Most guests will discover that one of the best methods to get around in Athens Greece are by strolling and taking the metro or a taxi. This final information on getting around Athens contains strolling, all public transportation choices, taxis, tour buses, non-public autos, and extra!
Athens Greece
Athens is the capital of Greece. It’s a big, vibrant city generally known as the cradle of democracy and Western civilization. People visiting Athens for a few days sometimes stay within the heart of Athens, as that is the place many of the historic websites and different points of interest are positioned.
Getting around downtown Athens is comparatively simple. As many streets are pedestrianized, going around on foot is one of the best (and infrequently the one) means to discover the city. The Acropolis, as an illustration, can simply be reached on foot from many resorts. You may catch the metro for a number of stops, or use taxis at times.
For longer distances, or in case you are drained after a protracted day of sightseeing, there are a number of choices for getting around in Athens. Apart from the metro, the general public transportation system contains trams, buses, trolleys and the suburban railway. Taxis are additionally available and fairly priced, in contrast to many different European cities.
Getting around Athens city heart
Here are one of the best methods to journey around the city of Athens, for anybody planning to discover independently:
- Walk around the historic centre of Athens
- Try the hop-on / hop-off buses
- Take the Athens metro
- Hop on the Athens tram and go to the coast
- Use the in depth public bus and trolley community
- Discover the long-distance KTEL buses
- Take a taxi / Uber or use a pre-booked switch
- Consider driving your personal automobile… in the event you dare!
Let’s have a better take a look at every of those.
1. Walk around the historic centre of Athens
Athens city heart, also referred to as central Athens or downtown Athens, is a reasonably compact municipality. It is subdivided in a number of areas, corresponding to Syntagma, Plaka, Anafiotika, Monastiraki, Psiri, Thisseio, Koukaki, Kolonaki and Pagrati.
Many of the areas downtown are pedestrianized with cobbled streets, so strolling is a superb – and infrequently the one – means to discover. Just do not forget that you’ll want some comfortable footwear with you – ideally with good cushioning!
Distances in central Athens
As a sign, right here is how lengthy it will take you to stroll between sure factors of curiosity:
- Syntagma Square to the Acropolis – about 20 minutes
- Acropolis to Monastiraki sq. – about Quarter-hour
- Monastiraki to the central meals market – a brief distance of just below 10 minutes
- Acropolis to the temple of Olympian Zeus – about Quarter-hour
- Acropolis to the Panathenaic Stadium – about 20-25 minutes
- Syntagma sq. to Monastiraki sq. – 10-Quarter-hour
While a paper map is beneficial to have, Google maps is your finest pal when it comes to navigating the cobbled streets and alleyways!
Here’s my favorite stroll in Athens: How to see Ancient Athens at no cost.
Walking tour Athens
If exploring Athens on your personal sounds intimidating, you possibly can at all times e book a strolling tour. Some of those excursions embrace a go to to the Acropolis and the Acropolis museum, whereas others concentrate on meals, road artwork and many others.
Here are some extremely rated strolling excursions in Athens:
- Guided Acropolis tour
- Gourmet meals tour
- Urban road artwork tour
- Or, in case you are feeling adventurous, you possibly can maybe do this enjoyable Segway tour!
Is Athens protected to stroll around at evening?
Depending on who you ask, you’re seemingly to get totally different solutions to this query. Many individuals will advise towards strolling close to areas like Omonia, Victoria and Exarchia at evening.
In any case, at all times be conscious of individuals around you, and stay on major, well-lit roads as a lot as potential.
2. Try the hop-on / hop-off buses
If you aren’t that eager on strolling so much, the hop-on hop-off buses are an amazing and comfy means to see the principle websites. They supply an amazing introduction to central Athens, particularly if it’s your first time within the city.
Some of those bus routes will take you out of the middle, so you possibly can discover areas like Piraeus, Glyfada and the Athens Riviera.
For extra info, try this exercise: Athens hop-on hop-off bus
3. Take the Athens metro
The Athens subway is a cheap, quick and dependable means to get around in Athens. Thousands of locals use it every day.
Read more: Getting Around in Athens | Frommer’s
There are three metro traces, and trains run each couple of minutes:
- Blue metro line: Airport – Nikea metro station,
- Red metro line: Anthoupoli – Elliniko metro station,
- Green metro line: Kifissia – Piraeus metro station.
Athens metro stations
All three traces go by central Athens. The blue line and pink line meet at Syntagma station, whereas the blue and inexperienced line meet at Monastiraki station.
Depending on the place your resort is in relation to the locations you need to go to, you will have to change trains in some unspecified time in the future.
Athens metro tickets
To use the metro, you’ll have to purchase one of many varied forms of paper tickets, generally known as ATH.ENA tickets. You can get them from the ticket machines in any respect metro stations. Then you will have to validate them earlier than and after you journey on the metro system.
As a sign of costs:
- a single ticket is legitimate for 90 minutes and prices 1.20 euro
- a return ticket prices 2.30 euro
- a each day ticket, which is legitimate for twenty-four hours, prices 4.10 euro
- a 5-day ticket prices 8.20 euro.
