Athens essentials
The practical answers a first Athens trip actually needs — getting in from the airport, getting around the city, site tickets, when to go, money, and staying safe.
Choose Metro Line 3 for a daytime arrival with light bags, the 24-hour X95 bus when the metro is closed, or a licensed taxi for a door-to-door trip. Check service alerts before an evening metro journey.
The historic core is walkable, and one cheap integrated ticket covers the metro, buses, trolleys and tram. A 90-minute ticket is about €1.20 (mid-2026), a 24-hour pass about €4.10, and contactless tap-to-pay now works on the readers. Most first-trip days need almost no transport at all.
Book an Acropolis timed-entry ticket through the official Hellenic Heritage service before planning the rest of your day. Full admission is €30 and reduced admission €15, subject to eligibility. Other central archaeological sites have separate tickets. An early or late slot can reduce exposure to midday heat, but check current opening and closure notices.
Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) are the sweet spot: warm, walkable days and open sites without peak crowds. July and August are hot and busy — still doable if you start early and rest at midday. Winter is mild, quiet and cheap, with shorter site hours.
Greece uses the euro, and cards (including contactless and phones) are accepted almost everywhere — but carry some cash for small tavernas, kiosks, markets and tips. Tipping is modest and optional: rounding up or a few euros is normal. Athens is mid-priced for a European capital, and the centre is walkable, which keeps daily costs down.
Use normal big-city precautions in Athens: keep valuables secure on busy metro services and in crowded squares, check taxi charges, and plan for summer heat. Licensed taxis, well-lit routes and attention to official notices help you make sensible choices.