Getting Around Athens: Transport Apps & Your First 48 Hours
Athens packs its big sights close together, so you'll walk a lot — but the Metro is clean, modern, and the fastest way between neighbourhoods and out to the airport. The one thing to know is that the airport has its own fare. Here's what actually works.
The best default: the Metro
The Athens Metro is modern and efficient, linking the centre, Piraeus port, and the airport. For trips between districts it's faster than fighting traffic, and the standard fare is excellent value.
One ticket, 90 minutes
A standard single is €1.20 and covers 90 minutes of unlimited transfers across Metro, bus, tram and trolleybus. Validate it and ride freely until the time runs out.
The airport fare catch
Metro Line 3 (Blue) runs straight from the airport to Syntagma in about 40 minutes — but the airport section is priced separately.
The €1.20 ticket doesn't cover the airport
The standard city ticket is not valid on the airport extension. Buy the dedicated airport ticket (around €9 one way, €18 return) or a 3-day tourist ticket (~€20) that bundles a round airport trip with unlimited city travel. A fixed-fare airport taxi is about €40 by day, €55 at night.
Apps you can reuse
- Google Maps — reliable routing across Metro, bus and tram
- FreeNow / Uber — both book licensed Athens taxis when you need a ride
Arrived launches soon. Get the right transport setup the moment you land.
Join the waitlistYour first 48 hours
- From the airport, take Metro Line 3 to Syntagma with the airport ticket — or a 3-day tourist ticket if you'll ride a lot.
- For city trips, buy the €1.20 90-minute ticket and validate it.
- Keep Google Maps for routing between the sights.
- Save FreeNow or Uber for nights and luggage; the fixed airport taxi fare suits groups.
Do those four things and Athens is easy to get around from the moment you land.
Frequently asked questions
- Which transport app is best in Athens?
- Google Maps covers the Metro, bus and tram well for routing. For taxis, FreeNow and Uber both book licensed Athens cabs, which is the simplest way to avoid fare disputes. The Metro itself is straightforward enough that you don't need a dedicated ticketing app.
- How much is an Athens Metro ticket?
- A standard single ticket is €1.20 and is valid for 90 minutes with unlimited transfers across Metro, bus, tram and trolleybus. Important: this standard ticket is not valid on the airport section of Line 3 — that needs a separate airport ticket.
- How do I get from Athens Airport to the city centre?
- Metro Line 3 (Blue) runs directly from the airport to Syntagma Square in about 40 minutes. The airport fare is around €9 one way (about €18 return). A 3-day tourist ticket (~€20) includes a round trip to the airport plus unlimited city travel.
- How much is a taxi from Athens Airport?
- Athens airport taxis use a fixed fare to the city centre: about €40 during the day and €55 at night. For a group with luggage that can be competitive with buying separate metro airport tickets.
- Is the standard €1.20 ticket valid to the airport?
- No — this is the classic mistake. The €1.20 90-minute ticket covers the whole city network but not the airport extension of Line 3. Buy the dedicated airport ticket (around €9) or a tourist ticket that includes the airport trip.
- Which ride-hailing app works in Athens?
- FreeNow and Uber both operate, and in Athens they dispatch licensed taxis rather than private cars. They're handy at night or with luggage; for daytime sightseeing the Metro is faster and far cheaper.
- Should I buy an Athens tourist transport ticket?
- If you're arriving and leaving by Metro and sightseeing in between, the 3-day tourist ticket (~€20) is good value because it bundles a round airport trip with unlimited city travel. For a short central stay, single €1.20 tickets are fine.