Public transport in Athens

Public transport in Athens comprises a bus network, various rail systems, funiculars, and maritime services to serve the more than 4 million inhabitants of the city spread over an area of 2928 km².

Athenian public transport montage. Clicking on an image in the picture causes the browser to load the appropriate article. — **Top to bottom**: metro train (sub-surface and deep level); bus; trolleybus; tram; suburban train; and the funicular

Rail transport

Metro

Athens Metro subway train (3rd generation stock) at Anthoupoli station

Agios Dimitrios station with an island platform

The Athens Metro is operated by Stasy S.A (Statheres Sygkoinonies S.A) which is a subsidiary company of OASA (Athens urban transport organisation) and provides public transport throughout the Athens Urban Area. While its main purpose is transport, it also houses Greek artifacts found during construction of the system.^[1] The Athens Metro has an operating staff of 387 and runs three metro lines; namely the Line 1 (Green), Line 2 (Red) and line 3 (Blue) lines, of which the first was constructed in 1869, and the other two largely during the 1990s, with the initial sections opened in January 2000. The line 1 for the most part runs at ground level and the other two (lines 2,3) routes run entirely underground (except the Doukisis Plakentias-Airport section) and a fleet of 42 trains consisting of 252 cars operate within the network,^[2] with a daily occupancy of 1,353,000 passengers.

Line 1

Line 1 (the Green Line) serves 24 stations, and forms the oldest line of the Athens metro network. Runs from Piraeus station to Kifissia station and covers a distance of 25.6-kilometre (15.9 mi). There are also transfer connections with the Blue (line 3) at Monastiraki and Piraeus station and with Red (line 2) at Omonia and Attiki stations.

Line 2

Line 2 (the Red Line) runs from Anthoupoli station to Elliniko station with a total number of stations being 20 and covers a distance of 17.5 km (10.9 mi).[116] The line connects the western suburbs of Athens with the southeast suburbs, passing through the center of Athens. The Red line has transfer connections with the Green (line 1) at Attiki and Omonia Square stations. There are also transfer connections with the Blue (line 3) at the Syntagma Square station and with the Tram at Syntagma Square, Syngrou-Fix station and Neos Kosmos station.^[3] There is a planned expansion of this line from Anthoupoli to Ilion, and the estimated completion date is 2028.^[2]

Line 3

Line 3 (the Blue Line) runs from the western suburbs, namely the Dimotiko Theatro metro station, through the central Monastiraki and Syntagma stations to Doukissis Plakentias avenue in the northeastern suburb of Halandri, covering a distance of 23 stations and 16 km (10 mi),^[3] then ascending to ground level and reaching Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport with a total of 27 stations, using the Suburban Railway infrastructure and extending its length to 39 km (24 mi).^[3] The spring 2007 extension from Monastiraki westwards, to Egaleo, connected some of the main night life hubs of the city, namely the ones of Gazi (Kerameikos station) with Psirri (Monastiraki station) and the city centre (Syntagma station). The line extension westwards towards Piraeus was completed in 2022. ^[1]

Suburban Railway (Proastiakos)

A Desiro EMU5 leaves Nerantziotissa station with suburban service 4124 to Athens International Airport

The Athens Suburban Railway, referred to as the Proastiakos, connects Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport to the city of Aigio, 170 km (106 mi)^[4] west of Athens, and Larissa station, the city's central rail station, with the port of Piraeus and Chalkida. The length of Athens's commuter rail network extends to 120 km (75 mi),^[4] and is expected to stretch to 281 km (175 mi) by 2010.^[4] The Suburban Railway will be extended to Patras.

Tram

A modern Athens Tram station and vehicles

Stasy operates a fleet of 60 vehicles,^[5] 35 'Ansaldobreda Sirio' and 25 'Alstom Citadis 305',^[6] which serve 60 stations,^[5] employ 345 people with an average daily occupancy of 65,000 passengers.^[5] The tram network spans a total length of 27 km (17 mi) and covers ten Athenian suburbs.^[5] The network runs from Syntagma Square to the southwestern suburb of Pireus, where the line splits in two branches; the first runs along the coastline toward the southern suburb of Voula, while the other heads towards the port of Piraeus. The network covers the majority of the Athens coastline.^[7] There are plans to extend the tram network into the Ellinikon development area.

