How the system fits together
Greece has no single national transport network. Each mode is run separately: the Athens metro, buses and trams by OASA and its operators, intercity buses by regional KTEL companies, trains by Hellenic Train, and ferries by private shipping lines. Tickets are not interchangeable between them. Once you know which mode covers which kind of trip, though, it is straightforward to travel without a car.
Athens: metro, tram and buses
The Athens metro has three lines:
- Line 1 (green) runs from Piraeus to Kifissia, through Thissio, Monastiraki and Omonia.
- Line 2 (red) runs from Anthoupoli to Elliniko, through Syntagma and Akropoli.
- Line 3 (blue) runs from Dimotiko Theatro in Piraeus through the centre and on to the airport.
A fourth line is under construction. The tram runs from Syntagma to the southern coastal suburbs, and buses and trolleybuses fill the gaps.
Tickets are sold at machines and kiosks in stations, and contactless bank cards can be used at the gates. According to OASA, a 90-minute ticket valid on all modes except airport services costs 1.20 euros, a 24-hour ticket 4.10 euros and a 5-day ticket 8.20 euros. The airport metro ticket costs 9 euros one way, and the X95 and X96 express buses to Syntagma and Piraeus cost 5.50 euros. A 3-day tourist ticket for 20 euros includes one return trip to the airport. Validate your ticket at the start of every journey; inspectors fine passengers without a valid ticket.
Trains
Hellenic Train runs the national rail services, including the Proastiakos suburban railway, which links Athens airport, central Athens, Piraeus and towns towards Corinth and Kiato. It is useful for the airport-to-Piraeus journey and for trips west towards the Peloponnese. The busiest route is the main line between Athens and Thessaloniki, with intermediate stops including Larissa. There are also services to Kalambaka for Meteora, either direct or with a change, and regional lines in the north.
The network is limited compared with much of Europe. There is no railway on Crete or the other islands, and much of the Peloponnese has no regular passenger trains. Since the Tempi rail disaster in 2023, journey times and schedules on the main line have changed several times during safety and infrastructure work, so check current timetables on the Hellenic Train website rather than relying on older guides.
KTEL intercity buses
For most mainland destinations, the KTEL bus network is the practical choice. Each region has its own KTEL company, and together they connect almost every town. Buses from Athens to places such as Delphi, Nafplio, Patras and Thessaloniki leave from the city's two main intercity terminals, Kifissos and Liosion; check which terminal your route uses, as they are in different parts of the city.
On the islands, local KTEL buses link the main town with villages and beaches. Frequencies are good on large islands like Crete, Rhodes and Corfu in summer, but drop sharply in winter. On Crete, KTEL buses run along the north coast between Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos, with branches to the south.
Tickets are usually bought at the terminal or on board. Timetables are published on each regional KTEL company's website.
Ferries
Ferries connect the mainland with the islands and the islands with each other. Athens has three ports: Piraeus for most routes, Rafina for the northern Cyclades, and Lavrio for Kea, Kythnos and some other routes. Western ports such as Kyllini and Igoumenitsa serve the Ionian islands.
Large conventional ships are slower but carry vehicles and are less affected by wind; high-speed catamarans are faster but more expensive and more likely to be cancelled in the summer meltemi. Tickets are sold by the shipping companies, by agencies and through comparison websites, and are increasingly electronic.
Taxis and apps
Taxis are widely available in cities and at ports and airports. In Athens they are yellow and metered, and ride-hailing apps such as FreeNow and Uber book licensed taxis. On islands, taxi numbers are limited in peak season, so pre-book for early ferries or flights.
Practical tips
- Download the regional KTEL timetable before you travel; rural stops may have no printed schedule.
- Carry some cash for buses and island taxis.
- Allow buffer time when connecting a ferry to a flight.
- Public transport runs reduced services on major holidays, including Easter and 15 August.
