Athens: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour & Acropolis with 24/48-Hour Pass

Three Bus Routes Through Athens: From the Acropolis to the Piraeus Waterfront

You board at Syntagma Square or the Piraeus cruise terminal and choose between 24 or 48 hours of unlimited hop-on hop-off access across up to three routes: the year-round Athens circuit hitting the Acropolis and major museums; the seasonal Piraeus route starting at the cruise terminals; and the Beach and Riviera line heading south to Vouliagmeni Lake and coastal towns. Audio commentary in 13 languages, free Wi-Fi, and a complimentary Greek drink are included. You simply exchange your voucher for a printed ticket at any bus stop before boarding.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Athens and Piraeus by bus

• Start at Syntagma Square
• Visit Acropolis and Plaka
• See Acropolis Museum
• Explore The Acropolis & Parthenon
• Visit Temple of Olympian Zeus
• Stop at Parliament and National Gardens
• View National Library
• Visit Ancient Olympic Stadium
• Explore National Archaeological Museum
• Hop on Piraeus Route at Acropolis
• Visit Municipal Theatre and Niarchos Foundation
• See Cruise Terminals A & B
• Stop at Lions Gate and Archaeological Museum of Piraeus
• Visit Mikrolimano Harbour and Votsalakia Beach
• Return to Acropolis & Parthenon interchange

The experience

"How much time do we actually have in port?" That's the first thing you ask when the ship docks at Piraeus, and it's the question this tour answers. You grab a hop-on hop-off bus pass (either 24 or 48 hours), and suddenly the whole city opens up without the scramble of arranging taxis or timing yourself against the ship's departure. The Athens route runs year-round, with buses leaving Syntagma Square every 20 to 30 minutes starting at 8:30am, so you can board whenever you clear the terminal and step off whenever something catches your eye.

The three routes cover different ground. The Athens route itself loops through the obvious landmarks (the Acropolis and Parthenon, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the National Archaeological Museum, the Ancient Olympic Stadium) with on-board audio commentary in 13 languages so you're not just looking at old stone, you're hearing why it matters. The Piraeus route (April through October) runs from the cruise terminals themselves, which saves you a transfer, and swings past the Niarchos Foundation, Mikrolimano Harbour, and the Planetarium before looping back to the Acropolis as an interchange point. If you want to skip the ruins for a few hours, the Beach and Riviera route heads south to Vouliagmeni Lake, Glyfada, and the coastal stretches where you can actually sit down and breathe.

What makes this work for cruise passengers is the flexibility. You're not locked into a guided group or a fixed itinerary. You hop off at the Temple of Zeus, spend 45 minutes, then catch the next bus. The Acropolis Museum, the Benaki Museum, the National Library: they're all stops, not detours. You get a free glass of Greek wine or beer at one of the partner bars, Wi-Fi on the bus, and a printed ticket you keep with you the whole time. The 90-minute Athens loop takes about as long as a single route, so even if you only have four hours in port, you can see the Acropolis, the Temple of Zeus, and the National Gardens without missing the ship.

What’s included

• 24 or 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus pass.
• access to up to 3 bus routes (Athens, Piraeus, and Beach/Riviera).
• on-board audio guide commentary in 13 languages with headphones.
• free glass of Greek wine or beer.
• free Wi-Fi on all buses.
• stops near major sights including the Acropolis, Temple of Zeus, National Archaeological Museum, Acropolis Museum, and Vouliagmeni Lake.

Options for this experience

3 options

24-hour ticket for the Athens lineNo fixed time

48-hour ticket for the Athens lineNo fixed timeExplore the Athens line on our 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus ticket.

48-Hour All LinesNo fixed timeUse our 48-hour hop-on hop-off bus ticket to explore the Athens, Piraeus and Beach Riviera lines.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Dutch, Greek, Hebrew, Japanese, Russian and Turkish

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by City Sightseeing Ltd - Europe

Is this one for you?Built for cruise passengers with a few hours in port: the pass starts when you board and the Piraeus route begins at the cruise terminals themselves, so you skip the transfer and use every minute of your stop without calculating return times.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

Can I board at the cruise terminal if my ship docks at Piraeus?

Yes. Stops 4, 5, and 6 on the Piraeus route are nearest the cruise terminals. If your ticket includes the Piraeus route, you can board there directly.

How often do the buses run?

The Athens route departs every 20 to 30 minutes between 8:30am and 6:30pm. The Piraeus and Beach routes run hourly between 11am–5pm and 9am–5pm respectively (April–October only).

What happens if I don't use my pass within the 24 or 48 hours?

Your voucher is valid for up to 12 months from your selected travel date, so you can use it on a future visit if needed.

Do I need to book specific stops in advance?

No. You exchange your voucher for a printed ticket at any bus stop or on the bus, then hop on and off as you choose within your time window.

Is the Piraeus route available year-round?

No. The Piraeus, Beach, and Riviera routes operate April through October only. The Athens route runs all year except 17 November, 25 December, and 1 January.

Can I bring a stroller or wheelchair?

Yes. The buses are wheelchair accessible, and infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller.

What languages is the audio commentary available in?

The on-board audio guide is available in 13 languages, and headphones are provided.

What if I need to return to the ship quickly?

The Athens route runs every 20–30 minutes, so you can catch the next bus back to Syntagma or the Piraeus terminals without long waits. Plan your stops accordingly if your ship departs in the afternoon.