Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours in Athens | Compare Tickets, Routes & Stops

Among city travelers, one of the most popular ways to explore a foreign city is through sightseeing on the Hop On Hop Off principle.

This allows you to disembark at any stop during the tour and rejoin later at the same or a different stop.

In Athens, three competing providers vie for the favor of tourists: the blue ones of "Sights of Athens", the red double-decker buses of "City Sightseeing", and the yellow ones of "GrayLine - Athens Open Tour". These companies offer similar tours.

In this article, you will find comprehensive information about the Hop On Hop Off bus tours in Athens. We compare tickets, prices, route maps, stops and attractions, as well as the different lines.

Let's start with the advantages of a hop on hop off bus tour!

Advantages of Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours

Let's explore the advantages of Hop On Hop Off tours compared to traditional sightseeing tours:

1. Flexibility to explore at your own pace

Unlike regular tours where you pass by sights without the opportunity to explore them up close, Hop On Hop Off bus tours allow you the freedom to disembark at any stop and closely experience the attractions in that area. You can then hop back on at the same or a different stop.

Additionally, these tours provide multilingual audio commentary to enrich your journey.

2. The Duration: Choice of 24, 48, or 72-hour Tickets

One key aspect is the duration of the tour. Regular tours typically last between 60 and 120 minutes. In contrast, Hop On Hop Off tours offer the flexibility of 24, 48, or 72-hour ticket options. This allows you ample time to immerse yourself in the city's offerings.

It's worth noting that the ticket duration is counted in actual hours. For example, if you activate your ticket at 2 pm, it remains valid until 2 pm on the following day. This distinction ensures a convenient and comprehensive experience for passengers.

Ticket Options for Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours in Athens

When it comes to purchasing tickets for Hop On Hop Off bus tours in Athens, there are numerous internet portals available. With such a wide array of options, it can be challenging to determine the right choice for you.

That's where we step in. We have done the legwork to compare all the available tickets, making the decision-making process easier for you. Below, we have compiled a list of the best and most affordable ticket options for your convenience. Simply click on your preferred choice to purchase your tickets.

1. Hop On Hop Off Bus Tickets for Sights of Athens

• Tickets for Sights of Athens: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
• 2-Day Ticket: Athens, Piraeus, and Coastline
• 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket & Skip-the-Line Entry Ticket to Acropolis Museum
• Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour + Acropolis & Archaeological Sites
  
• 2 Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket & 1-Full Day Island Cruise with Lunch
• Tickets for Sights of Athens Combo: Hop-on Hop-off Bus + Cape Sounion Sunset Tour
• 2-Day Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Ticket & Half-Day Cape Sounion Sunset Tour (if option selected)

2. Hop On Hop Off Bus Tickets for GrayLine - Athens Open Tour

• 1-, or 2-Day Ticket: Athens, Piraeus, and Riviera
• Tickets for Athens Open Tour: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
  
• 48-hour Hop On Hop Off Bus Ticket & Acropolis Skip-the-Line Entry
• 48-hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket & Half Day Cape Sounion Sunset Bus Tour

3. Hop On Hop Off Bus Tickets for City Sightseeing

• 1-, 2-, or 3-Day Ticket
• Tickets for City Sightseeing Athens: Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour

Detailed Overview of the Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours in Athens

Let's delve into a comprehensive overview of the three providers offering Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours in Athens, including their lines, routes, stops, and key features.

1. Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour with Sights of Athens

Sights of Athens operates blue double-decker buses that cover three distinct routes. Onboard, an informative audio guide is available in 15 languages.

All buses are wheelchair-accessible, with designated areas for wheelchair users. These areas can also accommodate strollers or large suitcases, although priority is given to wheelchair users. Additionally, complimentary Wi-Fi and disposable headphones are provided on all buses.

• For a comprehensive understanding of the routes, please refer to the map provided on this link.

Now, we can delve into the details of the three routes:

Athens Line (Orange):

The Athens Line covers the central part of the city, ensuring you can visit all the major attractions. Buses depart from the A1 Syntagma stop. See an overview of all stops on this map.

• Stops: A1 Synatgma - A2 Melina Mercouri/Plaka - A3 Acropolis Museum - A4 Acropolis & Parthenon - A5 Temple of Zeus - A6 Parliament and National Gardens - A7 Benaki Museum - A8 Panathenaic Stadium - A9 Parliament/National Gardens - A10 National Library -A11 National Archaeological Museum - A12 Omonoia -A13 Karaiskaki -A14 Monastiraki - A15 Kotzia
• Departure Times: Buses depart daily from 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM
• Duration: A full tour without getting off takes approximately 90 minutes.
• Frequency: Buses run every 15 minutes, although this may vary depending on traffic conditions.

