How to move around Athens?

The Greek capital, along with its suburbs and the neighboring city of Piraeus, forms an integrated residential complex (the main urban planning complex of the capital) counting about 4 million inhabitants.
The entire prefecture has witnessed the development of modern transportation infrastructure that serves both residents and visitors in a fast and reliable way.

Table of Contents
• How to move around
• How to get from:
The Airport to Athens' center & Athens' center to the airport
The airport to Piraeus port & Piraeus port to the airport
Athens' center to Piraeus port & Piraeus port to Athens' center

Don't forget to get informed about how to get to Athens in order to optimize your travel.

HOW TO MOVE AROUND

Metro (Subway)

The metro is the easiest and fastest mean of transport in Athens. It connects the most popular spots of interest in town. It also connects the center of Athens with the port of Piraeus (change in green line 1) and the airport of Athens (through blue line 3). Inaugurated in 2001, the metro of Athens is modern and routes are very frequent, approximately every 3 or 5 min. The metro works from 5:00 am till midnight. Although it serves a large part of the town and its suburbs, the network is still enlarged with new stations.You can get information about timetables here.

Tram

The tram network connects the center of Athens (Syntagma Square) to the southern (coastal) suburbs. The coaches are nice and modern. The only inconvenience is that tram is very slow, compared to the metro system. The tram serves the following routes:
- Athens (Syntagma)- Voula, running through Nea Smyrni, Paleo Faliro, Alimos, Helliniko, Glyfada.
- Athens (Peace and Friendship Stadium in Neo Faliro)- Voula, running through Nea Smyrni, Paleo Faliro, Alimos, Helliniko, Glyfada.
You can get more information about tram timetables here.

Buses and Trolleybuses

There is a huge network of buses and trolleys (electric buses) that operates in Athens and its suburbs. They usually operate from 6:00 am until 11:00 pm, with the exception of some buses that operate 24 hours, such as the Express buses from Athens Airport to Syntagma or to the port of Piraeus. Tickets for buses and trolleybuses can be bought in special kiosks around the town or inside all the Metro Stations. Get information about timetables on www.telematics.oasa.gr.

Taxis

All taxis are yellow and equipped with a taxi-meter that displays the fare. Taxis in Athens are yellow and can be found anytime, anywhere. There are taxi ranks outside the airport, the train station, the metro stations, hospitals, museums, theaters, almost everywhere.
The interesting thing about the Athenian taxis is the fact that one can be picked up by a taxi while there already is a passenger in it. Every passenger will be charged the fare shown on the meter.
The fares are doubled between midnight and 5 am. There is an extra fee when entering a taxi from the port, the airport, the rail station, and the KTEL bus station.
If you want to stop a taxi in Athens, just step on the side of the road and raise your hand. Otherwise, you can book a taxi by calling on any of the following numbers: 18222, 18300, 18288, 18180 or book your taxi online.

Hop on hop off bus

The hop on hop off bus is one of the best ways to tour around Athens and the suburbs of Athens. It offers a great variety of tours, such as the Classic tour, the Athens and Piraeus tour and the Athens and Beach Riviera tour. The tours with the hop on hop off bus offer commentary in 12 languages, free WiFi, 2 free escorted photo tours and a free glass of Greek beer.

Happy Train

An alternative -fun- way to move around the city and explore the best points of interest in Athens is Happy Train! Happy Train tours around the historical center of Athens and passes by the most important monuments of the city. This train truly stands out: it has a bright red color and looks like a toy! Sightseeing tours with Happy Train start from the Constitution Square in downtown Athens and follow an amazing itinerary. Happy Train passes by monuments and sites, such as the Hellenic Parliament, the Museum of Cycladic Art, the War Museum, the Panathenaic Stadium, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Lantern of Diogenes and others. You can hop off the train whenever you wish, so the Happy Train is a very convenient way to move around Athens.

Organized Tours

There is no better way to explore a place, than touring around it with the help of well-trained, experienced, local guides! Choose the tour that appeals to you the most, visit the most breathtaking spots of Athens and create wonderful memories that will last for a lifetime!
Discover our tours in Athens!

Suburban Railway (Proastiakos)

It accommodates travel to/from Athens and Eleftherios Venizelos Athens International Airport. It also travels between Athens and Corinth (Kiato). Itineraries are daily and run almost every hour. Get more information here.

Car rentals

With a car or motorcycle, you can easily move to any location in town or travel to nearby destinations, like Cape Sounion, Corinth, Arachova, Delphi etc. In case you don't have your own vehicle, it is an excellent idea to rent a car for your sightseeing trips!
Concerning your transfers by car within the city limits, you should always have in mind that traffic jam in Athens is a common phenomenon and you might also have difficulty in finding free parking spots.

