Getting around Athens
Athens is an easy city to navigate. The metro covers the main areas, the centre is walkable, and taxis fill in the gaps. Here is what you need to know.
Airport to city centre
Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) is located about 35 kilometres east of the city centre. The Metro Line 3 (blue line) connects the airport directly to Syntagma Square in central Athens — the journey takes around 40 minutes and runs frequently. The X95 express bus runs to Syntagma Square and operates around the clock. Taxis from the airport to the centre use a fixed fare system — confirm the flat rate with the driver before departing. The journey by taxi takes 30–50 minutes depending on traffic.
Metro
The Athens Metro is clean, reliable, and covers most of the main tourist areas. There are three lines. Line 1 (green) is the oldest and runs from Kifissia in the north to Piraeus port in the south. Line 2 (red) and Line 3 (blue) connect the central neighbourhoods including Syntagma, Monastiraki, Acropolis, and Kerameikos. Tickets are purchased at station machines. A single journey ticket covers the metro, bus, trolley, and tram within the validity window. Validate your ticket before boarding — inspectors do check. The metro runs until roughly midnight on weekdays and later on weekends.
Bus and trolley
Athens has an extensive bus and trolley network that reaches neighbourhoods beyond the metro. Electric trolleybuses cover many of the central routes. The standard ticket works across all public transport modes. Google Maps gives accurate real-time bus information in Athens. The tram connects the city centre (Syntagma) to the southern coastal suburbs — Glyfada and the Riviera are reachable this way. It runs along a scenic coastal route and is a pleasant way to reach the beach in summer.
Taxis
Yellow taxis are ubiquitous in Athens and generally affordable by European standards. All licensed taxis use meters — insist the driver turn it on at the start of the journey. There is a minimum fare, a small airport surcharge, and slightly higher rates apply at night and on public holidays. Ride-hailing apps operate in Athens and offer a reliable, app-metered alternative that avoids any meter disputes. Taxis are useful for reaching destinations outside the metro network or when travelling late at night.
Walking
The historic centre of Athens is highly walkable. From Syntagma Square, you can walk to the Acropolis, Monastiraki, Plaka, Psyrri, the National Archaeological Museum (20–25 minutes), and Koukaki without public transport. The Dionysiou Areopagitou pedestrian promenade circles the southern base of the Acropolis hill and connects Plaka, Koukaki, and Thissio — this is one of the finest urban walks in Europe. Wear comfortable shoes. Athens is hilly in places and summer heat can be intense; carry water and walk earlier in the day from May through September.