Tourist Fined €36 at Athens Airport After Metro Ticket Confusion

Athens, Greece – A recent incident at Athens International Airport's metro station saw a tourist facing a €36 fine due to a misunderstanding regarding public transport tickets. The individual, who stated it was their first visit to Greece, explained they had purchased a metro ticket in the city center with assistance from a local, believing it was valid for their journey to the airport. However, upon arrival at the airport, a staff member informed the tourist that their ticket, which cost €9, had expired as it was only valid for 90 minutes. The tourist expressed frustration, stating they were unaware of this specific time limit and that their bank account was currently frozen, preventing immediate payment of the fine. The tourist requested to speak with a police officer to explain the situation. Subsequently, a staff member presented a document for the tourist to sign, confirming the fine. They were advised to send an email to the public transport company from their home country, Ireland, to lodge a complaint and arrange payment. This incident serves as a reminder for international travelers to thoroughly understand local ticketing regulations to avoid unexpected penalties.