Attiki Odos Ringroad

Attiki Odos is a cutting-edge motorway in Europe linking the town of Elefsina (western Attica) to the Eleftherios Venizelos Athens International Airport (Spata, eastern Attica). Part of the Athens peripheral ring road, it circumvents Athens and offers 27 main and secondary interchanges for entrance and exit into/from the capital. To enter the motorway, tolls are paid.

KTEL (Suburban) Buses

The KTEL buses are connecting suburban places and towns around Greece. Athens has KTEL buses to almost all towns around the country. In fact, KTEL buses are more popular to travel in Greece than the train, although they are more expensive. The two central KTEL bus stations in Athens are in Kifissos and Liossion streets. The KTEL station in Kifissos is the most popular and serves buses to many destinations. The Liossion KTEL station serves buses to central Greece and few destinations in northern Greece.
Get more information about routes and timetables here.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer: Timetables and ticket prices are subject to future changes. For up-to-date information kindly check the official website of transportation in Athens as well as the official suburban railway website.

How to get from Athens Airport to Athens center?

Athens Airport is connected with Athens city center by metro, bus and the suburban railway.

• Metro (Blue line)

Directions: Airport > Blue line (direction Dimotiko Theatro) > Syntagma or Monastiraki metro stations which are two of the most central stations of Athens.
Trip Duration: 38’ - 40’
Timetables: 06:32 - 07:02 - 07:32 - 08:02 - 08:32 - 09:02 - 09:32 - 10:02 - 10:32 - 11:02 - 11:32 - 12:02 - 12:32 - 13:02 - 13:32 - 14:02 - 14:32 - 15:02 - 15:32 - 16:02 - 16:32 - 17:02 - 17:32 - 18:02 - 18:32 - 19:02 - 19:32 - 20:02 - 20:32 - 21:02 - 21:32 - 22:02 - 22:32 - 23:02 - 23:32
Tickets: One ticket: 9 € | Discounted: 4,50 € | Two -way ticket: 16 € | 3 -day tourist ticket: 20 € (includes two -way airport ticket)

• Bus (X95 Airport)

Directions: The Airport bus stop is on the arrivals level, between Exits 4 and 5.
Trip Duration: Around 40’ depending on traffic.
You disembark at Syntagma square.
Timetables:: 00:10 - 00:25 - 00:45 - 01:00 - 01:20 - 01:40 - 02:00 - 02:20 - 02:45 - 03:10 - 03:35 - 04:05 - 04:30 04:55 - 05:20 - 05:45 - 06:00 - 06:10 - 06:25 - 06:45 - 07:00 - 07:15 - 07:30 - 07:45 - 08:00 - 08:15 08:30 - 08:45 - 09:05 - 09:20 - 09:35 - 09:50 - 10:10 - 10:25 - 10:40 - 11:00 - 11:20 - 11:35 - 11:55 12:10 - 12:30 - 12:45 - 13:05 - 13:20 - 13:40 - 13:55 - 14:15 - 14:30 - 14:50 - 15:05 - 15:25 - 15:40 16:00 - 16:15 - 16:35 - 16:50 - 17:10 - 17:25 - 17:45 - 18:05 - 18:25 - 18:40 - 18:55 - 19:10 - 19:25 19:40 - 19:55 - 20:10 - 20:25 - 20:40 - 20:55 - 21:10 - 21:30 - 21:50 - 22:10 - 22:30 - 22:50 - 23:05 23:20 - 23:40 - 23:55
Bus tickets: One ticket: 5,50 € | Discounted: 2,70 € |3 -day tourist ticket: 20 € (includes two -way airport ticket)

• Suburban railway (Proastiakos)

Directions: The suburban railway station in Athens center is in the Central Railway station "Stathmos Larissis" which is also connected with the red metro line.
Directions: Airport > Suburban railway direction Piraeus > Athens station
Timetables: 06:09 - 07:09 - 08:09 - 09:09 - 10:09 - 11:09 - 12:09 - 13:09 - 14:09 - 15:09 - 16:09 - 17:09 - 18:09 - 19:09 - 20:09 - 21:09 - 22:09

How to get from Athens Center to Athens Airport?

Athens Center is connected with the Airport by metro, bus and the suburban railway.

