Attica is the historical region of Greece that surrounds Athens, the country's capital, encompassing ancient monuments, stunning Mediterranean coastline, and verdant mountains. Home to some of the world's most iconic ancient sites including the Acropolis and Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, Attica blends millennia of history with a vibrant modern city culture.
- Public
- Athens Metro is excellent — clean, reliable, and easy to use with English signage throughout. Single ticket €1.20 covers 90-minute transfers across metro, bus, and tram.
- Taxi
- Available everywhere; use the Beat or Bolt app for transparent pricing. Metered taxis are generally reliable but insist on the meter being switched on.
- Rental
- Car rental useful for day trips outside Athens (Cape Sounion, Marathon, Parnitha). Not recommended within the city center.
- Walking
- The best way to experience ancient Athens — Plaka, Monastiraki, Thissio, and Makrygianni are all connected by the pedestrianized Dionysiou Areopagitou promenade.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- €40, ~45 minutes to city center (daytime)
- Taxi Info
- Fixed rates from ATH: €40 (5AM-midnight), €55 (midnight-5AM). Ensure the driver uses the meter or agrees fixed rate before entering the taxi.
- Shuttle
- No official shared shuttle service, but some hotels offer shuttle service — check with your hotel
- Shuttle Info
- Hotel shuttles available from some Athens hotels — book in advance. Private transfers from €40.
- Bus
- €5.50, X95 to Syntagma (60 min) or X96 to Piraeus (90 min)
- Bus Info
- X95 runs 24/7 to Syntagma Square; X96 to Piraeus Port (useful for island connections); X93 to Kifissos bus terminal
- Private
- €45-60, pre-booked private transfer
- Private Info
- Book online through hotel or transfer companies. More expensive but useful for groups or with heavy luggage.
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
OASA bus network covers all of Athens including areas not served by metro. Same ticket as metro (€1.20, valid 90 minutes). Routes marked on Google Maps.
Alternatives
Metro (3 lines, very reliable), Tram (coastal Glyfada route), Electric trolleybus (city center), Bike rental (available in several neighborhoods)
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- €3.50 base fare + €0.74/km (daytime) / €1.29/km (night, 12-5AM)
- Apps
- Beat, Bolt, Uber
- App Names
- Beat (most popular in Athens), Bolt, Uber
- Typical Fare
- €5-12 for average city ride within Athens; €40 fixed rate from airport to center
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
KTEL long-distance buses from Kifissos (Terminal A) to all mainland Greece from €5. Cape Sounion bus from Pedion Areos terminal: €6.50 one-way.
Shared
Shared taxis (agoraia) available on some intercity routes — ask at bus terminals
Flights
Domestic flights from ATH to Greek islands and mainland destinations from €30-60
Private
Private car hire from €50-80/day (excluding fuel)
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Attica has one of the best public transport networks in the Mediterranean, centered on Athens' metro system supplemented by buses, trams, suburban rail, and coastal ferry connections. The capital is very walkable for sightseeing, with most major attractions clustered within a 2km radius.
Airports
Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Beat
Most popular ride-hailing app in Athens; taxi-focused with transparent pricing
Bolt
Good alternative to Beat, often with competitive pricing
Uber
Available in Athens; rides through licensed partner taxis
OASA Telematics
Official Athens bus app showing real-time bus positions and schedules
Google Maps
Works excellently for Athens transport including metro, bus, and walking routes
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Buy a 24-hour tourist transport card (€4.10) or 3-day tourist card (€20 with airport transfer included) if using public transport frequently
Validate your ticket at the orange validators before boarding — inspectors do check and fines are €72
The metro runs until midnight on weekdays; extended hours on weekends (until 2AM Friday, all night on Saturday)
Avoid taxis without a visible meter or those waiting directly outside major tourist sites — use apps instead
Athens traffic is severe during rush hours — plan journeys before 8AM or after 9AM on weekdays
The pedestrianized route from Monastiraki to Thissio along Apostolou Pavlou is one of Athens' great walks
Uber and Bolt work smoothly in Athens and are often slightly cheaper than street taxis
For beach access in summer, the Tram to Glyfada/Voula is far easier than driving and parking