Public Transport in Athens: Apps, Tickets & Tips 2026
Last updated: May 2026
Three metro lines, two tram lines and a dense bus network — all on one €1,20 ticket
Athens runs an integrated public transport network under OASA: three metro lines
(M1 Green, M2 Red, M3 Blue), two coastal tram lines (T6 and T7), urban buses, trolley-buses and the
Proastiakos suburban rail. A single €1,20 ticket covers all of them for 90
minutes — with unlimited transfers. The only exception is the airport, which requires a dedicated
ticket. The biggest 2025 change is Tap2Ride: tap any Visa or Mastercard
(phone or watch works too) and you are charged the €1,20 fare automatically, with a €4,10 daily cap.
Essential Info
Main Form of Payment
Tap2Ride (contactless Visa/Mastercard) or ATH.ENA Ticket / Card
Multiple people on one card
No — one tap per person
Check-in/validate
Yes — always tap or validate, even if the gate is open
Payment methods
Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay (NOT Maestro, AMEX, Diners, JCB)
Fine for fare evasion
€100 (full fare) / €50 (reduced fare)
Tap2Ride daily cap
€4,10 — extra rides are free for the rest of the day
Airport included?
No — urban tickets do NOT cover airport. Only the 3-day Tourist Ticket does.
Night transport
Yes — 24h Saturday metro + permanent night buses
Real-time info
Yes (OASA Telematics, Google Maps, Citymapper)
Airport → Syntagma
X95 Express Bus: €5,50, ~40–60 min · Metro Line 3: €9,00, ~40 min
CRITICAL INFO FOR ATHENS!
1. ALWAYS VALIDATE OR TAP — even on buses. The fine is €100 if you board without
a valid ticket, even by accident. On metro and tram the gates won't open without payment; on buses you
must tap the onboard validator the moment you board.
2. Tap2Ride: same card in AND out! If you tap in with your phone and tap out with
your bank card, the system charges you twice. Use the same device or card from start to
finish of every journey.
3. Airport ≠ regular fare. Your 24-hour (€4,10) and 5-day (€8,20) tickets do NOT
work for the airport. Buy a separate airport ticket (€5,50 bus / €9,00 metro), or choose the
3-Day Tourist Ticket (€20,00) which includes airport rides.
4. Only Visa/Mastercard work on Tap2Ride. Maestro, AMEX, Diners, JCB and China
UnionPay are NOT accepted. If your bank card is Maestro, buy an ATH.ENA Ticket from a station vending
machine instead.
Quick Check before boarding
- Visa or Mastercard ready (or ATH.ENA Ticket bought at a metro station)
- OASA Telematics app installed for real-time arrivals
- Separate airport ticket purchased if flying — urban passes do NOT cover the airport
- On buses: tap or validate the moment you board, before sitting down
- Tap2Ride: remember which card you tapped in with — use the same one to tap out
Which Ticket to Choose?
ROAMMATE ADVICE: For most
visitors Tap2Ride with a contactless Visa or Mastercard is the easiest option — no card
to buy, automatic €4,10 daily cap, and it works on metro, tram, trolley and bus. If you're flying in or
out and plan to use transport for 2–3 days, the 3-Day Tourist Ticket (€20,00) is the
sweet spot: it includes both airport trips. Skip the 5-day pass unless you really commute every day —
three single rides per day already break even (€1,20 × 3 = €3,60, above the €4,10 daily cap).
| Ticket Type |
Price (2026) |
Validity |
When to choose? |
| Tap2Ride contactless |
€1,20 / ride
€4,10 daily cap |
Per tap, automatic cap |
BEST for most visitors. No card to buy, Visa/Mastercard only |
| 90-minute ATH.ENA Ticket |
€1,20 |
90 min, unlimited transfers |
If your bank card is Maestro or you prefer paper |
| 24-hour ticket |
€4,10 |
24h urban (no airport) |
Same as Tap2Ride cap — skip unless you want a paper ticket |
| 5-day ticket |
€8,20 |
5 days urban (no airport) |
Heavy commuters — most tourists pay less with Tap2Ride |
| 3-Day Tourist Ticket |
€20,00 |
72h urban + 2 airport trips |
BEST for short trips with airport. Saves vs separate airport tickets |
| Airport Express Bus (X93/X95/X96/X97) |
€5,50 |
Single trip airport ↔ city |
Budget airport transfer at any hour (24/7) |
| Metro to Airport (Line 3) |
€9,00 single / €16,00 return |
Single / return (48h) |
Faster (~40 min), every 30 min, no traffic risk |
Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" (ATH) is about 33 km east of the city
centre. Four 24-hour express buses and Metro Line 3 (Blue) link the airport to the city — and
all of them are faster and cheaper than a taxi outside rush hour.
