Practical Information
Athens is a city that, despite its chaotic reputation, is surprisingly easy to navigate — once you understand the system. The metro is modern and clean, taxis are affordable, and the center is compact enough to be explored on foot. The biggest challenge is the summer heat and the traffic (which is indeed hellish — don't take a car).
Metro, Tram & Bus
The Athenian metro system is the best means of transportation: modern (opened in 2000 for the 2004 Olympic Games), clean, punctual, and affordable.
Metro Lines
- Line 1 (Green, Kifissia-Piraeus): The oldest line (1869!), connects the north (Kifissia) with Piraeus (ferries). Stops: Monastiraki, Thissio, Omonia, Victoria (National Museum).
- Line 2 (Red, Anthoupoli-Elliniko): Runs through the city center. Important stops: Syntagma, Akropoli (Acropolis Museum!), Larissa (main station).
- Line 3 (Blue, Nikaia-Airport): Connects the center with the airport (end station). Important stops: Syntagma, Evangelismos (Benaki), Monastiraki.
Tickets & Prices
- Single ride: 1.20€ (valid for 90 minutes, unlimited transfers)
- Day ticket: 4.10€ (24 hours)
- 5-day ticket: 8.20€ (perfect for a stay in Athens!)
- Airport metro: 9€ one way (group of 2: 16€, group of 3: 22€)
- 3-day tourist ticket (incl. airport): 20€
Tickets can be purchased at machines (English available) or at the counter. Anonymous chip card (Ath.ena Card) for 2€ + credit is worthwhile from 3 days.
Tram
The tram connects the center (Syntagma) with the coast (Glyfada, Voula). Useful for beach visits, otherwise irrelevant. Same tickets as metro.
Bus
The bus network is extensive but confusing for tourists (Greek signage, irregular times). Useful: Bus X95 (Syntagma-Airport, 24/7, 6€) and Bus 040 (Syntagma-Piraeus). Google Maps reliably shows bus connections.
💡 Tipp
The metro stations Syntagma and Akropoli are underground museums! Behind glass walls, archaeological finds discovered during the subway construction are displayed — an ancient well, Byzantine graves, classical ceramics. Worth stopping for 5 minutes.
Airport Transfer
The Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport (ATH) is located 33 km east of the center. There are four ways to get to the center:
Metro (Recommendation)
Line 3 (blue) runs directly from the airport to Syntagma (40 minutes) and Monastiraki (45 minutes). Departures every 30 minutes, 6:30 am-11:30 pm. 9€ one way (Group of 2: 16€, Group of 3: 22€). Convenient, reliable, no traffic jams. Best transfer for most travelers.
Bus X95
Runs 24 hours, even at night when the metro is not operating. Syntagma Square in about 60-90 minutes (depending on traffic). 6€. Departures every 15-30 minutes. Downside: Can get stuck in traffic (2+ hours possible in the morning and evening).
Taxi
Fixed price 40€ to the center (daytime), 55€ at night (0-5 am). Duration: 40-90 minutes depending on traffic. Taxis are always available at the airport exit. Insist on the fixed price — it is preset on the taximeter (Tariff 1 or 2). Also bookable in advance via the apps Beat (Greece's Uber equivalent) or Uber.
Probus / Shuttle
Various providers (Welcome Pickups, Kiwitaxi) offer private transfers from 40-55€ (pre-booked, driver waits with a name sign). Comfortable, but not cheaper than a taxi.
Achtung
Beware of illegal taxi drivers at the airport! Only take the official yellow taxis from the queue in front of the arrivals hall. The fixed price (40€ day, 55€ night) applies — if the driver asks for more, get out and take the next one. Taxi supervision hotline: 1571.
Day Trips from Athens
Athens is an excellent starting point for day trips — from ancient sites to islands and spectacular coasts. Here are the best options:
★★★ Cape Sounion & Temple of Poseidon
70 km southeast of Athens, at the southern tip of the Attica Peninsula, stands the Temple of Poseidon (444 BC) on a 60-meter-high rocky cape above the sea. The sunset here — the sun sinking between the Doric columns into the Aegean Sea — is one of the most famous in Greece. Lord Byron carved his name into one of the columns (please don't imitate). Access: KTEL bus from Pedion tou Areos (2 hours, 7€) or rental car (1 hour along the coastal road — spectacular!). Admission: 10€.
★★★ Delphi
The "navel of the world" of antiquity — the most famous oracle of the ancient world, nestled in a breathtaking mountain landscape at the foot of Mount Parnassus. The ruins (Temple of Apollo, theater, stadium, treasuries) and the outstanding museum justify the trip. 180 km northwest, KTEL bus from Terminal B (3 hours, 17€ one way) or organized tour (from 55€). Admission: 12€ (including museum). Ideally as a day trip with a very early start (7 am) or better: plan an overnight stay in Delphi.
★★ Aegina Island
The nearest Saronic island — only 40 minutes by fast ferry from Piraeus. Highlight: the Doric Temple of Aphaia (500 BC), one of the best-preserved in Greece, with views over the island to the sea. Also: pistachios (Aegina's specialty), fish restaurants at the harbor, beaches. Perfect half-day trip. Ferry: 15€ one way (fast ferry). Tip: Go during the week, the island is crowded with Athenians on weekends.
★★ Hydra Island
The car-free island of artists — no cars, no motorcycles, only donkeys and boats. The port of Hydra, surrounded by elegant stone houses (18th century), is one of the most photogenic places in Greece. Leonard Cohen lived here in the 1960s. Ideal for a day of swimming, hiking, and sitting in taverns. Fast ferry from Piraeus: 90 minutes, from 30€ one way. A day trip is doable, but an overnight stay is nicer.
★★ Marathon & Ramnous
42 km northeast of Athens: the battlefield of Marathon (490 BC), where 10,000 Athenians defeated 25,000 Persians. The burial mound (Tymbos) of the fallen Athenians still stands. Can be combined with the Archaeological Museum of Marathon and the remote fortress of Ramnous (ancient sanctuary of Nemesis). Only feasible with a rental car. Admission Marathon: 6€.
★ Eleusis (Elefsina)
23 km west: The site of the Eleusinian Mysteries, the most secret religious rites of antiquity. Today amidst an industrial city, making the visit surreal — ancient ruins between cement factories and tankers. The museum is small, but the history is fascinating: Those initiated into the mysteries were forbidden to speak about them under penalty of death. We still don't know exactly what happened there. Elefsina was the European Capital of Culture in 2023 and has significantly spruced up since then. KTEL bus from Pedion tou Areos (45 minutes, 2€). Admission: 8€.
💡 Tipp
Cape Sounion is the perfect last evening in Athens: Set off in the afternoon, enjoy the coastal road (bring swimwear — there are small bays along the way), sunset at the temple, fish dinner in one of the restaurants at the cape. Bookable as a tour, but also affordable by bus (1.5 hours, departure 4:30 p.m. from Pedion tou Areos).