How to Explore Athens Like a Local

Figuring out public transport in a new city can be overwhelming—whether you're mastering London’s Tube, hopping on Berlin’s trams, or navigating Kraków's bus and tram system. But Athens? It’s one of the most walkable and easy-going cities in Europe!

City buses in Athens

That being said, sometimes you need to give your feet a break. That’s where Athens’ public transport system comes in! Whether you’re heading from the airport, catching a bus to the beach, or taking the metro to explore historic sites, this guide will help you navigate Athens with ease.

Let’s dive in! 🚋🚇🚕

While preparing for your adventure in Athens check out our tours there -->

Getting To and From Athens International Airport (ATH) ✈️

After a long flight, the last thing you want is transport stress. Luckily, getting from Athens International Airport to the city center is easy, with several options to choose from.

🚖 Taxi – The Easiest Option

✅ Cost: €40-55 (fixed fare to city center)

✅ Duration: ~40-50 minutes

✅ Best for: Travelers with luggage, late-night arrivals, or those wanting a hassle-free ride.

🟢 Pro Tip: Ensure the meter is running when you start the trip to avoid overcharging. Most taxis accept cards, but it’s always good to have cash just in case.

Taxi in Athens

🚌 Bus X95 to Syntagma or X96 to Piraeus Port - Express Bus – Budget-Friendly & 24/7

✅ Cost: €5.50 per ticket (€2.70 ticket available for students, teenagers aged 6–18, and adults over 65)
✅ Duration: ~1 hour
✅ Best for: Budget travelers and those arriving late at night.

📍 Where to find it: The X95 and X96 bus departs from outside the Arrivals hall (between exits 4 & 5). You have to buy tickets at the booth.

🟢 Pro Tip: Don’t forget to validate your ticket once you board!

🚇 Metro Line 3 – Fast & Convenient

✅ Cost: €9 one-way / €16 round trip
✅ Duration: ~40 minutes to Syntagma Station
✅ Best for: Travelers wanting a fast and efficient way to reach the city center.

📍 Where to find it: Follow the “Trains” signs from Arrivals, and you'll reach the metro station.

⏰ Schedule: Trains run every 36 minutes, from 6:30 AM to 11:30 PM.

🟢 Pro Tip: The same ticket can also be used on the Proastiakos Suburban Railway to Larissa Station.

Public transport in Athens - ticket machine

Public Transport Tickets in Athens 🎫

Athens has an integrated ticket system, meaning one ticket works for the metro, buses, and trams (excluding airport routes).

🟢 Ticket Prices:

• 90-minute single ticket: €1.20

• Daily ticket: €4.10

• 5-day ticket: €8.20

• 3-day tourist ticket: €20 (includes unlimited local transit plus one round trip to and from the airport & X80 bus to the sea side)

📍 Where to Buy:
✔️ The simple 90 min ticket can just be tapped inside the bus/metro/tram with your credit card, no need to buy tickets beforehand!
✔️ Metro stations (ticket offices & machines)
✔️ Some kiosks selling drinks & snacks

🟢 Pro Tip: Always validate your ticket before boarding. Fines for unvalidated tickets start at €100!

Athens Metro 🚇 – Fast & Reliable

Athens’ metro system may not be as extensive as London’s or New York’s, but it’s clean, modern, and efficient.

🔵 Metro Lines:

1️⃣ Line 1 (Green) – Runs from Piraeus Port to Kifisia (great for ferry connections).

2️⃣ Line 2 (Red) – Connects Larissa Station (central train station) to Acropolis & Syntagma.

3️⃣ Line 3 (Blue) – Links Athens Airport to the city center.

⏰ Operating Hours:

• Mon-Thu: 5:00 AM – Midnight

• Fri & Sat: 5:00 AM – 2:00 AM

🟢 Pro Tip: Get a Metro Map at any station or download an app like Citymapper for easy navigation.

🔗 Click here for the full metro map

Athens Buses 🚌 – A Citywide Network

Buses in Athens

Athens has hundreds of bus routes connecting neighborhoods not covered by the metro. Your metro ticket is valid on buses and trams too!

