Athens Buses and Trolleys: Line Numbers, Live Times and Night Lines
Buses reach the neighbourhoods the metro misses. Here is how to read OASA line numbers, track buses live and get home after midnight.
Athens buses and trolleys are run by OSY for OASA, the city transport authority, and use the same tickets as the metro: a €1.20 ticket valid for 90 minutes, as of November 2026. Most lines run from about 05:00 to midnight. Line 040 (Piraeus to Syntagma), line 11 and the airport buses run 24 hours every day, and more lines run all night on Saturdays.
Blue and white buses cover most of the Athens basin. Yellow trolleybuses, powered by overhead wires, run mainly in the centre and the inner suburbs. Live arrival times are in the official OASA Telematics app.
How are OASA lines numbered?
The numbers follow loose patterns that help you guess where a line goes:
| Type | Example | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Trolleybus | Low numbers such as 2 or 11 | Yellow vehicles, mostly central routes |
| Bus starting with 0 | 040, 049 | Mostly Piraeus area lines |
| Bus with letter A or B | A15, B11, B12 | Lines from central terminals to suburbs; A and B are variants |
| Bus with E | E plus a number | Express versions of busy routes, with fewer stops |
| Bus with X | X93, X95, X96, X97 | Airport express lines; X80 is a separate express line |
| Three-digit buses | 164, 608, 703 | Suburban and cross-town routes |
The patterns have exceptions. Always check the destination sign on the front of the vehicle and the line map on oasa.gr.
How do I see live bus arrivals?
The official OASA Telematics app shows when the next buses and trolleys will reach your stop, using GPS on the vehicles. Many stops have screens with the same data. Search by stop name or line number, or let the app find stops near you. Data sometimes drops out for some lines, so if a bus “disappears”, it may still be coming. General route apps combine buses with the metro and tram but are less accurate for live bus times.
How do I pay on a bus?
- Buy a ticket or load your ATH.ENA card before boarding, at a metro station, a ticket kiosk or some periptero kiosks.
- Or tap a contactless Visa or Mastercard on the validator on board; this charges a full fare and is capped at €4.10 a day, as of November 2026.
- Validate once when you board; a 90-minute ticket covers transfers to other buses, the metro and the tram.
- Do not count on buying a ticket from the driver. Inspectors fine passengers without a valid ticket €100.
Our guide to Athens public transport tickets compares day tickets and monthly passes.
Which bus lines run at night?
- Every night, 24 hours: 040 Piraeus to Syntagma, trolley line 11, and the airport lines X93, X95, X96 and X97.
- Every night, overnight service: 500 Piraeus to Kifisia, which covers the Line 1 corridor after the trains stop.
- Saturdays, 24 hours: since September 2025, extra lines including 049, 164, 221, 608, 703, 842, A15, B11 and B12 run all night, alongside metro Lines 2 and 3 and the tram.
Night frequencies are low, often 30 minutes or more, so check the app before you walk to the stop.
Metro Line 1 does not run all night even on Saturdays, as of November 2026, so the 500 bus is the main overnight link for Kifisia, Marousi, Nea Ionia and the other districts along that line. From Syntagma, the 040 reaches Piraeus at any hour, which helps anyone catching a very early ferry.
Which routes get crowded?
Lines that link big residential areas with metro stations fill up at rush hour, roughly 07:30 to 09:30 and 14:30 to 17:30. In summer, buses to the southern beaches are crowded on weekends. Traffic on Kifisias, Syngrou and Alexandras avenues slows buses more than any timetable shows; bus lanes help on some sections but not everywhere. Line 4 metro works around Alexandras and Exarchia have also moved some stops.
What do I do on bus strike days?
OSY workers sometimes hold work stoppages for a few hours, usually at the start or end of the day, or join 24-hour general strikes. Buses then run only within set hours. Check the OASA website and Greek news the day before; our guide on how to check for strikes in Athens lists where to look. If buses stop, the metro may still run, and taxis can be busy.
Are buses accessible with a pram or wheelchair?
Newer OASA buses are low-floor, with a ramp at the middle door and a space for a wheelchair or pram. Older vehicles still run on some lines, and ramps do not always work, so allow extra time. Board through the middle door if you need the ramp and signal the driver. Trolleybuses are also low-floor, but they can stop short of the kerb when cars block the stop.
Bottom line
Install the OASA Telematics app before your first ride and save the stops you use most. For late nights, learn the 040, the 500 and the night bus nearest your home before you need them.
FAQ
Are trolleys and buses the same ticket?
Yes. Trolleys, buses, metro and tram use the same OASA tickets and passes.
Do buses stop automatically?
No. Wave at the stop to signal the driver, and press the button inside before your stop.
Can I take luggage on city buses?
Small luggage is fine. Large suitcases are best on airport express lines, which have luggage space.
Is the X80 covered by day tickets?
No. OASA lists the X80 as excluded from most tickets and passes, as of November 2026.
