Athens Getting Around

Getting around Athens
Most Athens city break visitors will be happy to walk to the major sights, but public transport is useful in the summer heat and for getting to the coast. Getting around Athens has become a lot easier since the Olympics, when the city invested massively in new transport infrastructure, including a new airport and a welcome extension of the metro system. Trams are excellent for getting to the beaches.

Getting from Athens airport
Athens airport is 20 miles south east of the city centre. The best way from Athens airport to the city centre is the metro. Metro line 3 connects the airport with Syntagma Square and Monastiraki. The metro takes 30 minutes to Syntagma and 60 minutes to Piraeus. Public buses run to Piraeus 24 hours a day. The centre of Athens takes 45 minutes in a taxi.

Walking
Most of the city sights are easy to walk to. Athens has quite a large pedestrian area in the centre, making shopping and sightseeing far more relaxing than in the past.

Metro
The new Athens metro lines opened in 2000. Athens metro extends to the port of Piraeus and to the airport. One ticket is valid for the entire system. Tickets must be validated on the platform. Day passes are available. The metro is the best way to Piraeus if you wish to take a ferry. Metro trains run from early morning to around midnight. Some Athens metro stations exhibit art and archaeological finds.  Syntagma Square is especially interesting. The Athens metro is very busy between 1pm and 3pm.

Tram
Athens trams link Syntagma Square with beaches, beach hotels and local markets. Tram tickets are cheap and valid for 90 minutes. Athens trams are by far the cheapest and most enjoyable way to the coast, passing through residential areas rarely visited by tourists.

Funicular
A funicular connects Kolonaki Square with the chapel of Agios Giorgios on Lykavittos hill. Superb sunsets and views of the Acropolis.

Taxi
Athens taxis are economical but not always easy to find. Reserve a taxi by phone for important trips. Taxis are metered. Surcharges for nighttimes and trips outside the city limits. There are also extra charges for luggage and trips to bus and train stations, the port and the airport. It might be useful to write addresses rather than attempt Greek pronunciation! Sharing taxis is quite common so your driver may stop for others.

Bus & Trolley Bus
Athens buses are cheap but can be very crowded. The service is quite complicated to understand. Tickets can be bought in kiosks and must be validated. 10-ticket packs are available. Limited night bus service.

Athens City Breaks  Getting Around Athens

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