Athens has an integrated public transport system covering the metro, city buses, trolleybuses and tram. Standard OASA tickets can also be used on designated sections of the suburban railway within the Athens urban fare zone.
For most visitors, the metro is the quickest way to reach the historic centre, while buses and trams are useful for neighbourhoods and coastal areas that are not directly served by rail.
This guide explains how Athens public transport works in 2026.
Getting Around Athens: Main Transport Options
The best way to get around Athens depends on your destination, travel time and comfort level. Most central attractions are accessible by metro or on foot, but the wider transport network is useful for reaching the coast, residential districts, Athens Airport and Piraeus.
The metro is usually the fastest option for tourists. Its three lines connect Syntagma, Monastiraki, Omonia, the Acropolis area, Athens Central Railway Station and Piraeus.
Metro Line 3 also connects the city with Athens International Airport. However, not every Line 3 train continues to the airport, so check the destination shown on the train and platform displays.
Buses and trolleybuses cover neighbourhoods beyond the metro network and can be useful for shorter local journeys.
Travel times depend more heavily on road traffic, and routes may be less intuitive for first-time visitors. The official OASA Telematics service provides live arrival information for many bus and trolleybus stops.
The tram connects central Athens with coastal districts along the Athens Riviera. It is slower than the metro but useful for destinations around Nea Smyrni, Palaio Faliro, Glyfada and the seafront.
The Athens Suburban Railway is operated by Hellenic Train. It connects Athens International Airport with Athens Central Station and Piraeus, while also serving destinations outside the city.
OASA tickets are valid only on the specified sections of the suburban network covered by the Athens urban fare system. Longer journeys may require a separate Hellenic Train ticket.
Athens Metro Map and Lines
The Athens metro has three main lines. For tourists, Lines 2 and 3 provide the most direct access to central attractions, while Line 1 is particularly useful for travelling between central Athens and Piraeus.
Athens Public Transport Tickets and Prices
Athens uses an integrated ticket system for buses, trolleybuses, trams, the metro and designated urban sections of the suburban railway.
Standard urban tickets do not cover Airport Express buses or the airport section of Metro Line 3. Current official fares include the following
| Ticket | Price | Validity | Airport included? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90-minute ticket | €1.20 | 90 minutes from first validation | No | Occasional city journeys |
| 24-hour ticket | €4.10 | 24 hours from first validation | No | A full sightseeing day |
| 5-day ticket | €8.20 | 5 × 24 hours from first validation | No | Several days of city travel |
| 3-day Tourist Ticket | €20 | 3 × 24 hours and two airport journeys | Yes | Short stays with airport travel |
| Airport Express Bus | €5.50 | One airport journey | Yes | Budget or overnight airport travel |
| Airport Metro Ticket | €9 | One airport journey | Yes | Direct airport-to-centre travel |
Prices and ticket conditions can change. Check the latest fare information on the official OASA website or at a staffed ticket office before travelling.
Which Athens Transport Ticket Should You Buy?
One or two city journeys
Use a standard 90-minute ticket or pay directly with a contactless bank card.
The ticket allows transfers during its 90-minute validity period, provided your journey remains within the normal urban fare zone.
A full sightseeing day
The €4.10 24-hour ticket is generally better value when you expect to make four or more standard urban journeys. Passengers paying with the same contactless card/ device can also benefit from current urban daily fare cap of €4.10.
5 days
The €8.20 5-day ticket is useful for visitors who expect to use public transport regularly over a longer city stay.
It does not cover journeys to or from Athens Airport.
3 days
The €20 Tourist Ticket includes unlimited urban transport for 72 hours and two airport journeys: one from the airport and one back to the airport.
It can be convenient for a short city break.
ATH.ENA Ticket vs ATH.ENA Card
ATH.ENA Ticket
The ATH.ENA Ticket is a reloadable smart ticket intended for occasional travel or short stays.
It can hold products such as:
ATH.ENA Card
The ATH.ENA Card is a reusable plastic transport card.
Contactless Payment on Athens Public Transport
Full-fare passengers can pay directly with a contactless debit or credit card, smartphone or smartwatch.
Contactless payment currently works on:
The available contactless products include the €1.20 urban fare, the €4.10 daily fare cap, the €5.50 Airport Express Bus fare and the €9 airport metro fare.
How to tap
-> On the metro, tap at the gates when entering and tap again when leaving.
