Athens Metro guide: lines, fares, and tips for 2026

The Athens Metro: a practical introduction

The Athens Metro is cleaner, more modern, and more useful than many visitors expect. Rebuilt extensively for the 2004 Olympics, the network has three lines covering most of the city’s main tourist and residential zones. It is the fastest way to travel between the airport, the city centre, and Piraeus port — the three points that matter most for most visitors.

Lines	3 (Green, Red, Blue)
Single ticket	around €1.40, valid 90 min on all transfers
Airport ticket	around €10.90 one-way
Hours	~05:30–00:30 (Fri/Sat until ~02:30 on Lines 2 and 3)
Best for	Airport, Piraeus port, Acropolis, Syntagma, Monastiraki

The Metro is also notable for its stations. Several stops along Lines 2 and 3 doubled as archaeological excavations during construction, and the artefacts found beneath the city are now displayed in station concourses. Syntagma station alone holds a visible cross-section of excavated Athens, spanning 3,000 years of urban history.

The three lines

Line 1 — the green line (ISAP)

The oldest line in the network, running from Kifissia in the northern suburbs to Piraeus in the south, with Omonia and Monastiraki as the main central stations. Line 1 is partly above ground (particularly in the southern section between Piraeus and Faliro) and is technically an urban railway rather than a true metro, but it uses the same ticketing system and integrates with the other lines.

Key stations for visitors:

• Piraeus — for the cruise port and ferry terminals
• Monastiraki — for Plaka, the flea market, and interchange with Line 3
• Omonia — city centre, interchange with Line 2
• Victoria — walking distance from the National Archaeological Museum

Frequency: Every 5–10 minutes during peak hours, every 10–15 minutes off-peak. Runs approximately 05:30 to 00:30.

Line 2 — the red line

Runs from Anthoupoli in the northwest to Elliniko in the south, passing through the city centre. Particularly useful for the southern Acropolis side.

Key stations for visitors:

• Acropolis — the closest Metro stop to the Acropolis entrance (about 5 minutes’ walk)
• Syntagma — main central interchange, access to Parliament and Syntagma Square
• Omonia — interchange with Line 1

Frequency: Every 3–5 minutes peak, every 5–10 minutes off-peak. Runs approximately 05:30 to 00:30 (until 02:30 on Friday and Saturday nights).

Line 3 — the blue line

The most modern line, running from Egaleo in the west through the city centre to Athens Airport in the east. This is the critical line for airport arrivals and departures.

Key stations for visitors:

• Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) — terminus, 40 min to Syntagma
• Doukissis Plakentias — interchange with suburban rail (Proastiakos)
• Evangelismos — National Gallery, Hilton area
• Syntagma — main city centre interchange with Line 2
• Monastiraki — interchange with Line 1, Plaka/Acropolis area

Frequency: Every 30 minutes to/from the airport, every 5–10 minutes for the city sections. Runs approximately 06:30 to 23:30 (airport section).

Tickets and fares in 2026

The Athens Metro uses a flat fare system within the urban network (Zones 1 and 2, covering the city itself):

• Single ticket (90 minutes): €1.40 — valid on Metro, bus, trolleybus, and tram within 90 minutes of first validation
• Day ticket: €4.10 — unlimited travel for one calendar day
• 5-ride carnet: €6.00
• 3-day tourist ticket: €20 — unlimited Metro/bus/tram travel

Airport surcharge: The airport section (Doukissis Plakentias to/from Airport) carries an additional fare:

• Airport single ticket: €10.90 per person (covers Metro transfer to/from the city)
• Airport return ticket (valid 7 days): €19.80

Tickets are sold at self-service machines at every station, accepting coins and cards. There are also staffed ticket windows at major stations (Syntagma, Monastiraki, Airport) during peak hours.

Validate at the gate. Insert your ticket at the validator before the barrier. For Metro-only travel, you do not need to re-validate when changing lines at the same station. Ticket inspectors operate throughout the network; fines for travel without a valid ticket are €60.

Accessibility

All Metro stations on Lines 2 and 3 are step-free with lifts from street level to platform. Line 1 stations vary — older stops (Piraeus to Omonia section) have limited accessibility; newer stations at the northern end are fully accessible. Platform gaps at some Line 1 stations require care. Station staff are generally helpful for passengers needing assistance.

The Metro and Athens’ main sights

Sight	Nearest Station	Line	Walk time
Acropolis entrance	Acropolis	Line 2 (red)	5 min
Acropolis Museum	Acropolis	Line 2 (red)	3 min
Plaka	Monastiraki	Line 1 or 3	8 min
Syntagma Square	Syntagma	Lines 2 and 3	1 min
National Archaeological Museum	Victoria	Line 1	8 min
Monastiraki flea market	Monastiraki	Lines 1 and 3	1 min
Piraeus port (Gate E1)	Piraeus	Line 1	10 min
Athens Airport	Airport	Line 3	1 min

Getting from the airport to Piraeus by Metro

The airport-to-Piraeus journey by Metro requires one transfer:

1. Take Line 3 (blue) from Airport to Monastiraki (~45 min)
2. Change to Line 1 (green) at Monastiraki toward Piraeus (~25 min)
3. Total: approximately 70–75 minutes, requiring two separate ticket purchases

For most passengers making this journey with luggage — especially cruise passengers connecting from the airport to Piraeus port — a private direct transfer is simpler and not dramatically more expensive for groups.

