oesterreichisc
• BLUE AIR
• BRITISH AIRWAYS Plc
• BRUSSELS AIRLINES
• BULGARIA AIR
• CROATIA AIRLINES d.d.
• CYPRUS AIRWAYS Ltd
• EASYJET AIRLINE Co. Ltd
• EGYPT AIR
• ELLINAIR
• EMIRATES
• ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES Enterprise
• ETIHAD
• EUROWINGS
• GULF AIR Company GSC
• IBERIA Lineas Aereas de Espana S
• ISRAIR Airlines & Tourism Ltd
• KLM
• LOT Polish Airlines
• LUFTHANSA
• MEA
• OLYMPIC AIR
• QATAR AIRWAYS W.L.L.
• ROYAL AIR MAROC
• RYANAIR Ltd
• SCANDINAVIAN AIRLINES
• SKY EXPRESS S.A.
• SWISS INTL AIR LINES
• TAROM Romania
• TRANSAVIA AIRLINES C.V.
• Transavia France
• TUI FLY Belgium
• VOLOTEA AIRLINES
• WIZZAIR

Athens Airport: Athens International Airport (AIA), Greece’s largest one, is 33km/20.5 miles from the city.

Transportation options to and from Athens Airport (El. Venizelos):

1. Two bus lines (X96, X97) operate 24/7, providing a more affordable option at 5.5€/6.38$ for a one-way trip, from and towards the venue.  For more information: Athens Mass Transit System – Ticket information +30 21 0820 0999
2. Public Taxis are always available at the airport for your transfer to the venue
3. If you wish to book a private taxi transfer, please contact the Conference Secretariat Office at: synedrio@topkinisis.com
4. Car rentals, located in the Terminal’s Arrivals area, offer an autonomous way to explore Athens and the venue surroundings.

Time Zone: Greece is in the Eastern European Time Zone. The Standard Time is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2).

Language: Although Greek serves as the official language, English, French, and German are also commonly spoken.

General Open Hours:

• Regular Shops:
  • Monday & Wednesday: 9 am – 3 pmTuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9 am – 2 pm and 5:30 pm – 9 pmSaturdays: 9 am – 3 pmSundays: Most shops are closed

• Department Stores:
  • Monday-Friday: 10 am – 9 pm
  • Saturday: 9 am – 8 pm or 10 am – 9 pm (varies by store)

Note: Many shops in the city center remain open all day on Monday and Wednesday without closing during the 2.5-hour break on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

• Pharmacies on duty can be found here: https://www.xo.gr/pharmacies-on-duty/athens/

Useful phone numbers:

Emergency 112
Police 100
Ambulance 166
Tourist Police 171
Fire Department 199
Pharmacies 107
Hospitals 106
Weather service 148
Traffic Police 10400
International Phone Assistance 139

Climate:

• Athens, Greece offers fantastic weather in August and September, with highs of 32°C and lows of 23°C. The atmosphere is consistently warm and breezy, with minimal rain. Enjoy a generous 13.6 hours of daylight, starting at 06:39 and ending at 20:17.

• It is advised to dress light to fully embrace the delightful climate

Voltage frequency and plug outlet type in Greece: In Greece, power outlets utilize type C and type F plugs. The standard voltage is 230 V with a frequency of 50 Hz

Currency and forms of payment:

• Greece, is a member of the European Union, and uses the Euro as its currency
• All banks operating in Greece offer foreign currency exchange services and provide daily exchange rates for the Euro against major foreign currencies. More detailed information concerning exchange rates can be obtained from the Central Bank of Greece.

https://www.bankofgreece.gr/en/main-tasks/markets/exchange-rates

• Forms of payment:
  • Available options: In Greece, you can pay with cash, credit/debit cards, or option for digital methods like PayPal, bank transfers, Google Pay, and Apple Pay for convenient transactions.
  • Credit cards: In Athens, Greece, major credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted, while American Express, Diners Club, Maestro, and Carte Blanche are likely to be accepted but may incur a transaction fee, typically ranging from 1% to 3%. It’s essential to be aware of potential fees associated with these cards when making transactions in the city.
  • Tipping: Tipping is optional but appreciated by service providers. A small tip is always welcomed by service professionals, including taxi drivers, porters, hairdressers, etc., as a gesture of gratitude.

Covid 19 info: current Greek restrictions:

Greece has removed the mandatory requirement for travelers to fill out the Passenger Locator Form (PLF). Moreover, all arrivals, regardless of their origin, are no longer obligated to present proof of vaccination, recovery from COVID-19, or negative test results.