Athens

ClaretShaun · Post by **ClaretShaun** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 2:21 am

Delighted.

Took the risk and booked flights from seat at the match with 3/4 mins left to play.

£310 leave Manc 2pm Wed arrive Athens 11pm, leave Athens 9am Fri arrive Manc 3pm.

Got a BASIC room for £40 for 2 nights right by the bus stop for the airport (24hr bus service so cheap transfers) and only 0.8 mile from the stadium.

Solo traveller tho this time.

mybloodisclaret · Post by **mybloodisclaret** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 2:22 am

Already in Greece, hotel booked now for Athens close to ticket collection, sort ferry out, and hope I can buy the tickets either over the phone or Internet to collect in Athens. Does anyone know how this will work? CT / LEISURE / ET AL?

Indecisive · Post by **Indecisive** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 6:37 am

mybloodisclaret wrote:Already in Greece, hotel booked now for Athens close to ticket collection, sort ferry out, and hope I can buy the tickets either over the phone or Internet to collect in Athens. Does anyone know how this will work? CT / LEISURE / ET AL?

You can buy online as long as you have a clarets number. May depend on number of points you have as to when you can purchase, but I’d imagine they’d go to general sale again.

Terry Cochrane · Post by **Terry Cochrane** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 6:57 am

Last time I went to Athens was during the 2004 Olympics and they had cleaned up the City significantly putting pedestrian only boulevards in around the Acropolis.

Had an amazing two weeks there. Have booked to go for 3 nights. If you can make sure you get time to visit the Parthenon obviously but the old 1896 Olympic stadium which is stunning. Have a meal at night in the Plaka. Have a day on the beach along from Piraeus.

mikeS · Post by **mikeS** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 7:10 am

Found this

Cliffs Tours - one way 10 Guineas to Athens. Departs Sunday London Victoria. Arrives Wednesday barring breakdowns and stops for singing and dancing every 2 hours.

burnmark · Post by **burnmark** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 8:32 am

Four of us flying from Edinburgh after train up from Burnley. Costing £327 return including train -direct flight to Athens but change in Corfu on way home.

Got a hotel in Glyfada for three nights.

Eloise Laws · Post by **Eloise Laws** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 9:05 am

Prevaza with Easy jet out was still quite cheap this morning - for anyone willing to do a 4/5 hour road trip to Athens.....

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 9:44 am

Burnleybabe wrote:Now that would be telling
Not from North west though

If youve already booked and paid surely no issue sharing with fellow clarets...?

Granny WeatherWax · Post by **Granny WeatherWax** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 9:48 am

Booked. £80 on the way there, £300 and an absolute mission on the way back.

ClaretAL · Post by **ClaretAL** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 9:57 am

£80 1 way to Mykanos and ferry to Athens. Just trying to find a better price to get back

BarrowfordClaret87 · Post by **BarrowfordClaret87** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 10:01 am

Booked flights last night after a few beers...

Wednesday - 0645 Manchester to Paris CDG, to Athens 1640 with Air France

Friday - 1205 Athens to Stockholm

, to Manchester with SAS.

Booked a cheap central hostel close to metro, ticket collection, recommended place to congregate etc.

Flying solo at present but very excited

UTC

Burnleybabe · Post by **Burnleybabe** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 10:09 am

cricketfieldclarets wrote:If youve already booked and paid surely no issue sharing with fellow clarets...?

As I am waiting for other friends to book
once ticket details are out.

Someone else has done the same earlier in this thread.

Pimlico_Claret · Post by **Pimlico_Claret** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 10:21 am

Up half the night, should I, shouldn't I, ********, just booked flight out Tuesday Swiss Air via Zurich, back Saturday via Kefaloni. Hope I can get a ticket now

diamondpocket · Post by **diamondpocket** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 10:27 am

well done Pimlico, you won't regret it and a few days extra to have a look around.
Cab we add touristy things to do on this page as well.
I've just checked out the website for our coach meeting point, the Panathenaic stadium, only 5 euros and looks awesome.
Also, national museum of Athens I imagine will be fascinating with Greek archaeology and Art
Any other things to see apart from the obvious?

KlyBfc · Post by **KlyBfc** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 10:30 am

Spent most of the night and this morning looking at flights and trying to make a decision on do I or don't I. I need to as even if we qualify I won;t get to anymore games due to work.

Can anyone please advise me. Am I better to book the flights separate rather than using Skyscanner etc? do they come in cheaper?

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 10:54 am

KlyBfc wrote:Spent most of the night and this morning looking at flights and trying to make a decision on do I or don't I. I need to as even if we qualify I won;t get to anymore games due to work.

Can anyone please advise me. Am I better to book the flights separate rather than using Skyscanner etc? do they come in cheaper?

At this stage I would be looking at flights like Nottingham to Thessalonika and train in. Or from Robin hood airport.

Get to Mykonos and ferry in.

