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Athens Metro Tickets Guide: Prices, How to Buy, and Airport Access

Athens Metro Tickets Guide: Prices, How to Buy, and Airport Access
takayuki

Is it true that the Athens subway is unsafe and that buying tickets is confusing?

I stayed in Athens for a month and used the subway almost every day. I never felt unsafe.

However, Athens is notorious for pickpockets, so you need to be careful, especially in crowded areas.
*It’s best to avoid rush hour and not stand near ticket gates for long periods of time.

As for tickets, buying Athens metro tickets can feel confusing at first. Many travelers get lost at the ticket machines. But once you understand the system, it is actually very simple.

This page explains Athens subway tickets, fares, how to buy them, and how to get from the airport to Athens city center.

Travel safely. Get covered before you go!

Athens has a high risk of pickpocketing in busy tourist areas, and valuables like cameras and iPhones are common targets. These items are often not fully covered by credit card insurance.

For peace of mind in Athens, reliable travel insurance is highly recommended.

5-day coverage available from $10.05

Get your quote in minutes on the official website now!

How to Get from Athens Airport to the City Center

There are three main ways to travel from Athens International Airport to the city center: metro, bus, and taxi.

The travel time and cost for each option are shown below.

TransportPriceDestinationTravel TimeNotes
Metro
(Line M3)
€9City center
(Syntagma Square)
40minDirect train, runs every 30 min
Bus X93€5.5Kifissos Station65 min24 hour
Bus X95Syntagma Square60 min
Bus X96Piraeus Port90 minUseful for ferry connections
Bus X97Elliniko45 minConnects to metro Line M2
Taxi (Day time)€40City center25-40 minFixed fare, 5:00–0:00
Taxi (Night time)€55Fixed fare, 0:00–5:00

If you are not in a hurry, the metro is the best option.

The M3 metro line (light blue line) runs every 30 minutes and goes directly from Athens Airport to the city center.

You do not need to change trains, and you can reach Syntagma Square, the main central area of Athens, in about 40 minutes.

Athens Metro Ticket Prices

Athens metro tickets come in several types, depending on how long you stay and how many times you plan to ride.

A single ticket allows unlimited travel for 90 minutes and costs €1.20.

Please see the table below for details.

Ticket TypePriceNotes
90-Minute Ticket€1.2Unlimited rides on metro, bus, and tram within 90 minutes
24-Hour Ticket€4.1Unlimited use of all public transport for 24 hours
5-Day Ticket€8.2Unlimited use of all public transport for 5 days
2-Ride Ticket€2.7Two 90-minute rides
5-Ride Ticket€6.5Five 90-minute rides
10 + 1 Ride Ticket€13.5Eleven 90-minute rides
3-Day Tourist Ticket€22Includes airport transfer and unlimited city transport for 3 days
Airport → City (One-way)€9One-way travel between airport and city
Airport ⇄ City (Round-trip)€16Round-trip travel between airport and city

If you are staying in Athens for 2 to 3 days, the 3-Day Tourist Ticket is the best value.

When buying tickets from a vending machine, select “3-Day Tourist Ticket”.

How to Buy the 3-Day Tourist Ticket
  1. Change the language to English
  2. Select “Buy Travel Product”
  3. Select “Athens & Airport”
  4. Select “3-Day Tourist Ticket”
  5. Pay by card or cash

*Before you start, please note that pickpocketing is common on the Athens metro. Be especially careful around ticket machines, where travelers often stop and become distracted.

Next, we will explain how to buy the 90-minute ticket, with screenshots to guide you step by step.

Please continue reading for detailed instructions.

How to Buy Athens Metro Tickets

Athens metro ticket machines accept credit card payments, so it is a good idea to prepare only your credit card in advance.

Don’t take out your wallet or show cash in public!!

Now, let’s begin using the ticket machine.

First, look at the bottom of the screen and select the British flag icon to change the language to English.

Next, select “Buy Travel Product” in the top-left corner of the screen.
*Sorry, I forgot to take a photo of this screen.

After that, the next screen will appear.

Here, select “Athens Area.”
*If you want to buy the 3-Day Tourist Ticket, please select “Athens & Airport” instead.

Next, select the type of ticket you want to buy.

Here, select “90 minutes”.

Then, the number of tickets and the total price will be shown on the screen.

If the details are correct, choose your payment method: “Cash” or “Bank Card.”

Here, select “Bank Card” and pay with your credit card.

Then, a screen like the one below will appear.

If your credit card has an IC chip or contactless function, simply hold your card close to the black reader area to complete the payment.

After a few seconds, the ticket will be printed and ready to use.

Enjoy your trip!

By the way, have you already bought your Acropolis ticket?

If you have not purchased it yet, we recommend buying an online ticket in advance.

Please check the page below for step-by-step guidance.

Acropolis ticket price is €30 from April 2025
Acropolis Ticket Price 2025 Adult: €30 Entry Fee and Booking Guide
Acropolis Ticket Price 2025 Adult: €30 Entry Fee and Booking Guide

ABOUT ME
Taka
Taka
Japanese blogger
I've been a nomad abroad for five years, traveling through 10+ cities across Europe. Right now I’m spending time in places like Paris, Venice, and Barcelona. I’ll be sharing simple, useful tips for living abroad.
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