Athens City Info

Things to do

Athens, Greece » City Info » Travel Tips

The Greek capital has an array of historical sites to explore. It is good to know some travel tips before you start your journey to Athens, Greece.

Get in

By Plane

Athens airport is an important hub in Europe. Several airlines have non-stop flights from Europe, North America to Athens. A large number of European airlines have direct flights to Athens. The International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos, located towards the eastern side of the city centre, provides excellent public transport options like Metro, Suburban Railway, Bus, or Taxi.

One can get inside the tourist information centre to enquire about the local festivities, nearby destinations, and other travel-related information. The Airport also has a small museum showcasing different artefacts from the history of Athens.

By Sea

Several cruise lines dock in Piraeus port. Cruise ships sail from Fort Lauderdale take a minimum of 27 nights to get to Athens.

By Train

Travelling to Greece by train is not a convenient option. Greece has cancelled many international train services.

By Coach/Car

Driving to Greece from the European continent is not easy. A good option is to take a bus to Italy and take a ferry to Piraeus port or Patras port. And from Patras port, you can reach Athens by bus.

Get Around

Get Around

By Metro

The most efficient way to get around is by metro. There are three metro lines:

Line M1: Piraeus - Kifissia. connects the port of Piraeus and the northern suburbs of Athens
Line M2: Anthoupoli - Elliniko connects western and southern Athens
Line M3: Nikaia - Doukissis Plakentias - airport connects the western and eastern suburbs and the airport.

  Photo Credit: Badseed / CC BY-SA 3.0

By Suburban Railway

The suburban railway has three lines, namely,
Piraeus to airport
Piraeus to Aigio and
Athens to Chalkida

By tram

There are three tram lines:
Line T3: connects Faliro with the southern suburbs, runs along the coastal zone.
Line T4: connects the city centre with Faliro.
Line T5: connects the city centre with the coastal zone, southern suburbs.

By bus

Athens is served by buses that run on diesel, gas or electricity. Bus stops have smart displays. Buses work for 24 hrs a day and have their own designated routes.

By taxi

Taxis are considered the cheapest way to get around Athens. You can opt for a shared taxi also.

By car

You can hire a car at the airport, hotel or from anywhere. Many international companies, local companies offer car rental services at a reasonable price.

By bicycle

Athens doesn't provide bicycle lanes, so riding a bicycle is not advisable. But within the historic city centre, bicycle rides are safe and enjoyable too.

On foot

Walking down the city or urban street is not a good choice due to air pollution and heavy traffic.

Here are some travel tips to know before travelling to Athens:

  • Carry cash with you
  • Metro is the best way to get around in Athens
  • Use mobile apps for booking a taxi and other
  • Watch out for the taxi-metre
  • Cross the roads with extra care
  • Tip if you wish, tips are optional but always appreciated.