Beyond the metro, Athens has one of the densest bus and tram networks in southern Europe, with 280+ bus routes, multiple trolleybus lines, and two coastal tram lines connecting central Athens to the Athens Riviera and Piraeus. The buses fill the gaps the metro doesn’t reach (the Athens Riviera beaches, the KTEL intercity terminals, the Acropolis south slope, the National Garden surroundings), while the trams give one of the most scenic public-transport rides in Europe along the coast to Vouliagmeni. This is the complete Athens bus and tram guide for 2026 with routes, prices, the 24-hour X-line express buses, and clear advice on which suits which type of journey.
The Athens Public Transport System (OASA)
The Athens Urban Transport Organization (OASA) operates the entire metro + bus + trolleybus + tram network. A single €1.20 ticket gives 90 minutes of unlimited travel across all four modes; a €4.10 day pass covers 24 hours unlimited. For visitors, the integrated system means a single ticket can combine a bus from your hotel to the metro, the metro to a tram terminal, and a tram to the beach, all on one €1.20 fare.
For broader transport context, see our Getting Around Athens pillar, our Athens Metro guide, and our airport transport guide.
Athens Bus Network
Regular Buses
280+ city bus routes operated by OASA. Most routes run 5 AM to midnight, some extending to 1-2 AM on Friday and Saturday. Frequency varies from every 5 minutes on major central routes to every 30-45 minutes on suburban routes.
X-Line 24-Hour Express Buses
Five X-line routes run 24/7 connecting the airport, Piraeus port, and other major transport hubs:
- X95: Athens Airport ↔ Syntagma Square (central Athens)
- X96: Athens Airport ↔ Piraeus port
- X97: Athens Airport ↔ Dafni metro station
- X93: Athens Airport ↔ KTEL Kifissos (intercity bus terminal)
- X80: Piraeus port ↔ Syntagma ↔ Acropolis (24-hour seaside connection)
X95 and X96 are €5.50 (special airport fare); X80, X93, and X97 are standard €1.20.
Trolleybuses
15+ trolleybus routes operate in central Athens using overhead electric wires. The trolleybus network covers many central streets that buses cannot reach because of pedestrian zones. Same €1.20 ticket as buses.
Tourist-Useful Bus Routes
- Bus 040: Piraeus ↔ Syntagma (alternative to X80)
- Bus 224: central Athens ↔ Kaisariani Monastery (for the Mount Hymettus hike)
- Bus 856: Syntagma ↔ Saronida (Athens Riviera coastal route)
- Bus 122: Akadimia ↔ Acropolis south entrance
- KTEL X95 to Schinias/Marathon Beach (separate operator, see below)
Athens Tram Network
The Two Tram Lines
Tram T6: Syntagma Square ↔ Pikrodafni (Faliro). 17 km coastal route running south from central Athens. 26 stops. Journey time: 60 minutes end-to-end. Key stops: Syntagma, Fix (museum stop), SEF (Olympic stadium), Pikrodafni (transfer to T7 for the Riviera).
Tram T7: Asklipeio Voulas ↔ Piraeus Port. 25 km route along the Athens Riviera, running south from Faliro down through Glyfada, Vouliagmeni, all the way to Voula. Journey time: 75 minutes end-to-end. Key stops: SEF (transfer to T6 for central Athens), Floisvos Marina, Glyfada centre, Astir Beach, Asklipeio Voulas (terminus near Vouliagmeni lake).
Tram Operating Hours
Daily 5:30 AM to midnight; trams every 7-12 minutes during the day, every 15-20 minutes off-peak. Slower service after 11 PM.
Tram Ticket Prices
Same €1.20 single / €4.10 day pass as the metro and bus.
Tickets & Fares (2026)
Single Ticket
€1.20 90-minute ticket valid on metro + bus + tram + trolleybus combined. Buy from metro station machines, tram station machines, OASA kiosks, or many central Athens convenience stores.
Day Pass
€4.10 24-hour pass covering all OASA transport. Excellent value if you take 4+ rides.
5-Day Pass
€8.20 for 5 days of unlimited travel.
Tap-to-Ride
Contactless credit/debit card or smartphone tapping at yellow readers; €1.20 per 90 minutes, daily cap of €4.10 automatically applied.
Tourist 3-Day Pass
€20 for 3 days unlimited transport + one airport round trip. Best value for visitors arriving at the airport.
How to Use Athens Buses
Step 1: Find Your Stop
Bus stops display the route numbers stopping there. Google Maps and the OASA app give real-time arrival predictions for most routes.
