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Athens Bus Tour

A Comfortable Ride Through Ancient and Modern Landmarks

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City-Center Ticket
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City-Center, Port & Coast Ticket
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Total:

✔ 48h access
✔ Access to Athens (Grey) Line only
✔ Ideal for city-center exploration

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✔ 48h access
✔ Access to all 3 lines: Athens (Grey), Piraeus (Purple), Riviera (Green)
✔ Covers city center, port & coast

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Total:

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GREECE - ATHENS

Hop on the Athens sightseeing bus and be amazed by its history and landscapes.

Welcome to the most comfortable, flexible, and scenic way to explore the Greek capital. Choose your route and visit the main landmarks without any rush.

A complete experience with multilingual audio guide


With the Athens sightseeing bus, you can visit the city's most iconic sites without worrying about transport or the heat. Each stop is selected to give you direct access to impressive classical ruins and let you feel the essence of each site.

The route includes gems like the majestic Acropolis and the Parthenon, the impressive Temple of Olympian Zeus, Syntagma Square with its famous guard change, and the Panathenaic Stadium, birthplace of the modern Olympic Games. It also brings you closer to charming spots like the narrow streets of Plaka or the bustling Monastiraki Square.

During the ride, you can relax and enjoy the view with open-air seating while listening to the audio guide and connecting to free Wi-Fi to share photos, check maps, or plan your next stop. And if you prefer a full experience without getting off, you can stay on board and see the city from another perspective.

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Athens Big Bus Tour Timetables

  • Athens Bus Tour (Grey Line): Estimated full loop duration: approx. 1h 30min. Operating hours: from 08:28–09:00 to 18:00, with buses every 20 minutes.
  • Athens Bus Tour (Purple Line): Estimated full loop duration: approx. 1h 15–20min. Operating hours: from 09:40 to 17:00, with buses every 40 minutes.
  • Athens Bus Tour (Green Line): Estimated full loop duration: approx. 1h 40min to 2h. Operating hours: first departure at 09:00, second at 11:00, then every hour until 17:00.
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Loop duration is subject to traffic and road closures.

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There are no scheduled closing days or weekend/holiday restrictions. Exceptions may include special events, parades, or extreme weather conditions.

Plan your route ahead of time and check the Athens sightseeing bus schedule to make the most of every minute, especially during high season.

What's included with your Athens sightseeing bus ticket?

Explore iconic temples, ruins, and squares from a privileged perspective.

  • 48-hour consecutive access: The “Discover” and “Essential” tickets are valid for 48 hours from first use. You can hop on and off as many times as you like during that period, with no need to book specific times.
  • Panoramic route: Both experiences take you through the city center on a full tour of Athens landmarks. If you choose the “Essential” experience, this route expands to include the Piraeus and Riviera lines as well.
  • Double-decker panoramic buses: Both “Discover” and “Essential” routes use double-decker buses with open roofs on the upper level for a privileged view.
  • Stops near top landmarks: Whether you take just the grey line with the “Discover” ticket or choose the three routes with the “Essential,” you'll always be close to key sites thanks to strategically placed stops.
  • Multilingual audio guide in 14 languages: Both experiences include disposable headphones and access to an audio guide in 14 languages to learn the historical and cultural context of each stop.
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Tips to make the most of your Athens Big Bus tour

  • Start early: Take advantage of the first departures of the day, especially in high season. There are fewer crowds and more pleasant temperatures.

  • Choose the upper deck: If the weather allows, sit on the top of the sightseeing bus. You'll get unbeatable views, perfect for photos of the Parthenon, Syntagma Square, or the Temple of Olympian Zeus.

  • Plan your stops in advance: Check the route map and decide where you’d like to hop off. Knowing where you want to explore helps you manage your time and get the most out of the 48-hour ticket validity.

  • Check the stop map: Before boarding, review the available stops. That way you can plan where to get off based on your interests (museums, parks, architecture...)

  • Take your time at each stop: Don’t rush. The ticket is valid for 48 hours precisely so you can explore without pressure. You might spend half a day around the Acropolis, another in Piraeus or Plaka. Athens deserves to be enjoyed calmly.

  • Don’t forget the extras of the Essential option: If you bought the “Essential” experience, remember you have access to all three lines. Don’t limit yourself to the city center—spend part of your day discovering the coast or port to add variety to your visit.

You can reach the first stop of the grey line – Athens (historic center) using different means of transport:

These directions refer exclusively to the first stop of the Athens sightseeing bus Grey Line, located in the historic center next to the Acropolis entrance (Makrigianni Street, in front of the Theatre of Dionysus).

  • Take Metro Line 2 (red) and get off at Acropoli station. Exit toward the Theatre of Dionysus / Acropolis. Walk about 2 minutes along Makrigianni Street to the bus stop.

  • Some urban buses pass nearby (e.g., line 550 or A2 along Vasilissis Amalias), although the metro is more direct and simpler, since Acropoli station leaves you just 2 minutes’ walk from the stop.

  • From Plaka, it’s a 7–10 minute uphill walk. From Syntagma, go down Vasilissis Amalias Street then turn toward the Acropolis (~15 minutes on foot).

How long is the Athens sightseeing bus tour?

With the Discover ticket, you’ll enjoy the main route through the historic center (Athens Route) for 48 hours—enough time to explore stops like the Acropolis, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Syntagma Square, or the Panathenaic Stadium.

The Essential ticket is also valid for 48 hours but adds two more routes: the coastal Riviera Route (Green), with an estimated duration of 2 hours per loop, and the Piraeus Route (Purple), ideal if you're arriving on a cruise.

All buses operate on a hop-on hop-off basis, which means you can get off at any stop, explore at your own pace, and hop back on whenever you like. It’s not only a scenic and convenient way to see the city, but also one of the most flexible.

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Access and on-board behavior rules for the Athens sightseeing bus

  • Show your digital or printed ticket to staff at any official stop or directly when boarding the bus. In exchange, you'll receive a ticket valid for 48 hours from first use.

  • Check the last departure time of the day for the line you’re using (grey, purple, or green), especially if you're far from the city center, like in Piraeus or the Riviera.

  • Smoking is strictly prohibited on the bus, both in the lower and upper open deck, out of respect for other passengers.

  • While you can bring water bottles or light snacks, it’s recommended to avoid smelly food or alcoholic drinks during the ride.

  • On the upper deck, keep arms, cameras, or phones inside the vehicle. There are areas with low trees, cables, or traffic lights that may pose a risk.

  • The bus fleet includes lifting platforms or ramps in many units to assist wheelchair users or those with limited mobility.