| Option |
Time |
Price |
Frequency |
| Metro Line 3 |
~40 min to Syntagma |
€9,00 / €16,00 return |
Every 30–36 min |
| Bus X95 → Syntagma |
40–60 min |
€5,50 |
Every 15–20 min, 24/7 |
| Bus X96 → Piraeus port |
60–90 min |
€5,50 |
Every 20–40 min, 24/7 |
| Bus X93 → Kifissos coach station |
65 min |
€5,50 |
Every 30–35 min, 24/7 |
| Bus X97 → Elliniko Metro (Line 2) |
45 min |
€5,50 |
Every 30–40 min, 24/7 |
| Suburban Rail → Larissa Station |
40 min |
€9,00 (same airport ticket) |
Hourly |
| Taxi (flat rate) |
35–60 min |
€40 day / €55 night |
Always available |
Metro Line 3 (RECOMMENDED)
- Route: Airport → Doukissis Plakentias → Monastiraki → Syntagma → Nikaia (terminus)
- Time: 40 minutes direct to Syntagma; 50 min to Monastiraki
- Price: €9,00 one-way (adult) / €16,00 return valid 48 hours
- Frequency: Every 30–36 minutes; first ~06:30, last ~23:30 from airport (check stasy.gr for exact times)
- Note: NOT included in 24h or 5-day urban passes — only in the 3-Day Tourist Ticket
Group of 2 or 3?
A 3-Person Airport Ticket exists for €20,00 (one-way) or €36,00 (return, 48h). Three
adults travelling together to or from ATH pay €6,67 each instead of €9,00 — saves nearly 26%.
Express Bus X95 (24/7 budget option)
- Route: Airport → Doukissis Plakentias → Ethniki Amyna → Syntagma Square
- Price: €5,50 (single, all ages) — tap your bank card or buy from the
airport bus stop kiosk
- Time: 40–60 min depending on traffic — can stretch to 90 min in rush hour
- Departures: Every 15–20 min, day and night — the only realistic option
between 23:30 and 06:30 when the metro is closed
Connecting to Piraeus for the ferry?
- Bus X96 direct from airport to Piraeus port: €5,50, 60–90 min, 24/7
- This is the only option overnight when the metro is closed
- Daytime alternative: Metro Line 3 → transfer at Monastiraki → Line 1 to Piraeus (~75 min total)
Taxi flat fare to/from ATH
Athens taxis charge a fixed rate to the airport: €40 (05:00–24:00) and €55 (00:00–05:00).
Anything significantly higher is a scam — insist on the meter or the flat fare. Always confirm
the price before getting in.
Age Limits & Prices
| Age |
Price |
Card needed? |
| 0–6 years |
FREE |
No |
| 7–18 years |
€0,50 (reduced 90-min ticket) |
Proof of age required (passport works) |
| Students 19–25 (EU) |
€0,50 |
Yes — personalised ATH.ENA Card with student ID |
| 65+ years (EU citizens) |
€0,50 |
Yes — personalised ATH.ENA Card with ID |
Tips for Families
- Children under 6 travel free, no ticket needed — just walk through with an adult
- For children 7–18 the simplest option is a paper reduced 90-min ATH.ENA Ticket
(€0,50) from any station vending machine — show the passport if an inspector asks
- Tap2Ride does NOT offer reduced fares — always buy a child ticket separately
- Strollers: lifts at every metro station; trolley-buses and modern buses are low-floor
- The historic ISAP line (M1) has older trains with a small step — use the ramp from staff if needed
Tourist students do NOT get the discount automatically
The €0,50 student fare requires a personalised ATH.ENA Card issued in
Athens after registering with a Greek/EU student ID. Visiting university students rarely
qualify — budget for the full €1,20 fare unless you're a long-stay student in Greece.