Book a direct airport-to-Piraeus transfer

For the reverse (Piraeus to the airport for a departure flight), the same Metro route works, but allow at least 90 minutes plus check-in time. A private transfer takes 45–55 minutes directly.

Book an Athens taxi for airport and city transfers

Practical tips for using the Athens Metro

Peak hours: 07:30–09:30 and 17:00–19:30 on weekdays. Trains are crowded, particularly Line 1 between Monastiraki and Omonia. Beware of pickpockets in crowded carriages — keep bags in front and zipped.

Night hours: Lines 2 and 3 run until 02:30 on Friday and Saturday nights. Line 1 closes earlier. Plan your return if you are out late.

The station museums: Syntagma station has a well-presented display of archaeological finds along the lower concourse. Evangelismos, Monastiraki, and Acropolis stations each have smaller displays worth a few minutes of your time.

Wi-Fi: Available at all major Metro stations; connection can be slow during peak hours.

Connectivity: If you are arriving from the airport and need a Greek SIM or mobile data for navigation, there are phone shops in the airport arrivals hall and near Monastiraki station.

Metro vs. taxi vs. hop-on hop-off: which for which trip

	Metro	Taxi/ride-hailing	Hop-on hop-off bus
Cost	Cheapest (~€1.40 flat)	Highest, meter or fixed transfer fare	Mid, day pass around €20–25
Speed	Fastest point-to-point in traffic	Fast off-peak, slow in traffic	Slowest, but sees more en route
Best for	Airport run, Piraeus, core sights	Late night, luggage, groups	First orientation lap, photo stops
Downside	Two tickets for airport↔Piraeus	Traffic and surge-style pricing at peak	Fixed loop, less flexible timing

If your priority is simply getting somewhere fast and cheaply, the Metro almost always wins inside the city centre. If you’re short on time and want a single overview lap past the major sights before deciding where to go back on foot, the hop-on hop-off option below covers that gap that the Metro can’t — it doesn’t stop at every ancient site.

Athens city pass with hop-on hop-off bus

Combining the Metro with other transport

The 90-minute ticket allows you to combine the Metro with Athens buses, trolleybuses, and the tram — useful for reaching destinations not directly on a Metro line. The tram runs from Syntagma south along the Athenian Riviera to Voula, a useful route for beach day trips.

For destinations further afield — Cape Sounion, Delphi, Nafplio — buses from the KTEL intercity terminal are the main option; the Metro connects you to the city-centre terminal stops.

The full picture of Athens public transport is covered in our getting around Athens guide, which includes buses, taxis, the tram, and ride-hailing options.

Luggage, strikes and other things nobody warns you about

Luggage: There are no size restrictions for hand luggage or standard suitcases on the Metro, and no extra fare for bags — unlike some European systems. Lifts exist at every Line 2 and Line 3 station for step-free luggage transfers, which matters if you’re heading straight from the airport with wheeled cases.

Strikes: Greek transport strikes happen periodically and are usually announced a day or two in advance in local news. They can affect Metro hours or specific lines. If your trip coincides with a scheduled strike, build in a taxi backup for anything time-critical, like an airport departure.

Lost and found: Items left on trains are typically handed to station staff; larger lost-property enquiries go through the operator’s central office. Report a loss the same day at the nearest staffed station for the best chance of recovery.

Combining with a cruise arrival: If you’re disembarking at Piraeus for a single day in Athens, the Metro (Line 1 to Monastiraki, ~25 minutes) is usually faster and cheaper than a shore-excursion coach for reaching the Acropolis independently — see Piraeus to Acropolis transfer for the full comparison.

Frequently asked questions about the Athens Metro

How often do Metro trains run in Athens?

Lines 2 and 3 run every 3–5 minutes during peak hours and every 5–10 minutes off-peak. The airport section of Line 3 runs every 30 minutes. Line 1 runs every 5–10 minutes peak and every 10–15 minutes off-peak. Check the OASA app for real-time departures.

Can I use the same ticket for the bus and Metro?

Yes. A single €1.40 ticket includes unlimited transfers on Metro, bus, trolleybus, and tram within 90 minutes of first validation. Validate only once at the start of your journey.

Is the Athens Metro safe at night?

Generally yes. The main network is well-monitored and the stations are staffed. Exercise standard big-city caution: be aware of your surroundings, keep bags secure, and avoid empty carriages very late at night. The highest pickpocket risk is in busy daytime trains, not at night.

Where can I buy Metro tickets in Athens?

At self-service machines in every Metro station (coins and cards accepted), at staffed ticket windows in major stations, and at some kiosks (periptero) near station entrances. No ticket purchase is available on the train itself.

Does the Athens Metro go to the Acropolis?

Yes. The Acropolis station on Line 2 (red) is a 5-minute walk from the Acropolis Museum entrance and about 10 minutes from the main Acropolis site entrance. It is the most convenient Metro stop for the hill.

Is there a luggage fee on the Athens Metro?

No. Standard suitcases and hand luggage travel free with no size restriction, and all Line 2 and Line 3 stations have lifts for step-free luggage access. This makes the Metro a genuinely practical option straight from the airport, not just a budget one.

What happens if I lose my ticket or it doesn’t validate?

If a ticket fails to validate at the gate, ask station staff before boarding — they can usually resolve a faulty machine issue on the spot. Travelling with an unvalidated or missing ticket risks a €60 fine if an inspector checks, so it’s worth the short delay to sort it out at the station rather than hoping for the best.