-> On buses, trolleybuses and trams, tap when boarding.
Always use the same physical card or the same device throughout the journey. A physical bank card, smartphone and smartwatch may be treated as separate payment methods even when linked to the same account.
Reduced fares are not available through ordinary contactless bank-card payments.
How to Buy and Validate Tickets
Athens Airport to the City Centre
Athens International Airport is connected to central Athens by Metro Line 3, Airport Express buses, taxis and pre-booked transfers.
The best option depends on your arrival time, final accommodation, luggage and group size.
| Option | Typical journey | Price structure | Important points | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metro Line 3 | Around 40 minutes to Syntagma | €9 one way | Airport trains are less frequent than ordinary Line 3 services | Predictable central travel |
| Airport Express Bus | Usually 60–90 minutes | €5.50 one way | Operates 24 hours and is affected by traffic | Budget and overnight arrivals |
| Taxi | Traffic-dependent | Official taxi fare rules apply | Direct service outside Arrivals | Door-to-door travel |
| Private transfer | Traffic-dependent | Price shown before booking | Service inclusions vary by provider | Families, groups and planned pickup |
Metro Line 3 is usually the most predictable public transport option for Syntagma and Monastiraki.
The X95 Airport Express Bus serves Syntagma and operates around the clock, but traffic may make the journey considerably longer.
A taxi or private transfer can be more practical for late arrivals, groups, families, large luggage or accommodation far from a metro station.
Athens Airport to Piraeus
Visitors travelling directly to a ferry or cruise departure can reach Piraeus by metro, Airport Express Bus, suburban railway, taxi or private transfer.
Metro Line 3
Selected airport trains continue directly to Piraeus. The journey takes roughly one hour.
Check your ferry gate or cruise terminal location carefully, as the Piraeus metro station may still be some distance from your final departure point.
X96 Airport Express Bus
The X96 operates between Athens Airport and Piraeus 24 hours a day.
It can be useful when the metro is closed, but traffic may significantly increase the journey time.
Suburban Railway
Hellenic Train operates direct services between Athens International Airport, central Athens and Piraeus, generally at hourly intervals.
Check the current Hellenic Train timetable before relying on a particular departure.
Taxi or private transfer
This is usually the most direct option for heavy luggage, early ferry departures or passengers travelling to a specific cruise terminal.
Public Transport, Hop-on Hop-off Bus or Athens City Pass?
Public Transport
Public transport is the lowest-cost and most flexible option for independent travellers.
It works best when you are comfortable using a metro map, changing lines and walking between stations and attractions.
Hop-on Hop-off Bus
A hop-on hop-off bus follows a fixed sightseeing route and normally includes recorded commentary.
It may suit first-time visitors who prefer simple transport between major landmarks without navigating the local bus and metro network.
Athens City Pass
An Athens city pass is primarily an attraction bundle.
Some products may include transport-related services, while others only include admission to museums and archaeological sites. Do not assume that a city pass includes the OASA public transport network.
Compare the attractions, validity period and exact transport inclusions before purchasing.
Athens Metro and Public Transport Operating Hours
Exact operating hours vary by transport mode, direction, station and day.
Most city services begin in the early morning and continue until approximately midnight, but travellers should check the first and last departure for their specific station.
STASY currently states that Metro Lines 2 and 3 and the tram provide 24-hour service every Saturday. Journeys to and from Athens Airport are excluded from the 24-hour metro service.
Line 1 follows a separate timetable and does not automatically operate throughout Saturday night.
Airport Express buses operate 24 hours.
Strikes, public holidays, engineering works and temporary closures can change normal schedules. Check official OASA and STASY announcements shortly before travelling.
Practical Athens Public Transport Tips
Children, Reduced Fares and Eligibility
Frequently Asked Questions
A standard 90-minute urban ticket costs €1.20. A 24-hour ticket costs €4.10, while a 5-day ticket costs €8.20. These tickets do not include Athens Airport. The Airport Express Bus costs €5.50, and the airport metro fare is €9.
Yes. Full-fare passengers can tap a contactless debit or credit card, smartphone or smartwatch directly at the metro gates. Use the same payment method when entering and leaving.
There is no single best option for everyone. The 24-hour ticket suits a busy sightseeing day, while the 5-day ticket is useful for regular urban travel. The 3-day Tourist Ticket can be convenient when a short stay includes two airport journeys.