The short answer: take the metro to Akropoli
The closest station to the Acropolis is Akropoli on metro line 2. From there the south entrance on Dionysiou Areopagitou is about 5 minutes on foot, and the main west entrance about 12 minutes, along the pedestrian street and up the paved Pikionis path. The Acropolis Museum is right next to the station.
The main entrance on the west side is where tour groups and cruise buses arrive. The south entrance above the Theatre of Dionysus is usually quieter, according to several independent sources. Both have ticket offices and accept the same timed ticket.
Metro stations near the Acropolis
Three stations sit around the hill. Akropoli is the easiest; the other two make sense if you combine the Acropolis with the Ancient Agora or Plaka.
Akropoli (line 2)
Line 2 runs between Anthoupoli and Elliniko through Syntagma. Akropoli is the nearest station for the Acropolis Museum and the south entrance, and the starting point for the walk to the main entrance.
Acropolis Museum →Monastiraki (lines 1 and 3)
Monastiraki is on lines 1 and 3, so it is handy if you come straight from the airport on line 3. From here you reach the Acropolis through the Ancient Agora or on foot through Plaka. Official walking times are not published.
Plaka →Thissio (line 1)
Thissio is on line 1 next to the Ancient Agora. Since July 2025 the Agora is entered and left through the gate on Thissio square, because the main gate on Adrianou is being rebuilt.
Ancient Agora →A 90-minute city ticket costs €1.20 (reduced €0.50), a 24-hour ticket €4.10 and a 5-day ticket €8.20. You can also tap in with a contactless card or phone, but only at the full fare.
Acropolis tickets and tours
Timed tickets with audio guide, guided tours of the hill and combinations with the Acropolis Museum, with live prices and availability.
The three ways into the Acropolis
One ticket, one entry. Whichever gate you use, you need a ticket for your date and time slot, and once you leave the Acropolis or the south slope you cannot go back in on the same ticket.
| Entrance | Where | Nearest metro | On foot | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main entrance (west) | Propylaia side, reached from Dionysiou Areopagitou via the Pikionis path | Akropoli | About 12 min | Ticket office, cloakroom and toilets outside. Groups arrive here. The only entrance for visitors with disabilities and the lift. |
| South entrance | Corner of Dionysiou Areopagitou and Thrasyllou, above the Theatre of Dionysus | Akropoli | About 5 min | Ticket office. Usually quieter. You walk up through the south slope to the rock. |
| Via the Ancient Agora | Through the Agora site at the foot of the hill | Monastiraki or Thissio | Not officially stated | The Agora has its own ticket (€20, reduced €10). Makes sense if you visit both on the same day. |
If you come in through the south entrance, the path leads through the south slope past the Theatre of Dionysus and up to the rock. On the way out, signs after the Beulé Gate point left to the south exit. The Theatre of Dionysus itself is step-free as far as its west entrance passage (the west parodos).
Whatever gate you pick, book the time slot first. The official ticket costs €30 in 2026 (reduced €15) on tickets.hh.gr or at the ticket offices. Free days and reductions are explained on our Acropolis tickets page, and the closing times for each part of the year on opening hours.
The lift for visitors with limited mobility
Since 2020 a lift takes visitors up to the plateau. It is meant for wheelchair users, people with limited mobility and parents travelling alone with two or more small children. It starts from a separate entrance north of the main entrance. A path of about 350 metres, the Peripatos, leads to the lift, which rises about 25 metres to the plateau north of the Erechtheion.
- Main entrance only: ticket check and entry for visitors with disabilities happen only at the main west entrance, not at the south entrance.
- Call ahead: phone the guards' office about one hour before your visit on +30 213 131 7762.
- Staff: wheelchair users always go up with a member of staff.
- Weather: the lift does not run in storms or severe weather. When we checked on 18 October 2026 it was in operation.
- On the plateau: a second lift goes down to an accessible toilet near the old museum. Some slopes are steeper than 6 %.
Visitors with a disability of 67 % or more enter free, together with one companion.
From the airport to the Acropolis
Three options. The metro and the bus both take you to Syntagma, where you change to metro line 2 for Akropoli.
| Option | Price 2026 | Travel time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro line 3 | €9 (reduced €4.50), return €16 | About 40 min to Syntagma | Change at Syntagma to line 2 for Akropoli. The return ticket is valid for 30 days. Normal city tickets are not valid on the airport section. |
| Bus X95 | €5.50 (reduced €2.70) | About 60 min, longer in traffic | Runs 24 hours a day between the airport and Syntagma. |
| Taxi | €40 (05:00 to 24:00), €55 (00:00 to 05:00) | Depends on traffic | Flat fare to the centre, up to 4 people. According to several independent sources tolls and luggage are included; we could not reach an official source. |
Staying a few days? The 3-day tourist ticket costs €20 and includes one trip to and one trip from the airport. Tips for choosing a base close to the hill are on our page on where to stay.
From the port of Piraeus
The express bus X80 runs from Piraeus via the Acropolis to Syntagma. OASA put it back into service on 23 May 2026. How often it runs in winter was not confirmed when we checked, so look at the current timetable before you rely on it. Cruise passengers should keep in mind that many excursions arrive at the main entrance between about 9 and 13 o'clock.
Before you go in: toilets, luggage and rules
Sort these out at the bottom of the hill. There is little up on the plateau.
Toilets
The toilets inside the site are closed for renovation. Use the ones outside: permanent toilets to the right (south) of the main entrance and portable toilets to the left (north). An accessible toilet is in the information centre at Dionysiou Areopagitou 18–20, 50 m east of the south entrance.
Luggage
Large suitcases are not allowed, and the cloakroom north of the main entrance does not take them either. Small backpacks and handbags are fine. If you arrive straight from the airport or a ship, leave big bags at your hotel first.
What not to bring
Food and drinks, smoking and pets (except assistance dogs) are not allowed, and you must not touch or take stones. Bring water anyway, as there is little to drink at the top, and wear flat shoes with grip on the polished marble.
Best time to visit →Getting to the Acropolis: frequently asked questions
Which metro station is closest to the Acropolis?
Akropoli on line 2. The south entrance is about 5 minutes away on foot and the main entrance about 12 minutes. Monastiraki (lines 1 and 3) and Thissio (line 1) are closer to the Ancient Agora.
Which Acropolis entrance is better?
The south entrance is usually quieter, because groups and cruise buses arrive at the main west entrance. Visitors who need the lift or enter with a disability card must use the main entrance.
Can I leave and come back in with the same ticket?
No. The ticket is valid for one entry at your chosen date and slot. Once you leave the Acropolis or the south slope you cannot re-enter on it.
How do I get from the airport to the Acropolis?
Take metro line 3 to Syntagma (€9) and change to line 2 for Akropoli, or the X95 bus to Syntagma (€5.50). A taxi to the centre has a flat fare of €40 by day and €55 at night.
Can I bring a suitcase to the Acropolis?
No. Large luggage is not allowed and the cloakroom outside the main entrance does not store it. Small backpacks and handbags are allowed.