Overview
The Athens Metro (Μετρό Αθήνας, Metro Athinas) is a rapid transit system serving the Athens urban area. It consists of three lines totalling 91.7 kilometres and 66 stations, integrated with buses, trams, the suburban railway and ferries to form a unified public transport network. To ride the metro end to end, you purchase a ticket or tap a contactless card at validators before entering the station, board your train, and exit without needing to validate again. The system is modern, frequent and well-signalled in both Greek and English, making it straightforward for visitors to navigate.
The network
Metro lines
The Athens Metro operates three lines, each identified by colour and number:
- Line 1 (Green): Piraeus–Kifissia. The oldest line, opened as a steam railway in 1869 and electrified in 1904. It is 25.7 kilometres long with 24 stations, mostly overground but with an underground section between Monastiraki and Attiki stations. This line connects the port of Piraeus in the south with the northern suburbs, passing through the city centre.
- Line 2 (Red): Anthoupoli–Elliniko. Entirely underground, 18.7 kilometres long with 20 stations. It connects western and southern Athens via the city centre.
- Line 3 (Blue): Dimotiko Theatro–Doukissis Plakentias–Airport. Mostly underground, 47.3 kilometres long with 24 stations. It connects Piraeus and the western suburbs with the eastern suburbs and Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport. Only seven trains have the overhead line equipment needed to serve the airport section.
All three lines interchange at five stations: Attiki, Monastiraki, Omonia, Piraeus and Syntagma. Key stations for visitors include Syntagma (constitution), Larissa (Athens Central Railway Station) and Acropolis (Ακρόπολη, Akropoli). Many metro stations, notably Syntagma, display archaeological artefacts excavated during construction. Trains run from 5:30 to 00:30 daily, with extended service until around 02:00 on Friday and Saturday nights.
Suburban railway
The Athens Suburban Railway (Προαστιακός, Proastiakos), operated by Hellenic Train, offers three lines connecting Piraeus to the Airport, Piraeus to Aigio, and Athens Central Station (Larissa) to Chalkida. A direct Suburban Railway line connects the airport with Piraeus port. Operating hours are 4:30 am to 11 pm daily.
Tram
The Athens Tram connects the city centre with the southern suburbs and coastal areas. It has connections with metro lines and operates three routes, including Line T3 (Peace and Friendship Stadium–Asklipeio Voulas Hospital). Trams run from 5:30 am to midnight daily, with all-night service on Saturdays.
Buses and trolleybuses
An extensive network of buses and trolleybuses covers Athens, with most routes operating 5 am to midnight daily. The Airport Express bus service (X80 and X93) runs 24 hours to the city centre (Syntagma), Piraeus and KTEL Kifissos terminal.
Ferries
Piraeus is the chief sea port of Athens and is served by many ferries. Lavrio (60 km south) and Rafina (25 km east) act as alternative ports, served by KTEL regional buses.
Tickets & fares
Ticket types and pricing
Fares are prepaid using either the ATH.ENA Ticket (a temporary card or paper ticket) or the ATH.ENA Card (reloadable and personalised), both validated at electronic machines using contactless technology. Approximate current fares are as follows; prices change and vary by source, so confirm at point of purchase:
- 90-minute single ticket: €1.20 (full fare); €0.50 (discounted). Valid on all buses, trolleybuses, trams, and metro lines 1–3 up to Koropi Station, and the Suburban Railway Magoula–Piraeus–Koropi section. Not valid for the airport.
- 24-hour day ticket: €4.10 (full fare). Valid for 24 hours from first use on all modes except the Koropi–Airport section of Line 3. Includes the Airport Express X80 bus line.
- 5-day ticket: €8.20 (full fare). Valid for five consecutive 24-hour periods on all modes except the airport.
- 3-day tourist ticket: €20.00. Valid for three consecutive 24-hour periods on all modes, plus two airport transfers (one outbound, one return) via metro or Airport Express bus.
- Airport transfer: €9 each way for a one-way ticket between any point in the Athens public transport network and the airport. A 3-day ticket including airport transfers costs €20.
