Essential Information After You Arrive

Here are some pertinent facts for staying at the School, listed by topic from A to Z.

Absence From Athens
Banks and ATMs
Check Cashing
Computers and E-Mail
Driving in Greece
Excavation Permits
Guiding Permits
Hours of Operation at the School
Importing Articles Into Greece
Laundry
Mail
Maintenance
Meals in Loring Hall
Medical Services
Passports/Papers
Public Transportation
Rooms at Loring Hall
Shopping
Siesta
Site Souvenirs
Sports Equipment and Tennis Court
Storage
Student Loans
Telephone and Fax

Absence From Athens
Members who plan to be away from Athens for any length of time are requested to inform the Receptionists and the Secretary of the School of their projected itineraries to assure that all mail, telephone messages, and emergency situations can be dealt with properly.

Banks and ATMs
Cash withdrawals may be made from automatic teller machines at many Greek banks (with the CIRRUS or PLUS system cards), with transaction fees that can range from $2 to $5 on each ATM transaction. Please note that European cash machines don’t have letters on the key pad so if your code has letters you should note their numerical equivalent before coming to Greece. Check with your bank in advance for their international ATM fee policies and about using personal access codes in foreign countries.  You may want to contact the credit card company and give them the dates you will be abroad.  The American Express office in Athens issues travelers checks and cashes personal checks for cardholders.
Hours: Most banks are open from 8:00-14:00 Monday through Friday. Some banks in the Syntagma-Omonoia area are open longer hours and on weekends for changing money. There are also numerous change offices in the Omonoia-Syntagma area.

Check Cashing
As a service to its members, the School cashes personal checks twice each week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Checks should be left in the Business Office mailbox or with the Bursar on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday between the hours of 12:00 and 14:00.  Money may be picked up the following Tuesday or Thursday between 12:00 and 14:00 from the Bursar’s office.

Check cashing guidelines:
a) All checks must be made out to the ASCSA;
b) Checks must be made out for small amounts and in any case no more than $2,000.

It is strongly encouraged, if feasible, to open a Greek bank account.  For this you will need an ΑΦΜ (a Greek tax number).  [Our business office can explain how to acquire an ΑΦΜ.]  Once a Greek account is opened, a good option will be for you to wire funds from the U.S. to your account.  Charges for that are typically minimal ($40-60) and it takes only 2 days or so.  You will then have the convenience of being able to withdraw funds from your account when you need them, wherever in Greece.

Computers and E-Mail
PCs running under Windows, Macintoshes, and printers are available for the use of all Members of the School. A limited number of word processing, database, and spreadsheet programs are also available for the use of the Members. Access to e-mail and the internet is available to all Members of the School. The School has wireless internet access available in most areas of the School including Loring Hall, the Computer room, the Gennadius and Blegen libraries, the Wiener Lab, and Archives. Please contact the .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for a password.

Driving in Greece
U.S. drivers who drive in Greece must carry a valid U.S. license AND an international driver’s permit. The U.S. Department of State has authorized two organizations to issue international driving permits:  AAA and the American Automobile Touring Alliance.

Car rental companies will sometimes rent cars to Americans without the permit, but please be warned that you could be arrested for failure to produce a valid permit upon demand.  Many U.S. citizens have been arrested and fined for not having the permit.

Excavation Permits
All Members who wish to excavate in Greece, or to study, photograph, or draw objects in Greek museums and storerooms must obtain a permit issued by the Greek Ministry of Culture. All Members who desire to undertake such research are requested to submit a letter to the Director of the School giving specific bibliographical information and museum inventory numbers for all objects they wish to examine. The School will make the required applications on their behalf to the appropriate Greek authorities.  Members should bear in mind that the application process takes a certain amount of time (usually, at least a month) and are, therefore, encouraged to make their written requests to the Director as soon as possible. Complete information about the excavation permit process can be found here.

Guiding Permits
The School can no longer obtain permits for individuals or groups. The necessary formalities must now all be completed by the individual through the Greek authorities. See the detailed information here.