Step 2: Buy Your Ticket Beforehand
Most buses do NOT sell tickets on board (except a few express routes). Buy at a metro station, kiosk, or convenience store. Tap-to-ride works on buses with contactless card readers (most newer buses, all X-line buses).
Step 3: Board and Validate
Enter through the front door. Validate your paper ticket at the on-board machine, or tap your contactless card at the reader.
Step 4: Signal Your Stop
Press the red “STOP” button when you want the bus to stop at the next station; otherwise it may skip if no one is waiting.
Step 5: Exit
Exit through the rear or middle doors. Tap-to-ride: tap again at exit gates if available.
How to Use Athens Trams
Identical to the metro: validate at the platform yellow readers, board, ride. Trams have lower platforms than the metro and accommodate wheelchairs and strollers easily. Free Wi-Fi on most modern trams.
KTEL Intercity Buses (Different from OASA City Buses)
KTEL is the network of intercity bus operators that connect Athens to the rest of Greece. Important for day trips. Major Athens KTEL terminals:
- KTEL Kifissos terminal: buses to the Peloponnese (Nafplio, Mycenae, Olympia, Sparta), the Ionian islands, Patras, and western Greece. Reached by X93 24-hour bus from the airport, or by city bus from central Athens.
- KTEL Liosion terminal: buses to central and northern Greece (Delphi, Thessaloniki, Meteora, Larissa). Reached by city bus from Larissa metro station.
- KTEL Mavromateon terminal: buses to Attica destinations within day-trip distance (Marathon, Schinias, Sounion, Lavrio).
KTEL fares are separate from the €1.20 OASA city ticket; expect €7-25 each way for most day trips. Schedules at the operator websites (ktelfokidas.gr for Delphi, ktelargolidas.gr for Nafplio, etc.).
The Most Scenic Tram Ride in Athens
The full T6 + T7 tram journey from Syntagma to Voula takes 2-2.5 hours and covers 42 km along the Saronic Gulf coast. The middle section (T7 from SEF through Glyfada, Voula, and finishing at Asklipeio Voulas) gives the best views of the open Aegean. €1.20 buys you the whole ride. Particularly beautiful at sunset.
Athens Bus & Tram Practical Tips
Validate every ticket; the €60 fine for an unvalidated ticket is consistently enforced. Use the OASA app or Google Maps for real-time arrivals; printed timetables at bus stops are often outdated. Have small change for ticket machines (€1, €2 coins; some don’t take €5 notes). Some older buses don’t have air conditioning; for long suburban routes in summer, choose newer vehicles when possible. Pickpockets exist on busy central buses and trolleybuses; standard precautions apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an Athens bus ticket cost?
€1.20 single 90-minute ticket valid on metro + bus + tram + trolleybus combined. €4.10 day pass. €20 tourist 3-day pass including airport round trip.
Do Athens buses run 24 hours?
Most regular bus routes run 5 AM to midnight. Five X-line express buses (X80, X93, X95, X96, X97) run 24/7. Lines connect the airport, Piraeus port, KTEL terminals, and Syntagma Square.
Where can I buy Athens bus tickets?
At metro station machines, OASA kiosks, many central Athens convenience stores, or via contactless tap-to-ride at yellow readers on newer buses. Most buses do NOT sell tickets on board.
How many tram lines does Athens have?
Two tram lines: T6 (Syntagma to Pikrodafni in Faliro) and T7 (Asklipeio Voulas to Piraeus via the Athens Riviera coast). Both use the standard €1.20 ticket.
What is the Athens Riviera tram?
Tram line T7 runs 25 km along the Athens Riviera from Asklipeio Voulas (near Vouliagmeni) through Voula, Glyfada, Faliro, to Piraeus port. The most scenic public transport ride in Athens; particularly beautiful at sunset.
Is the Athens bus the same as the KTEL bus?
No. OASA buses are the city network (€1.20 standard fare). KTEL buses are the separate intercity network for trips to other Greek cities or out-of-Athens day trips. Different terminals, different ticket prices, different schedules.
Are Athens buses wheelchair accessible?
All newer Athens buses are low-floor and accessible. Some older buses on lesser-used routes are not. All trams are fully accessible.
The Athens Bus Network: Scope & Operators
Athens has one of the most-extensive urban bus networks in Europe — over 300 bus lines covering all of Greater Athens, the Athens Riviera, and the suburbs. The network is operated by OSY (Odikes Sygkoinonies SA), the public transport agency. The fleet includes 2,300+ buses (mostly diesel; growing fleet of electric and hybrid vehicles), 350+ trolleybuses (electric overhead-line buses operating in the city centre), and the tram network operated as a separate division.