- Long-term passes: 30-day, 90-day, 180-day and 365-day period tickets are available only with a personalised ATH.ENA Card.
Discounted fares
Reduced fares are available for university students, seniors (over 65), disabled passengers and persons under 18. During fare inspection, you must show valid identification (ID card, student card or passport). Children under 6 travel free on all transport modes.
Contactless payment (tap2ride)
The tap2ride contactless payment system is available on all public transport. You can tap a contactless Visa or Mastercard, or use mobile payment (Google Pay or Apple Pay) at readers to pay for a €1.20 single ticket or airport fare. The cost is billed at the end of the day and capped at €4.10. This method is convenient for tourists but does not qualify for discounted fares, which require a personalised ATH.ENA Card.
Where and how to buy
Tickets and cards are available at automatic ticket machines in metro and tram stations, and at kiosks and ticket offices at main stations and the Port of Piraeus. You cannot buy a ticket on board buses. Passengers must validate their ticket or card only when entering by scanning it at electronic validators; validation is not required at exits.
Fines
Travelling without a validated ticket incurs a €90 fine. Arrival at the airport without having paid the appropriate fare incurs a €72 fine, reduced to €36 if paid within 10 days.
From the airport
Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport is located 27 km east of the city centre near the suburb of Spáta. Public transport options into central Athens are:
- Metro Line 3 (Blue): The airport connects directly to Line 3 at the airport terminal station. Trains run to Syntagma (city centre) and Piraeus (port). A one-way airport ticket costs €9. Line 3 trains run from 5:30 am to around midnight daily, with extended service until 02:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Suburban Railway (Proastiakos): A direct Suburban Railway line connects the airport to Piraeus port. Operating hours are 4:30 am to 11 pm daily. A €9 one-way fare applies.
- Airport Express bus X80: The X80 runs 24 hours to Syntagma (city centre), Piraeus and KTEL Kifissos bus station. Cost is €9 one-way or included in the 3-day tourist ticket (€20) which provides a round-trip airport transfer.
- 3-day tourist ticket option: The 3-day tourist pass (€20) includes unlimited local trips plus one return airport transfer, making it economical if you plan several journeys.
The airport is well-served with free Wi-Fi, luggage storage (6–36 hour options available through Care4bag at the arrivals level), and 24-hour convenience shopping. All signage includes English transliteration alongside Greek text.
Etiquette & customs
- Queuing and boarding: Queue in an orderly manner at station entrances and on platforms. During rush hours the metro can become very crowded; be prepared for congestion, especially in summer when air conditioning is less effective.
- Escalators: No specific custom is documented for escalator etiquette in Athens; follow standard European practice of standing to one side if you wish to allow others to pass.
- Priority and reserved seating: Priority seating exists for elderly, disabled and pregnant passengers, though enforcement varies. Offer your seat to those with greater need.
- Eating and drinking: Food and drink are not explicitly forbidden on the metro, but eating on crowded trains is discouraged by local custom. Avoid eating messy foods that may disturb other passengers.
- Begging and solicitation: On Line 1 in particular, be prepared for people entering the train to ask for money. Keep an eye on your personal belongings at all times, especially on busy services.
- Photography and video: Photography and video-taking are permitted across the whole metro network. Street photographers and content creators regularly work in Athens Metro stations.
- Validation: Always validate your ticket or card at the electronic machines before entering the platform; ticket inspectors are frequent, and fines for non-compliance are substantial.
Official links
Survival terms
- Μετρό (Metro) – subway / metro
- Εισιτήριο (Isitírio) – ticket
- Γραμμή (Grammí) – line
- Είσοδος (Ísodos) – entrance
- Έξοδος (Éxodos) – exit
- Μεταφορά (Metaforá) – transfer
- Απλό εισιτήριο (Apló isitírio) – single fare
- Ημερήσιο εισιτήριο (Imerísio isitírio) – day pass
Keep a small supply of euro coins and notes, as automatic ticket machines at some smaller stations may not accept cards, and always validate your ticket immediately upon entering the metro to avoid the substantial fine.