Piraeus Line (Blue):

The Piraeus Line takes you from the city center to the Athens port city of Piraeus. For an overview of all stops, click here.

• Stops: A4 Acropolis/Parthenon - P7 Intercontinental - P8 Stavros Niarchos - P9 Theater - P1 Cruise Terminal A - P2 Cruise Terminal B - P3 Lion's Gate - A Pasalimani - B Mikrolimano Port - P4 Planetarium - P5 Intercontinental
• Departure Times: Buses run from station A4 Acropolis & Parthenon from 10:55 AM to 5:45 PM. Last departure from this stop is 4:25 PM.
• Duration: A complete tour without getting off takes about 80 minutes.

Glyfada/Vouliagmeni line (Yellow/Green):

This route runs along the Aegean coast via Glyfada to Vouliagmeni.

• Stops: A4 Acropolis/Parthenon - G1 Intercontinental - G2 Stavros Niarchos - G3 Flisvos Marina - G4 Alimos Beach - G5 Agios Kosmas Beach - G6 Glyfada Marina - V1 Divani Apollon - V2 Kavouri - V3 Astir Beach - V4 Vouliagmeni Lake - V5 Voula Park - G7 Glyfada City Center - G8 Glyfada Beach - G9 Hellinikon Airport - G10 War Cemetery - G11 Edem - G12 Planetarium - G13 Intercontinental
• Departure Times: Buses run from the A4 Acropolis & Parthenon station from 10 AM to 7:10 PM. Last departure from this stop is 17:20.
• Duration: A complete tour without getting off takes about 110 minutes.

2. Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour with GrayLine - Athens Open Tour

The yellow double-decker buses of GrayLine - Athens Open Tour traverse four distinct routes. Passengers can enjoy an informative audio guide available in 13 languages, providing insights into the city's attractions and history.

Wheelchair accessibility is ensured on all buses, with designated areas that can also be utilized for strollers or large suitcases, giving priority to wheelchair users Complimentary amenities include onboard Wi-Fi, a detailed map, and disposable headphones.

• For a comprehensive overview of the routes, please refer to the provided map.

Let's delve into the details of the four routes:

Athens Line (Gray):

The Athens Line covers the city center, passing by all the major sights.

• Stops: 1 Syntagma - 2 Melina Merkouri/Plaka -3 Acropolis Museum - 4 Acropolis & Parthenon - 5 Temple of Zeus - 6a Parliament/National Gardens - 7 Benaki Museum - 8 Panathinaiko Stadium - 6b Parliament/National Gardens - 9 National Library - 10 National Archaeological Museum - 11 Omonoia - 12 Karaiskaki - 13 Monastiraki - 14 Kotzia
• Departure Times: During summer (April 1 to November 30), buses depart from Stop 1 Syntagma daily between 8:30 AM and 7:20 PM. The last departure from this stop is at 6 PM. In winter (December 1 to March 31), buses operate from 9 AM to 5:45 PM, with the last departure at 4:25 PM.
• Duration: A complete tour without getting off takes about 90 minutes.
• Frequency: Buses typically operate at intervals of around 30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

Piraeus Line (Purple): 

The Piraeus Line takes you from the city center to the Athenian port city of Piraeus.

• Stops: 4 Acropolis & Parthenon - 21 Grand Hyatt & Intercontinental - 22 Stavros Niarchos - 23 Theater - 15 Cruise Terminals A and B - 16 Cruise Terminals B & C - 17 Pasalimani - 18 Mikrolimano Port - 19 Marriott Hotel/Planetarium - 20 Intercontinental
• Departure Times: Buses depart from A4 Acropolis & Parthenon station at 10:55, 12:45, 14:35 and 16:25.
• Duration: A complete tour without disembarkation takes about 60 minutes.

Riviera/Beach line (Green/Pink):

The Riviera/Beach line runs along the Aegean coast via Glyfada to Vouliagmeni.

