We have used this same bus tour company in all the European countries we visited. Very good value and hop off features to see sights and then pick back up to continue is an all day event.
This was very, very good. A bit late to discover this, but nonetheless thought to leave a comment. Having seen some of the seedier sides of San Francisco, not too far from my home, have to say that the homeless and/or drug abuse situation near Omonia square isn't comparable. A lot is said about the pickpockets but really haven't encountered it much. The most obvious scam I encountered was the bracelet pushers in Monastiraki, but they're a cheerful bunch of rascals in any case. Overall found Greeks to be very honest, even their taxi drivers. My Greek friends are often surprised to hear this, but I believe Greece is an unusually honest and friendly place. Have visited many other countries around the world; not gonna name any places, but this is often not the case.
Yes, Athens is pretty safe generally, though i find the bracelet sellers generally annoying. The kids are worse unfortunately, they make me feel uncomfortable selling things and can get a little pushy.
Hi @francoisbouchard9488, you said situation near Omonia square isn't comparable to parts of SF. Knowing Omonia well I find it very bad (but safe). How would you compare it to US cities in terms of drugs/homelessness etc?
@@WSHBRN the scale of the drug abuse and homelessness crisis in the US is off the charts. San Francisco’s most famous neighborhood where problems are very visible is called the Tenderloin. It is many times larger than the area around Omonia. But it’s not the only neighborhood affected, and SF is not the only city. I’m not sure I can think of a single American city I’ve visited where homeless and drug abuse isn’t visible in some way.
Thank you, The Athens Happy Train. I am in Athens on Friday and was thinking about what to do. I will do the Happy Train, can be difficult to film well, but will try!
Couple of things I would say… about the water. You can buy bottled water from the little kiosks dotted around. Indeed there is one pretty much directly opposite the theatre of the Acropolis. And you do sometimes have random people selling it from a cool box too. I don’t think it’s a difficult finding it as perhaps made out to be. Also the pick pockets, no worse than any other major tourist destination… especially with the chaps giving ‘free’ not so free bracelets and inviting you to music festivals. Just use your sense. I’ve felt relatively safe with all told.
We used the 48hour version of this with two lines, we walked all over but used this to look at Piraeus, but more than anything the buses were a good jump on jump off taxi service after we had done a lot of walking on days.
Nice tour, but i agree walking is better. Bringing an 82 year old in September so bus it might be. Athens is beautiful when you know where to go. Good work.
The bus will be good if walking is an issue, it will still be warm as well. I agree Athens is amazing to explore, so much to stumble upon. Thanks for commenting.
Just booked a trip to Athens for May 24, and this was the first video I've looked at. That was a great introduction to the city. I'm actually staying in Plaka so to realise it's just a short walk down from the Parthenon is good knowledge to have. It's not always clear from Google Maps. I'm hoping to book a day trip out from Athens on one day, so will be looking through your catalogue with interest.
Thank you, I really appreciate your feedback and the fact the video was useful. It is easy to walk round the centre and Plaka is fantastic. Ancient Corinth is really my favourite within an easy day trip of Athens, but Nafplio is also great too. It depends what you are looking for really. happy to offer an opinion.
Did this one time in my live in London, never again. So stupid way of visiting a city, bus passes so quickly in interesting area and then endless stops in boring streets because of the traffic jam.
Hey great vid! We are thinking of booking the open bus tour when we visit in Oct. I wanted to ask is the Acropolis ‘stroller friendly’ in your opinion? Debating whether to take stroller baby carrier
There is a bit of a climb and queue from the ticket office, to the Parthenon but you can take a stroller, it is not ideally designed for it, but it is possible and allowed.
Should be quiet, Feb is always a bit of a risk with the weather, could get snow. March, a better bet. avoid Greek Easter if you don't want crowds. I find March / April really the best time of the year. Not too hot for exploring, but reasonable weather.
Hello Andrew, i enjoyed your video very much very well made and detailed. Is there a website you recommend where we can buy the tickets for the hop on bus?
14:53 I live just a few blocks to the east from the middle distance between Acropolis/Parthenon and Monastiraki square, and you gave an absolutely fantastic idea for a visitor to hike down from Acropolis to Monastiraki. There are 2-3 of parallel routes to do this, even making small detours around and then heading back again to the main direction. The only issue is that sometimes Google messes up the route info given, and when I'm in the street some tourists ask for directions because google-wise it looks like a maze to them but it's not, regarding someone who heads to Monastiraki from the Acropolis. It is an absolute maze though if someone gets in the area as a driver, which I do not recommend to do in any case.
