Discover everything you need to know about navigating the Athens Metro like a pro! Whether you’re new to Athens or just want to navigate the Metro hassle-free, we’ve got you covered!
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased from Automatic Ticket Vending Machines present at every metro station, and all ticket offices. There are also many partnerships with stores and kiosks all around Athens, so you can issue your ticket there.
Tickets can be used in two forms, with an ATH.ENA Ticket, and an ATH.ENA Card:
- An ATH.ENA ticket is a multiple use ticket you can reload whenever needed. It can hold multiple fares. It is anonymous and is recommended for everyone visiting Athens for a small time period. There is no extra charge when issuing a new one, so don’t worry about keeping it in pristine condition unless you still have fares loaded in it.
- An ATH.ENA card has the owner’s full name, photo, and is intended for Athens residents. If it’s lost, stolen, or misplaced, the owner can issue a new one without losing the fares that it was holding.
All tickets are valid on Metro, Busses, and Trolleys and Tram. With the exception of tickets to and from the airport, the tickets can be used as many times as you like within a specific time window. The following options are available: 90-minute ticket: 1.40€ ($1.60), 24-hour ticket: 4.50€ ($5), 5-day ticket: 9€ ($10).
Extra Tip: It’s a good idea not to charge airport tickets to Ath.ena Cards that already have other tickets, as one of the older ones will be used during validation, not the Airport ticket. Buy airport tickets either with a blank Ath.ena Card or a simple Ath.ena Ticket.
Validating your ticket
That’s easy. There are gates in every metro station that you cannot miss. You simply tap your ticket on the contactless indicator, and the gates open.
Is the Athens metro safe?
While the Athens metro is considered safe, there is always the chance that you might encounter pickpockets, especially in touristy areas. Exercise caution, and keep a close eye on your belongings. Do not flaunt your cash, or keep your wallet in your back pocket.
Metro lines
The Athens Metro comprises three lines, totaling 91.7 kilometers and serving 66 stations.
- Line 1 (Green) with 24 stations
- Line 2 (Red) with 20 stations
- Line 3 (Blue) with 24 stations
Line 2 and the metro’s exclusive portion of Line 3 are entirely underground. Line 1 is primarily overground, with a tunnel section in central Athens.
Metro Line 1 (Green line) – Piraeus – Kifissia
Line 1, the oldest of Athens Metro’s trio, stretches from Kifissia to Piraeus, making stops at various neighborhoods along the way. Heading east from Piraeus, it passes through Faliro and heads northward to Moschato, Kallithea, Tavros, Petralona, Thissio, Monastiraki, Omonia, Victoria, and Attiki. The underground stretch between Monastiraki and Attiki offers seamless connections to Lines 2 and 3. Continuing north from Attiki, it follows the path of the historic Lavrion Square-Strofyli railway, passing through Patissia, Nea Ionia, Iraklio, Marousi, and finally reaching its terminus at Kifissia. Passengers can easily switch to the Athens Suburban Railway at Nerantziotissa station for convenient access to Athens International Airport.
Below you can find the route of metro line 1 in google maps.
Line 2 (Red line) – Elliniko – Anthoupoli
Metro Line 2, also known as the Red Line, connects the western suburbs of Athens with the eastern ones, spanning a distance of approximately 17 kilometers. The line serves a total of 20 stations, including major hubs such as Syntagma, Omonia, and Larissa, as well as important interchange stations like Sepolia (connecting with Line 3) and Anthoupoli (connecting with Line 1). The travel time from one end of Line 2 to the other typically ranges from 25 to 30 minutes. This is making it a relatively quick way to traverse the city, especially during rush hours when traffic congestion is common on the surface roads.
Along its route, Line 2 serves several popular destinations and landmarks, such as the National Archaeological Museum, the Athens Concert Hall (Megaro Moussikis), and the Agios Antonios Market.
Below you can find the route of metro line 2 in google maps.
Line 3 (Blue line) – Dimotiko Theatro – Doukisis Plakentias – Airport
Line 3 of the Athens Metro is a speedy route stretching from Dimotiko Theatro in the west to Doukissis Plakentias or Athens Airport in the east, passing through Syntagma. The majority of Line 3 trains begin or end at Doukissis Plakentias. A direct service to the Airport departs every 36 minutes. Line 3 offers a direct connection from the Port of Piraeus to Athens Airport, taking approximately 59 minutes.
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