New Bus Stops, Parking Areas for Tourist Coaches in Athens

Photo source: Athens Municipality.

Aiming to enhance traffic management and facilitate the smooth movement of tourists in the city center, the Municipality of Athens has set new designated bus stops and parking areas for tourist coaches.

The announcement follows a municipal council’s decision after a series of talks with industry bodies and vehicle owners, aiming to decongest traffic on central streets and ensure a seamless experience for thousands of visitors in Athens.

11 new bus stops in Athens for tourist coaches

Photo source: Athens Municipality.

The municipality has set 11 different areas where tourist buses are allowed to park and stop for pickups and drop-offs during the peak hours of 9am to 6pm:

1. Ymittou street (from Frynonos to Ilioupoleos streets – right side)
2. Athens Avenue (from Mitrodorou to Spyroy Patsi – right side)
3. Dionysos Parking Area (Rovertou Galli and Garivaldi junction)
4. Dora Stratou Theatre Parking (at Arakynthou street)
5. Thessalonikis Street (from Dimofontos to Persefonis streets – left side)
6. Stisikleous Street (near Kallisthenous street)
7. Persephone Street (from Thessalonikis to Peiraios streets – right side)
8. Agia Annis Street (from Agiou Polykarpou to Iera Odos – right side)
9. Hadjichristou Street (from Suggrou Ave. to Makrygianni street – right side)
10. Theodoros Diligiannis Street (near Karaiskaki Square – right side)
11. Thermopylae Street (from Psaromilingou to Melidoni streets, right side)

According to the municipality, the locations of the bus stops have been carefully selected to provide convenient access to popular tourist attractions and sites. Special signs have been put up at locations to indicate the bus stops.

Rules for Amalias Avenue, double-decker buses

Moreover, on Amalias Avenue, tourist coaches are allowed make only brief stops for passenger pickups and drop-offs (on the right lane from Goura to Lysikratous streets, and from Lysikratous to Dionysiou Aeropagitou pedestrian walkway). Parking is strictly prohibited.

In addition, double-decker buses are only permitted to make stops for passenger pickups and drop-offs at Kallimarmaro and Syntagma.

Photo source: Athens Municipality.

According to the municipality, the aim of the new designated bus stops for tourist coaches is to provide tourists safe and easy access to archaeological sites and cultural attractions while minimizing disruptions to vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

The Municipality has collaborated with the municipal police and traffic police to develop a comprehensive plan for controlling and policing the allocated points.

“These designated bus stops underscores the Municipality of Athens’ commitment to enhance traffic management, guarantee convenience for tourists and maintain the overall appeal of the city as a top tourist destination,” the municipality said.

Following the municipality’s announcement, the General Panhellenic Federation of Tourism Enterprises (GEPOET) applauded the decision which comes after a decades-old demand of Athenian tourist transport professionals.

“The municipal decision will improve traffic in the center of Athens, where numerous hotels, archaeological sites, museums and other points of tourist and cultural interest are located,” said a GEOPET representative.