04 Dec Athens Public transportation

changes for this summer

Public transport is for most part running normally, The big change is due to the coronavirus, a face mask must be worn on metro, trains and buses, A potential fine can occur for no compliance. Taxi’s are allowed one passenger

Getting around Athens

Athens is really a walk-able city and if you are up for exploring its historical center you really won’t have much use for taxis or public transportation.

Athens public transport

Apart for the new ticket system, Athens public transportation is easy to use. For inner city transport all tickets are integrated, meaning that once it is validated it can be used for any means of transport (bus, metro, trolley, train or all together if you like for the time limit of the ticket, ( except to the airport, this is usually a separate ticket).

different types of ticket

There many different types of tickets can be bought, one single one ticket that costs 1,40 and is valid for 70 minutes after it has been validated, 4 euro for 24 hours and 9 euro for 5 days and some include the metro to the airport.

tips using public transport in Athens

Barriers are now in place at most metros and sometimes the only way to get a ticket is via the machine. To be honest these machines are slow and confusing, and queues form during busy times. The system is still not full operational , so even if the barrier is open use and endorse the ticket . We recommend that if a staying in Athens for a few days, multi day tickets offer the best value and most convenience. If you need help don’t be worry locals are always willing to help. Also Athens is like any other busy city, the metro is favorite spot for pickpockets, always keep you bags close and secure

Airport and taxis in Athens

The only ticket that that will cost you more is the ticket to/from the airport:: X95 Bus will be 5 euro and takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes (airport bus starts atairport bus  Syntagma square and runs 24 hours a day) and the Metro which costs 10 euro and will take about 45-mins. to 1 hour. While we’re on the on the subject of transportation you might want to be mindful; and cautious any time you decide to use a taxi service. A taxi to the airport should cost no more than 40 during the regular hours and 50 if you are leaving late in the night or early in the morning. Taxis to the port usually run between 15-20 euros. It’s usually better to establish a fixed price before getting into a taxi or handing them your luggage before you get in.

Rafina port

Rafina port is oftern used to catch ferries to popular islands like Mykonos. At first this may seem like a good choice to buy tickets for ferries leaving from this port. They are cheeper than Piraeus port . Take into account that the journey to Rafina port from the center of Athens, were most people will be staying can take 1 hour and half, Most ferries leave early in the morning, so it a very early start by public transport. A taxi will cost about 50 euro. We recomend unless your are your are staying in Rafina or whant to see the town, book ferries from Piraeus port . If you have aready booked a ferry from Rafina and you want to use public transport you can atch the bus from public bus KTEL from the main bus station located onMavromateon. The area is very easy to find. You take the red line to Omonoia and either walk up past the National Archaeological museum or you get off at the next stop Victoria and from there it is a 5 minute walk to the bus. The trip is around 1,5 hours