Athens Metro

The Athens Metro is not very extensive, but it is contemporary and runs smoothly. The subway’s three lines are run by two companies, although they share tariffs, travel cards, and tickets.

Curiously, line 1 was the first to be built. Opened in February 1869, the line connected Athens and Piraeus port and was run by a steam train until 1904, when the state introduced electric trains. The other two lines were introduced in 2000.

Lines

The three lines of the Athens Metro are identifiable by different colors:

• Line 1 (Green): This is the most historic line (connecting Athens to the Port since 1869). It provides access to the Port of Piraeus to the islands and includes central stops such as Omonia and Monastiraki.
• Line 2 (Red): This line crosses the city from north to south. It connects the Larissis Railway
  Station (national trains) with key tourist attractions such as Syntagma Square and the Acropolis.
• Line 3 (Blue): This is the most versatile line. It connects the Athens International Airport with the city center, stopping at Syntagma Square and Monastiraki, and continues to the Port of Piraeus.

Extension of the Athens Metro

The long-awaited Line 4 (Orange) is now under construction. It will cross residential and tourist neighborhoods such as Kolonaki and Exarcheia, although its opening is not planned until the end of this decade.

Metro Station Museums

While excavating the underground tunnels and stations to create the Athens metro network, numerous ruins and historical objects were uncovered. To preserve these groundbreaking findings, Athens dedicated small museums in various stations to showcase these archeological treasures.

The most notable “metro station museums” are: Acropolis, Dafni, Evangelismos, Monastiraki, Panepistimio, and Syntagma.

Timetable & Frequency

The Athens metro runs approximately from 5:30 am until 12:30 am (midnight). On Fridays and Saturdays, the last train departs at 2 am.

Frequency varies according to day and time. It ranges from 3-5 minutes during rush hour to 5 or 10 minutes during off-peak hours.

Prices  & Tickets

For information on the various tickets, travel cards, and fares, check out our article: Athens transport tickets.