Railways and ferry connections

Athens is the hub of the country's national railway system (OSE), connecting the capital with major cities across Greece and abroad (Istanbul, Sofia and Bucharest). Due to low demand and financial difficulties, all international rail services were suspended indefinitely in 2011. The Port of Piraeus connects Athens to the numerous Greek islands of the Aegean Sea, with ferries departing, while also serving the cruise ships that arrive.

Road transport

Bus transport

OSY (Greek: ΟΣΥ) (Odikes SYgkinonies), or Road Transport, is the main operator of the bus network in Athens. It was created in 2011 after the merger of ETHEL and ILPAP, the two previous bus operators in Athens. As of 2017, its network consists of about 322 bus lines which span the Athens Metropolitan Area. As of 2020 has an operating staff of 4,669, and a fleet of 1,897 buses. Of those 1,897 buses, 301 run on compressed natural gas and 286 are electric buses (trolleybuses).^[8] All of the 286 trolleybuses are equipped to enable them to run on diesel in case of power failure.^[9]

Intercity and regional bus links are provided by KTEL from two InterCity Bus Terminals, Kifissos Bus Terminal A and Liosion Bus Terminal B, both located in the center-western part of the city. International bus links are provided by various private transport companies.

A Line 1 (Green Line) train passes by the Stoa of Attalos in central Athens

The daytime bus network in the city run between the hours of 05:00 – 00:00 generally.^[10] OSY has two bus routes which operate on a 24-hour basis; the 11 and 040.^[11] Most routes depart on a 30-60 minute frequency Mon-Sun.^[11] It also runs three intermunicipal night lines (which operate after midnight); X14, 500 and 790.^[10]^[11] The Athens Transport Authority also operates four 24-hour express bus-lines from Athens International Airport to different parts of the city. The X95 links to the city centre, the X93 links to Kifissos and Liosion bus stations, the X96 links to the Port of Piraeus and the X97 links to Elliniko metro station.^[12]^[13] As of 2021 the fare on these services was 5.50 euro per person.^[12]

Bus depots in Athens

There are 8 bus depots in the Athens greater area.

Depot	Area	Coordinates	Notes
Agios Dimitrios	Agios Dimitrios	37°55′56″N 23°43′04″E / 37.93222°N 23.71778°E / 37.93222; 23.71778
Ano Liosia	Ano Liosia	38°05′39″N 23°41′41″E / 38.09417°N 23.69472°E / 38.09417; 23.69472
Anthousa	Anthousa	38°00′41″N 23°52′11″E / 38.01139°N 23.86972°E / 38.01139; 23.86972
Attiki	Attiki	37°59′51″N 23°43′22″E / 37.99750°N 23.72278°E / 37.99750; 23.72278	Trolleybus depot. Closed
Elliniko	Elliniko	37°54′01″N 23°44′29″E / 37.90028°N 23.74139°E / 37.90028; 23.74139	The depot was closed in 2018
Gazi	Kerameikos	38°03′17″N 23°44′34″E / 38.05472°N 23.74278°E / 38.05472; 23.74278	Trolleybus depot. Closed in 2014
Nea Filadelfeia	Nea Filadelfeia	38°03′17″N 23°44′34″E / 38.05472°N 23.74278°E / 38.05472; 23.74278	Trolleybus depot
Neo Faliro	Piraeus	37°56′42″N 23°39′37″E / 37.94500°N 23.66028°E / 37.94500; 23.66028	Trolleybus depot. Closed
Petrou Ralli	Rouf	37°58′36″N 23°41′25″E / 37.97667°N 23.69028°E / 37.97667; 23.69028
Rentis	Agios Ioannis Rentis	37°58′15″N 23°40′10″E / 37.97083°N 23.66944°E / 37.97083; 23.66944
Rouf	Rouf, Athens	37°58′43″N 23°41′26″E / 37.97861°N 23.69056°E / 37.97861; 23.69056	Trolleybus depot. Built in 2011.
Votanikos	Votanikos	37°58′49″N 23°42′17″E / 37.98028°N 23.70472°E / 37.98028; 23.70472

