Athens Public Transport Tickets & Prices

Getting around Athens by public transport is affordable, easy, and efficient but only if you know which ticket to buy and where to get it. With multiple ticket options and a reloadable Ath.ena Card, Athens offers budget-friendly passes that make navigating the metro, buses, trams, and suburban railway simple. Whether you’re in Athens for a day, a weekend, or longer, this guide will help you choose the best ticket, find the cheapest options, and avoid common tourist mistakes.

How to Buy Tickets & Best Passes for Tourists

Where to Buy Athens Public Transport Tickets

Athens doesn’t have contactless payments on public transport, so you need to buy a physical ticket or use the Ath.ena Card. Here’s where to get them:

✅ Metro stations. Ticket machines & kiosks sell all types of tickets.
✅ Kiosks (periptera). Some street kiosks sell single & day passes, but not airport tickets.
✅ Online apps (limited options). You can buy digital tickets via the OASA app, but it requires a Greek bank account.
✅ Bus drivers? NO! You CANNOT buy bus tickets onboard, so get yours before boarding.

👉 If you’re using public transport multiple times a day, a multi-day pass or the Ath.ena Card will save you money compared to buying single tickets each time.

Types of Athens Transport Tickets. Which One Should You Get?

Public transport Athens tickets

Which Athens Ticket is Best for You?

• Only using public transport 1-2 times? Buy a single ticket (€1.20).

• Exploring all day? Get the 24-hour pass (€4.10).

• Arriving at the airport & staying 3 days? The 3-day tourist ticket (€20) saves money.

• Staying longer than 3 days? The 5-day pass (€8.20) is a bargain!

👉 If you’re staying longer than a week, consider getting an Ath.ena Card instead of buying multiple paper tickets.

The Ath.ena Card – Athens Public Transport Pass

The Ath.ena Card is a reloadable contactless card that works on all public transport.

Why use the Ath.ena Card

✅ No need to buy new tickets each time you travel.
✅ Can be loaded with multiple trips or day passes.
✅ Works on metro, buses, trams, trolleybuses, and suburban railway.

Where to the Ath.ena Card

• Athens transport ticket offices at the metro

• Online (but requires a Greek bank card for top-ups).

👉 If you’re in Athens for a week or more, the Ath.ena Card makes traveling much easier and faster!

How to Buy Athens Metro Tickets Online

While Athens transport tickets aren’t fully digital, you can still buy metro tickets online or at automated ticket machines.

Where to Buy Athens Metro Tickets Online?

• OASA Telematics App has digital tickets for Greek bank accounts only.

• Ath.ena Card website to load your Ath.ena Card online.

• Metro station ticket machines are best for tourists, available in multiple languages.

👉 If you don’t have a Greek bank account, buy tickets at a metro station instead of trying to use the app.

Where to Buy Bus Tickets in Athens? Can You Buy Them Onboard?

Unlike in some cities, Athens buses DO NOT sell tickets onboard.

Where to Buy Athens Bus Tickets?

• Metro stations are the safest place to buy all types of tickets.

• Kiosks (periptera) sell bus tickets, but not all of them.

• Ath.ena Card is the easiest way to pay for buses, since you just tap and go. It’s the only way to buy an Athens bus ticket online.

🚨 Warning: If you board a bus without a ticket, you risk a €72 fine! Always buy and validate your ticket before boarding.

How to Save Money on Athens Public Transport

• Using transport just a few times? Buy single tickets (€1.20).

• Staying a full day? The 24-hour pass (€4.10) is the best deal.

• Visiting for a weekend? The 3-day tourist pass (€20) covers everything, including airport transport.

• Planning a longer stay? The Ath.ena Card is worth getting.

👉 Want to travel like a local? Avoid kiosks (they don’t always sell all ticket types), use metro ticket machines, and consider getting an Ath.ena Card for longer stays!