How To Get Around Athens: All You Need To Know

A quick and all-inclusive guide on how to get around Athens by an Athenian. The pros and cons of using the metro, taxis, bikes, scooters, and cars.

Last updated: 20 Jan 2025

Getting around Athens is straightforward if you carefully choose your mode of transportation.

The golden rule is to stick to the metro -it’s by far the most reliable- and try to walk as much as possible.

On the other hand, you should avoid buses and trolleybuses as they tend to be untrustworthy.

As for cars, you’ll only need one if you plan to visit the beach for a swim or take an out-of-town trip.

Every Option for Getting Around Athens:

Athens on Foot

In Athens, you can explore most of the historic center on foot, 24 hours a day.

Walking is the best way to enjoy the sights, such as the famous Acropolis, the Ancient Agora of Athens, and the picturesque Plaka.

So pack comfortable shoes and get ready for some epic walks.

However, if you plan to move beyond the historic center, consider other transportation options.

You’ll quickly realize how large the city is once you arrive.

Local’s tip for pedestrians: Be extra cautious when crossing roads, even at crosswalks. Drivers often overlook pedestrians’ right of way.

Athens by Public Transportation

Athens has a public transport network that covers most of the city.

Among the urban rail options, I highly recommend the metro as it is the most reliable.

It offers three lines: green, blue, and red, and for your convenience, it’s advisable to choose these over buses and trolleybuses.

If you’re staying outside the historic center, ensure your accommodation is near a metro station to avoid the traffic and save precious time.

The tram is also convenient, but its network is significantly smaller.

Ticket Prices

Tickets are affordable, and as of January 2025, you no longer need to purchase a ticket to use public transportation in Athens.

Simply use your bank card -either physical or digital via your smartphone or smartwatch- at the ticket validation machines for contactless payment.

The system automatically calculates the most cost-effective option for your journeys.

For those still using traditional tickets, here are the options:

90-minute single ticket	€1,20
Daily ticket	€4,10
Metro airport ticket	€9 (one way) or €16 (round trip)
5-day ticket	€8,20 (must be purchased from a vending machine).
3-day tourist ticket	€20,00 (must be purchased from a vending machine) and includes a round trip from and to Athens Airport. Check the Athens International Airport guide for more details.

Another key point to remember is that public transportation doesn’t operate 24 hours a day.

With a few exceptions, services typically begin around 05:00–05:30 in the morning and stop at midnight.

You can find the first and last train departure times for all stations on the official site of Urban Rail Transport of Athens’.

 

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3. Hidden gems in Athens: unique and unusual ideas

 

Athens by Taxi

Having traveled to several countries around the world, I can confidently say that taxis in Athens are reasonably priced, and most drivers are polite.

Fares are calculated using a taximeter, based on time, distance, and any applicable surcharges.

It’s also worth noting that taxi prices vary depending on the time of day.

For instance, the same ride will cost more late at night compared to during the morning.

Specifically, the charges are the following:

Minimum fare	€4,00
Base fare	€1,80
Cost per km	€0,90 between 05:00 and 23:59 and €1,25 between 00:00 and 04:59.
Cost per minute	€0,30. This charge only applies when the Taxi vehicle fully stops (e.g., traffic lights, STOP signs, etc.).

Furthermore, there are specific surcharges:

Airport surcharge	€4,00
Luggage surcharge (heavier than 10kg)	€0,39 each
Harbor or bus stops surcharge	€1,07

Note that the taximeter in the car will be operational throughout your journey and will calculate your fare in real time, minus any surcharges.

The driver will stop the taximeter at the end of the route and determine the final fare, including any applicable surcharges.

Athens Airport by Taxi

On the contrary, note that the rate is flat if you take a taxi from Athens airport to the city center.

Specifically, from 05:00 to 23:59, the route costs 40 euros, and from 00:00 to 05:00, it costs 55 euros.

The prices include all base charges and surcharges plus tolls.

However, remember that finding a taxi during rush hour isn’t easy, even with an application like Uber.

So, for your convenience and safety, I recommend pre-booking your taxi with a service like Welcome Pickups.

Even though their flat rate is a few euros more expensive than random taxis, they are totally worth it.

They use only top-rated drivers (4,9/5 on Trustpilot and TripAdvisor), and they wait for you at the arranged meeting point, even if your arrival is delayed.

As for daily commuting in the city, I suggest you use an application such as the popular, among locals, FREE NOW or Uber Taxi – yes, Uber is available in Greece.

Nevertheless, you can only use the app for taxis as the law prohibits all its other vehicles.

Here, you can read the whole story about Uber in Athens.

Athens by Car

If you are looking for detailed information about car rental options, don’t miss out on the Athens Airport Car Rental guide.

As already mentioned, you don’t need a car if you stay in the historic center and don’t intend to get away from it.

The traffic on the streets is what you would expect in any big city: moderate to heavy, depending on the day and time.

As for the ease of finding a place to park, it varies from one area to another.

In particular, it isn’t easy to find a spot in the historic center, and parking is often charged.

A car will be necessary in three cases:

1. If you stay far from the center.
   
   
2. If you want to visit a decent beach.
   
   
3. If you’re going on a day trip from Athens to another town, such as Delphi or Thermopylae.

Whichever of the three you have in mind, make sure you rent your car from a reputable company.

Moreover, make a reservation well in advance to save money, and don’t forget to request a well-maintained car.

You can search online for the best prices on Rentalcars.com.

Athens by Limousine

If you prefer to move around in comfort and privacy, you will find many limousine services in the city.

However, unlike taxis, limousines do not have an application available.

My recommendation here is the “24 Hour Limousine Service”.

I have used them multiple times and was more than satisfied every time. They provide solutions for corporate executives, celebrities, business and leisure travelers, artists, VIPs, diplomats, etc.

Additionally, they are registered with the Greek National Tourist Organization and a Greek Limousine Service Association member.

Athens by Electric Scooter

After an absence of nearly four years, electric rental scooters returned to the streets of Athens in 2024.

The two companies you’ll most often encounter are Lime and Hop.

However, you should be extremely careful if you decide to rent one.

There isn’t proper infrastructure for their use, and car drivers — most of whom already drive aggressively — pay them little to no attention.

Athens by Bike

Before renting a bike in Athens, you should know that there are no bike lanes in the historic center and that much of the city is hilly.

In spring, however, and in autumn, the weather is usually excellent, and a bike ride is delightful.

Thus, if you want to be from the center to the sea, following the beautiful bike path from Gazi to Faliro is an excellent way to do it.

The route ends at Stavros Niarchos Park, which is worth visiting if you stay several days in the city.

Step-by-step Itineraries

Last but not least, if you want a detailed plan for your trip, don’t miss out on my step-by-step itineraries.

They include the best places in town and their pins on Google maps, so you don’t miss a thing.

But, most important, they are carefully and simply designed, depending on the number of days at your disposal: Athens in 1 day, Athens in 2 days, Athens in 3 days, Athens in 4 days, or hidden gems in Athens if you plan to stay even more days.

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