Hours of Operation
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES: Monday through Saturday: 8:30-14:30
BUSINESS OFFICE: Monday through Friday, 8:30-14:30
BLEGEN LIBRARY: Monday through Friday, 8:30-21:00; Saturday, 9:00-14:30
GENNADIUS LIBRARY: Monday through Friday, 9:00-17:00; Thursday, 9:00-20;00;-Saturday: 9:00-14:00.
ARCHIVES: Monday through Friday, 8:30-14:30.
WIENER LABORATORY: Call for appointment. 210-72-36-313, ext. 224
AGORA EXCAVATIONS: Monday through Friday, 9:00-14:30. Call for appointment. 210-33-10-963
CORINTH EXCAVATIONS: Call for appointment. 27410-31-334

Importing Articles Into Greece
The regulations for importing articles into Greece are relatively complicated and cumbersome. No Member should envisage importing items with a large resale value (automobiles, etc.) without being familiar with the procedures and problems involved. See the School’s web page for further information.

Laundry
Washing machines and dryers are available for the use of the Members of the School on a sign-up basis and at a nominal charge. The machines are located in the basement of Loring Hall between the main wing and the Annex. Instructions for their use are posted along with a sign-up list in the laundry room. The School provides laundry soap.

Mail
Post office: The Kolonaki post office is located on the comer of Karneadou and Ploutarchou Streets, Opening hours: 7:30 to 14:00 Monday through Friday. Longer daily hours and weekend hours at the Syntagma and Omonoia branches.
Postal Rates: normal letters up to 20 grams (0.706 ounces):
- 0.60 euros to Greece,
- 0.75 euros to everywhere else - including North America.
There is NO special rate for postcards, and aerogrammes do not exist any longer. Other postal rates are posted on the bulletin board outside the Secretary’s office.

Maintenance
Should you have a maintenance issue, please contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Meals in Loring Hall
Meals are served six days a week in the Dining Room of Loring Hall. Breakfast: 7:00-9:00 Monday through Saturday; Dinner: 20:00 Monday through Friday. Monday through Saturday, a light buffet lunch is available from 13:00-14:00. Meals are available to all Members and their guests on a “space-available” basis. Any Member who desires to eat at Loring Hall should sign up in advance (by 10:00 of the day in question) for lunches and dinners. You can sign up online here. You must have a pre-paid meal card to eat in the dining room. These cards may be purchased from Niamh Michalopoulou at her office on the ground floor of Loring Hall during the hours indicated on her door. It is not necessary to sign up in advance for breakfast, but one is requested to indicate on the sign-up sheet in the dining room each meal taken.

2012-2013 Costs for meals are as follows:
Breakfast, Monday through Saturday: 4.10 € for Senior Members, 3.40 € for students;
Buffet lunch, Monday through Saturday: 7 € for Senior Members, 4.90 € for students;
Dinner, Monday through Friday: 11 € for Senior Members, 7.80 € for students.

2013-2014 Costs for meals are as follows:
Breakfast, Monday through Saturday: 4.50 € for Senior Members, 3.50 € for students;
Buffet lunch, Monday through Saturday: 7.50 € for Senior Members, 5 € for students;
Dinner, Monday through Friday: 11.50 € for Senior Members, 8 € for students.

In addition to these meals, tea is served in the Saloni of Loring Hall Monday through Friday from 17:00-18:00 and ouzo before dinner Monday through Friday at 19:15.

Residents of Loring Hall may make use of the upstairs kitchen in Loring Hall from 19:00 Saturday until midnight on Sunday. Some basic cooking utensils and a microwave oven are provided for the use of the residents, but cleaning and provisioning are the responsibility of the individual. Rules of use for the Loring Hall kitchen are posted in the kitchen.

Medical Services
Although the School does not provide comprehensive medical service, it does retain a School doctor who is on call in Loring Hall each Thursday afternoon from 13:00 to 14:00. For each illness, a Member may make three office visits, receive a diagnosis and any necessary prescription of medicine or referral to a specialist without charge. If a Member requires further treatment, consultation by a specialist, tests, x-rays or hospitalization, he or she is responsible for the cost of such treatment. It is advisable to investigate the applicability of one’s hospital or medical insurance policy in Greece before arrival.

