Since January 15th it is no longer necessary to buy tickets to use the metro / bus / trolleybus / trams in Athens.
A contactless payment system called “tap2ride” has been launched, it allows to pay the fare using a bank card or with a smartphone or smartwatch.
By day’s end, the system calculates total travel. It automatically applies the lowest fare based on the pricing rules.
More information on:
Thank you for update. I will be in Athens this summer and this is a convenient change.
Thanks for this news. Just in time for my upcoming visit!
For those who are hesitant to use public transportation in Athens, I remind you that all the information and direction signs in the metro stations are written in Greek and English.
In the metro trains you will hear the announcement of the next station in Greek and English (next stop.. xxx)
The main bus stops have electronic boards displaying the next buses arrivals as well as the waiting time.
In the buses / trolley-buses there are electronic displays indicating the position of the bus in real time as well as the name of the bus stops (in Greek and English)
Thank you!
We like to use public transport and are considering using the metro from the airport to our hotel. We are savvy about safety, pickpockets, etc and have never been a victim of such in any European city. We are going to see how we feel after arriving.(on a Sunday afternoon) Any thoughts on taking the metro vs. taking a taxi? We would be taking line 3 and transferring to line 2.
I've used the Metro numerous times from the airport to Central Athens and to Piraeus.
I never had any issues with safety whether pick pockets, bag snatchers or any other bad experience.
At the airport you'll have ample selection of seats as it's near the start of the run but as you get closer to Athens at each stop more and more people get on and by the time you get to Monistiraki or Syntagma it's very crowded.
That's when you need to be careful about your belongings as it's elbow-to-elbow getting off and heading for the exits.
I've also taken the bus which is safer, cheaper but does take more time.
If you are concerned about safety then a private transfer is your best option as it's door-to-door service but albeit more expensive.
If there is more than two people needing a transfer then it may be more cost effective and more peace of mind to go that way.
