Athens Public Transport Tickets: Fares, Passes and the ATH.ENA Card
One fare system covers metro, tram, buses and trolleys. Here is what each ticket costs, who pays less and which option is cheapest for your week.
A standard ticket on Athens public transport costs €1.20 and is valid for 90 minutes on the metro, tram, buses and trolleys, except airport routes, as of November 2026. A 24-hour ticket costs €4.10, a 5-day ticket €8.20, and the airport metro €9 one way. You can also pay by tapping a contactless Visa or Mastercard, which caps at €4.10 a day.
All fares are set by OASA, the Athens urban transport authority, and printed on the OASA price list. Tickets are loaded onto paper ATH.ENA Tickets or plastic ATH.ENA Cards, sold by machines and ticket desks at metro and tram stations and at some kiosks.
What does each Athens ticket cost?
| Ticket | Full fare | Reduced | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90-minute ticket | €1.20 | €0.50 | All modes except airport routes |
| 24-hour ticket | €4.10 | none | Airport routes excluded |
| 5-day ticket | €8.20 | none | Airport routes excluded |
| 3-day tourist ticket | €20 | none | Unlimited travel plus one airport trip each way |
| Airport express bus (X93, X95, X96, X97) | €5.50 | €2.70 | One way |
| Metro airport ticket | €9 | €4.50 | One way, 90 minutes |
| Metro airport return | €16 | not listed | Return within 30 days |
| Pack of 10+1 tickets | €12 | €5 (personal card) | Also sold in packs of 2 (€2.30) and 5 (€5.70) |
All prices are as of November 2026. Airport metro trips that start or end at Pallini, Kantza or Koropi cost €5.50.
What is the difference between an ATH.ENA Ticket and an ATH.ENA Card?
The ATH.ENA Ticket is a paper card for occasional use. You load single tickets or short passes onto it at a machine. The ATH.ENA Card is plastic and comes in two forms:
- Anonymous card: anyone can buy and top up one. It holds tickets and stored value but not long-term passes.
- Personalised card: issued in your name with a photo at OASA issuing points. You need it for 30-day and longer passes and for reduced fares. Keep the PIN you chose when it was issued.
Residents usually move to a personalised card within the first weeks; it is one of the steps in our checklist for your first 30 days in Athens.
How much are monthly and yearly passes?
Passes load only onto a personalised card. As of November 2026:
| Pass | Urban zone (no airport) | All routes incl. airport |
|---|---|---|
| 30 days | €27 (reduced €13.50) | €45 (reduced €22.50) |
| 90 days | €78 (reduced €39) | €129 (reduced €64.50) |
| 180 days | €155 (reduced €77.50) | €228 (reduced €114) |
| 365 days | €300 (reduced €150) | €446 (reduced €223) |
The X80 express bus is excluded from most passes; OASA lists only the 365-day all-routes pass as including it.
Who travels free or at a reduced fare?
According to This is Athens, the city’s official tourism site, children up to 6 travel free, and young people aged 7 to 18, students and people over 65 pay the reduced fare with proof of age or status, as of November 2026. Other groups qualify too; OASA lists them on its eligible persons page. Reduced fares are not available with contactless bank card payment.
How do I validate a ticket correctly?
- On buses, trolleys and trams, validate once when you board.
- In the metro and on the suburban railway, validate at the gate every time you enter and exit.
- Check the reader to make sure enough time remains on your 90-minute ticket to finish the trip.
- Keep the ticket or card until you leave the station or vehicle.
Travelling without a valid ticket brings a €100 fine, or €50 for reduced-fare passengers, as of November 2026.
Can I pay with a contactless bank card?
Yes. Since January 2025 the Tap2Ride system accepts contactless Visa and Mastercard cards, including phones and watches, on all OASA-controlled metro, tram, bus and trolley services. Tap at validators marked with the contactless symbol. The official tourism site states a daily cap of €4.10, so you will not pay more than a day ticket in one day, as of November 2026. Use one card per traveller, since one tap pays one fare, and note that only full fares are charged. For the airport, the express bus fare of €5.50 can be paid by tap; check the airport metro validator before relying on it.
Which ticket is cheapest for typical use?
| Your situation | Usually cheapest |
|---|---|
| Two or three trips a day for a few days | Contactless card (capped at €4.10) or 5-day ticket at €8.20 |
| Three-day visit with airport trips both ways | 3-day tourist ticket at €20 |
| Five-day visit, airport by bus | 5-day ticket plus two express bus fares (€8.20 + €11) |
| Resident commuting daily | 30-day urban pass at €27 |
| Resident flying often | All-routes pass if airport trips are frequent |
| Occasional trips | 10+1 pack at €12 |
For the airport in particular, compare the €5.50 bus with the €9 metro in our guide to Athens airport transport.
Bottom line
If you live here, get a personalised card early: the 30-day pass costs about as much as 23 single tickets and removes the need to count rides. Visitors staying three days and flying in and out by metro should look at the €20 tourist ticket first.
FAQ
Is the €1.20 ticket valid for transfers?
Yes. For 90 minutes after first validation you can change between metro, tram, bus and trolley, except airport routes, as of November 2026.
Can I use the day ticket to the airport?
No. The 24-hour and 5-day tickets exclude airport routes. Use the tourist ticket, an airport ticket or an all-routes pass.
Where do I get a personalised ATH.ENA card?
At OASA issuing points, listed on oasa.gr, with ID and, for reduced fares, proof of eligibility. Bring a photo or have it taken there if the point offers it.
Do children need tickets?
Children up to 6 travel free. From 7 to 18 they pay the reduced fare with proof of age, as of November 2026.
