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The best time to travel to Athens is during spring or autumn. This is due to the fact that it occasionally snows during the winter, and the summer months can be unbearably hot. Some special dates to keep in mind include the Feast of Saint Basil on January 1st, and Carnival from February until Easter. And remember, Easter in Greece is celebrated at a different time than in the UK - usually about a week later. During Easter weekend many museums and sites will be closed, so plan accordingly.
Like most popular destinations, be wary of pickpockets in the metro and crowded areas throughout Athens. This is especially important since most smaller shops and restaurants don't accept credit cards, so be sure to carry some cash. And as long as you stay on the tourist circuit you will be just fine with English. The cost of living in Athens is generally lower than in London. A meal will run you from around 10 euros, with an average meal at a taverna costing upwards of 25 euros per person. If you're on a budget you can't go wrong with souvlaki, around 3 euros.
When landing at the airport you have a few options to get into the city centre. You can take the metro for 8 euros, a suburban train for 6 euros (which is slightly slower than the metro), an express bus for 5 euros, or a taxi for upwards of 50 euros (depending on the time of day). Travel times will be upwards of one hour. There are a number of accommodation options, ranging from 10 euro shared hostel rooms to 80 euro double hotel rooms. If you're travelling in July or August be sure to make a reservation.