![](https://i0.wp.com/www.breadandtea.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fullsizeoutput_6bf.jpeg?resize=640%2C853)
I flew to Athens from Edinburgh via Istanbul with Turkish Airlines. The first flight was on 25th December and the other at 01.15 on the 26th. Both were excellent.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.breadandtea.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fullsizeoutput_6bc.jpeg?resize=640%2C480)
I had a long wait between flights in Istanbul, but that is part of the price you pay for getting a flight on Christmas Day. The cost was £206. It included my checked in bag (30kg) and I had an emergency exit seat on the 1st leg – it was not booked but TK put me there to let a family sit together in the row I had chosen.
TK has in flight entertainment on its flights out of Edinburgh, and serves a full complimentary meal with drinks. Both are good quality.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.breadandtea.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fullsizeoutput_6df.jpeg?resize=640%2C853)
My flight home on 1st January was on easyJet, and direct. It cost €228. That price includes the extra cost of a checked in bag (15kg) and an emergency exit seat to give extra legroom. Needless to say easyJet does not provide free catering, nor any in flight entertainment.
Had I been able to book earlier I know I would have been able to get a much cheaper deal on flights, but I was held back while waiting for my employer to decide what the office arrangements would be for the end of December.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.breadandtea.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/P1110481.jpg?resize=640%2C480)
I stayed in the Sofitel at Athens Airport on the night I arrived. My flight got in at about 2am, which is to late to take the metro into the city. The cost was €141, without breakfast. It is literally across the street from the airport, so ideal in the circumstances. Breakfast is an eye-watering €25.
Most of my time was in an Airbnb apartment in the Koukaki neighbourhood. It cost £321 for 6 nights. I could not fault it. It was ideal, and just as advertised. It is located a short walk from Syngrou-fix metro station, making travel to and from the airport quite simple.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.breadandtea.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fullsizeoutput_6d4.jpeg?resize=640%2C853)
I took the metro from and to the airport. It takes around 40 minutes to/from Syntagma Square. The cost was €10 each way. The service is only every 30 minutes which makes for quite a long wait if you have just missed a train. However, the airport has display screens to keep you advised, and the train times are also published on the website of the city’s transport authority.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.breadandtea.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fullsizeoutput_6e4.jpeg?resize=640%2C853)
My top tip for Athens is to take the gastronomy tour I went on.
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.breadandtea.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fullsizeoutput_6cf.jpeg?resize=640%2C480)
It cost €65 – for a 4 hour tour and a huge amount of delicious food. I learned a lot, the food was great, and it was a lot of fun.
ⓒ iain taylor, 2020
🏴🇬🇷🇪🇺