How to Get Around Athens, Greece: City Transport Guide

City transport in Greece is handled in Athens through public transit: the metro, bus, tram and trolleybus all use the same ticket. A single-ride ticket costs €1.20 and is valid for 90 minutes. You can pay with an Ath.ena ticket or card, or with a contactless card. This page covers Athens; there is also a short note on the islands.

In brief

• In Athens, the metro, bus, tram and trolleybus all use the same ticket; a 90-minute ticket costs €1.20.
• The daily cap for contactless payment is €4.10; for a discounted fare you need an Ath.ena ticket or card instead of tap2ride.
• The airport bus costs €5.50, and the metro to the airport costs €9; confirm ticket validity before boarding.
• The islands do not have the single-ticket system used in Athens; check local transport information for the islands in advance.

The core rule: one ticket, four vehicles in Athens

City transport in Athens runs on four types of vehicles: metro, bus, tram and trolleybus. The same ticket is valid for all four. A single-ride ticket costs €1.20 and is valid for 90 minutes. Within this time you can transfer between vehicles; for example, you don't need a second ticket to take the metro and then transfer to the tram.

There are two ways to pay: an Ath.ena ticket or card, or contactless payment. With contactless payment, you tap your card or device at the metro gates and on vehicles. This system is called tap2ride.

Before entering Greece you need a Schengen visa. The permitted stay is 90 days within a 180-day period. For application requirements, see the Greece visa page. The ticket system is independent of the visa; plan your transport once your travel dates are confirmed.

The prices and rules on this page apply to Athens. For another city or island, separately check the current transport information for that location.

Ticket types and prices

There are two methods in Athens: the Ath.ena ticket or card, and contactless payment. The key difference between the two is discounted fares.

Ath.ena Card

Prices with the ATH.ENA Card are as follows:

• 90-minute ticket: €1.20
• 24-hour ticket: €4.10
• 5-day ticket: €8.20

The card can be personalized or anonymous. You can load a maximum of €50 onto the card. If you're staying a short time, a small top-up is usually enough.

Contactless payment (tap2ride)

You tap your card or device at metro gates, on buses, trams and trolleybuses. The daily fare cap is €4.10; meaning once you reach the cap, you don't pay separately for additional rides.

Important difference: with tap2ride, discounted fares such as student or senior rates do not apply. If you are entitled to a discount, you need to get an Ath.ena ticket or card. Confirm which document is required from the official transport authority's page.

The daily cap and the 24-hour ticket are the same amount (€4.10), but the validity logic may differ. Before deciding based on how many days you'll stay, compare the duration rules of the two methods on the official page.

From the airport to the city centre

You can reach the city from Athens airport by public transport. Airport buses cost €5.50, and the metro to the airport costs €9. Fares on airport lines are shown separately from city tickets; so confirm whether your €1.20 ticket is valid on this line before boarding, via the official transport page.

Besides the bus and metro, the suburban train (proastiakos) is also an option. This page does not give a price or duration for the suburban train; get current information from the official source.

For your choice, consider this question: which line is closer to where you'll be staying? If your hotel is close to the metro line, the metro may require fewer transfers. If your hotel is far from the metro line, the bus may get you off closer to the stop.

We don't provide figures for travel time or schedules; these can change. Check the current airport transport schedule based on your flight time.

If you're arriving late at night, your first task should be to note your hotel's address and the nearest stop. This way you won't waste time buying tickets and finding your way.

Transport on the islands

The system on the Greek islands differs from Athens. You cannot carry Athens's single-ticket system over to the islands; each island has its own bus, taxi and rental options. Check the current local source for the island you're visiting for frequency and fares. This page does not give figures for island buses.

Rhodes

There are tours to Rhodes departing from Fethiye or Marmaris. For program details and whether island transport is included in the tour, see Rhodes Island 4 Nights 5 Days from Fethiye and Rhodes Island 2 Nights 3 Days from Marmaris.

Samos

You can find program and transport details for Samos on the Samos Island 2 Nights 3 Days page. For movements on the island not covered by the tour, learn about local taxi and bus information in advance.