Bus services run from 5 AM to midnight (some lines extend to 1-2 AM on Friday-Saturday). Frequency varies dramatically: high-traffic central routes every 10-15 minutes; suburban routes every 30-60 minutes; night routes every 60-90 minutes. The OASA Telematics app (free, in English) shows real-time arrivals at every stop — significantly more-useful than printed timetables.
Useful Bus Lines for Tourists
Airport Express Buses
X95: airport ↔ Syntagma Square. 24-hour service every 15-30 min (60 min overnight). €5.50; 60-75 min. The recommended airport bus for central Athens travellers.
X96: airport ↔ Piraeus port. 24-hour; €5.50; 65-90 min.
X93: airport ↔ KTEL Liosion (intercity bus terminal). €5.50.
X97: airport ↔ Elliniko Metro. €5.50.
Tourist Beach Buses
Bus 122: Elliniko Metro ↔ Vouliagmeni/Saronida. The essential bus for reaching Lake Vouliagmeni and Astir Beach. Every 15-30 min.
Bus 114: Glyfada ↔ Vouliagmeni. Connecting tram terminus to Vouliagmeni.
Bus 171: Cape Sounion connections from Glyfada.
Central Athens Trolleybuses
Trolley 1: Patission ↔ Plateia Eleftherias. Central north-south.
Trolley 5: Patission ↔ Petralona. East-west central.
Trolley 11: Patission ↔ Pagrati. Useful for visiting the National Archaeological Museum.
Lykavittos Bus
Bus 060: the dedicated bus to Lykavittos Hill base (where the funicular departs).
Museum & Site Buses
Bus 224: Akadimia ↔ Kifisia (passes the Benaki Museum, Cycladic Art Museum, and Athens Concert Hall).
The Tram Network: T3, T4, T5
Athens Tram opened in 2004 ahead of the Olympics and was renovated in 2023-2024 with new rolling stock. Three lines currently operate:
T3 (Syntagma ↔ Asklipieio Voulas)
The main coastal tram. Runs from Syntagma south through Faliro, Edem, Alimos, Kalamaki, Glyfada, Voula, and on to Asklipieio Voulas. 35-65 minutes Syntagma to Voula. The single most-useful Athens tram for visitors (beach access). Every 6-15 minutes during the day; 20-25 minutes early morning and late evening.
T4 (Faliro Stadium ↔ SEF)
Shorter southern line connecting the Faliro Olympic Stadium area with SEF (Stadio Eirinis kai Filias / Peace and Friendship Stadium). Useful for events at these venues.
T5 (Faliro Stadium ↔ Voula)
Coastal-only line connecting the Palaio Faliro stadium with Voula. Useful for transferring between coastal beaches without going back to Syntagma.
Tram Operating Hours
Daily: 5 AM to midnight.
Friday-Saturday: extended to 2 AM.
Frequency: 6-15 minutes during the day; 20-25 minutes early morning and late evening.
The Suburban Railway (Proastiakos)
The Suburban Railway connects central Athens with the airport, Kiato (for connections to the Peloponnese), and Chalkis on Evia island. Within the central Athens zone, the Proastiakos uses the same ticket system as the Metro and bus. From Athens Central Station (Larissa) the Proastiakos runs:
To the airport: 40-45 minutes; €9.
To Piraeus port: alternative route to the Metro Line 1.
To Kiato: 90 minutes; €14. Useful for Peloponnese day trips (Corinth, Nemea wine country, on to Olympia).
To Chalkis (Evia island): 75-90 minutes; €8.
Ticket Inspection Reality
Athens bus and tram ticket inspectors are active. Random inspections occur on all lines, especially the popular tourist routes (X95 airport bus, T3 tram, central trolleybuses). The €72 fine for no/unvalidated ticket is enforced regardless of tourist status or language. Always validate your ticket immediately on boarding; the bus and tram have small orange validating machines near the doors.
Bus & Tram Etiquette
Athenians give up seats for the elderly, pregnant women, and parents with young children — this is universally expected. Loud music or video without headphones is discouraged. Eating and drinking on board is technically allowed but rare. Pickpocketing is the main practical concern in crowded buses; keep wallets in front pockets.
Trolleybus System (Athens-Only)
Athens is one of the few European cities still operating a major trolleybus network. The electric trolleys operate on 19 routes in central Athens; they’re slightly slower than diesel buses but quieter and zero-emission at point of use. The historic Patission Avenue trolley routes are particularly worth experiencing for the late-20th-century-Athens-streetscape feel.