It’s price noting that these tickets can be utilized on all technique of public transportation in Athens. You should purchase a number of single tickets upfront, or perhaps a pack of 10+1 tickets, which supplies you a small low cost.
Is the metro in Athens protected to use?
I hate to say it, however like in any huge city, pickpockets could function on the metro. I’ve been utilizing the metro system because the 90s and have by no means been robbed, however I do know a number of individuals who have.
As overseas guests are sometimes the plain targets, please hold your belongings shut to you always, and pay attention to your fellow passengers. Consider utilizing a cash belt, a secret pocket or one thing else {that a} pickpocket can’t attain.
If you possibly can, keep away from the frenzy hour when the metro will get further busy – roughly between 8.00-10.00 am, and 16.00-18.00 pm.
Here is a few extra details about how to use the Athens metro.
I used to be lucky to witness the development of the Athens metro! So cool!
The suburban railway
Apart from the metro, there’s one other prepare operating in Athens, known as the suburban railway (proastiakos in Greek). As a customer, you’re relatively unlikely to use the suburban prepare, until you’re going straight from the airport to Piraeus port.
For extra data on airport transportation, scroll down to the underside of the article.
4. Hop on the Athens tram and go to the coast
A leisurely, though time consuming, means to journey around Athens is the tram. Trams run from Syntagma Square to the coast of Athens.
One of the tram traces will take you to a coastal space known as Voula, simply outdoors the city limits. On the best way, you’ll go a number of seashore areas, the place you possibly can spend a number of hours swimming and stress-free on the seashore.
You can get your tram tickets from the machines which can be positioned at every tram cease. If you may have already used a ticket for the metro, you should utilize the identical ticket for the tram. Again, the price is 1.20 euro for a single journey of up to 90 minutes.
For extra info on tram routes and timetables, try the Athens Urban Transport Organisation web site.
5. Use the in depth public bus and trolley community
Apart from the metro and the tram, an in depth bus community and trolley community function in Athens. These will take you just about wherever in Athens and the quite a few suburbs.
The buses and trolleys are common methods to get around Athens. However, in the event you solely have a number of days within the Greek capital you’ll in all probability discover it mind-boggling to choose which bus route to take, and the place is the bus cease or bus station you will have to take it from.
If you’re planning to spend a major period of time in Athens, it’s price exploring the assorted routes, which is able to take you past the same old vacationer locations.
Read more: This is How to Travel to Athens – Travel Guide for Greeces Capital
The finest means to analysis bus routes is the OASA Telematics app, by the Athens Urban Transport Organization. Try to additionally get the assistance of a neighborhood 🙂
Athens bus fares
Ticket choices for the buses and trolleys in Athens are the identical with the metro and tram. So once more, a single ticket which is legitimate for 90 minutes solely prices 1.20 euro, and so forth.
As a customer, you’re extra seemingly to use the Airport Express Buses. There are a number of totally different routes, which take you from the airport to key areas of the city, corresponding to Syntagma and Piraeus port. Tickets for these buses value 5.50 euro.
6. Discover the long-distance KTEL buses
Apart from the city buses, there are different bus providers around Athens, generally known as the KTEL buses. These buses serve areas past the city limits, such because the port of Rafina, Marathon and Sounio.
You can discover extra info on their web site, which, nonetheless, is just not at all times up to date. If you’re going someplace for a day journey, be sure to affirm the time of the final bus. You don’t need to miss your return journey!
While in idea you possibly can go to the temple of Poseidon on the KTEL bus, you’ll usually discover it simpler to take a tour. Here is a few extra info: How to get to the temple of Poseidon at Sounio
7. Take a taxi / Uber or use a pre-booked switch
Another means to get around Athens is a taxi / radio taxi or pre-booked switch. There are tons of of taxis roaming the streets of Athens, and you’ll acknowledge them by their vivid yellow color.
Taxi fares in Athens are fairly low, in contrast to many European nations. As a sign, a taxi journey from Syntagma Square to Omonia can be on the vary of 4 euro, which is the minimal worth for a visit. A journey from Syntagma to Glyfada, on the coast, can be about 13-14 euro.
If you aren’t positive about hailing a taxi off the road, you should utilize apps like Uber, Beat or Taxiplon, or get a pre-booked switch.
Note: Visitors arriving on cruise ships will usually have very restricted time in Athens. In instances like these, it’s in all probability finest to e book some type of tour relatively than depend on public transport. Don’t overlook to ask your cruise firm in case you are arriving at Cruise Terminal A or Cruise Terminal B in Piraeus.
8. Consider driving your personal automobile… in the event you dare!
Should I attempt driving in Athens? I’ve been requested this query fairly a number of instances, and my trustworthy reply is, properly, it relies upon… however in all probability no.
I’m an Athenian and have been driving in Athens for 3 many years now. Still, I believe it’s a relatively intimidating city to drive, particularly in case you are right here for just a few days. This is why a number of automobile rental firms supply a choose up and drop off service outdoors central Athens!