🧮 Cost Estimate for a 3-day Family Trip
- Adults (2×): 3 × €4,10 daily cap (Tap2Ride) = €24,60 total
- Children 7–18 (2×): 3 × 4 reduced tickets ≈ €12,00 total
- Children under 6 (2×): FREE
- Plus airport: 2× Metro Line 3 return = €32,00 — OR 3-Day Tourist Ticket (€20,00) which includes
airport for the adult; saves about €12 per adult vs separate airport tickets
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5 stars)
Athens has invested heavily in accessibility on the modern metro lines (M2 and M3) and the coastal
tram. Lifts and tactile guidance are standard on those networks. The historic Line 1 (ISAP) and
the bus fleet are more mixed — some older trams and steep streets in Plaka still pose real
challenges. OASA runs a dedicated helpline for accessibility questions: +30 210 82 00 887
(weekdays 06:30–21:30, weekends 07:30–21:30).
Metro: Mostly Accessible
- Lines 2 (Red) and 3 (Blue): All stations have at least one lift, level
boarding, tactile guidance paths, accessible toilets and audio announcements in Greek and English
- Line 1 (Green, ISAP): Older line — three central stations
(Agios Nikolaos, Omonoia, Monastiraki) have a noticeable platform-to-train gap; ask staff for a
ramp at the station information desk
- Wheelchair boarding: Easier in the first or last car on Lines 2 and 3; first
door of the first car on Line 1
- All lifts have Braille buttons and voice output; floor announcements are bilingual
Tram: Fully Accessible
- T6 (Pikri-Voula) and T7 (Pikri-SEF) trams are 100% low-floor with level platform access
- Dedicated wheelchair spaces in every vehicle; audio + visual stop announcements
Buses & Trolley-Buses: Mixed
- Most modern buses are low-floor with a fold-out ramp at the second door — but the network
still includes older non-accessible vehicles, especially on suburban routes
- Drivers will deploy the ramp on request — ring the buzzer or signal at the stop
- Express airport buses (X95, X96, X93, X97) are wheelchair-accessible
Assistance & Support
- Personalised ATH.ENA Card available free of charge to disabled travellers
registered in Greece — visitors should bring an EU disability card if eligible
- Companions of registered disabled travellers ride free
- OASA accessibility helpline: +30 210 82 00 887 for advance route planning
Visual Impairment
- Tactile paths: Installed at all Line 2 and Line 3 metro stations and on tram platforms
- Audio announcements: Bilingual (Greek + English) on Lines 2 and 3, in lifts and at platform level. Line 1 has Greek announcements only on most stations.
- Braille: On all lift buttons and tactile maps at station entrances on Lines 2 and 3
- Guide dogs travel free on all OASA services
Accessibility Tip: The Acropolis itself has a wheelchair lift (free for
disabled visitors and companions), but the surrounding Plaka district is full of steep cobbled
streets. Best metro stations for accessible Acropolis access: Acropoli (M2) and
Syntagma (M2/M3) — both fully lift-equipped.
Best Accessible Tourist Routes
1. Airport → City Centre
Metro Line 3 — level boarding throughout, lifts at every station including
the airport terminal
2. Syntagma → Acropolis
Metro Line 2 Syntagma → Acropoli — both stations fully accessible, two-stop ride
3. Syntagma → Piraeus port
Metro Line 1 from Monastiraki to Piraeus — Piraeus station is accessible;
intermediate ISAP stations vary, ask staff at Monastiraki
4. Coast walk (Faliro → Voula)
Tram T6 — 100% accessible along the coast, beautiful views of the Saronic Gulf
When does the metro stop?
On weekdays the Athens metro runs roughly 05:30 until 00:30 (Friday and Saturday until 02:30 on
Lines 2 and 3). The historic Line 1 closes a little earlier. From Friday 22:00 to Saturday 10:00 and
again from Saturday 22:00 to Sunday 10:00, Lines 2 and 3 and Tram T6/T7 run 24 hours
continuously — Athens nightlife depends on it.
