Travel to Evia
Evia is easily accessible by road, rail, coach or ferry once you have arrived in Greece. A simple guide is set out below for the most common routes.
Athens & Airport to Evia
a) Car
b) Public Transport
c) Ferry
Athens & Airport to Evia
a) Car
1) Driving
To drive from the Athens Airport to Evia via Halkida is much easier and quicker with all the road improvements which have been carried out in recent years. A new road link is currently under construction from the National High Road to Halkida which will mean the journey will be on road of motorway quality for the whole journey from 2009. A new road link has recently opened from the National High Road to the suspension bridge near Halkida which is of motorway standard.
1)Take the motorway from the airport towards Elefsina (or Elevsina)
2) After about 20 minutes (after a tollpost where you will need to pay 2.70 euro and many junctions and underpasses) you should turn RIGHT (J8) onto the Athens - Lamia motorway in the direction of LAMIA. Be careful the road merges on a sharp bend as you join the motorway going north.
3) Follow the motorway for about 40 kilometres. You will pass two toll posts (euro 1.85 & 2.75 fee). Immediately after the second keep in the right hand lane and bear RIGHT to Halkida. (Chalkida)
4) You will now come off the motorway and enter a standard road which winds through the countryside. and onto the new road to Halkida (about 12km) which now bypasses the village of Vathi. This finishes by a large cement works where it narrows to cross the suspension bridge to take you on to the island of Evia.
2) Road Maps
To reach Evia and to explore the island the following are recommended
1:250,000 Road Edition Map 4 Central Greece
1:100,000 Anavasi 04-1 Southern Evia. GPS compatible
1:100,000 Anavasi 04-2 Northern Evia. GPS compatible
c) Public Transport
1) Train
On arriving at the train station at Larisis (Athens Central railway Station) you would normally board a train to Halkida but the Halkida link line to the Athens to Thessalonika route is closed until 2009 whilst it is upgraded. When completed there should be fast trains to Larisis and also a new direct service to the Airport from Halkida. With the modern trains this is a scenic trip to take. you can board a diesel train on a stopping service to Halkida which takes just under 90 minutes. The line has recently be upgraded and electrified but the new electric trains are not operating yet and the new timetable which should provided a faster service to Halkida and from Athens Airport is awaited. It is a pleasant and scenic route to take
2) Coach
There is a regular service every 30 minutes from the Liosion Bus / Coach station to Halkida. Journey time is about an hour and the nearest metro is Kato Patissia on the M1 line. Go out of the station and take the avenue stratigou Kalari. Turn left before the church that is on the left side of the avenue. Walk for a few minute to the bus station. Alternatively there is a pick up point opposite the metro station; you pay on board.
Cost under 6.20 euros
3) Ferry
Ferry Timetable
Besides the two road bridges at Halkida in central Evia, the island can be accessed by several ferry crossings, depending on which part you wish to visit.
North Evia:
- Arkitsa to Edipsos. 45 minutes. Every day, all the year around.
-Agioskambos- to Glyfa. 25 minutes. Daily, all year around.
Central Evia:
- Oropos to Eretria. 30 minutes. Every day, all the year around
South Evia:
- Agia Marina to Styra. 45 minutes. Every day, all the year around.
- Rafina to Marmari. 60 minutes. Every day, all the year around.
There is a bus service from the airport to Rafina which is about 20 minutes drive.