Since the majority of travelers to Greece spend a few days in the capital, changes in the way things work in Athens are likely to affect most visitors.
The most crucial change is new traffic restrictions affecting what is called the "Olympic Ring" of roads. Starting July 20th, "normal" traffic will be restricted to a single lane on Attiki Odos, Kifissou, Poseidonos, Syngrou, Kallirois, Ardittou, Vassileos Konstantinou, Vassilissis Sofias and Kifissias avenues. Around and outside of Athens, it includes Attiki Odos, Poseidonos, Katehaki, Marathonos, Markopoulou, Varis-Koropiou and Kymis avenues, and even part of the National Road from Athens to Lamia. Since these roads are most of most convenient and most traveled, the impact is going to be huge.
The other lanes will be given over to buses for Olympic participants, shuttles, and other vehicles. The restrictions run from 6:30am to midnight.
While I usually encourage being an independent traveler in Greece, the Summer Olympic Games in Athens calls for special strategies.
#1. Unless you are extremely familiar with alternate routes in Athens, avoid having to drive yourself in the city during this period.
#2. Whenever possible, use the inexpensive and convenient Metro, taxis, buses, trams, and commuter rail systems. For buses, remember to buy your ticket before boarding at the kiosk; if you're on the bus without a ticket, you can be fined. But these alternate forms of transportation will be crowded; it is expected they will be operated near or at full capacity.
#3. Get your hotel's help in rounding up a taxi. You will pay more for a "Radio" taxi - one that has been called specifically for you - but it will be worth it. Taxis are still less costly in Greece than in many other places. Even a limousine may be worth it if you're part of group.
#4. Leave the vanity footwear at home and bring something comfortable to walk in - always a good idea for Greece. You may find that something once considered "too far from the hotel to walk" now starts to look much closer after an hour stuck in traffic to go only a mile.
There is one tiny bright note from the traffic perspective: over 40% of Athenians say they plan to be out of town during the Games.
The end date on the road restrictions is not clear, but will probably be sometime in the first week of September, after most of the Olympic participants and support crews have had time to clear out.
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