Traveling to Athens: what you need to know

Public transport in Athens

Transportation in Greece is divided into urban and suburban categories. The former includes buses, trolleybuses, trams, the metro, and suburban trains. The latter includes suburban buses and trains.

City buses and trolleybuses run from 05:00 to 00:00. Trams operate from 05:30 to 01:00 (on Fridays and Saturdays until 02:30). The metro runs from 05:30 to 00:30, except on Fridays and Saturdays, when 2 of the 3 lines (Lines 2 and 3) operate until 02:30.

You can view all bus and trolleybus routes here.

The map of metro and tram lines is available here.

Fares in Athens

A single ticket for one journey in Athens costs €1.40 and is valid for 90 minutes after validation with unlimited transfers. It is valid for buses (excluding route X80 and ExpressBus), trolleybuses, trams, the metro (excluding the “Airport” station), and suburban trains (on the Piraeus — SKA, Magoula — Koropi routes).

A daily ticket costs €4.50, and a 5-day ticket costs €9. However, as with the regular ticket, this pass does not cover travel to the airport. For that, it is better to purchase a tourist pass (€20 for 72 hours). In addition to unlimited use of all city transport, this pass allows for 2 journeys from the airport to the city and back by metro, express bus, or route X80. The pass is available for purchase at the airport station.

Traveling to Athens Airport on the ExpressBus costs €6, by metro — €10 for one, €18 for two, and €24 for three.

Athens: where to buy bus and other transport tickets

Tickets for city transport can be purchased at newspaper kiosks, OASA kiosks (Athens Transport Organization), or at ticket machines in the metro and tram stations. In buses/trolleybuses, the ticket is validated upon boarding, in trams/ground metro — on the platform, and in the subway — before the escalator.

Tickets for the express bus (X93, X95, X96, X97) can be purchased from the driver, at a ticket office, or from a machine.

Discounts on travel in Athens

In Athens, there are discounts for children (7-12 years old) and teenagers (13-18 years old), as well as for people over 65. By presenting an ID, you will pay half the ticket price for all types of city transport.

Note: city tickets are not valid on airport routes, express buses, and suburban trains outside the city limits.

Athens Airport: how to get there?

To Athens Airport, express buses X93, X95, X96, X97 run. Travel times are 63, 70, 90, and 100 minutes, respectively. A ticket costs €6 one way. You can also take the metro (Line 3). Metro trains run daily from 06:30 to 23:30 every half hour. Additionally, suburban trains run from the Central Station and Acharnai Station to the airport. From the airport, they operate every 15-25 minutes to Plakentias station, where you can transfer to the metro using the same ticket.

Safety in Athens

Overall, Athens is considered quite a safe city, though there are areas where you should be cautious (for example, the Omonia neighborhood in the city center, which is a Greek equivalent of Harlem). Nevertheless, there are a few rules that can help you avoid problems:

1. Do not leave valuables unattended, and it is best not to carry them at all. Use the hotel safe or, if necessary, keep them at the bottom of your backpack.
2. Be vigilant in markets and other crowded places (e.g., the metro), as petty theft is not uncommon in Greece.
3. When using a taxi, ensure the driver has turned on the meter and clarify the fare in advance. It’s also a good idea to check the route ahead of time using GPS or interactive maps. Avoid using unofficial taxis.
4. For solo female travelers, Greece is quite safe.
5. Be cautious in bars and cafes, especially when meeting locals. A new acquaintance might cleverly “trick” a tourist into paying for something, and you’ll end up with the bill.

How to save money in Athens

Athens offers several discounts that are useful for travelers. For example, holders of an international student card (ISIC) can receive a 30-50% discount on admission to most museums and other cultural sites.

Even if you are not a student under 26, you can receive similar discounts with a Youth Travel Card. People over 65 are entitled to discounts on public transport (with proof of age).

Architects, archaeologists, and students/teachers of classical departments at universities often get free entry to archaeological sites and museums!

Sometimes, on Sundays, admission to the Acropolis and other historical sites in Athens is free. To find out more about what is available for free, you can check here.

Even the most budget-conscious tourist won’t feel deprived in Athens: many historical monuments are outdoors and accessible to everyone. For example, immerse yourself in the ancient atmosphere and explore the historic district of Plaka. Narrow streets with old houses and cozy tavernas wind around the base of the Acropolis and seem to transport you back in time.

If you want to see Athens from above, climb up Areopagus Hill, the former center of public life in Athens, from where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the city.

You can book a hotel with a discount of up to 65% on the website.

Another free activity is the changing of the guard at the Parliament building in Syntagma Square. After watching the Greek “soldiers” in their amusing hats and uniforms, you can take a leisurely stroll through the nearby National Garden of Athens.

The Port of Piraeus is among the places you must visit in Athens. The white cluster of houses against the backdrop of the piercing blue sky and sea is a scene that will be remembered for a long time!

If you’re looking for a more educational experience, visit the Musical Instrument Museum. Admission is free, and you’ll see and learn a lot: the museum’s collection features 1200 instruments of all types and ages. You can even listen to how they sound.

Opening hours: Tue., Thu., Fri., Sat., Sun. — 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Wed. — 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Address: Plaka, Diogenes 1/3.

Athens: what you need to know

When it comes to opening hours, Greeks (and Athenians in particular) are known to be even more relaxed than Spaniards and Italians with their famous siesta. The traditional Greek working hours are such that even locals often don’t know them exactly.

However, since the country joined the European Union, the situation has changed, and today most establishments in tourist areas adhere to the stated hours.

Most major stores in Athens are usually open from 08:30/09:00 to 19:00/20:00 with a siesta break (from 14:00 to 15:00/17:00 in summer, one hour less in winter). Supermarkets operate from Monday to Saturday from 08:00 to 20:00.

Pharmacies are open Monday to Friday from 09:00/10:00 to 17:00/18:00, but private pharmacies and pharmacists also work on Saturdays. As for museums, they are generally open daily (except Monday) from 08:00 to 15:00, and in summer, some are open until 19:00. However, there are exceptions, such as the Acropolis, which is open in summer during the full moon. It’s best to check the official website of the museum you plan to visit for accurate timings.

In Athens (and throughout Greece), strict rules apply to photographing and filming certain objects (mainly of strategic and governmental importance). Warning signs or security posts are usually placed near such locations, so it’s difficult to make a mistake.

Photography in museums is generally allowed if no additional equipment (tripods, flash, etc.) is used. Otherwise, written permission from the administration and an additional fee may be required. You can freely take photos at archaeological sites unless there are specific restrictions.