The Athens metro is one of the best ways to get around the city — clean, efficient, air-conditioned, and with stations that double as archaeological museums. Here’s everything you need to know about using the Athens metro.
Athens Metro Overview # The Athens metro has 3 lines covering most tourist areas:
Line Color Route Useful For Line 1 Green Piraeus ↔ Kifisia Piraeus port, Thissio, Monastiraki Line 2 Red Anthoupoli ↔ Elliniko Acropolis, Syntagma, Omonia Line 3 Blue Airport ↔ Aghia Marina Airport, Syntagma, Monastiraki Key interchange stations:
Hop-on hop-off buses are a staple in every tourist city. But is the Athens hop-on hop-off bus actually worth it, or should you just walk and use the metro?
Here’s an honest assessment.
Quick Verdict # Situation Recommendation First time, limited mobility Worth it First time, can walk well Skip it — Athens is walkable Visiting in extreme heat Consider it (AC break) Want to reach Piraeus Worth it for that route Just want to see the main sites Skip it — walk instead Our take: For most visitors, the hop-on hop-off bus is not necessary in Athens. The city center is compact and walkable, and the metro gets you anywhere the bus goes. But it has specific use cases.
Athens International Airport (ATH) sits about 33 km east of the city center. Getting into Athens is straightforward, with options ranging from €6 to €55+ depending on your budget and preferences.
Here’s everything you need to know about getting from Athens Airport to the city center.
Quick Comparison # Option Price Time Best For Metro €9 40 min Budget, solo travelers Airport Bus €6 60-90 min Late night, budget Taxi €40 (fixed) 35-50 min Convenience, groups Private Transfer €45-55 35-45 min Comfort, families Rental Car Varies 40-60 min Day trips planned Option 1: Metro (Best Value) # The Metro Line 3 (Blue Line) connects the airport directly to central Athens. It’s the most popular option for good reason.
