Getting around

Public transportation

The Athens public transport system covers most of the city and suburbs. You can use all means of public transport using the same ticket. A single ticket costs €1.20 and is valid for 90 minutes.

Metro

The fastest means of getting around Athens is the Metro. The Athens Metro system is made up of 3 lines and connects to the tram, bus routes and suburban railway at multiple stations along each line. The Metro runs daily from 5am to midnight. Lines 2 and 3 (the red and blue lines) operate until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays. At peak hours, trains run every 5-6 minutes.

Athens Metro: +30 210 519 4012 www.ametro.gr

Line 1 (the green line) is the historic overground train known as the ISAP or electric railway. ) that runs from the northern suburb of Kifissia to the Port of Piraeus. It connects to lines 2 and 3 at three stations (Attiki, Omonia and Monastiraki).

Athens Piraeus Electric Railways: +3 .210 324 8311 www.isap.gr

Buses & Trolleybuses

The Athens bus and trolleybus network is extensive. Most buses and trolleybuses run daily from 5am to midnight, but do check the timetable of your route or call 11185. Airport Express buses operate on a 24-hour basis (there are exceptional circumstances, be sure to confirm if you have an early morning departure). These services connect Athens International Airport with the city centre (Syntagma Square), Piraeus port and the Intercity Bus Terminal (KTEL Kifissos).

OASA, 11185, http://oasa.gr

Tram

The tram network connects central Athens with the coastal suburbs of Faliro and Voula. It takes less than an hour to get from the Neos Kosmos tram stop to the final seaside stop at Voula. The tram connects to the Metro and overground train at four stops: Neos Kosmos and SEF (Peace and Friendship Stadium in Faliro). See the timetable here. The tram operates from 5.30 am to 1am daily and until 2.30am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Tram S.A.: +30 210 997 8000, www.tramsa.gr

Trains

The Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE) operates the national train service. Larissis Station is the terminus for most intercity trains and connected to the Metro on Line 2.

Hellenic Railways Organization (OSE): 14511, www.trainose.gr/

Intercity Buses (KTEL)

There are bus terminals in Athens that will take you practically anywhere you want to go in Greece, from big cities to small villages. Once you’ve decided on your destination and purchased your tickets, be sure to check the departure station.

KTEL Kifissou

Serving the Peloponnese, Western Mainland Greece and Thessaloniki. Bus routes 051 (from Omonia Square), 420 (from Piraeus port) or X93 (from Athens International Airport) connect to KTEL Kifissou (100 Kifissos Avenue; Tel. +30 210 512 4910).

KTEL Liossion

Serving Central and Northern Mainland Greece. Bus routes 420 (from Piraeus), A10 (from Larissis Station), and X93 (from Athens International Airport) serve KTEL Liossion (26 Stratigou Dagli Street; Tel. +30 210 831 7186).

KTEL Attikis

Buses depart from Pedion Areos (on Mavromateon Street) towards eastern Attica regions including Sounion, Nea Makri, Marathonas, Markopoulo, Oropos, Kalamos. Buses are also available for the ports of Rafina, Agia Marina and Lavrion and for the beaches of Porto Rafti (Kakia Thalassa, Avlaki, Daskalio) and of Nea Makri ( Mati, Zouberi, Agios Andreas, Schinias). Buses leave from Thissio in Agion Asomaton Square towards Megara, Nea Peramos, Elefsina, Vilia, Erythres and for the beaches of Porto Germeno and Alepochori. In addition, KTEL Attikis S.A. connects the Athens International Airport "El. Venizelos” with the port of Rafina and Markopoulo.

Tel. +30 210 880 8080 http://ktelattikis.gr/en/

Tickets for Public Transport

Tickets and passes (Ath.ena tickets) for public transport are sold at ticket booths and machines in all Athens Metro and tram stations. There are three types of Ath.ena tickets: a paper ticket, an anonymous card that you can top up, and a personalised card. These tickets can be used on all forms of public transport.

Tickets and passes for public transport (called “Ath.ena tickets”) are sold at ticket booths and machines in all Athens Metro and tram stations.
There are three types of Ath.ena tickets: a paper ticket, an plastic card that you can top up at vending machines, and a personalized card that includes an identity photo. These tickets can be used on all forms of public transport.
A standard ticket on Athens public transport costs €1.20. Students and senior citizens over 65 pay €0.50 (can be purchased from the gate agent with a student ID and proof of age required). Children up to the age of 6 travel free of charge; ages 7-18 pay €0.50 (proof of age required).
Each ticket can be used for 90 minutes on any form of public transport (except services to/from the airport).
A Day Pass (€4.10) is valid for unlimited travel (except airport services) for 24 hours.
A 5-Day Ticket (€8.20) is valid for unlimited travel on all modes of transport (except airport services and bus line Χ80) for 5 days.
A 3-Day Tourist Ticket (€20) is valid for unlimited travel (including 1 round trip to/from Athens International Airport). 3-day passes are available for purchase at the bus and metro ticket kiosks at Athens International Airport, Omonia, Syntagma, Thissio, Monastiraki, Acropolis and Piraeus stations. For more information on prices, visit the Athens Transport website.
For more information on public transport in Athens, call 11185 or visit oasa.gr

Taxis

Athens' taxis are good value but be sure the meter is on as soon as you board. Taxis are yellow and can be hailed on the street or otherwise picked up at taxi stands located throughout the city. There are also mobile applications and dispatchers you can call to order a taxi. When hailing a taxi on the street, you might find yourself sharing a ride with another passenger. In this case, each passenger pays the fare on the meter minus any diversions for drop offs. There is an initial base rate fare of 3,44 euros for every journey.

Rentals

There are numerous car rental agencies in Athens as well as around the city. EU citizens can use their European driving licence. Other nationals should have a valid international driver’s license. There are many parking lots throughout Athens, where you can safely leave your car. Street parking can be a challenge, but if you find a spot where non-residents are permitted to park, you need to purchase a ticket (for 1-3 hour time slots, available at most kiosks) or download the myAthensPass from the Apple or Android app stores.