Athens: Metro, trams and buses now run 24 hours every Saturday

From Saturday, September 14, Athens has introduced a new option for getting around the city. Metro, trams and selected bus lines now run 24 hours every Saturday, meaning you can travel across the capital at any time of the night or early morning.

This is the first time Athens has launched a permanent weekend night service. Until now, public transport closed after midnight, leaving taxis as the only option. With this change, the city joins other major European capitals that already offer round-the-clock transport.

Officials say the goal is clear: to make life easier for residents, boost nightlife and tourism, and help visitors move comfortably without needing a car. For travelers, it is also a safer and cheaper alternative to taxis, especially when arriving or departing at unusual hours.

Metro – Saturday night service

The Athens Metro now stays open throughout Saturday night.

Line 2 (Anthoupoli – Elliniko):

22:00 – 00:20: every ~11 minutes
00:20 – 05:30: every 15 minutes
05:30 – 07:00: every 12–13 minutes
07:00 – 10:00: every ~11 minutes

Line 3 (Dimotiko Theatro – Airport):

22:00 – 00:20: every 9 minutes in the city section (Dimotiko Theatro – Plakentia); Airport trains every 36 minutes
00:20 – 05:30: every 15 minutes in the city section, Airport still every 36 minutes
05:30 – 07:00: every 10 minutes (city) / 36 minutes (Airport)
07:00 – 10:00: every 9 minutes (city) / 36 minutes (Airport)

This means you can now take the metro directly to or from Athens Airport late at night or very early in the morning – something that was impossible before.

Trams – lines T6 and T7

Athens’ seaside tram lines also join the 24-hour network, but only on Saturdays.

22:00 – 00:30: every 15 minutes
00:30 – 05:30: every 25 minutes
05:30 – 10:00: every 12 minutes

Applies to:

T6 Pikrodafni – Syntagma
T7 Asklipieio Voulas – Agia Triada

This is particularly useful for tourists staying near the coast who want to get back to the center after a night out.

Buses – new Saturday 24h routes

Ten more bus lines now operate around the clock every Saturday, serving key areas of Athens:

221: Panepistimioupoli – Akadimia
224: Kaisariani – El. Venizelou
421: Agioi Anargyroi – Agia Paraskevi
608: Galatsi – Akadimia – Nekr. Zografou
703: Piraeus – Ag. Anargyroi – Ag. Eleftherios (via Thivon)
842: Perama – St. Korydallos
049: Piraeus – Omonia
A15: St. Larisis – Dasos
B11: Pl. Vathis – Ilion – Petroupoli
B12: St. Attiki – Ano Liosia

They join existing 24-hour routes such as 040 (Piraeus – Syntagma), 11 (Ano Patissia – Neo Pagkrati – Nea Elvetia) and the popular airport express buses X93, X95, X96, X97.

Night bus lines 400, 500, 790 and X14 also continue unchanged.

What this means for visitors

This service is only available on Saturdays, but it makes the city much easier to explore.

Late-night arrivals at Athens Airport no longer mean expensive taxis, you can take metro Line 3 or bus X95 into the city.
Nightlife lovers in Monastiraki, Psiri or Gazi can get home safely by metro, tram or bus, even at 3 or 4 am.
Early ferry travelers heading to the islands from Piraeus can now rely on a metro or bus connection before sunrise.
Hotels outside the center are easier to reach after midnight, thanks to the expanded bus network.

With this new service, Athens takes a big step forward. The city does not sleep on Saturdays and now, neither does its public transport.