Are you traveling to Greece and you are wondering how to get around Athens? Well, there are several means of transport to move around this big city. So, this quick guide will provide you with all the useful information about the different Athenian means of transportation.
Pro Tip: Consider bookmarking this page in your browser so you can circle back to it on your trip. Also, check out our guide to Athens page with tons of helpful articles. Finally, the best way to get your bearings is by taking an Athenian Tour. Local guides can answer in-person questions not to mention a great tour will bring a city to life!
Your Options For Getting Around Athens: Metro & Train, Bus & Trolley, Bikes & Uber
Athens is certainly a big city and consists of a lot of municipalities with numerous neighborhoods. From the heart of Athens to the Athenian Riviera, there are many different places to discover. Some of them may be popular about their nightlife, like the Gazi area, others may be famous for their great monuments, like the Monastiraki area, or others may be attractive because of the sea access, like the Glyfada area. So, it is really possible to need this simple guide to easily get around Athens.
Athens’ Metro & Train and Bus & Trolley
Athens’ public subway system is known as “OASA” which really is Athens Public Transport Agency. It is the same company that operates Athens’ bus system.
Firstly, in order to use Athen’s public transportation, you will need to purchase an ATH.ENA Ticket. To clarify, this is a classic ticket but when you purchase it, you can choose how many rides you want to buy (when it’s over, you throw the ticket away).
On the other hand, it is better to purchase ATH.ENA Card is actually a reloadable plastic pass. So, you also buy a number of rides, but when it’s over, you have the opportunity to use it again by buying more rides.
What you need to know is that only train and metro stations provide ticket offices. Also, both cards are used for all the public transportation with the same ticket prices. Finally, it is free for children 6 years old and under.
Ticket Costs
There are several different types and prices for tickets and you can choose what’s the best for you.
90-minute Single Ticket:
This ticket costs €1.20 and you can use it in every public transportation for 90 minutes. If the time passes, then you have to purchase a new ticket. Exclude airport metro & busses lines and X80 bus lines (Piraeus-Acropolis-Syntagma EXPRESS).
Daily Ticket:
It costs €4.10 and is valid for 24 hours from its first validation. Again, the airport metro and bus lines are excluded. However, it is valid for the X80 bus line.
5-Day Ticket: Recommended!
It costs €8.20 and it is valid for 5 days. Again, the airport metro and bus lines, and the X80 bus line are excluded.
3-day Tourist Ticket:
It costs €20 and it is the best choice if you are going to stay in Athens for 3 days. Above all, it provides 2-way from/to the Airport. Finally, it is valid for the X80 bus line.
Offers:
- 2-single ticket pack €2.30
- 5-single ticket pack €5.70
- 10+1 single tickets €12
Subway & Busses From The Airport
When you will arrive at the International Athens Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos”, you will see that there are several public transportations that can drive you to your Athenian destination like the subway and the X95 and X96 bus lines.
Airport Tickets:
- Express Bus Lines €5.50 (1-way from/to the airport)
- Metro Airport Ticket €9 (2-way ticket €16)
- Airport Metro Ticket From/To Pallini-Kantza-Koropi €5.50
Subway Maps & Buss App
Here is a subway map that you can print and a mobile bus app which is very useful if you wish to discover Athens.
Walking & Bikes
If you are going to stay in the very center of Athens, like Syntagma or Monastiraki, then you are really lucky as all of the significant attractions are really close. So, going for walks is the best thing to do in the heart of Athens. Moreover, you will have the chance to meet local people and even see impressive buildings. Besides, there are many pedestrian areas to enjoy a walk.
Further, lately, more and more people are using bikes to go for a walk especially in the center of Athens. Because of the fact that there are many pedestrian areas, you don’t only have the chance to go for walks on food but also by bike.
Rent A Bike
If you desire to rent a bike so as to get around Athens, then, there are many bike rental offices. Moreover, if you prefer to make a bike tour, you can book your tour at Athens By Ride office. I would recommend organizing your tour with a licensed travel agency like that mainly for safety reasons. Also, the staff knows exactly what spots are worth visiting, so you will certainly have fun.
Uber & Taxi
Above all, in Greece, Uber and Taxi are actually the same things. In other words, if you use Uber, you will see a taxi coming and picking you up. However, there are some significant differences.
Firstly, you don’t have to wait in front of a road when a taxi may pass, but you book it through the Uber app. Secondly, while the prices are the same, using Uber offers you the chance to pay via PayPal, Credit Card, or Debit Card. On the other hand, if you want to use a taxi, remember to have some money on you. Finally, Uber TAXI is far safer than the simple taxi as you get all the needed information about both the car and the driver.
Charge from the Airport to the Center of Athens (daytime): €38
Charge from the Airport to the Center of Athens (nighttime): €54
Remember that there are also X95 (Airport-Athens) and X96 (Airport-Piraeus) bus lines and the subway line 3.
If you want to know more about Uber check our article that goes more in-depth:
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