Athens Metro Lines Explained: Routes, Hours and Key Interchanges
Three lines, four central interchanges and a weekend timetable that changed in 2025. Here is how the Athens metro fits together and where it falls short.
The Athens metro has three lines: Line 1 (green) from Piraeus to Kifisia, Line 2 (red) from Anthoupoli to Elliniko and Line 3 (blue) from Dimotiko Theatro in Piraeus to the airport. Trains run roughly from 05:00 to midnight every day, Lines 2 and 3 run until about 02:00 on Fridays and all night on Saturdays, as of November 2026. One 90-minute ticket at €1.20 covers every line except the airport section.
The network is run by STASY, the state metro and tram operator, and fares are set by OASA, the Athens transport authority. Line 1 is the old electric railway (people still call it ISAP), mostly above ground. Lines 2 and 3 are underground and newer, with lifts at their stations.
Where does each Athens metro line go?
Each line crosses the centre and links it with one or two big districts or transport hubs.
| Line | Ends | Useful for |
|---|---|---|
| Line 1 (green) | Piraeus to Kifisia | Piraeus port, Thiseio, Monastiraki, Omonia, Victoria, Marousi (OAKA stadium), Kifisia |
| Line 2 (red) | Anthoupoli to Elliniko | Larissa railway station, Omonia, Syntagma, Akropoli, Syngrou-Fix, Neos Kosmos, the southern suburbs |
| Line 3 (blue) | Dimotiko Theatro (Piraeus) to the airport | Piraeus, Kerameikos (Gazi), Monastiraki, Syntagma, Evangelismos, Megaro Moussikis, Chalandri, the airport |
Line 3 shares the Piraeus area with Line 1, so travellers heading to a ferry can arrive on either. Past Doukissis Plakentias, Line 3 trains to the airport run on suburban railway tracks, which is why only some trains go all the way.
Which stations are the main interchanges?
Four central stations connect the lines, and they are worth learning before you plan any route:
- Syntagma: Lines 2 and 3, plus the tram to the coast outside.
- Omonia: Lines 1 and 2.
- Monastiraki: Lines 1 and 3, next to the flea market and the Plaka edge.
- Attiki: Lines 1 and 2, north of the centre.
Piraeus also links Lines 1 and 3 near the port gates. Neratziotissa (Line 1) and Doukissis Plakentias (Line 3) connect with the suburban railway. A trip from Piraeus to the Acropolis, for example, is Line 1 to Omonia, then Line 2 to Akropoli, or Line 3 to Syntagma and Line 2 one stop south.
What are the metro hours, and when does it run late?
As of November 2026, all three lines run daily from about 05:00 to midnight, according to the city’s official tourism site This is Athens. Peak trains run every 5 to 6 minutes on the busiest sections.
- Friday nights: Lines 2 and 3 run until about 02:00. This started in November 2024.
- Saturday nights: Lines 2 and 3 run around the clock, a service made permanent from 13 September 2025, with longer gaps between trains overnight.
- Line 1: not part of the all-night Saturday service. Officials have linked adding it to the end of a train refurbishment programme expected in 2027; treat that date as a plan, not a promise.
The airport branch of Line 3 has its own, thinner timetable, with trains about every 36 minutes in the STASY timetable. During 2026 STASY also closed parts of Line 3 on some evenings for track works, cutting the last through train to the airport earlier. Check the notices on stasy.gr before a late airport run, and see our guide to getting from Athens airport to the centre for the bus and taxi options.
What about Line 4?
Line 4 is under construction and will not carry passengers for several years. The first section runs 15 stations from Alsos Veikou in Galatsi through Kypseli, Alexandras, Exarchia, Akadimia, Kolonaki and Evangelismos to Goudi. Its contractual completion date is the end of 2029, as of November 2026. Tunnel boring was well advanced in 2026, but station sites still close streets and squares, especially around Exarchia and Alexandras Avenue, so expect detours on bus routes there.
Is the Athens metro accessible?
Lines 2 and 3 were built with lifts, tactile paths and level boarding at most stations. Line 1 is older, and some of its stations still have stairs only or partial access. If you use a wheelchair or travel with a heavy pram, plan Line 1 trips around the step-free stations and check lift outages with STASY on the day. Escalators at deep stations such as Syntagma and Evangelismos are long, and a broken one can mean many stairs.
How do I stay safe from pickpockets on Line 1?
Pickpocketing is the main crime risk on the metro, and Line 1 between Piraeus, Monastiraki and Omonia is the stretch with the most warnings. Crowded doors, tourist luggage and summer heat make it easy for thieves.
- Keep phones and wallets in a front pocket or a zipped bag worn in front.
- Be alert when a group crowds the door just as it closes.
- Do not put a phone in a back pocket or an open tote.
- Report theft to the police; for help in English, call the tourist police on 1571. Our list of emergency numbers in Greece explains which number fits which situation.
Which app shows live metro times?
There is no single official app that shows live metro arrivals the way buses are tracked. Station screens show the next trains, and STASY posts timetables, closures and strike changes on its website. The OASA Telematics app tracks buses and trolleys in real time. General route planners such as Google Maps and Moovit combine metro, tram and bus routes but show timetables rather than live positions for trains. For tickets, contactless cards and passes, read our guide to Athens public transport tickets and fares.
Bottom line
For most trips in the centre, the right route uses one of four interchanges, so check whether Syntagma, Omonia, Monastiraki or Attiki saves you a transfer. If you live near Line 1, keep a bus or taxi plan for Saturday nights, because your line still shuts around midnight while the other two keep running.
FAQ
Does the Athens metro run 24 hours?
Only on Saturday nights, and only Lines 2 and 3, as of November 2026. On other nights trains stop around midnight, with Lines 2 and 3 running until about 02:00 on Fridays.
Can I use a normal ticket to the airport?
No. The €1.20 ticket does not cover the airport section of Line 3. You need the €9 airport metro ticket, a €20 three-day tourist ticket or a pass that includes airport routes.
Is Line 1 the same as ISAP?
Yes. ISAP was the company that ran the Piraeus-Kifisia railway before it merged into STASY. Signs and locals still use the old name.
When will Line 4 open?
The first section is contracted for completion at the end of 2029, as of November 2026. Large projects in Athens have slipped before, so treat that as the earliest likely date.
