Planning a trip to Patras
Getting There
By Train -- Extensive work is being carried out on the entire rail system from Athens to the Peloponnese and within the Peloponnese itself. For up-to-date information on schedules and fares, call tel. 210/529-8735 or 210/323-6747 (www.ose.gr). It remains to be seen whether the renovations will produce a speedier and more efficient rail system. If trains are running, you may want to know that the Patras train station, on Othonos and Amalias (tel. 2610/273-694), is on the waterfront near the boat departure piers. If you're catching a ferryboat, keep in mind that Greek trains usually run late, and allow extra time for your journey.
By Bus -- There are some 15 buses to Patras daily from the Stathmos Leoforia Peloponnisou in Athens, 100 Kifissou (tel. 210/512-4910; www.ktel.org). The Patras bus station (tel. 2610/623-886) is on Othonos and Amalias. For general Athens-Peloponnese schedule information, try tel. 210/512-4910 or www.ktel.org.
By Car -- The drive on the National Highway from Athens to Patras takes about 5 hours. Note: In the Patras city center, the system of one-way streets, not always obviously marked, along with the profusion of foreign drivers who have just arrived from Europe by car ferry, means that you should drive with particular care.
If you're heading from Patras across the Gulf of Corinth into Central Greece, you'll probably want to take the spectacular new Rio-AntiRio Bridge, which opened in 2004 (13€). If you prefer -- and if it has not been discontinued, as threatened -- you can still take the Rio-AntiRio car ferry, which runs twice an hour from early morning until about 11pm (3€).
Tip: The bridge's official, and seldom-used name, is the Harilaos Trikoupis Bridge. Most people prefer to simply call it e gefyra (the bridge).
Visitor Information
There is a good tourist information office (with Internet access) in an old factory building at Othonos and 6 Amalias; it's usually open Monday through Friday 8am to 8pm (tel. 2610/461-740; www.patras.gr). The tourist police are at 53 Patreos (tel. 2610/220-902 or 2610/451-833). The website www.infocenterpatras.gr has some useful information.
Fast Facts
A number of banks on the waterfront and on Plateia Georgiou exchange currency and have ATMs. The post office is signposted at the intersection of Mezonas and Zaimile. There is a telephone office (OTE) on the waterfront by the Customs sheds. Most of the car-rental agencies (Avis, Hertz, Kemwell) have clearly marked offices on the waterfront. The hospital (tel. 2610/22-3812) is signposted in town. There is also an emergency first-aid station (tel. 2610/277-386) at the corner of Karolou and Ayiou Dionysion. For Internet access, try Netp@rk, 37 Gerokostopoulou (tel. 2610/279-699); or try Netrino Internet Café, 133 Karaiskaki (tel. 2610/623-344). Both charge 5€ per hour, and both are off the waterfront. English-language newspapers are available at kiosks along the waterfront.
