Athens is a city with a rich history spanning over 3,000 years. As the capital of Greece and one of the oldest cities in the world, Athens is home to some of the most famous archaeological sites and museums. When visiting Athens, choosing the right ticket can save you time and money while ensuring you get to see the top attractions. This article will compare the different types of tickets available and examine the pros and cons of each to help you decide which is the best option for your trip.
Acropolis and Ancient Agora
The Acropolis and Ancient Agora are two of the most iconic and popular archaeological sites in Athens. Perched atop a rocky hill overlooking the city, the Acropolis is home to ancient monuments like the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike. At the base of the Acropolis lies the Ancient Agora, an open-air archaeological site with various temples, stoas, and other ancient structures. Most tickets allow access to both these sites.
Acropolis Museum
The state-of-the-art Acropolis Museum opened in 2009 to house sculptures and artifacts found at the Acropolis archaeological site. With over 4,000 priceless works spread across three floors, it provides invaluable insights into ancient Greek art and culture. The top floor offers breathtaking views of the Acropolis.
National Archaeological Museum
Considered one of the great museums of the world, the National Archaeological Museum in Athens holds the richest collection of ancient Greek artifacts. It displays over 11,000 exhibits spanning several millennia and covering important periods like Mycenaean Greece, the Geometric Period, Classical Greece, and more.
Types of Tickets Available
There are several types of tickets available for the top sites in Athens:
Individual Site Tickets
You can purchase single entry tickets for each site. These allow access only to that particular location.
– Acropolis ticket – 20 EUR
– Acropolis Museum ticket – 10 EUR
– Ancient Agora ticket – 10 EUR
– National Archaeological Museum ticket – 10 EUR
Multi-site Tickets
These joint tickets grant access to a predetermined combination of sites for a discounted price.
– Acropolis, Ancient Agora & one museum ticket – 30 EUR
– Acropolis & its slopes ticket – 30 EUR (includes Ancient Agora, Herodion Theater, Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Stoa of Eumenes)
– Acropolis, Ancient Agora & both museums ticket – 40 EUR
Passes
Unlimited passes allow you to visit multiple attractions over a set number of days.
– 3 day Athens pass – 45 EUR (includes entry to Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Ancient Agora + 20 more sites)
– 5 day Athens pass – 65 EUR
– 7 day Athens pass – 85 EUR
Comparing the Ticket Options
To determine the best ticket option for your needs, consider these key factors:
Attractions covered
The more attractions covered by a single ticket, the greater its value. Multi-site and pass options grant access to various combinations of must-see locations.
Validity
Single entry tickets are valid only for one-time admission. Multi-site tickets allow a single entry to each included site. Passes permit unlimited repeat visits within their validity period.
Duration of stay
For a short 1-2 day trip, single or multi-site tickets suffice. For longer stays, passes become worthwhile by covering more ground over an extended time frame.
Budget
Individual and multi-site tickets work for budget travelers looking to visit select attractions. Unlimited passes cost more but offer savings compared to purchasing separate tickets.
Crowds
In high season, passes allow you to visit when sites are less crowded, maximizing enjoyment. With individual tickets, you are locked into one specific time slot.
Opening hours
Sites have different opening times. With a pass you can be flexible and adjust plans according to hour restrictions. Single entry tickets are time-bound.
Comparing Prices of Ticket Options
To clearly visualize the cost difference, here is a table comparing prices of popular ticket combinations:
Ticket Type | Attractions Covered | Price |
---|---|---|
Individual Tickets | Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Ancient Agora, National Archaeological Museum | 50 EUR |
Multi-site Ticket | Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Ancient Agora | 30 EUR |
Multi-site Ticket | Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Ancient Agora, National Archaeological Museum | 40 EUR |
3 Day Pass | Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Ancient Agora + 20 more sites | 45 EUR |
As evident from the table, the 3 day pass offers the lowest per site price despite being an unlimited option. You would break even with a pass by visiting just 4 attractions.
Recommendation: 3 Day Athens Pass
Based on the key factors and price comparison, the 3 day Athens Pass emerges as the best value ticket option for most visitors.
Here’s why it beats the rest:
- Covers all top sites like Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Ancient Agora plus many more attractions (over 20).
- Allows unlimited repeat visits within 3 days to see sites at your own pace.
- Ideal for an average 2-4 day Athens trip.
- Cheaper than buying individual entry tickets to the top sites.
- Provides flexibility to come and go as you please.
- Saves time by skipping ticket queues.
- Available as a mobile pass on your phone or as paper pass.
With the freedom to come and go from the major archaeological sites and museums, the 3 day Athens Pass takes out the stress of pre-planning every day. You can check opening hours in the morning and then spontaneously decide where you want to visit. Being able to revisit means you can split up huge sites like the Acropolis into multiple trips.
The pass also covers slightly farther flung but worthwhile attractions like the ancient sites of Cape Sounion, Epidaurus, and Mycenae. Having nearly free rein of the city’s treasure troves of history for 3 whole days is what makes the Athens Pass such a stellar choice.
Planning Your Itinerary
To make the most of the 3 day Athens Pass, here are some tips for planning your itinerary:
Must see sites
Use your first 1-2 days to visit the headliners like the Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Ancient Agora and National Archaeological Museum.
Mix in secondary sites
Dot your itinerary with smaller sites like the Roman Agora, Hadrian’s Library, Temple of Olympian Zeus as you travel between the major attractions.
Allot time slots
Figure out opening and closing times online for each site. Slot in which ones you want to see when.
Do “neighborhood days”
Group sites together by location e.g. Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, and the Acropolis can be done in a single Plaka day.
End with farther sites
Keep Cape Sounion, Epidaurus etc. towards the end of your pass when you have seen the city’s main attractions.
Check for free entry days
Some sites like the National Archaeological Museum offer free entry on certain days. Adjust your schedule accordingly.
Be prepared
Carry hats, water, snacks, sunscreen and wear comfortable shoes. Athens can get very hot.
Visit early/late
Schedule for early morning or late afternoon to avoid intense heat and crowds at major sites.
Saving More with Discount Passes
The standard published rate for the 3 day Athens Pass is 45 EUR. However, you can find discounts on reseller sites that bring down the price further.
Some ways to get a cheaper pass are:
- Look for online deals on sites like Trip.com, Expedia, GetYourGuide etc. Discounts can range from 10-15%.
- Buy Athens Pass as a combo deal when booking flights and hotels and save up to 20%.
- Search for special limited period promotions that offer early bird discounts.
- Sign up on the Athens Pass website to get access to members only flash sales.
- Consider purchasing during the off-season winter months when passes are generally cheaper.
Scoring an affordable pass will maximize your savings on what is already the best sightseeing deal in Athens.
Conclusion
To enjoy Athens’ historical treasures while minimizing hassles and costs, the 3 day Athens Pass is the best bet for most visitors. It offers an unbeatable combination of:
- Unlimited access to all top sites and museums
- Discounted price compared to individual tickets
- Complete flexibility to create your own itinerary
- Option to revisit favorite sites
With special online deals, you can grab the 3 day pass for under 40 EUR and save immensely over single entry tickets. An Athens trip merits this small splurge on the freedom to uncover the city’s ancient secrets at your own pace.