Athens public transport tickets are now available for purchase online as well as in physical stations, thanks to a much anticipated website redesign released on Thursday.
An accompanying application, which serves a similar function in terms of online ticket sales, is already available for android phones on the Google Play store but has yet to be added to the Apple Store.
Athens public transport tickets go online
The redesigned website of the Athens Urban Transport Organization, oasa.gr, allows commuters and tourists alike to purchase and top up their Ath.ena Cards online.
The comprehensive and handy website is available in both Greek and English, making it as accessible as possible to everyone who uses the trains and buses which criss-cross the city.
Ath.ena cards are valid for use on all forms of public transport in Athens, namely the metro, buses, the tram, and trolleybuses. There are two main forms of ticket for the Athenian transport system — users can either buy hard plastic, permanent cards or a slightly flimsier, disposable version. However, both versions can be topped up at station machines.
The hard plastic cards can now be bought online on the OASA website, with the option of using a personalized card which has a photograph of the user on it or a simpler anonymous version.
On the same site, users can also check how much credit they have available for travel on their cards in order to decide whether a top up is necessary.
The new site also gives users vital information such as live timetables and detailed maps of the transport system, allowing for a much smoother experience when navigating Greece’s comprehensive public transportation system.
The ability to purchase tickets online is sure to be a game-changer for so many people who use the trains and buses which traverse Athens on a daily basis. Commuters, tourists, and anyone who needs to get from A to B quickly are sure to appreciate the new features!
Greece plans to have Thessaloniki metro system ready by 2023
In Greece’s second-largest city, people largely rely on buses, as there are no other major public transportation options. However, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Kostas Karamanlis has promised that the metro will be delivered in full, and in operational order, by April of 2023.
The 3.5-billion-euro Thessaloniki metro project is expected to be completed eight years after the original deadline of 2012. Construction began way back in 2006 but the project was delayed due to a series of extremely important archaeological discoveries.
The antiquities found under the city by metro construction workers date mostly from the 4th century, with some 6th century additions. When completed, the metro system will extend 9.6 kilometers (six miles) with 13 stations.
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