Everything You Need to Know About Athenian Public Transport

Buses, trams, trolleybuses, the metro, taxis, or even e-scooters — navigating Athens' public transport can seem overwhelming. But with this comprehensive guide, I, George Esperidis Bezborodko, will turn these options into your indispensable companions, helping you master the Athens Metro’s three lines and even tackle those tricky ticket machines.

Let’s dive in and make getting around the Greek capital simple.

The Athens Metro: Smooth Sailing with Zero Traffic

Buried beneath the perpetually buzzing, people-packed, and traffic-snarled streets of Athens, the metro can be the ideal way to get around the city, especially if you have a detailed plan for visiting the most important city sights (like the one I offer in my Athens guide, for instance).

To begin, there are only three lines in the Athens Metro: the Green Line (the oldest, opened back in 1868), and the Blue and Red Lines (opened for the 2004 Olympic Games). And, as you can imagine, there’s a significant difference between these three branches.

The Green Line: Oldest & Gritty

The first — the Green Line — is more like a hybrid of the London Underground and the New York Subway: it’s a bit grubby, a bit old, and it’s home to the most beggars and pickpockets. It also doesn’t pass through the most affluent areas of Athens, even though it connects the port city of Piraeus (from where ferries depart for all, or almost all, Greek islands) with the fashionable suburb of Kifisia, where most Greek prime ministers' and bankers' families live. This line will be useful if you need to travel between the areas of Athens' oldest square, Monastiraki, and Omonia Square, known for its inexpensive hotels — both served by eponymous neighbouring stations. Furthermore, at the Neratziotissa station on the Green Line, you’ll find Athens' largest shopping centre, “The Mall.”

The Red Line: Modern & Main Attractions

The second line — the Red Line — runs on the “Anthoupoli-Elliniko” route. Its most important stations, which you will undoubtedly use, are Syngrou-Fix, located near the National Museum of Contemporary Art, followed by Acropolis station, just a stone’s throw from the ticket offices of Athens' main attraction (the Acropolis), and Syntagma, located right on the main city square, in front of the Old Royal Palace where the changing of the Presidential Guard takes place. The Red Line, unlike its older Green sister, is clean, well-maintained, and equipped with air-conditioned carriages. However, even here, it’s wise to remain vigilant and keep an eye on your bags and pockets.

The Blue Line: Airport and Port Access

The third line — the Blue Line — starts at the National Theatre in the port city of Piraeus and, passing through its port directly under the old Green Line station, heads far to the northeast, right to Athens International Airport. It’s quite likely you’ve already become acquainted with this line of the Athens Metro if you followed my advice on travelling from the airport to the city, but if not, I’ll allow myself to enlighten you a little. Besides the already mentioned key points, this line can take you to the Athens Conservatoire (Megaro Mousikis station), to Athens' main square (Syntagma), to Monastiraki Square (Monastiraki), and to the Kerameikos area, where, in addition to an excellent archaeological site from antiquity, there’s an art space and cultural centre on the premises of an old factory, hosting the city’s best music, food, beer, and other festivals.

Buying Tickets: Types & Tips

Now, let’s shed some light on buying tickets and all the types available. If you, dear reader, like yours truly, are a terminal introvert, it’s best to use the ticket machines, of which there are plenty at every metro station. On the main screen, you can choose from a multitude of languages: English, Greek, Italian, German, Spanish, Arabic, or Russian. The machine will then offer you several service options, among which you’ll need just one — “purchase product.” After this, you’ll need to select one of the many types of tickets.

If you intend to make the metro your primary mode of transport during your stay in Athens, it’s best to buy a ticket with unlimited travel on all modes of transport (metro, bus, trolleybus, tram) for 5 days, costing €8.20.
Additionally, there’s a so-called “tourist pass” with the same unlimited tariff for 3 days, including one journey by metro or special bus to the airport, costing €20.
Separate tickets to the airport, also sold in these machines, cost €9 (one way) or €16 (return).

It’s also worth mentioning that all types of tickets sold in these machines and at ticket offices are valid on all types of Athenian public transport.

Athenian Buses: Budget-Friendly & Extensive Routes

Often not living up to your hopes and expectations, frequently late or even never appearing, buses can nonetheless be extremely useful if you’re travelling within the city’s tourist centre or exploring specific neighborhoods. Here are some bus routes that pass through it:

550 — passes by the Athens National Gallery, the Kallimarmaro Olympic Stadium, and goes along Andrea Syngrou Avenue to the southern suburbs. The nearest stop from Syntagma Square is Stadio (in front of the Swedish Embassy on King Constantine Avenue).
A2 — runs from the seaside suburb of Voula to Akadimias Square, where the magnificent neoclassical buildings of the Athens National University, the National Academy of Greece, and the National Library are located. The nearest stop from Syntagma Square is Syntagma (at the exit from the National Garden on Queen Amalia Avenue).
608 — goes from the student campus near the main campus of the Athens National University and passes through Syntagma, Akadimias, and Omonia squares northwards. The nearest stop from Syntagma Square is Syntagma (on Queen Sophia Avenue, between Merlin and Sekeri streets).
A5, 221, and 220 — can also take you from the Syntagma stop on Queen Sophia Avenue to Akadimias Square.

Unified tickets for all types of public transport are sold both at ticket offices and machines before descending into metro stations, as well as in machines at some bus, trolleybus, and tram stops (for example, at both “Syntagma” stops on either side of Ermou Street).

Athenian Trolleybuses: An Urban Classic

I have my own issues with these: in my area, they never arrive on time when you need them, but when you don’t need them at all, they pass in droves. Nevertheless, besides the routes stopping near my home, there are many others in Athens — much more punctual. Here are some of them:

2, 4, 11 — pass through the National Archaeological Museum, Omonia Square, Square of Tears (read more in my guide), the National Historical Museum, and Syntagma Square.
5 — passes through the National Archaeological Museum, Omonia Square, Square of Tears (read more in my guide), the National Historical Museum, Syntagma Square, and goes to the southern suburbs of Athens.

Athenian Trams: Reliable Seaside Connections

After the metro, this is the second most reliable form of transport in the city, almost always arriving on time (perhaps because there are only two tram lines in the entire city).

6 — starts at Syntagma Square and goes via the Zappeion Exhibition Hall to the southeastern seaside areas, at some point taking you to the promenade with superb views of the Aegean Sea.
7 — also departs from Syntagma Square past the Zappeion Exhibition Hall. Upon reaching the promenade, it turns west and takes its passengers to the port suburb of Piraeus, from where ferries depart for all (or almost all) Greek islands.

A unified ticket for the bus, trolleybus, tram, and metro can be bought both at ticket offices when descending into Syntagma metro station and at the machines at the “Syntagma” tram stop.

Ready to Plan Your Entire Athens Adventure?

This transport guide is just a glimpse of the in-depth, authentic experience I offer. My full travel guides provide detailed itineraries, historical insights, and local secrets to ensure your Athens trip is unforgettable.

EXPLORE ALL MY ATHENS TRAVEL GUIDES HERE

Be attentive, follow the instructions, and enjoy your journey through ancient, complex, contradictory, and unfailingly charismatic Athens with me. Until our next adventure!

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