Greece’s Athens Travel Network Gains Major Upgrade as New Night Buses Join 24-Hour Saturday Transport Service

The night buses that have recently been added in Athens will enhance travel due to Athens’ existing 24-hour Saturday public transport.

More night bus services are soon to be introduced in Athens due to the successful 24-hour Saturday public transport in the city. This will happen due to increased interest among passengers since millions of passenger trips have already been conducted since the beginning of this transport service.

The Saturday all-night transport system, introduced in September 2025, allows passengers to use selected Metro, Tram and bus services throughout the night. The programme has become an important part of Athens’ urban mobility system, helping residents and visitors move around the city beyond traditional operating hours.

With additional night bus lines being considered, Athens aims to improve connections between neighbourhoods, transport hubs and central districts while supporting safer travel choices during weekend nights.

Athens Expands Night Travel After Strong Passenger Demand

The Greek capital’s 24-hour Saturday transport service has recorded significant passenger usage since its launch.

More than 2.28 million passenger journeys have been made on Metro, Tram and bus services during Saturday night operations, showing strong demand for reliable overnight mobility.

The service attracted high passenger numbers from the beginning. More than 50,000 people used the network during the first Saturday of operation, while passenger activity later reached around 60,000 ticket validations on a single Saturday.

The strong response has encouraged transport authorities to expand the programme further by adding more night bus routes and improving access for passengers travelling late at night.

Athens’ move reflects a wider trend among major European cities where extended public transport hours are being introduced to support tourism, nightlife, workers and local communities.

Why Athens Is Strengthening 24-Hour Weekend Transport

The expansion of overnight public transport is designed to provide passengers with safer alternatives to private vehicles during late hours.

A stronger night network can help reduce the need for cars and motorcycles after evening activities while improving mobility for people working night shifts, students and visitors exploring Athens after dark.

The service also supports Athens’ tourism sector by making it easier for travellers to move between hotels, entertainment areas, cultural locations and transport connections during weekends.

For a city that attracts millions of international visitors every year, dependable night transport plays an important role in improving the overall travel experience.

The expansion of bus services will also help connect areas that are not directly served by Metro or Tram lines, creating a wider overnight mobility network.

Athens 24-Hour Saturday Service Covers Metro, Tram and Bus Routes

The current Saturday 24-hour transport programme includes:

• Metro Line 2
• Metro Line 3
• Tram Lines T6 and T7
• Eleven additional bus routes

These operate alongside existing services that already provide permanent 24-hour or night connections throughout the week.

The combination of rail and bus services creates a more connected overnight transport system linking central Athens, suburbs, the airport area and the port region.

Metro Line 2 Provides Overnight Connections Across Athens

Metro Line 2 operates throughout Saturday night with frequent services between evening and morning hours.

The schedule includes:

• 10:00 pm–12:20 am: Every 10 minutes and 50 seconds
• 12:20 am–5:30 am: Every 15 minutes
• 5:30 am–7:00 am: Every 12 minutes and 30 seconds
• 7:00 am–10:00 am: Every 10 minutes and 50 seconds

The extended operation allows passengers to continue using one of Athens’ main rapid transport corridors during overnight hours.

Metro Line 3 Extends Late-Night City Connectivity

Metro Line 3 between Plakentias and Dimotiko Theatro also operates during the Saturday overnight period.

Its frequency schedule includes:

• 10:00 pm–12:20 am: Every 9 minutes
• 12:20 am–5:30 am: Every 15 minutes
• 5:30 am–7:00 am: Every 10 minutes
• 7:00 am–10:00 am: Every 9 minutes

The route provides important connections between central Athens and northern parts of the metropolitan area.

Athens Tram Continues Overnight Weekend Operations

The 24-hour Saturday tram programme covers two major routes:

• T6: Pikrodafni–Syntagma
• T7: Asklipieio Voulas–Agia Triad a

The tram schedule includes:

• 10:00 pm–12:30 am: Every 15 minutes
• 12:30 am–5:30 am: Every 25 minutes
• 5:30 am–10:00 am: Every 12 minutes

The overnight tram service strengthens links between Athens city centre and coastal areas, giving passengers another travel option during late hours.

Eleven Bus Routes Support Athens Overnight Mobility

The Saturday 24-hour bus network currently includes several important routes connecting residential districts and major transport points.

The routes are:

• 049: Piraeus–Omonia
• 221: University Campus–Academy
• 224: Kaisariani–El. Venizelou
• 421: Agioi Anargyroi–Agia Paraskevi
• 550: Paleo Faliro–Kifissia
• 608: Galatia–Academy–Zografou Cemetery
• 703: Piraeus–Agioi Anargyroi–Adios Eleftherios via Thivon Avenue
• 842: Perama–Korydallos Station
• A15: Larissa Station–Dasos
• B11: Vat hi Square–Lion–Petroupoli
• B12: Attiki Station–Anon Liosia

These routes provide overnight access across different parts of Athens and surrounding districts.

Permanent 24-Hour Transport Routes Continue Across Athens

Alongside the Saturday expansion, Athens already operates several transport routes with permanent 24-hour availability.

These include:

• 040: Piraeus–Syntagma
• 11: Anon Patisia–Neo Pagrati–Near Elvetia trolley route
• X93: Kifissos Intercity Bus Station–Athens Airport
• X95: Syntagma–Athens Airport
• X96: Piraeus–Athens Airport
• X97: Athens Airport–Elliniko Station

The city also operates permanent night bus routes:

• 400: Piraeus–Doukissis Plakentias Station
• 500: Piraeus–Kifissia
• 790: Glyfada–Peristeri–Anthoupoli
• X14: Syntagma–Kifissia

These services ensure passengers can continue travelling even outside the Saturday overnight programme.

Athens Celebrates First Anniversary of 24-Hour Saturday Transport

Athens is marking the first anniversary of the 24-hour Saturday transport initiative with a special event at Syntagma Metro Station.

The celebration will take place on September 12 from 7 pm and will include entertainment activities, performances, games and passenger activities.

The anniversary highlights how overnight public transport has become an important feature of Athens’ modern travel network.

Greece’s Athens Travel Network is getting a major boost as new night buses join the 24-hour Saturday transport service, expanding late-night travel options after millions of passenger journeys showed strong demand for safer and more reliable city mobility.

As more night bus services are planned, the Greek capital is moving towards a more flexible and passenger-friendly transport system that supports residents, workers and international travellers seeking convenient mobility at any hour.