Night Buses
Limited night bus service operates after the Metro and tram stop running. The main night routes:
X95 airport bus: 24-hour operation.
X96 airport-Piraeus: 24-hour.
Several “Night Lines” connecting central Athens with the suburbs and the Riviera; service every 60-90 minutes from midnight to 5 AM.
Most central Athens nightlife is within walking distance of the central core; for late-night returns from Gazi, Psyri, or Plaka to your hotel, taxi or Uber/Bolt is usually more-practical than waiting for the limited night buses.
KTEL Intercity Buses
For day trips and longer-distance travel within Attica and beyond Athens, the KTEL bus network is essential. KTEL is the national network of regional bus operators; each prefecture has its own KTEL company. From Athens, the main terminals are:
KTEL Attica (Pedion tou Areos / Mavromateon Street): serves Marathon, Schinias, Cape Sounion, Anavyssos, Lavrio, and other Attica destinations.
KTEL Kifisos Bus Station (Liosion): long-distance buses to Delphi, Meteora, Thessaloniki, Patras, and the western/northern Greece destinations.
KTEL Liosion: intermediate destinations.
KTEL fares €6-30 each way for typical day-trip destinations. Tickets sold at the terminal kiosks or on the bus (cash preferred). Book in advance for popular peak-season destinations.
Real-Time Information & Apps
OASA Telematics (free, English available): the official Athens public transport app. Shows real-time arrivals at every stop, route planning, service updates, and disruption alerts. Essential for any visitor planning to use the bus or tram extensively.
Google Maps: includes Athens public transport routing and real-time data. The user interface is more-familiar for non-Greek-speakers.
Citymapper: available for Athens; excellent multi-modal routing.
Athens Transport (athenstransport.com): the unofficial English-language Athens transport resource with detailed line maps and historical information.
Recommended Strategy by Trip Type
3-day visit (mostly walking the historic centre): 5-day tourist ticket (€8.20) for occasional Metro and tram. Walk most distances.
5-day visit with one beach day: 5-day tourist ticket (€8.20). Use the tram T3 for the beach day.
7-day visit with multiple Riviera days: 5-day tourist ticket + 2-3 individual €1.20 tickets for the extra days.
14+ day visit: Ath.ena Card (€4.50 + topup credit) for the most-convenient cashless transit.
Athens Bus Lines for Specific Destinations
National Archaeological Museum: Trolley 11 from Patission (the dedicated north-Athens route past the museum); or walk from Omonia Metro (15 minutes).
Cycladic Art Museum: Bus 224 from Akadimia (toward Kifisia); alight at Vassileos Konstantinou.
Benaki Museum: Same route as Cycladic; the next stop.
Athens Concert Hall (Megaron Mousikis): Metro Line 3 to Megaro Mousikis station (more reliable than bus).
Panathenaic Stadium: Trolley 2 or 11; or walk from Syntagma (15 minutes through National Garden).
EMST contemporary art museum: Bus from Syngrou Avenue.
Hellenic Maritime Museum (Piraeus): Metro Line 1 to Piraeus, then short walk; bus 904 from Piraeus port.
Mikrolimano (Piraeus): Metro Line 1 to Piraeus then bus 904; or 15-minute walk south of Piraeus port.
Tram T3: The Complete Stop-by-Stop Guide
The single most-useful Athens tram for visitors, running from Syntagma south to the beach suburbs. Key stops with what’s at each:
Syntagma: the central terminus; transfer to Metro Lines 2 and 3.
Zappeio: the National Garden and Zappeion park area; pleasant walk back to central.
Fix: Acropolis Museum walking distance (15 min); Koukaki hotels and restaurants.
Sygrou-Fix: Metro Line 2 interchange.
SNFCC (Stavros Niarchos Park): the Renzo Piano-designed cultural centre with Greek National Opera, the National Library, and the largest urban park in Athens. Free entry; world-class facilities.
Faliro: the Faliro Olympic Stadium area; some Olympic-era facilities.
Edem: the closest free public beach to central Athens.
Alimos: the Akti tou Iliou family-friendly organised beach.
Kalamaki: quieter free beach section.
Glyfada: the major Athens Riviera town; shopping, restaurants, beaches, nightlife.
Voula: upmarket family beach suburb.
Asklipieio Voulas: the southern terminus; transfer to bus 122 for Vouliagmeni.
Plan the Rest of Your Athens Trip
For more transport content, see our pillar guide to Getting Around Athens, our Athens Metro guide, our airport transport guide, and our things to do guide.