• Metro (Blue line)

Directions: Syntagma or Monastiraki metro > Blue line (direction Airport) > Airport.
Trip Duration: 38’ - 40’.
Timetables from Syntagma Station: 05:38 - 06:17 - 06:47 - 07:17 - 07:47 - 08:17 - 08:47 - 09:17 - 09:47 - 10:17 - 10:47 - 11:17 - 11:47 - 12:17 - 12:47 - 13:17 - 13:47 - 14:17 - 14:47 - 15:17 - 15:47 - 16:17 - 16:47 - 17:17 - 17:47 - 18:17 - 18:47 - 19:17 - 19:47 - 20:17 - 20:47 - 21:17 - 21:47 - 22:17 - 22:47 - 23:17
Timetables from Monastiraki Station: 05:36 - 06:15 - 06:45 - 07:15 - 07:45 - 08:15 - 08:45 - 09:15 - 09:45 - 10:15 - 10:45 - 11:15 - 11:45 - 12:15 - 12:45 - 13:15 - 13:45 - 14:15 - 14:45 - 15:15 - 15:45 - 16:15 - 16:45 - 17:15 - 17:45 - 18:15 - 18:45 - 19:15 - 19:45 - 20:15 - 20:45 - 21:15 - 21:45 - 22:15 - 22:45 - 23:15
Tickets: One ticket: 9 € | Discounted: 4,50 € | Two -way ticket: 16 € |3 -day tourist ticket: 20 € (includes two -way airport ticket)

• Bus (X95 Airport)

Directions: The Airport bus stop in Syntagma is at 8, Othonos street and will set you down at Athens Airport departures level.
Trip Duration: Around 40’ depending on traffic.
Timetables from Syntagma Station: 00:00 - 00:20 - 00:40 - 01:00 - 01:20 - 01:45 - 02:10 - 02:35 - 03:05 - 03:30 - 03:55 - 04:20 - 04:40 - 04:55 - 05:10 - 05:25 - 05:40 - 05:55 - 06:05 - 06:20 - 06:35 - 06:50 - 07:05 - 07:20 - 07:35 - 07:55 - 08:10 - 08:25 - 08:40 - 09:00 - 09:15 - 09:30 - 09:50 - 10:10 - 10:25 - 10:45 - 11:00 - 11:20 - 11:35 - 11:55 - 12:10 - 12:30 - 12:45 - 13:05 - 13:20 - 13:40 - 13:55 - 14:15 - 14:30 - 14:50 - 15:05 - 15:25 - 15:40 - 16:00 - 16:15 - 16:35 - 16:55 - 17:15 - 17:30 - 17:45 - 18:00 - 18:15 - 18:30 - 18:45 - 19:00 - 19:15 - 19:30 - 19:45 - 20:00 - 20:20 - 20:40 - 21:00 - 21:20 - 21:40 - 21:55 - 22:15 - 22:35 - 22:50 - 23:10 - 23:25 - 23:45
Tickets: One ticket: 5,50 € | Discounted: 2,70 € |3 -day tourist ticket: 20 € (includes two -way airport ticket)

• Suburban railway (Proastiakos)

Directions: Athens center > Suburban railway direction Airport > Airport
Timetables: 04:03 - 05:03 - 06:03 - 07:03 - 08:03 - 09:03 - 10:03 - 11:03 - 12:03 - 13:03 - 14:03 - 15:03 - 16:03 - 17:03 - 18:03 - 19:03 - 20:03

How to get from Athens Airport to Piraeus Port?

The Airport of Athens is connected with the port of Piraeus by the Blue metro lines, bus, and suburban railway.

• Metro (Blue line)

Directions: Airport > Blue metro line direction Dimotiko Theatro > Piraeus station.
Tickets: One ticket: 9 € | Discounted: 4,50 € | Two -way ticket: 16 €

• Bus (X96 Airport)

Directions: The X96 bus stop is on the arrivals level, between Exits 4 and 5.
Trip Duration: Around 60’ depending on traffic.
You disembark in "Stathmos Isap" stop.
Timetables: 06:35 - 06:05 - 07:05 - 07:35 - 08:00 - 08:30 - 08:55 - 09:25 - 09:50 - 10:20 - 10:45 - 11:15 - 11:45 - 12:15 - 12:45 - 13:15 - 13:40 - 14:05 - 14:35 - 15:00 - 15:30 - 15:55 - 16:25 - 16:55 - 17:20 - 17:45 - 18:15 - 04:00 - 04:40 - 05:20.
Tickets: One ticket: 5,50 € | Discounted: 2,70 € |3 -day tourist ticket: 20 € (includes two -way airport ticket)

• Suburban railway (Proastiakos)

Directions: Airport > Suburban railway direction Piraeus > Piraeus
Timetables:06:09 - 07:09 - 08:09 - 09:09 - 10:09 - 11:09 - 12:09 - 13:09 - 14:09 - 15:09 - 16:09 - 17:09 - 18:09 - 19:09 - 20:09 - 21:09 - 22:09.
Tickets: One ticket: 10 €

How to get from Piraeus Port to Athens Airport?

