Getting around Athens
Metro, buses, taxis and when you still need Piraeus for the islands.
From the airport into town
Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) is 33 km from the centre. X95 express bus costs €5.50 to Syntagma (~60 min, 24h); Metro Line 3 costs €9 (~40 min) — separate tickets (oasa.gr / aia.gr, Aug 2026).
After baggage claim, follow signs to the airport metro station for Line 3 (blue) toward Athens — alight at Syntagma or Monastiraki for Plaka hotels. The X95 stop is signed outside arrivals; it also serves the 24-hour express link to Syntagma Square.
Taxis queue at the official rank with a regulated flat fare of €40 by day (05:00–24:00) and €55 from 00:00–05:00, tolls included (aia.gr, checked Aug 2026). Confirm the flat rate before luggage goes in the boot. FREE NOW is listed on the airport transport page for app booking.
Full airport transfer guide compares metro, bus and taxi with late-night options.
Fares, passes and where to buy
| Ticket | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 90-minute urban single (metro, bus, tram) | €1.20 | oasa.gr, Aug 2026 |
| 24-hour day pass | €4.10 | oasa.gr, Aug 2026 |
| Airport express X95 (Syntagma) | €5.50 | oasa.gr, Aug 2026 |
| Metro Line 3 airport single | €9 | oasa.gr, Aug 2026 |
| Metro Line 3 airport return | €16 | oasa.gr, Aug 2026 |
Buy urban tickets at metro station machines, selected kiosks and the OASA app before boarding. Airport metro and X95 fares are not covered by the €1.20 urban ticket — you need the dedicated airport products above. Validate every time; inspectors fine unvalidated tickets.
Metro, tram and suburban rail
OASA runs Athens metro (STASY), buses (OSY) and tram under one tariff. Three metro lines cover the centre: Line 1 (green) links Piraeus port, Thissio and Monastiraki; Line 2 (red) crosses Syntagma and Acropolis stations; Line 3 (blue) includes the airport branch (oasa.gr, checked Aug 2026).
A €1.20 ticket buys 90 minutes across urban modes — enough for Plaka to the National Archaeological Museum via Line 1. The €4.10 day pass pays off after four rides. Line 3 airport tickets (€9 single / €16 return) are separate products sold at the airport station.
City buses and the routes that matter
X95 runs 24 hours between ATH and Syntagma (€5.50, ~60 min, oasa.gr). X96 links the airport with Piraeus port for ferry connections. Urban buses use the same €1.20/90-minute ticket as the metro — buy before boarding at a kiosk or machine.
Route 040 serves Glyfada and the Athens Riviera coast (notable_routes, oasa.gr). Bus lanes are often stuck in traffic; metro is usually faster for cross-city hops. Download current PDF timetables from oasa.gr before early or late travel.
Taxis and ride-hailing
Yellow taxis are plentiful in the centre. Airport flat fares are €40 by day and €55 at night (00:00–05:00), tolls included — confirm before departure (aia.gr, Aug 2026). Urban rides use the meter; short hops from Syntagma to Plaka are inexpensive in normal traffic.
FREE NOW is the app listed on the airport private-transport page (aia.gr). Avoid unmarked drivers at Monastiraki and Piraeus port who quote inflated flat rates — use the official rank or app. Keep small euro notes; card acceptance varies by driver.
Coaches, trains and ferries out of the city
KTEL Attikis coaches serve Delphi (~2.5 h from Liosion), Cape Sounion (~90 min coastal bus), Nafplio & Mycenae (~2 h from Kifissos) and other mainland routes (ktelattikis.gr). There is no passenger train to Delphi — the train to Kalambaka (~4.5 h) is the base for Meteora day trips.
Ferries to the Saronic islands, Cyclades and Crete leave Piraeus port — reach it on Metro Line 1 (~20 min from Monastiraki). Crossing to Hydra takes about 90 minutes; confirm schedules on opensea.gr and operator sites before travel day. Rafina serves some Cyclades routes — check locally.
What is genuinely walkable
OASA and the city brief list Plaka, Monastiraki and the Acropolis slopes as walkable (oasa.gr). Allow 15–20 minutes on foot between Syntagma and Monastiraki; the Ancient Agora sits between them. Koukaki south of the museum quarter connects to the Acropolis south entrance in 10 minutes.
Kolonaki, the National Archaeological Museum, Piraeus port and the airport need metro or bus. Cobbles and heat make summer walking tiring — plan hill visits for morning, shade breaks at the Acropolis Museum, and metro for longer hops. See City Map for four self-guided walks.
Step-free travel and accessibility
Newer metro stations (Syntagma, Monastiraki, Acropolis) have lifts — check oasa.gr for current station status before you travel. The Acropolis hill itself is steep with uneven marble; there is no step-free route to the Parthenon. Buses are low-floor on many routes but kerbs vary.
Plaka and Monastiraki lanes are cobbled and stepped — difficult with heavy luggage or wheelchairs. Contact sites directly for reduced-mobility access at the Acropolis Museum (theacropolismuseum.gr), which is largely lift-served inside.
Transport questions
How much is a ticket in Athens?
A 90-minute urban ticket costs €1.20 on metro, bus and tram; a 24-hour pass is €4.10 (oasa.gr, checked Aug 2026). Airport X95 bus is €5.50 and Metro Line 3 from ATH is €9 single or €16 return — separate products not covered by the urban fare.
Do I need a car in Athens?
No for the centre — Plaka, Monastiraki and the Acropolis slopes are walkable and OASA metro Lines 1, 2 and 3 cover the main sights (oasa.gr). Use KTEL coaches or ferries from Piraeus for day trips. A car helps for Cape Sounion at your own pace but parking in the centre is scarce.
Is public transport in Athens safe at night?
Metro and X95 bus run through the night on key routes — X95 is 24h between ATH and Syntagma (oasa.gr, Aug 2026). Stick to well-lit stations and licensed taxis after midnight; confirm the €55 airport flat fare before departure between 00:00 and 05:00 (aia.gr).