⏰ Operating Hours: Most buses run until eleven or midnight. Some night routes are available.

📍 Where to Buy Tickets:
✔️ Directly inside by tapping your credit card (be careful: one person -> one credit card)
✔️ Metro stations
✔️ Kiosks (bus drivers do NOT sell tickets!)

🟢 Pro Tip: Moovit App is known to be quite good with the shedule and itineraries in Athens. If using Google Maps or Apple Maps for directions —they're not always 100% accurate.

Athens Trams 🚋 – The Scenic Route to the Sea

Unlike most European cities, Athens’ trams aren’t focused on the city center. Instead, they connect Athens to the coast, making them perfect for trips to the Athenian Riviera.

Trams in Athens

🔵 Key Tram Routes:

✔️ Syntagma → Voula (Perfect for beach lovers!)
✔️ Syntagma → Piraeus (Great for ferry travelers)

📍 Where to Catch the Tram:

• Syntagma Square

• Pikrodafni Station

• Zappio

🟢 Pro Tip: The tram is slower than the metro, but perfect for a scenic ride along the coast.

Athens Train Station 🚆 – Larissa Central Station

If you’re traveling beyond Athens, you’ll likely pass through Larissa Station, the city’s main train hub.

🚆 Connections:

✔️ Thessaloniki (4-5 hours)

✔️ Kalambaka (Meteora) (5 hours)

✔️ Peloponnese (Patras, Corinth, Nafplio)

📍 How to Get There: Take Metro Line 2 (Red Line) to Larissa Station.

🟢 Pro Tip: Book train tickets in advance for longer trips!

Taxis & Ride-Sharing 🚖 – Uber, FreeNow & More

If public transport isn’t an option, Uber & FreeNow make getting around Athens super easy.

🚖 Uber (recommended):

✔️ Works under the “Uber Taxi” model (uses licensed taxis).
✔️ You pay the normal taxi fare but via the Uber app.

🚖 FreeNow:

✔️ Connects you with licensed taxi drivers via an app.
✔️ Allows cashless payments & fare estimates before booking.

🚫 Bolt is NOT available in Athens.

🟢 Pro Tip: Not using an app can lead to bad surprises, so we recommend using one to know the amount in advance.

Best Apps for Athens Public Transport 📱

📲 Citymapper – The best all-in-one app for public transport.
📲 Moovit – Real-time updates for metro, buses, and trams.
📲 Google Maps – Great for walking + public transport station locations.

🟢 Pro Tip: Download offline maps in case you lose WiFi!

Final Thoughts

Athens is an easy city to get around, whether you’re hopping on the metro, riding the tram to the beach, or grabbing a taxi after a late night out. With this guide, you’ll navigate like a pro and spend more time exploring and less time stressing!

What’s New?
Every Saturday, the following services operate around the clock (all night until sunday morning):
Metro: Lines 2 (Blue) and 3 (Red)
Tram: Lines T6 and T7
Buses: 10 key routes, including the 164, 221, 608, 703, 842, 049, A15, B11, and B12
These routes cover major areas of the city, including central Athens so you can reach them at any hour.

🚶‍♂️ Prefer to explore on foot? Join our Walkative Tour of Athens for the best local tips! Book your tour with Walkative!

FAQs About Getting Around Athens

1. What is the best way to get around Athens?

The Athens Metro is the fastest way to travel, while buses and trams are great for reaching areas not covered by the metro.

2. How much is a metro ticket in Athens?

A single 90-minute metro ticket costs €1.20, while a daily pass is €4.10. Tourists can get a 3-day pass (€20) that includes airport transport.

3. Does Athens have Uber?

Yes, Uber operates under the "Uber Taxi" model, which connects you to licensed Athens taxis. FreeNow (formerly MyTaxi) is another popular ride-hailing app.

4. What is the cheapest way to get from Athens airport to the city?

The X95 express bus (€5.50) is the cheapest option, running 24/7. The Metro Line 3 (€9) is faster but slightly more expensive.

5. What time does public transport run in Athens?

The metro runs from 5:00 AM to midnight (until 2:00 AM on weekends), and buses run until midnight, with some night routes available.