Athens bus rolling stock

Owned by OSY and its predecessors

Bus model	Number	Entered service	Retired	License plates	Depot(s)	Type	Country
Iveco Urbanway 18 CNG	100	2024^[a]				Single-decker natural gas articulated	France
Yutong E12	140	2024	Active	ZNK 9801-ZNK 9940	Rentis Votanikos Rouf Attiki Anthousa Ano Liosia	Single-decker electric	China
Unvi Urbis 2.5 DD	4	2011	2011	ΥΝN 9947-ΥΝN 9950	Elliniko	Double-decker	Spain
Irisbus Citelis GNV	200^[b]	2010	Αctive	ΥΝP 9001-ΥΝP 9200	Ano Liosia	Single-decker natural gas	France
Solaris Urbino ΙΙΙ 8,6	220^[c]	2008	Αctive	ΥΝΝ 9601-ΥΝΝ 9820	Votanikos Elliniko	Single-decker midibus	Poland
Solaris Urbino ΙΙΙ 18	100^[d]	2009	Αctive	ΥΝΝ 9821-ΥΝΝ 9920	Petrou Ralli	Single-decker articulated	Poland
Irisbus Agora GNV	133^[e]	2005	Αctive^[f]	ΥΝΕ 9861-ΥΝΕ 9993	Anthousa	Single-decker natural gas	France
Irisbus Agora S	283^[g]	2004	Active	ZKZ 9701-ZKZ 9983	Rentis	Single-decker	France
Neoplan N6216	91^[h]	2003-2004	Active	8001-8091	Nea Filadelfeia	Single-decker trolleybus	Germany
Neoplan N6221	51^[i]	2003-2004	Active	9001-9051	Nea Filadelfeia	Single-decker articulated trolleybus	Germany
ELVO C99.405N	20	2001-2002	Active	YMI 1730-YMI 1749	Petrou Ralli	Single-decker	Greece
Renault Agora CNG	295	2001	2020	ZZP 8701-ZZP 8995	Anthousa Ano Liosia	Single-decker natural gas	France
ELVO C97.405N	190^[j]	2000-2001	Active	YMI 1540-YMI 1729	Votanikos Petrou Ralli	Single-decker	Greece
Van Hool A300T	112^[k]	1999-2000	Active	7001-7112	Rouf Attiki	Single-decker trolleybus	Belgium
Neoplan N6014	112^[l]	1999-2000	Active	6001-6112	Rouf Neo Faliro Gazi	Single-decker trolleybus	Germany
ELVO C97.N4007	200^[m]	1998-2001	Active	YMI 1220-YMI 1419	Votanikos Anthousa Rentis	Single-decker midibus	Greece
ELVO C97.405GN	220^[n]	1998-2000	Active	YMI 1000-YMI 1219	Petrou Ralli Anthousa Elliniko	Single-decker articulated	Greece
Saracakis "Athina"	120^[o]	1999	Active	ΥΜΙ 1420-ΥΜΙ 1539	Petrou Ralli	Single-decker articulated	Greece
ELVO C93.405N "Vergina"	53	1994-1996	2009	ΥΕΜ 4709-ΥΕΜ 4745 YKP 9093-YKP 9108	Elliniko Agios Dimitrios	Single-decker	Greece
Den Oudsten Alliance City B90	71	1994	2010	YEM 4822-YEM 4892	Agios Dimitrios	Single-decker	Netherlands
Van Hool A300	111	1994	2010	YEM 4893-YEM 5003	Votanikos	Single-decker	Belgium
Neoplan N4016	95	1994	2009	YEΚ 5192-YEΚ 5210 YEΜ 4746-YEΜ 4821	Votanikos	Single-decker	Germany
Mercedes-Benz O405N	299	1993-1994	2023	YEH 7401-YEH 7460 YEK 5101-YEK 5191 YEK 5211-YEK 5350 YEM 4701-YEM 4708	Elliniko Votanikos Agios Dimitrios Anthousa	Single-decker	Germany
Van Hool A507	33	1991	2013	YBΡ 6801-YBP 6833	Votanikos	Single-decker minibus	Belgium
Steyr Hellas 260.22	145	1984	2004	YAE 2301-YAE 2445	Elliniko	Single-decker	Greece
Magirus-Deutz M230E120	300	1982	Circa 2000	YN 6501-YN 6700 YY 9701-YY 9800	Votanikos Petrou Ralli	Single-decker	Germany
Leyland Olympian	20	1982	1994	YAY 1805 YAY 2418-YAY 2421 YAY 2547 YAY 5262-YAY 5263 YAY 5267-YAY 5278	Votanikos	Double-decker	United Kingdom
Saracakis SB756 "Deinosauros"	100	1981	2005	YN 6901-YN 7000	Votanikos	Single-decker articulated	Greece
Atlas Balkancar	200	1981	1994	YN 6701-YN 6900	Elliniko Agios Dimitrios Ano Liosia	Single-decker	Bulgaria
Ikarus 260.22	902	1978-1983	Circa 2000	OZ 7001-OZ 7300 YZ 4101-YZ 4300 YN 6301-YN 6500 HE 2001-HE 2202	Elliniko Votanikos Rentis	Single-decker	Hungary
ZiU-9	357	1977-1991	2004		Gazi Attiki Neo Faliro	Single-decker trolleybus	Soviet Union

