How to get there | must know
Litochoro, Elassona and Katerini are the main departure points for those wishing to explore Mount Olympus.
They are easily accessible from Athens and Thessaloniki.
Everything you need to know about your trip to Greece.
Capital city
Athens
Official language
Greek
Central Airport
Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”
Lagest cities
Thessaloniki, Patra, Heraklion, Larissa, Volos
Weather – Climate
The climate of Greece is temperate Mediterranean, with mild, wet winters, warm and dry summers and sunshine during most of the days throughout the year. The coldest months are January and February, with average temperatures ranging between 0-10 ° C depending on the geographical region. Bad weather is often disrupted during January and in the first fortnight of February, by sunny days – the so-called “halcyon days.” The warmest period is the last ten days of July and first of August, with the mean maximum temperature ranging from 29 ° C to 35 ° C. The high summer temperatures are tempered by the sea breeze in the coastal areas and by the northern winds blowing mainly in the Aegean.
Currency
The currency of Greece is the Euro (€ EUR).
For currency exchange, you can refer to airports, to the private exchange offices you will find in main ports, major cities and tourist destinations, as well as banks.
The Greek banks are open from Mondays to Fridays 8:00 to 14:00, except public holidays.
National Holidays & Bank Holidays
New Year’s Day: January 1
Epiphany: January 6
Green Monday: 41 days before Easter
National Holiday / Annunciation: March 25
Sunday and Monday of Easter (moveable feast)
Labour Day: May 1
Holy Spirit Day: 50 days after Easter
Assumption of the Virgin: August 15
National Day: October 28
Christmas: 25 & 26 December
Dialling code
The international dialling code for Greece is +30
Local time
Greece is in the Eastern European Time Zone and is 2 hours ahead of the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +2). Daylight saving time is applied on the last Sunday of March and is in force until the last Sunday of October.
Shop Opening Hours
Generally, the opening hours of shops are Monday, Wednesday and Saturday 9:00-15:00, and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9:00 to 14:30 & 17:30 to 21:00. The big shopping centres, shops in central areas and supermarkets are open daily 9:00 to 21:00, except on Saturdays when they close at 20:00.
Electric current
In Greece, the voltage of the power supply is 220V (50 Hz). Devices from abroad can function normally using special adapters and transformers.
Τipping
Service is included in the bills of restaurants and bars. However, when the customer is satisfied with the services, it is usual to give the 10% of the total bill as a tip.
Smoking
By law, smoking is prohibited in all indoor public places.
Health & safety
Citizens of the EU countries have access to free public health care if they carry with them their European Health Insurance Card.
Police: 100
Tourism Police: 171
Ambulance service: 166
Fire service: 199
SOS doctors: 1016
Duty hospitals and clinics: 1434
Pharmacies: 1434
Poisoning first aid: 210 779 3777
European emergency number: 112
14511 (08.00- 20.00 Monday to Sunday)
Web ticketing, 14511 (08.00- 20.00 Monday to Sunday)
+30 213 0121451
USEFUL LINKS
Journey cards & Special Offers
https://www.hellenictrain.gr/en/journey-cards-special-offers
Transport of persons with special needs / reduced mobility
https://www.hellenictrain.gr/en/transport-persons-special-needs-reduced-mobility
Transportation of accompanied animals
https://www.hellenictrain.gr/en/transportation-accompanied-animals
AIRPORTS
Athens International Airport
https://www.aia.gr
Thessaloniki Airport – Makedonia
https://www.skg-airport.gr
Nea Anchialos National Airport – Volos
http://www.thessalyairport.gr
“Philippos” Kozani National Airport
24610 36098
Skiathos Airport
https://www.jsi-airport.gr/
Kavala Airport
https://www.kva-airport.gr
AIRLINE COMPANIES
AEGEAN
https://en.aegeanair.com/
801 112 0000
OLYMPIC
https://www.olympicair.com
SKY EXPRESS
https://www.skyexpress.gr
801 112 8288, 215 215 6510
RYANAIR
https://www.ryanair.com/gr
VOLOTEA
https://www.volotea.com/
Litochoro is 91 km away from Thessaloniki.
By car, it is approximately an hour drive (there are toll charges).
By train (direct train), it takes approximately 57 min.
There is direct connection with intercity buses.
Litochoro is 419 km away from Athens.
By car, it is approximately a 3 h and 50 min drive (there are toll charges).
There is no direct connection with either intercity train or buses from Athens.
Access is available through Katerini.
Elassona is 143 km away from Thessaloniki.
By car, it is approximately a 2 h drive (there are toll charges).
There is direct connection with intercity buses.
Elassona is 398 km away from Athens.
By car, it is approximately a 4 h drive (there are toll charges).
There is direct connection with intercity buses.
Katerini is 70 km away from Thessaloniki.
By car, it is approximately a 45 min drive (there are toll charges).
By train (direct train), it takes approximately 48 min.
There is direct connection with intercity buses.
Katerini is 435 km away from Athens.
By car, it is approximately a 4 h and 15 min drive (there are toll charges).
By train (direct train), it takes approximately 3 h and 38 min.
There is direct connection with intercity buses.
