Getting around Athens is easiest to plan as a mix of walking and public transport: the metro, tram, buses and trolleybuses form a connected network across the wider region. Use the metro for central and airport connections, then check bus or trolleybus routes when they suit your destination.
- Network: Metro, tram, buses and trolleybuses.
- Airport by metro: Line 3 connects the airport with Syntagma and central points of interest.
- Full-fare ticket examples: €1.20 for 90 minutes, €4.10 for 24 hours and €9.00 for an airport metro ticket.
- From Athens Mansion Luxury Suites: Panepistimio station is about 6 minutes on foot, Monastiraki about 8 minutes and Omonia about 12 minutes.
Choosing between walking and public transport
Walking can work well for central trips, while public transport connects you to destinations across the wider Athens region. OASA describes the metro, tram, buses and trolleybuses as a connected network, so you can choose based on where you’re going rather than treating each mode as a separate system.
From Athens Mansion Luxury Suites, a four-star hotel, Panepistimio is about 6 minutes on foot, Monastiraki about 8 minutes and Omonia about 12 minutes. Those station walks give you several points to join the metro network from the hotel.
Athens metro lines and central stations
Athens metro Lines 1, 2 and 3 connect with a wider public transport system, and Line 3 provides a direct link between the airport and Syntagma and other central points of interest. For airport travel, compare that rail connection with the express buses before choosing your route.
STASY provides timetable information for Lines 1, 2 and 3 and the tram, including service frequency and first and last train departures. Check its timetable information when planning a journey that depends on a particular departure or late service.
If you’re heading to Psiri, the neighbourhood is about 6 minutes on foot from the hotel; its streets and getting-around options are covered in this Psiri Athens guide.
Metro stations are accessible and have adapted WCs free for disabled passengers. The official Athens accessibility itinerary resource also provides route overviews and general accessibility assessments, which can help you plan a particular journey.
Tickets, fares and validating a journey
OASA offers single-period and multi-day ticket products, along with airport fares. Full-fare options include a 90-minute ticket for €1.20, a 24-hour ticket for €4.10, an Airport Express Bus ticket for €5.50 and a metro airport ticket for €9.00.
The 24-hour ticket covers unlimited city travel and bus line X80, but not the airport fare. The 5-day ticket covers unlimited travel around the city, excluding the airport fare. The 3-day Tourist Ticket covers unlimited city travel plus one journey to and one journey from the airport by metro or Airport Express Bus.
An airport metro ticket is valid for 90 minutes and allows transfers to other transport modes during that period, except Airport Express Buses and bus X80. An Airport Express Bus ticket covers one journey to or from the airport. Contactless physical or digital bank cards are accepted for full-fare products, including the listed city and airport fares.
You can buy reloadable ATH.ENA Tickets and ATH.ENA Cards at ticket counters and automatic vending machines. At metro stations, validate your ticket or card at the entrance gate; the gate opens after successful validation, and its reader displays remaining fare validity or stored value.
Buses, airport links and late travel
Airport Express buses connect the airport with Syntagma, Piraeus, intercity bus stations and the Elliniko area. Routes X93, X95, X96 and X97 are among the airport services included in the 3-day Tourist Ticket, and the express routes operate 24 hours a day.
For a direct airport-to-centre connection, compare the Airport Express Bus with Metro Line 3. The bus ticket covers one airport journey, while the airport metro ticket allows transfers within its 90-minute validity period, subject to its exclusions. The Athens Airport to City Centre routes and transfers guide compares these ways into town.
For buses and trolleybuses around the city, OASA Telematics provides real-time information for lines and stops, as well as a public-transport best-route tool.
You can use the first and last train departure information from STASY to plan metro and tram journeys that depend on service hours. Up to two bicycles may be carried in the last carriage of a metro train.
For coastal plans, the Athens beach guide focuses on choosing a coast for your stay.
Before you go: Ticket prices and services can change, so check the official site before you go.
FAQs
How do you use the metro in Athens?
Validate your ticket or card at the metro station entrance gate. A successful validation opens the gate, and the reader displays remaining fare validity or stored value.
Does the Athens 24-hour ticket include the airport?
No. The 24-hour ticket covers unlimited city travel and bus line X80, but excludes the airport fare.
Does the metro run to Athens Airport?
Yes. Metro Line 3 directly connects the airport with Syntagma and central points of interest. An airport metro ticket is valid for 90 minutes, with specified transfer exclusions.
Where can you check bus routes and live information?
OASA Telematics provides real-time information for bus and trolleybus lines and stops, plus a best-route tool.