TVC15 · Post by **TVC15** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 11:07 am

How long is the ferry from Mykonos ?
I travelled the Greek islands 30 years ago and got on the boat from Piraeus - we got off at Ios 10 hours later ! We did go to Mykonos for a few days after that - it’s a very beautiful island

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 11:44 am

4 1/2 hours ferry.

I'm going to do some sort of boat trip while I'm there.

Granny WeatherWax · Post by **Granny WeatherWax** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 11:53 am

We are flying to Thessaloniki - £38 from Manchester on the Wednesday. 7 hours there to enjoy the bars on the seafront then flying down to Athens arriving c8pm.

Longside4evr · Post by **Longside4evr** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 11:57 am

ClaretShaun wrote:Delighted.

Took the risk and booked flights from seat at the match with 3/4 mins left to play.

£310 leave Manc 2pm Wed arrive Athens 11pm, leave Athens 9am Fri arrive Manc 3pm.

Got a BASIC room for £40 for 2 nights right by the bus stop for the airport (24hr bus service so cheap transfers) and only 0.8 mile from the stadium.

Solo traveller tho this time.

I booked at the beginning of the week and could for love no money get a flight out of Manchester on the Wednesday
What airline have you booked with they have either put additional flights on or is it a foreign airline
When i looked over a week ago it said fully booked on the Wednesday

Granny WeatherWax · Post by **Granny WeatherWax** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 12:05 pm

Longside4evr wrote:I booked at the beginning of the week and could for love no money get a flight out of Manchester on the Wednesday
What airline have you booked with they have either put additional flights on or is it a foreign airline
When i looked over a week ago it said fully booked on the Wednesday

he hasnt got a direct flight, look at the times

Garnerssoap · Post by **Garnerssoap** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 12:10 pm

just booked
out weds (easyjet) Mykonos - collect Lambert from his honeymoon - fly to Athens
back fri/sat via Kefalonia (Jet 2)
with Olympic for the internals
Looks like I'll see some fellow clarets en route.

Longside4evr · Post by **Longside4evr** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 12:12 pm

Yes sussed that out after 2 o'clock landing 11 its a 4 hour flight direct and it must be with Swiss air or another Thats cheep and a good price that hes got it for i am going direct Easy Jet 345 return
And could not get a direct flight Tue or Wen

JR1882 · Post by **JR1882** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 12:29 pm

Any clarets in the midlands flying from Birmingham??

Ive booked wednesday-friday with Lufthansa via germany.

Granny WeatherWax · Post by **Granny WeatherWax** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 12:32 pm

ours in 12 hours on the way home

Pad1951 · Post by **Pad1951** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 12:39 pm

http://www.uptheclarets.com/messageboar ... ew&id=7921" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

CarletonClaret · Post by **CarletonClaret** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 12:40 pm

We’ve decided against travelling for a variety of reasons but this was available this morning:

Aegean Airways, London Heathrow to Athens direct.

Out Wednesday 12:15 £172
Depart Friday 13:30 £350

Returns a little pricey but it is direct flights. May be of assistance to some but you need to get to Heathrow.

Good Luck

Granny WeatherWax · Post by **Granny WeatherWax** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 12:40 pm

Now thats more like it!! (the picture of the ground)

claret wizard · Post by **claret wizard** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 12:43 pm

Can't make this as I'm in Vegas all week, I'll be back for the home leg. I was in Athens earlier this year. It had been cleaned up in the main tourist areas and around the Plaka. I would expect that the fans will gather somewhere near to the ticket collection point, but the bars around Plaka are good and I would recommend a trip there. As mentioned all around the Acropolis South side and the Museum has been pedestrianised, but there's only a few bars at the bottom of the hill outisde of the grounds by the Dionysus Theatre. All around Omonia is far rougher than it was in the past. I imagine that Syntagma is where people will end up and probably where the ticket collection point will be. Hope this one make TV as I'll get to watch it somewhere in Nevada!

PWBFC · Post by **PWBFC** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 2:57 pm

Out Wednesday, back Friday night with BA. Using some air miles, a bargain at £280.

Chuckypad · Post by **Chuckypad** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 3:15 pm

Granny WeatherWax wrote:We are flying to Thessaloniki - £38 from Manchester on the Wednesday. 7 hours there to enjoy the bars on the seafront then flying down to Athens arriving c8pm.

Is the £38 for the single flight from Manchester to Thessaloniki?

We've paid over £300 for return flights from Manchester to Thessaloniki (Fly out Wednesay at 6ish, and back home Friday afternoon), with an internal return from Thessaloniki to Athens (Fly to Athens early Thursday, and back to Thessaloniki early Friday)

claret wizard · Post by **claret wizard** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 3:20 pm

I see the hotel and the recommended meet up point are to the East of Syntagma and very close to the original Olympic Stadium. I walked along the road via the stadium in April, it was hot then! Looking on google maps I have no recollection of bars around there and if there are then it's way out of the way.