Passports/Papers
Theoretically, in Greece, as in most European countries, you are required to have your “papers” on you at all times. However, it is unlikely that you will ever be asked to produce them. For North Americans, “papers” means your passport until such time as you get a resident permit. Pickpockets and petty thieves have been prevalent in Athens, especially in the well-touristed areas, and normal street caution should be practiced when you carry your passport around with you—especially in crowded situations, like public transport or market areas.

Public Transportation
As of 1 February, 2011, ticket prices for Athenian Public transport have increased substantially.  Single journey (no transfer) tickets for buses, trolleys, and the tram now cost 1.20 €.  Tickets for the metro alone or for a combination of different means of transport now cost 1.40 € and allow 90 minutes of ride (with transfers) on all forms of public transport (metro, bus, trolley, tram) – except the express buses to the airport and the buses to Saronis.  Validate the ticket the first time you get on and keep it with you until the end.  Tickets are available in the metro (from machines or the ticket window), at some kiosks (ones that say ΕΙΣΙΤΗΡΙΑ), and at tram stops. 

Blue Buses and “Yellow” Trolleys
Validate the ticket by sticking it into one of the orange/purple machines inside the bus/trolley.

• The No. 22 bus (Nea Kypseli-Marasleio) stops outside the Gennadeion and outside the Mobil station farther down Souidias and goes to Kolonaki Square, past Syntagma to the National Library, past Omonoia, and to the National Museum, continuing on to Kypseli.
• The No. 60 minibus (Pedio Areos-Akadimia-Lykavittos) stops in more or less the same places and follows more or less the same route although it takes the back streets rather than going direct from Syntagma to Omonoia. It ends at the National Museum.
• Another minibus, No. 200 (Pedio Areos-Agora-Kolonaki), stops near the comer of Patriarchou loakeim on Marasli and goes to Syntagma, Monastiraki, the central markets, Omonoia, the Museum, and returns in a loop.
• The No. 3, No. 7, and No. 13 trolleys stop on Vasilissis Sophias below the Evangelismos Hospital. On the hospital side of the street, they continue to Syntagma, Omonoia, the National Museum, and points beyond.

Airport bus (X94 or X95) for one trip to OR from the airport - 5.00 euros.

Metro ” Subway - Electrikon
Validate the ticket by sticking it into one of the machines before going down to the platforms.

• Line one (green) goes from Piraeus to Kiphissia stopping in town at the Thision, Monastiraki, and Omonoia (N.B. Cheaper tickets for travel on this line only are no longer available.)
• Line two (red): goes from Agios Dimitrios (used to be Daphni) to Agios Antonios (used to be Sepolia) stopping at the Fix plant, Akropolis, Syntagma (connection with line 3), the University, Omonoia (connection with line 1), the train stations and other places; and
• Line three (blue); from Evangelismos - East to Ethniki Amyna or Doukissis Plakentias (with some trains continuing on to the airport, which requires a special 8.00 euro ticket), and West to Syntagma where it connects with line 2, continuing on to Monastiraki where it connects with line 1 and currently terminating at Egaleo. N.B. This line is being extended out to Haidari and is slated eventually to reach Piraeus; watch for developments.

Tram
Syntagma to Phaliron, Syntagma to Glyfada, Phaliron to Glyfada.  Validate the ticket inside the tram.

Travel cards for bus, trolley, and tram
Monthly travel card – 20.00 € (+ one photograph); yearly – 200.00 € (+ one photograph). 
N.B. These travel cards are NOT valid for the metro, the suburban railway, the Airport Bus Lines and the section Varkiza - Saronida of the Bus Line Ε22.

Taxis
Taxis are not as expensive in Greece as in other major European cities. Minimum fare, however, of 3.20 euros, and more expensive after midnight and during holiday periods. Add-on charges (luggage, transport to and from airport and ports, etc.) are specified bilingually on a card that should be posted near the meter. There is a surcharge for radio taxi pickups. (For example, the fare for a radio taxi to the airport is approximately 38 euros in the evening.)

