# How Much Do Public Transport Tickets Cost in Athens? > * This guide provides the latest OASA transport fares and rules in Athens for the 2026 season, including digital payment options. > * A key update is the Tap2Ride system, which allows contactless payments via card or phone with an automatic daily cap of €4.10. > * The cheapest transfer ticket (90-minute) costs €1.20, while a 5-day pass is €8.20. > * For tourists flying in, the best option is the 3-day tourist pass at €20.00, which covers airport transfers by metro or bus. > * Getting from the airport to the city center costs €9.00 by metro or €5.50 via express bus (X lines). ![How Much Do Public Transport Tickets Cost in Athens?](https://grandpl.com/post-images/2126673084048641892_o.jpg) Planning a city break in Athens and wondering about metro costs or how to avoid fines? In 2026, the **OASA public transport system** introduced **Tap2Ride** , a contactless payment system. Travelers now have two main options: traditional paper **Ath.ena Tickets** or paying directly with a credit card, phone, or smartwatch at the reader. Planning a city break in Athens? You might be wondering: * How much do 90-minute rides, daily passes, and tourist tickets cost? * How does Tap2Ride work, and is it worth using your phone? * What's the cheapest way to get from Athens Airport to the city center? This guide answers all these questions and shows you how to get around Athens quickly, affordably, and stress-free. Related: https://grandpl.com/en/greece/article/athens-15-things-you-must-know-about-public-transport-before-you-land.md -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2026 Update: How Does Public Transport Work in Athens? ------------------------------------------------------ All ticket prices and Tap2Ride rules are current as of the 2026 season, per [OASA (Athens Urban Transport Organisation)](https://www.oasa.gr/en/) guidelines. The integrated system covers: * **Metro** (all lines) * **Buses and trolleybuses** * **Trams** * **Proastiakos Suburban Railway** (within the urban zone) ### **The Payment Revolution - Tap2Ride** Since 2025, you no longer need to look for kiosks or vending machines. Your **credit card, phone, or smartwatch (Apple Pay / Google Pay)** acts as your ticket. Contactless technology makes traveling in Athens fast, affordable, and fully digital. **How it works:** * Tap in at the entrance and tap out at the exit gates for metro rides. * **Daily fare capping:** The system automatically charges a maximum of €4.10 per day. Any additional rides that day are free. * Physical **Ath.ena Tickets** are still available at vending machines if you prefer. **Tips:** * Always tap in and out at metro gates to validate your fare. * Tap2Ride works on all buses, trams, and metro lines (except for certain airport-specific routes). Athens Ticket Prices in 2026 ---------------------------- If you prefer not to use your credit card directly at the reader, you can still purchase physical tickets at the vending machines. ### 1. 90-Minute Single Ticket * Price: €1.20 (Standard) / €0.50 (Reduced) * Coverage: Unlimited transfers across all transport modes (metro, bus, trolley, tram) within 90 minutes of the first validation. * Payment: Buy a physical ticket or simply use Tap2Ride with your card/phone. * Exclusions: Not valid for airport routes (Metro Line 3 or Express X buses) or the X80 Tourist Line. ### 2. 5-Day Ticket * Price: €8.20 * Best for: Longer city breaks. It costs the same as just two daily passes but gives you 5 full days (120 hours) of travel from the first tap. * Important Note: This ticket is not available via Tap2Ride. Contactless cards only support daily fare capping. To use the 5-day option, you must buy a physical Ath.ena Ticket at a machine or kiosk. * Exclusions: Like the daily pass, this does not cover airport transfers or the X80 express line. ### 3. 