Athens Olympics 2004: travel advice

30 November -0001

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The 2004 Olympic Games take place in Greece between 13 and 29 August 2004, followed by the Paralympic Games from 17-28 September.

Visitors to both Games should expect a warm welcome from the country that founded the Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee, the Athens 2004 Organising Committee (ATHOC), and the people of Greece are working hard to ensure that the games will be held in a safe and festive atmosphere.

You should maintain at least the same level of personal security awareness in Greece as in the UK. Greece shares with the rest of the world, including the UK, a risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks.

You should therefore be vigilant in public places, including tourist sites. But the vast majority of visits to Greece are trouble-free.

This Travel Advice will be updated as the Games approach and more information becomes available. Separate Travel Advice for the Paralympics will be published shortly. The full Greece Travel Advice is also available.

Athens Olympics 2004: travel adviceSUMMARY The 2004 Olympic Games take place in Greece between 13 and 29 August 2004, followed by the Paralympic Games from 17-28 September. Visitors to both Games should expect a warm welcome from the country that founded the Olympics. The International Olympic Committee, the Athens 2004 Organising Committee (ATHOC), and the people of Greece are working hard to ensure that the games will be held in a safe and festive atmosphere.You should maintain at least the same level of personal security awareness in Greece as in the UK. Greece shares with the rest of the world, including the UK, a risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks. You should therefore be vigilant in public places, including tourist sites. But the vast majority of visits to Greece are trouble-free.This Travel Advice will be updated as the Games approach and more information becomes available. Separate Travel Advice for the Paralympics will be published shortly. The full Greece Travel Advice is also available.

TICKETS

Sportsworld is the official British provider of package tours to the Olympic Games in Athens and can be contacted at www.sportsworld-athens2004.com. The other source of tickets for British and other visitors is the official Athens 2004 website: Security and General Tips.

ACCOMMODATION

There is a great demand for accommodation in Athens during the Games, and you are advised to book at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment. Prices are generally higher than usual. Most hotel accommodation in Athens has already been booked up, but some may still be available.

FILOXENIA '04 has been nominated as the official residential accommodation agent for the Games and runs a private home rental programme for visitors. Prices and accommodation are at the luxury level. In this framework, a wide range of private homes, apartments, town houses and luxury villas may be rented during the Olympics.

There is also a limited possibility of securing accommodation on nearby islands such as Poros, Spetses and Aegina. These islands offer daily hydrofoil and ferry services to Athens. Tickets for these services will need to be booked well in advance to guarantee availability. A number of camping grounds are also available in the Greater Athens area.

In addition, several luxury cruise ships will be berthed at the port of Piraeus for the duration of the Games providing an accommodation alternative for visitors. Email cruiseships@athens2004.gr for more details for more details.

Backpackers (even in August) are not advised to sleep rough. There are few parks in Athens, and the police may not turn a blind eye.

TRANSPORT

Athens is a busy, congested city and traffic levels will rise during the Games. The Greek authorities have taken steps to improve traffic flow throughout the city with the introduction of measures such as special bus lanes, the upgrading of roads around the major Olympic venues and a new motorway linking the airport with the city centre.

Public transport systems (trams, suburban railway, underground railway and bus services) are also being upgraded to deal with the increased demand for mobility, and will run to the major Olympic venues. Some services will operate on a 24-hour basis, others until late into the night.

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