| Transport |
Last service (weekdays) |
Weekend night |
| Metro Line 1 (Green, ISAP) |
~00:00 |
~02:00 Fri/Sat |
| Metro Line 2 (Red) |
~00:30 |
24h Fri 22:00 → Sat 10:00 |
| Metro Line 3 (Blue) |
~00:30 (to Doukissis Plakentias) |
24h Fri 22:00 → Sat 10:00 |
| Tram T6 / T7 |
~01:00 |
24h Fri/Sat nights |
| Regular buses |
~00:00 |
Some 24h on Saturdays |
| Airport buses X93/X95/X96/X97 |
24/7, every day |
Permanent 24-hour bus lines (every day)
- 040 — Piraeus port ↔ Syntagma (the night lifeline for the ferry connection)
- 11 — Patissia ↔ Pangrati via central Athens
- X95 — Syntagma ↔ Airport (24/7)
- X96 — Piraeus ↔ Airport (24/7)
- X93 — Kifissos coach station ↔ Airport (24/7)
- X97 — Elliniko Metro ↔ Airport (24/7)
Permanent night lines (every night, year-round)
- 400 — Sightseeing night loop around central Athens
- 500 — Piraeus ↔ Kifissia (north suburbs)
- 790 — Voula ↔ Kifissia along the coast
- X14 — Syntagma ↔ Glyfada (Athens Riviera)
All night buses accept the same €1,20 ticket or Tap2Ride contactless tap.
Night Transport Tip:
On Friday and Saturday nights Lines 2 and 3 run continuously until 10:00 the next morning —
no need to rush back from Gazi, Psyrri or Plaka. On Sunday to Thursday nights the
metro closes by 00:30, so plan for a night bus, taxi or Uber/Bolt back to your hotel.
Taxis
Athens taxis are yellow, metered and relatively affordable by European standards. Most legitimate
drivers will use the meter without being asked — but tourist hotspots and the airport see plenty of
overcharging attempts. The rules:
- Flag fall: €1,29 (daytime) / €1,80 (00:00–05:00)
- Per km: €0,74 inside the city; €1,29 outside the city limit
- Minimum fare: €4,00
- Airport flat rate: €40 day / €55 night — confirm this BEFORE getting in
- Port / station surcharge: €1,32 (Piraeus, train stations)
- Luggage: €0,43 per piece over 10 kg
🚗 Ride-hailing apps
- Uber: Active in Athens but only offers Uber Taxi (regular licensed
taxis booked through the app) — no UberX private cars. Useful for getting an English-speaking
driver and a digital receipt.
- Bolt: Same model as Uber — taxi booking only. Often slightly cheaper than
Uber at peak times.
- Beat: The dominant local app, also licensed taxis only. Largest fleet in Athens.
- FreeNow: Also available, mostly used by business travellers.
Bike & E-Scooter Sharing
Athens is hilly and the traffic is intense — cycling in the city is for the confident only. There
are flat coastal routes between Faliro and Voula that are far more enjoyable.
- Lime: E-scooters and e-bikes across the city centre — €1,00 unlock + €0,25/min
- Bolt: Same app as ride-hailing — e-scooters in central Athens
- Hopin: Local Greek operator with e-bikes near coastal districts
Transport Tip:
For one or two passengers, taxi apps (Beat, Bolt, Uber Taxi, FreeNow) are usually the same price
as flagging one down — but you get a digital receipt and avoid the meter argument. Always pick the
app over a street hail at the airport, Acropolis or Plaka.
Roammate Tip
Tip: All-in-one app for shared transport
In Athens you can use the app umob. With this you book and pay
easily for all shared transport (bikes, scooters, cars) from different providers in one
handy app. Convenient, because you no longer need separate accounts.
Athens has solid 4G/5G coverage across the city centre and most tourist areas. Free Wi-Fi works at
the airport, in most cafés and at major squares like Syntagma and Monastiraki. An eSIM is the
cheapest way to stay online for navigation, real-time arrivals and Tap2Ride alerts.
Roammate Tip
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Athens tip:
Athens is in the EU — if your home plan is from another EU country, roaming is free. Visitors
from the UK, US, or non-EU countries: activate the eSIM before you land at ATH to avoid airport
roaming charges.
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Athens Airport (ATH) Long-Term Lockers
Self-service lockers run by Pacific Direct at the Arrivals level
(between Entrances 2 and 3). Open 24/7.
- Price: from €5,00 / 6 hours (small) to €15,00 / 24 hours (large)
- Note: First-come, first-served — can fill up during peak summer days
Roammate Advice:
For a few hours between checkout and an evening flight, Bounce near Syntagma or
Monastiraki is the easiest option — book online, drop off, get a QR code, walk away. Airport
lockers are convenient only if you're already at ATH and don't want to ride back into town.