3-Day Tourist Ticket * Price: €20.00 * The Perk: This is the only short-term pass that includes a round-trip airport transfer (via Metro or X95/X96 Express buses). * Is it worth it? A standard round-trip metro fare to the airport is €18.00. For just €2.00 more, you get unlimited city transport for a full 72 hours. * Best for: Weekend travelers who want their transport sorted the moment they land without worrying about reloading cards. Should You Get the 3-Day Tourist Ticket? ---------------------------------------- Short answer: Yes, if you plan on taking the metro from the airport. Since the airport metro fare alone is €18.00 round-trip, paying €20.00 for the 3-Day Tourist Ticket essentially gives you three days of city roaming for the price of a coffee. Cheapest Ways to Get from Athens Airport to the City Center ----------------------------------------------------------- Athens International Airport (ATH) sits in a separate fare zone. You have three main choices: 1. Metro (Blue Line 3): €9.00 one-way. This is the fastest route (approx. 40 mins to Syntagma Square). 2. [Express Buses](https://myartemida.gr/en/article/how-to-get-from-athens-airport-ath-to-the-city-center---full-guide-for-2025/) (X95, X96): €5.50 one-way. These run 24/7---perfect for late-night or early-morning flights. 3. Suburban Railway (Proastiakos): €9.00. A great option if you are heading directly to the Port of Piraeus or the main Larissis train station. Where to Buy Tickets and Language Options ----------------------------------------- Physical paper tickets (Ath.ena Ticket) are sold at the blue vending machines found at every metro station. * User-Friendly: The machines are intuitive and offer several languages, including English and often Polish at major tourist hubs. * Payment: You can pay with cash (bills and coins) or credit/debit cards. ### Athens Ticket Comparison Table (2026) | Ticket Type | Price (Standard) | Validity | Airport Access | |---------------|------------------|----------|--------------------| | 90-Minute | €1.20 | 90 min | ❌ No | | Daily | €4.10 | 24 h | ❌ No | | 5-Day | €8.20 | 120 h | ❌ No | | 3-Day Tourist | €20.00 | 72 h | ✅ YES (Round-trip) | 1. Discounts: Seniors over 65 and youth under 18 qualify for reduced fares but must carry a valid ID. 2. Children: Kids under 6 years old travel for free on all modes of transport in Athens. 3. Proastiakos: You can use it to reach Corinth, but 90-minute city tickets are only valid within the urban zone (up to Magoula or Koropi stations). Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) -------------------------------- ### **Does the €4.10 daily pass cover the trip to the airport?** No. Standard city tickets (90-minute, daily, and 5-day) are only valid as far as the **Koropi station** . For the airport leg of the journey, you'll need a specific airport ticket for **€9.00**. ### **Are there discounts for children and seniors?** Yes, kids **under 6 years old travel for free**. Minors (under 18) and seniors (over 65) are eligible for half-price fares. Just make sure to have a passport or a valid ID on hand for ticket inspections. ### **What is the fine for riding without a ticket in Athens?** Fines are steep, calculated at **60 times** the price of a standard 90-minute ticket (approx. **€72** ). Fortunately, with the **Tap2Ride** system and contactless payments, the risk of accidentally riding "on the house" is now minimal. ### **What is the best 3-day ticket for Athens?** If you plan on using public transport to get to and from the airport, the **3-Day Tourist Ticket for €20** is your best bet. However, if you're taking a taxi or [Uber](https://grandpl.com/en/greece/article/uber-bolt-and-freenow-in-greece-prices-airport-transfers-and-money-saving-tips/) from the airport, you're better off just using your contactless card for individual city rides. ### **Is the Athens Metro expensive?** Not at all - the Athens Metro is actually one of the most affordable in Europe. A 90-minute transfer ticket is only **€1.20** , and a 5-day pass with unlimited rides costs just **€8.20**. Athens Ticket Summary: Which one should you choose? --------------------------------------------------- * For 1 day: Tap2Ride or the €4.10 Daily Pass. * For a weekend: The €20.00 3-Day Tourist Ticket. * For 4-5 days: The €8.20 5-Day Ticket. * Cheapest airport transfer: The X95 Bus for €5.50. Related: https://grandpl.com/en/greece/article/how-to-use-public-transport-in-athens-in-2026-tickets-airport-travel--no-stress-tips.md -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------