Leased (2021- )

Bus model	Number	License Plates	Depot	Type	Country
Mercedes-Benz O530 Citaro	76	XEK 6001-XEK 6004 XEK 6006-XEK 6017 XEK 6089-XEK 6134 XEK 6139-XEK 6142 XEK 6154-XEK 6155 XEK 6158-XEK 6175	Votanikos	Single-decker	Germany
Irisbus Crossway	66	XEK 6024 XEK 6228-XEK 6292	Anthoussa	Single-decker	France
Volvo 7700	53	XEK 6030-XEK 6073 XEK 6080-XEK 6088	Agios Dimitrios	Single-decker	Sweden
Solaris Urbino III 18	32	XEK 6015 XEK 6020 XEK 6022 XEK 6176-XEK 6191 XEK 6197-XEK 6204 XEK 6209 XEK 6219-XEK 6222	Petrou Ralli	Single-decker articulated	Poland
MAN A21 Lion's City	30	XEK 6005 XEK 6008-XEK 6014 XEK 6135-XEK 6138 XEK 6143-XEK 6153 XEK 6156-XEK 6157	Votanikos	Single-decker	Germany
Solaris Urbino III 12	12	XEK 6016-XEK 6019 XEK 6021 XEK 6023 XEK 6223-XEK 6227 XEK 6293	Petrou Ralli	Single-decker	Poland
Mercedes-Benz O530G Citaro	11	XEK 6192-XEK 6196 XEK 6206-XEK 6208 XEK 6213-XEK 6215	Petrou Ralli	Single-decker articulated	Germany
MAN A23 Lion's City	7	XEK 6205 XEK 6210-XEK 6212 XEK 6216-XEK 6218	Petrou Ralli	Single-decker articulated	Germany
Volvo 8700	6	XEK 6074-XEK 6079	Agios Dimitrios	Single-decker	Sweden

Athens public transportation statistics

The average amount of time people spend commuting with public transit in Athens, for example to and from work, on a weekday is 71 min. 16% of public transit riders, ride for more than 2 hours every day. The average amount of time people wait at a stop or station for public transit is 18 min, while 34% of riders wait for over 20 minutes on average every day. The average distance people usually ride in a single trip with public transit is 6.8 km, while 13% travel for over 12 km in a single direction.^[14]

Notes

^ First units to enter service in late 2024.
^ 124 active as of June 2023
^ 178 active as of June 2023
^ 73 active as of June 2023
^ 63 active as of June 2023
^ To be phased out by late 2024.
^ 186 active as of June 2023
^ 64 active as of March 2024
^ 42 active as of March 2024
^ 132 active as of June 2023
^ 67 active as of March 2024
^ 36 active as of March 2024
^ 45 active as of June 2023
^ 136 active as of June 2023
^ 18 active as of June 2023