Our infamous visitors jams, our bizarre driving guidelines, the native driving behaviour and the 1000’s of scooters and bikes are good causes not to drive in Athens.
Yet, in case you are eager on attempting, learn this text first, and make up your personal thoughts! Tips on driving in Greece.
How to get to the city heart or Piraeus port from the Athens International airport
Visitors to Athens will need to know the easiest way to get to the middle from the Athens airport. Others could also be heading straight to Piraeus port. Note that the ferry port and the cruise port will not be in the identical space of Piraeus!
All in all, there are 3 ways: by metro, bus, or taxi / pre-booked switch.
Athens airport metro
The metro is a quick and dependable means to get to your lodging from the Athens International airport. You may have to take the blue line from the airport, and maybe change trains relying on the place your resort is.
One means tickets value 9 euro, and return tickets value 16 euro.
For extra info, try this detailed information: how to take the Athens airport metro. Includes details about how to attain Piraeus port on the suburban railway.
…as at all times, be conscious of your belongings!
Athens airport buses
The specific bus X95 is one other means to get from the airport to the middle. As these buses run 24/7, they’re appropriate even when your flight lands previous midnight. The bus stops are positioned proper outdoors the airport constructing, and tickets value 5.50 euro.
Read more: Athens Travel Guide: All You Need To Know Before Visiting Athens
Check out this detailed information: how to take the Athens airport bus. Includes details about how to get to Piraeus from the airport.
Athens airport taxis and transfers
If you’re travelling in a bunch, or in the event you’d relatively keep away from public transport after a protracted journey, a taxi is usually one of the best answer. The taxi queue is true outdoors the airport.
Even higher, you possibly can pre-book a Athens airport switch to your resort. The driver will sometimes look forward to you contained in the airport, with your identify on a poster! Here’s a wonderful worth non-public switch for bigger teams.
Getting to and from the Athens suburbs
The city of Athens is positioned within the prefecture of Attica, on the east coast of mainland Greece. While most guests select to stay within the centre, a few of them will need to go to a few of the Athens suburbs.
Similarly, digital nomads and expats who come to dwell in Athens, usually favor to hire lodging within the suburbs, away from the centre. They generally is a bit quieter and extra relaxed, and it’s additionally a good way to get to know Athens higher.
Athens city space
The Athens city space consists of the municipality of Athens together with 58 extra suburbs. It’s a big space, stretching all the best way to the next suburbs:
- Piraeus port city – west
- Glyfada / Argyroupoli – south west
- Ilioupoli / Kesariani – south east
- Agia Paraskevi / Ano Chalandri – east
- Kifissia / Nea Erithrea – north
You can usually entry these suburbs on the metro, bus, trolley and tram, or a mixture of a few of them.
If you’re planning to spend a major period of time in Athens, you must contemplate getting a personalised ATH.ENA card. This is a plastic card with your picture and identify, the place you possibly can retailer varied ticket merchandise, corresponding to a month-to-month or annual ticket.
For extra info, examine the official ATHENA card web site.
Beyond the Athens city space
There are additionally a number of suburbs outdoors the city space of Athens. These can normally be accessed on the KTEL buses:
- East Attica – e.g. Sounio, Lavrio, Vouliagmeni, Voula, Rafina, Marathon
- West Attica – e.g. Eleusina, Kinetta, Megara.
Combined collectively, all these suburbs make the Athens metropolitan space. The whole inhabitants is around 3.8 million individuals!
FAQ about getting around Athens
Here are a number of questions usually requested by individuals visiting Athens:
Is public transport good in Athens?
Yes, the Athens public transport system is fairly good, and really reasonably priced. If you’re visiting for a number of days, the simplest service to use is the metro. A single ticket solely prices 1.20 euro whereas a 5-day go is 8.20 euro.
Is there Uber in Athens Greece?
Yes, Uber exists in Athens Greece.
What is the commonest transportation in Athens?
Thousands of individuals, locals and guests, use the metro every day in Athens. You will even see buses, trolleys, taxis, non-public automobiles, and loads of scooters and bikes.
Is there an app for public transport in Athens?
If you’re planning to journey on buses and trolleys, you possibly can obtain the OASA app. It provides info on all bus and trolley routes around Athens.
Where can I purchase a ticket for public transport in Athens?
ATH.ENA tickets and playing cards are on sale inside all metro stations, and outdoors all tram stops. There are extra designated factors all through the city.
Where can I discover a bus timetable in Athens?
You can obtain the OASA app on your cellphone, or you possibly can go to the OASA web site. You’ll have to be considerably accustomed to the totally different suburbs to make sense of the bus routes.
What apps are there for taxis in Athens?
Uber, Beat and Taxiplon are a few of the hottest taxi apps in Athens.
More guides about Athens and the Greek islands
If you discovered this text helpful, check out these different ones:
- 30 finest issues to do in Athens
- Islands close to Athens
- How to stay cool in the summertime in Athens
- What to pack for Greece for each season
- 50 yummy Greek dishes
Find more How to travel in athens greece – Indochina Airlines
Source: 🔗