If you're looking for a cruise tour, there is also the Greek Islands 4 Nights 3 Islands departing from Çeşme tour. Note that land transport on this tour varies according to the program scope.

Common mistakes

The most common mistakes travellers make in Athens are:

• Confusing airport fares with city fares. The airport bus costs €5.50, and the metro to the airport costs €9. The single-ride city ticket costs €1.20. Confirm which ticket is valid on which line via the official page.
• Forgetting the 90 minutes. During a long transfer or walk, the time may run out; in this case you may need a new ticket. Learn from the official rule when exactly the time starts.
• Expecting a discounted fare. Student or senior discounts do not apply with tap2ride. You need an Ath.ena ticket or card for a discount.
• Forgetting to tap the card. With the contactless system, you must tap your card or device at the gate or on the vehicle. Check the official transport page for penalties in case of not tapping.
• Loading more money onto the card than needed. A maximum of €50 can be loaded onto the card. A small amount is enough for a short stay.

If your length of stay and number of daily rides are known, compare the cap amount (€4.10) and the 5-day ticket (€8.20) in advance.

Step by step: transport on your first day in Athens

1. At the airport, choose the bus or metro. Airport buses cost €5.50, and the metro to the airport costs €9.
2. Choose your payment method based on length of stay. For a short stay, contactless payment or the 24-hour ticket (€4.10) is suitable. If you're staying several days, the 5-day ticket (€8.20) can be considered.
3. If you are entitled to a discount, get an Ath.ena ticket or card instead of tap2ride.
4. At the metro gate or on the vehicle, tap your card or device.
5. If you will be transferring, keep the 90-minute period in mind.
6. On your departure day, separately calculate the airport transport fare and schedule.

If you're considering your transport decision together with your tour choice, check out the programs on the international tours page. For all programs heading to Greece, you can use the Greece tours list. If you're looking for a route based on a holiday date, see international routes for the October 29 holiday.

Pre-departure checklist

Before you set off, check each of the following:

• Is your Schengen visa valid, and does the length of stay fit your plan? See the visa page for details.
• How many days will you stay in Athens? Choose between contactless payment, the 24-hour ticket and the 5-day ticket.
• Do you want a fare that requires a discount right? If so, prefer the Ath.ena ticket or card.
• Does your contactless card work abroad? Confirm with your bank.
• Have you chosen which line to use from the airport to your hotel?
• Have you allocated time and budget for airport transport for your return flight?
• For airline procedures, see the online check-in guide.
• If you have an island trip, check the current ferry and island transport schedules.

If this list is complete, you can set off without needing any additional source for transport in Athens; just confirm the airport schedules close to your flight day.

Frequently asked questions

Is a single ticket enough for public transport in Athens?

Yes. In Athens, the metro, bus, tram and trolleybus all use the same ticket. A single-ride ticket costs €1.20 and is valid for 90 minutes.

What is the maximum daily transport fare in Athens?

With contactless payment, the daily fare cap is €4.10. With the ATH.ENA Card, the 24-hour ticket is also €4.10; however, the validity duration rule for the two methods may differ. For longer stays, the 5-day ticket costs €8.20.

How do you get from Athens airport to the city by public transport?

Airport buses cost €5.50, and the metro to the airport costs €9. The suburban train is also an option. Choose based on your hotel's location and check current schedules on the official transport page.

Can you get a student discount with a contactless card?

No. Discounted fares such as student or senior rates do not apply with tap2ride. You need an Ath.ena ticket or card for a discount.

How much money can be loaded onto an Ath.ena card?

A maximum of €50 can be loaded onto the card. The card can be personalized or anonymous. A small amount is usually enough for short stays.

Is public transport on the Greek islands as easy as in Athens?

The system on the islands differs from Athens, and the single-ticket system used in Athens does not apply. Check the bus, taxi and rental options for the island you're visiting from local sources in advance.

Sources

• Public Transport — thisisathens.org
• ATH.ENA CARD - Tickets — oasa.gr