References

^ ^a ^b "Athens Metro". Hellenic Ministry of Culture. www.culture.gr. Archived from the original on 7 December 2006. Retrieved 26 January 2007.
^ ^a ^b "Athens Urban Transport Network in Facts and Figures (pdf) page 15" (PDF). OASA. www.oasa.gr. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 June 2006. Retrieved 4 February 2007.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Athens Urban Transport Network in Facts and Figures (pdf) page 15" (PDF). OASA. www.oasa.gr. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 29, 2006. Retrieved 4 February 2007.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Proastiakos". www.proastiakos.gr. Archived from the original on July 21, 2009. Retrieved 9 June 2009.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Tram Sa". Tramsa.gr. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2009.
^ Athens - The Truth: Searching for Mános, Just Before the Bubble Burst. Tales of Orpheus. 1 September 2013. ISBN 9780955209031. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
^ "Athens Urban Transport Network in Facts and Figures (pdf) page 13" (PDF). OASA. www.oasa.gr. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 29, 2006. Retrieved 28 January 2007.
^ https://www.osy.gr/ethelsite/pdf/OSY_CSR.pdf ^{[bare URL PDF]}
^ "Athens Urban Transport Network in Facts and Figures (pdf) page 11" (PDF). OASA. www.oasa.gr. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 29, 2006. Retrieved 28 January 2007.
^ ^a ^b "Athens Transport information in English". athenstransport. 21 June 2011. Retrieved 2022-05-19.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Night lines / Νυχτερινές γραμμές". ΟΣΥ. Retrieved 2022-05-19.
^ ^a ^b "How to transfer between the Athens Airport (and port) and the city". athenstransport. 19 June 2019. Retrieved 2022-05-19.
^ "Buses in Athens". athensguide. Retrieved 2022-05-20.
^ "Athens Public Transportation Statistics". Global Public Transit Index by Moovit. Retrieved June 19, 2017. Material was copied from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

[14] First units to enter service in late 2024.

[15] 124 active as of June 2023

[16] 178 active as of June 2023

[17] 73 active as of June 2023

[18] 63 active as of June 2023

[19] To be phased out by late 2024.

[20] 186 active as of June 2023

[21] 64 active as of March 2024

[22] 42 active as of March 2024

[23] 132 active as of June 2023

[24] 67 active as of March 2024

[25] 36 active as of March 2024

[26] 45 active as of June 2023

[27] 136 active as of June 2023

[28] 18 active as of June 2023

[:0-1] "Athens Metro". Hellenic Ministry of Culture. www.culture.gr. Archived from the original on 7 December 2006. Retrieved 26 January 2007.

[:1-2] "Athens Urban Transport Network in Facts and Figures (pdf) page 15" (PDF). OASA. www.oasa.gr. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 June 2006. Retrieved 4 February 2007.

[xyz-3] "Athens Urban Transport Network in Facts and Figures (pdf) page 15" (PDF). OASA. www.oasa.gr. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 29, 2006. Retrieved 4 February 2007.

[proastiakos-4] "Proastiakos". www.proastiakos.gr. Archived from the original on July 21, 2009. Retrieved 9 June 2009.

[athenstram-5] "Tram Sa". Tramsa.gr. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2009.

[Tales_of_Orpheus-6] Athens - The Truth: Searching for Mános, Just Before the Bubble Burst. Tales of Orpheus. 1 September 2013. ISBN 9780955209031. Retrieved 24 October 2013.

[EF-7] "Athens Urban Transport Network in Facts and Figures (pdf) page 13" (PDF). OASA. www.oasa.gr. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 29, 2006. Retrieved 28 January 2007.

[8] ttps://www.osy.gr/ethelsite/pdf/OSY_CSR.pdf ^{[bare URL PDF]}

[CD-9] "Athens Urban Transport Network in Facts and Figures (pdf) page 11" (PDF). OASA. www.oasa.gr. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 29, 2006. Retrieved 28 January 2007.

[athtrans-10] "Athens Transport information in English". athenstransport. 21 June 2011. Retrieved 2022-05-19.

[osymain-11] "Night lines / Νυχτερινές γραμμές". ΟΣΥ. Retrieved 2022-05-19.

[TransferAthens-12] "How to transfer between the Athens Airport (and port) and the city". athenstransport. 19 June 2019. Retrieved 2022-05-19.

[13] "Buses in Athens". athensguide. Retrieved 2022-05-20.

[29] "Athens Public Transportation Statistics". Global Public Transit Index by Moovit. Retrieved June 19, 2017. Material was copied from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[a]

[b]

[c]

[d]

[e]

[f]

[g]

[h]

[i]

[j]

[k]

[l]

[m]

[n]

[o]

[14]