Athens International Airport – or Eleftherios Venizelos, as the Greeks call it – is located 33 km southeast of the city centre. That sounds far, but it’s actually quite easy to get into town. You have four options: metro, bus, train and taxi.
I’ll go through all of them here so you can choose the one that best suits your trip.
1. Metro (Line 3 – The Blue Line)
The metro is my preferred way to get from the airport to Athens. Line 3 runs directly from the airport to Syntagma (40 minutes) and on to Monastiraki (42 minutes) – both stations are right in the city centre, close to the Acropolis and Plaka.
A perfect starting point if you want to experience the best things to do in Athens.
Price and Tickets
A single ticket costs €9. A return ticket costs €16 and can be paid for straight away. Children, young people under 18 and seniors over 65 pay half price (€4.50). Important: a standard metro ticket at €1.20 does NOT apply on the route to and from the airport. You need a special airport ticket.
Since January 2025 you can also simply tap your contactless payment card (Visa or Mastercard) or your phone directly at the entrance.
The system is called Tap2Ride and automatically calculates the cheapest fare. Note that Maestro, Amex and other cards don’t work yet.
If you’re going to use public transport in Athens for several days, it may be worth buying a 3-day tourist pass for €20. It includes one return trip to the airport plus unlimited transport in the city for 72 hours. It’s available at ticket counters at the airport and at stations such as Syntagma, Monastiraki and Omonia.
Departures and Journey Time
The metro runs from the airport between 06:30 and 23:30, with departures every 36 minutes. The journey to Syntagma takes approximately 40 minutes. It’s fast, reliable and free from traffic – unlike a taxi, which can take over an hour during rush hour.
The metro station at the airport is easy to find. Follow the signs from the arrivals hall and you’re there in two minutes. Check the STASY website for current times, or see the airport’s transport page for a complete overview.
2. Airport Bus (X95, X96, X93, X97)
If you land late at night or early in the morning, the airport bus is your best bet. The buses run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – including on public holidays. It’s the only public transport that operates when the metro is closed.
The Four Routes
There are four express routes from the airport:
X95 – the most popular. Runs directly to Syntagma Square in the city centre. Journey time: approximately 60 minutes. This is the one to take if you’re staying in the centre, near Plaka, Monastiraki or the Acropolis area.
X96 – runs directly to Piraeus Port. Journey time: approximately 90 minutes. Perfect if you’re continuing by ferry to the Greek islands (such as Crete, Corfu, Santorini or Mykonos).
X93 – runs to Kifissos Bus Station (KTEL). Journey time: approximately 65 minutes. Relevant if you’re continuing by long-distance bus to other parts of Greece.
X97 – runs to Elliniko Metro Station. Journey time: approximately 45 minutes. Most relevant if you’re staying in the southern part of Athens.
Price and Tickets
A single ticket costs €5.50 (€2.70 for children, young people and seniors). Tickets can be bought at the ticket booth outside the arrivals hall, between exits 4 and 5. You can also buy a ticket directly on the bus.
The buses stop at the Arrivals Level, and you can’t miss the stop. Follow the signs towards “Bus” from the baggage reclaim area. See current routes and timetables on the OASA website.
3. Suburban Train (Proastiakos)
The suburban train – Proastiakos – is an option most tourists overlook, but it can be practical in certain situations. The train connects the airport with Athens Central Station (Larissis Station) in approximately 45 minutes.
Trains depart every 15-25 minutes to Doukissis Plakentias station, where you can change to Metro Line 3 using the same ticket. It’s the same ticket as the metro airport ticket at €9.
Proastiakos is most relevant if you’re continuing by train out of Athens – for example to Corinth or Chalkida. For most tourists heading to the centre, however, the metro is the better choice because you avoid having to change.
More information about times and routes can be found on the Hellenic Trains website.
4. Taxi
A taxi is the easiest option, especially if you land with a lot of luggage or are travelling in a group. The taxi rank is just outside exit 3 in the arrivals hall – follow the yellow “TAXI” signs.
Prices
There are fixed prices from the airport to the city centre:
- Day rate (05:00-00:00): €40
- Night rate (00:00-05:00): €55
The prices include tolls, surcharges and VAT. Nothing should be added on top. If a driver tries to charge more, ask for a receipt – they’re required by law according to the airport’s official rules.
Important: the fixed price applies ONLY to central Athens (Plaka, Syntagma, Monastiraki and similar areas). If you’re heading to a different neighbourhood, the price may vary. Always agree on the price with the driver before you get in.
If you’re unsure which neighbourhood to stay in, I’ve written a massive guide on where to stay in Athens.
Journey Time
Allow 35-50 minutes depending on traffic. During rush hour (approximately 07:30-10:00 and 16:00-19:30 on weekdays) it can take longer. The metro is actually faster during those periods.
5. Private Transfer and Uber
If you want to avoid the taxi queue and have a driver waiting for you with a name sign, you can book a private transfer in advance. It costs a little more than a taxi, but it gives you peace of mind – especially if you land late, have a lot of luggage, or are travelling with children.
You can book a private transfer from Athens Airport via GetYourGuide. The driver tracks your flight and adjusts the pick-up time if the flight is delayed.
Uber exists in Athens but in practice works through local, licensed taxi drivers. Prices follow the fixed airport rate, so there’s no significant saving compared to a regular taxi from the rank.
Which Should You Choose? My Top Advice
Here’s my recommendation based on different situations:
For most people: Take the metro. It’s fast, cheap and runs directly to the city centre. €9, 40 minutes, no stress with traffic. Especially if you’re staying near Syntagma or Monastiraki, it’s a no-brainer.
If you land at night: Take the X95 bus to Syntagma. It runs all night, and €5.50 is hard to beat. The journey takes a bit longer, but it’s your only public transport option after 23:30.
If you’re heading to Piraeus Port: Take the X96 bus directly from the airport. You can also take the metro all the way (Line 3 now runs directly to Piraeus), but the bus is cheaper.
If there are 3-4 of you: A taxi at €40 during the day is actually good value when you split it. That’s €10 per person – only one euro more than the metro – and you’re driven straight to your hotel.
If you want it easy: Book a private transfer in advance. Particularly smart for late arrivals or if you have children and suitcases.
Practical Travel Tips for Airport Transport in Athens
Download the Athens Transport app before you travel. It shows real-time information for the metro and buses. You can also use Google Maps, which is quite accurate for public transport in Athens.
Have cash ready for the bus if your card isn’t Visa or Mastercard. The ticket sales at the airport do also accept cards, however.
Watch out for pickpockets on the metro – especially at Acropolis station and Syntagma, where it’s packed with tourists. Keep an eye on your belongings and don’t keep your wallet in your back pocket. It’s no worse than other major cities, but common sense is always a good idea.
Rush hour in Athens is brutal. Avoid taxis between 07:30-10:00 and 16:00-19:30 on weekdays if you can. The metro isn’t affected by traffic and is clearly the smartest choice during those periods.
If you want to stay close to a metro station so the city centre is easy to reach from the airport, you can see hotels near Syntagma here. Plaka and Monastiraki are also great bases – both are within walking distance of the metro station.
Check out all my Greece Travel Guides here.
Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇
• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers
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