Dyched · Post by **Dyched** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 3:23 pm

Had an email from Thomas Cook Airlines. £20 off flights to Greece if it’s any use to anybody

Code
SUMMERDEALS20OFF

Costadelsolclaret · Post by **Costadelsolclaret** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 3:46 pm

Manchester/Kefalonia weds Jet2.com still @ £79
Greek internal. €88
Corfu/Aberdeen Friday £45
Greek internal. €65
Aberdeen /man sat. £63
Three nights hotel
Few taxis
PLENTY OF BEER
And a quick return to where it all started
UTC

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 4:05 pm

I have just booked with Lastminute.com Tuesday to Saturday for 2 of us. Heathrow-Athens return. Mansion Hotel, near centre (Room only) £844.
Deep breath. No hardship on the flights going here, there and everywhere. Too old for that! Might be my last chance to see the Mighty Clarets competitively in the Europa Cup. (Champions League next season(

Devils_Advocate · Post by **Devils_Advocate** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 4:10 pm

Booked the (Wed evening) direct EasyJet flight out last week for £60 and paid £200 to come back Sat afternoon via Mykonos. Got a decent hotel so about £350 all in for three flights and three nights in Athens

Most excited/nervous ive been at a footy match in a long time

Dublin7Claret · Post by **Dublin7Claret** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 4:34 pm

Dublin to Athens direct with Ryanair on Wed is €47 at the moment. unfortunately return flights are about 5x that (direct or via a number of spots in Europe) so the trip is out of my price range, but the out flight might be useful to some

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 5:00 pm

Dublin7Claret wrote:Dublin to Athens direct with Ryanair on Wed is €47 at the moment. unfortunately return flights are about 5x that (direct or via a number of spots in Europe) so the trip is out of my price range, but the out flight might be useful to some

I wouldn't be in a rush to use Ryan Air at the moment. Some Clarets had their flights cancelled on them last minute going to Turkey or coming back.

ralphc · Post by **ralphc** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 5:53 pm

Chuckypad wrote:Is the £38 for the single flight from Manchester to Thessaloniki?

We've paid over £300 for return flights from Manchester to Thessaloniki (Fly out Wednesay at 6ish, and back home Friday afternoon), with an internal return from Thessaloniki to Athens (Fly to Athens early Thursday, and back to Thessaloniki early Friday)

Yes £38 is just the outbound, it is the return flights that are bumping up the price.

Granny WeatherWax · Post by **Granny WeatherWax** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 5:56 pm

Correct. It was a further £50 from Thessaloniki to Athens but like has been said the return flights are astronomical.

SGr · Post by **SGr** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 6:00 pm

I’m not planning on stopping the night in Athens as I have to be back the next day.

Does anyone know stadium policy on bags?

1989_claret · Post by **1989_claret** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 6:56 pm

PWBFC wrote:Out Wednesday, back Friday night with BA. Using some air miles, a bargain at £280.

Via Heathrow from Manchester? If so it’s the same for me and my old man.

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 7:16 pm

So far I've heard Clarets are going from these airports.

Manchester
Bristol
Heathrow
Luton
Edinburgh
Stanstead
Leeds Bradford
Birmingham
Liverpool
Gatwick
Verona

Any more?

Burnley87 · Post by **Burnley87** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 7:27 pm

Anyone looking for flights out from Manchester we have booked on the 11pm Flight on Tuesday with Aegean Airlines. Direct around £130... coming back is more difficult

Burnleybabe · Post by **Burnleybabe** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 7:45 pm

Quickenthetempo wrote:So far I've heard Clarets are going from these airports.

Manchester
Bristol
Heathrow
Luton
Edinburgh
Stanstead
Leeds Bradford
Birmingham

Any more?

Liverpool

PWBFC · Post by **PWBFC** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 7:48 pm

1989_claret wrote:Via Heathrow from Manchester? If so it’s the same for me and my old man.

I’m based down south so starting at Heathrow.

Granny WeatherWax · Post by **Granny WeatherWax** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 7:52 pm

Our trip sees us in Manchester Thessaloniki Athens corfu Edinburgh and then back to Manchester

Barry_Chuckle · Post by **Barry_Chuckle** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 7:53 pm

If you fancy a reasonable price and don't mind flying from down South

Direct flights from Gatwick out Tuesday 14:40
Return Fri, 21:05 £328 BARGAIN

Granny WeatherWax · Post by **Granny WeatherWax** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 7:55 pm

Can’t wait for £60 trips to Europe in the group stages

diamondpocket · Post by **diamondpocket** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 8:44 pm

Quickenthetempo wrote:So far I've heard Clarets are going from these airports.

Manchester
Bristol
Heathrow
Luton
Edinburgh
Stanstead
Leeds Bradford
Birmingham
Liverpool

Any more?

VERONA