• Stops: 4 Melina Merkouri/Plaka - 21 Grand Hyatt/Intercontinental - 22 Stavros Niarchos - 26 Flisvos Marina - 27 Alimos Marina - 28 Ag. Kosmas Beach - 29 3rd Glyfada Marina - 30 Divani Apollon - 31 Kavouri Beach - 32 Astir Beach - 33 Vouliagmeni Lake - 34 Voula Park - 35 Glyfada Town - 36 Glyfada Beach - 37 Hellinikon Airport - 38 War Cemetery - 39 Edem - 19 Marriot/Planetarium - 20 Intercontinental
• Departure Times: Buses depart from stop 1 Acropolis/Parthenon at 10 AM, 11:50 AM, 12:50 AM, 1:40 PM, 3:30 PM and 5:20 PM.
• Duration: A complete tour without disembarkation takes about 110 minutes.

3. Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour with “City Sightseeing”

City Sightseeing's red double-decker buses operate on three routes. On board, there is an informative audio guide available in 13 languages. All buses are equipped with a designated area that can accommodate wheelchairs, strollers, or large suitcases, with priority given to wheelchair users.

Additionally, all buses offer complimentary amenities such as Wi-Fi, a detailed map, a glass of Greek beer, and a poncho in case of rain.

• For a complete overview of the routes, please refer to the provided map.

Let's explore the details of the three routes:

Athens Line (Red):

The Athens Line runs through the center of the city, passing all the main sights.

• Stops: A1 Syntagma - A2 Melina Merkouri/Plaka - A3 Acropolis Museum - A4 Acropolis/Parthenon - A5 Temple of Zeus - A6a Parliament/National Gardens - A7 Four museums - A8 National Gallery - A9 Panathenaic Stadium - A6b Parliament/National Gardens - A10 National Library - A11 National Archaeological Museum - A12 Omonoia - A13 Karaiskaki - A14 Monastiraki - A15 Kotzia - T Terminal
• Departure Times: During the summer (1.4.-31.10.), the buses run from the A1 Syntagma stop daily from 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM. The last departure from this stop is at 7 PM. In winter (1.11.-31.3.) the buses run only until 6:30 PM, the last departure is at 5:00 PM.
• Duration: A complete tour without disembarkation takes about 90 minutes.
• Frequency:  Buses operate every 15 minutes, depending on the traffic.
• Important: There is no service on November 17, the day commemorating the uprising against the junta in 1973.

Piraeus Line (Green):

The Piraeus Line connects the city center with the Athens port city of Piraeus.

• Stops: A4 Acropolis/Parthenon - C1 Pantion University - C2 Niarchos Foundation - C3 Theater - C4 Cruise Terminals A and B - C5 Cruise Terminals B & C - C6 Lion's Gate - C7 Archaeological Museum/Zeas Marina - C8 Votsalakia Beach - C9 Mikrolimano Port - C10 Marriott Hotel/Planetarium - C11 Grand Hyatt & Intercontinental
• Departure Times: In the summer season (1.4.-31.10.), buses depart from the A4 Acropolis & Parthenon stop every hour from 12:15 AM to 6:15 PM. In winter (1.11.-31.3.), buses depart at 12:45 AM, 1:45 PM and 2:45 PM.
• Duration: A complete tour without disembarkation takes about 80 minutes.
• Important: There is no service on November 17, the day commemorating the 1973 uprising against the junta.

Beach/Riviera line (Purple/Yellow):

The Beach/Riviera runs along the Aegean coast via Glyfada to Vouliagmeni.

• Stops: A2 Melina Merkouri/Plaka - C2 Niarchos Foundation - 
  B1 Marina/Flisvos - B2 Edem - B3 Ag. Kosmas Beach - B4 Bomo Palace - B5 Glyfada Beach - B6 Asteria Beach - B7 Divani Apollon - B8 Oceanis Beach/Astir Palace - B9 Vouliagmeni Lake - B10 Pigadakia - B11 Blazer Suites - B12 Glyfada Town - B13 Golf - B14 Kalamki - B15 Poseidon Hotel - B16 Faliro/Benaki Toy Museum - C10 Marriot/Planetarium - C11 Grand Hyatt/Intercontinental - A5 Temple of Zeus
• Departure Times: During the summer (1.4.-31.10.), the buses run hourly from 9:35 AM to 5:35 PM from the A2 Melina Merkouri/Plaka stop. In winter (1.11.-31.3.), the buses leave at 09:35 AM, 11:35 AM, 1:35 PM and 3:35 PM.
• Duration: A complete tour without disembarkation takes about 2 hours.
• Important: There is no service on November 17, the day commemorating the uprising against the junta in 1973.