The port of Piraeus is connected with the Airport of Athens by the Blue metro line, bus, and suburban railway.

• Metro (Blue and Green metro lines)

Directions: Piraeus > Blue metro line direction Airport > Airport station.
Tickets: One ticket: 9 € | Discounted: 4,50 € | Two -way ticket: 16 €

• Bus (X96 Airport)

Directions: The Airport X96 bus stop in Piraeus port is just in front of Gate E7.
Trip Duration: Around 60’ depending on traffic.
Timetables*: 05:00 - 05:25 - 05:55 - 06:20 - 06:50 - 07:15 - 07:45 - 08:10 - 08:40 - 09:05 - 09:35 - 10:05 - 10:35 - 11:05 - 11:35 - 12:00 - 12:25 - 12:55 - 13:20 - 13:50 - 14:15 - 14:45 - 15:15 - 15:40 - 16:05 - 16:35 - 17:00 - 17:30 - 18:00 - 18:30 - 19:00 - 19:30 - 20:00
*these are departing times from the starting point of the bus which is 2 stops before the Piraeus port bus stop (5’ -7’ distance)
Tickets: One ticket: 5,50 € | Discounted: 2,70 € | 3 -day tourist ticket: 20 € (includes two -way airport ticket)

• Suburban railway (Proastiakos)

Directions: Pireaus > Suburban railway direction Airport > Airport
Timetables:04:44 - 05:44 - 06:44 - 07:44 - 08:44 - 09:44 - 10:44 - 11:44 - 12:44 - 13:44 - 14:44 - 15:44 - 16:44 - 17:44 - 18:44 - 19:44 - 20:44.
Tickets: One ticket: 10 €

How to get from Athens center to Piraeus Port

Athens center is connected with Athens center by the Blue metro line, by the Green metro line, by bus and by the suburban railway.

• Metro (Blue line)

Directions: Monastiraki or Syntagma metro station > Blue metro line direction to Dimotiko theatro > Piraeus port.
Trip Duration: 20’ (Metro frequency 5’ - 15’)
Tickets: One ticket: 1,20 € (0,50 € discounted)

• Bus no 040

Directions: The 040 bus stop is in Syntagma square, 2, Fillelinon street.
Trip Duration: Around 50’ depending on traffic.
You disembark in Piraias stop which is at gate E12.
Note that there is a 10’ minute walking distance to the gate where most ferries depart for the islands.
Frequency is from 10’ -30’.
Ticket: One ticket: 1,20 € (0,50 € discounted)

• Suburban railway (Proastiakos)

Directions: The suburban railway station in Athens center is in the Central Railway station "Stathmos Larissis" which is also connected with the red metro line.
Timetables: 06:19 - 06:52 - 07:19 - 07:52 - 08:19 - 08:52 - 09:19 - 09:52 - 10:19 - 10:52 - 11:19 - 11:52 - 12:19 - 12:52 - 13:19 - 13:52 - 14:19 - 14:52 - 15:19 - 15:52 - 16:19 - 16:52 - 17:19 - 17:52 - 18:19 - 18:52 - 19:19 - 19:52 - 20:19 - 20:52 - 21:52 - 22:55 - 23:13
Ticket: One Ticket: 1,40 €

How to get from Piraeus Port to Athens Center

Piraeus Port is connected with Athens center by the Blue metro line, by the Green metro line, by bus and by the suburban railway.

• Metro (Green line)

Directions: Piraeus port metro station > Blue line metro line direction Airport > Syntagma or Monastiraki metro station.
Trip Duration: 20’ (Metro frequency 5’ - 15’)
Ticket: One ticket: 1,20 € (0,50 € discounted)

• Bus no 040

Directions: The 040 bus stop is in Piraeus in front of gate E12.
Trip Duration: Around 50’ depending on traffic.
You disembark at Syntagma stop.
Frequency is from 10’ -30’.
Ticket: One ticket: 1,20 € (0,50 € discounted)

• Suburban railway (Proastiakos)

Directions: The suburban railway station in Piraeus is near the port, on the left -hand side of the metro station.
Timetables: 06:17 - 06:34 - 07:17 - 07:34 - 08:17 - 08:34 - 09:17 - 09:34 - 10:17 - 10:34 - 11:17 - 11:34 - 12:17 - 12:34 - 13:17 - 13:34 - 14:17 - 14:34 - 15:17 - 15:34 - 16:17 - 16:34 - 17:17 - 17:34 - 18:17 - 18:34 - 19:17 - 19:34 - 20:17 - 20:34
Ticket: One Ticket: 1,40 €