Rooms at Loring Hall
Residence Manager: Niamh Michalopoulou; office hours: Monday through Friday, 7:00-15:00. 210-72-21-065.
Loring Hall, the School’s residence facility, is open for occupancy during the entire academic year, from early September through early June. During the months of June, July, and August a limited number of rooms are available.  Priority for housing in Loring Hall is given to Fellows of the School and participants in the School’s Regular Program. Rooms not allotted to Fellows and Regular Members are available for occupancy by any other Member of the School. Most rooms are for single occupancy and share common bathroom facilities but there are a few doubles and apartments with en suite baths. Maid service is provided, and linens are provided and changed weekly. Pets are not allowed in Loring Hall, Rooms assigned to Fellows and Members of the School are for their personal use only. They are to be neither rented nor loaned to other persons. Application for rooms in Loring Hall should be made as far in advance as possible to the Residence Manager. Request room online.  Smoking is prohibited inside Loring Hall.

Shopping
Shops normally are open Monday through Saturday mornings from 8:00/9:00 through 14:00/15:00. Some shops DO NOT reopen in the afternoons on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Supermarkets and department stores stay open throughout the day.

Siesta
You are not allowed to make noise (play the piano or loud music) between the hours of 14:30 and 17:00. The police sometimes enforce this law.

Site Souvenirs
Members are reminded that collecting antiquities, however small, is strictly forbidden by Greek law. Never pick up anything at any archaeological site, not even a single sherd.

Sports Equipment and Tennis Court
The School is the proprietor of a certain amount of sports equipment in varying states of repair currently stored in the kitchen next to the members’ saloni. The key to the tennis court shared by the British and American Schools also resides in the kitchen. The American School’s assigned days for use of the tennis court are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Sunday the court is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The court has recently acquired an all weather surface. Users are requested to help keep the court clean.

Storage
An apotheke for temporary storage of Members’ belongings is located on the ground floor of Loring Hall. All materials stored in the apotheke should be placed in suitcases, in trunks or footlockers or properly boxed. The Member’s name, date of deposit, and expected date of retrieval of the item should be prominently displayed. Neither the American School nor any member of its staff is liable in the event of any loss or damage of any kind. When storing articles in the apotheke, the Member should fill out a form available in the office of the Secretary of the School detailing the objects stored and their location. The key to the apotheke is located at the Receptionists’ desk.

Student Loans
The School is not authorized to sign for student loan deferments. All students should clear this with their home institution before coming to Greece.

Telephone and Fax
Telephoning from Greece to the U.S. costs approximately 0.42 € per minute or less.  There are cheap phone cards available in Greece.  In addition, you may want to equip yourself with AT&T, MCI, or Sprint telephone cards.  If you already have one of these cards, you should contact your company to find out what services are available from Greece.  Cell phones can be purchased with prices starting around 35-40 €.  These phones work with phone cards that are easy to buy in Athens, with a minimum charge for a new connection of about 20 €. Card phones are available for the use of the Members of the School in the Main Building and in Loring Hall. Members may make use of these telephones at any time for local or long-distance calls.

Incoming calls to the main building are received by the receptionists who will try to contact a Member or leave a message in his/her mailbox. If a Member expects a long distance call, he/she should inform the receptionist on duty of his/her whereabouts so that this process may be facilitated. At night and on weekends, the telephone is connected to an answering machine. If a Member desires to receive calls after the receptionists have left for the evening or during the weekend, he/she should have his/her calls made to the telephone in Loring Hall (210-72-10-996). Please do not use the telephone at the receptionists’ desk as this ties up the lines for all incoming calls.

The School has a FAX machine located at the Receptionists’ desk. If you would like to use the School’s machine, you will be charged a flat fee depending on the number of pages sent and the country to which the message is sent. Current charges for the use of the Fax machine are posted on the bulletin board in the administrative office corridor. These bills should be paid to the Bursar upon receipt.