Greece
Athens
Ancient and modern layers meet beneath the Acropolis. Three metro lines link most of the big sights.
Buses and trolleybuses (OSY)
No gates: tap the validator inside the bus yourself, once, as you board - forgetting is what gets you fined. Nothing is sold on board, so buy ahead or tap a Visa or Mastercard - the only two brands that work.
Updated on August 5, 2026
- Until Oct 31, 2026
The X80 takes only the daily or 3-day tourist ticket
The X80 tourist line (Piraeus port - Acropolis - Syntagma) accepts only the daily ticket or the 3-day tourist ticket; a 90-minute or 5-day ticket will not do. It is a seasonal service running May to October, and it restarted on May 23, 2026.
How to ride
- 1Buy a ticket, or have your card readyNo machines at bus stops: buy ahead at a metro station, an OSY point or a kiosk (packs sold there), or tap a card, phone or watch.
- 2Tap the validator once on boardThere are no gates - you validate yourself by tapping the validator inside the vehicle once, as you board.
- 3Show inspectors the same cardInspections are random - if you tapped a bank card, show the inspector that exact card or device.
- 4Transfer on the same ticketA 90-minute ticket covers transfers - if the time left won't get you there, validate again before boarding.
Fares
Single fares1
90-minute single ticket
90 min from first validation; transfers across bus, trolley, tram and metro. Not for airport lines or X80.
1.2 EUR ≈ $1
Passes & multi-ride5
Daily (24-hour) ticket
24 hours from first validation. Covers the X80 line, but not airport express buses or the airport metro leg.
4.1 EUR ≈ $5
5-day ticket
5 x 24 hours from first validation; airport lines (X93, X95, X96, X97) and the X80 are excluded.
8.2 EUR ≈ $10
3-day tourist ticket
3 x 24 hours across the whole OASA network plus the X80, and one airport trip in each direction.
20 EUR ≈ $23
5-ticket pack (90-minute)
Five 90-minute rides, loadable on either an Ath.ena Ticket or an Ath.ena Card.
5.7 EUR ≈ $7
10+1 ticket pack (90-minute)
Eleven 90-minute rides. There is also a 2-ticket pack at EUR 2.30.
12 EUR ≈ $14
Estimates use exchange rates as of September 5, 2026
Payment
Tap to ride VISAMastercardDiscoverDinersJCBMaestroAmex銀聯
One card per passenger - take it out of your wallet before tapping.
IC card Load fare products or stored value onto an Ath.ena Card.
Paper tickets The paper Ath.ena Ticket is reloadable, not single-use.
Cash The ticket machines take banknotes; you cannot buy on board.
Quick facts
Fares from
1.2 EUR+
Heads-up
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Fake OASA texts fish for your card number
Fake text messages using the OASA name are circulating. They claim you owe a fine, failed to tap out, or that your card malfunctioned, and link to unofficial sites that ask for your bank card number. OASA never asks for personal or card details by SMS.
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A card that cannot be charged lands on the deny list
If you ride by tapping a bank card, watch the balance behind it. A card that cannot be charged goes onto OASA's deny list and is refused at the validator from then on - and at an inspection you have to present that same card.