Getting to and from Athens Airport
Athens Airport sits at Spata on the Mesogeia plain, about 30 km east of Syntagma. Every way into the city starts from the same spot: the metro and railway station is across the road from arrivals over the pedestrian bridge, the express buses leave from the stops between the terminal and the station, and the taxi rank is outside door 3 on the arrivals level.
Which one to take depends on the hour. Between 06:30 and 23:30 the metro is the fastest and most predictable way to the centre. After midnight the X95 and X96 buses are the only public transport, and a taxi with the official flat fare is worth it for two or more people. Nobody should pay by the meter into the centre: the flat fare is printed on the rank board and on the receipt.
Metro Line 3 and the suburban railway
Metro Line 3 (blue) runs from the airport through Doukissis Plakentias to Syntagma in about 40 minutes and on to Monastiraki, Piraeus and the western suburbs. Trains leave every 30 minutes from about 06:30 to 23:30; the airport ticket costs €9 one way (€16 return within 48 hours) and is valid for the connection to any other metro line. Buy it at the machines in the station, not on the platform.
The suburban railway (Proastiakos) leaves from the same station for Athens central railway station (Larissa) in about 45 minutes, and in the other direction for Corinth and Kiato. It is the right choice for Kifissia, the northern suburbs and anyone continuing by intercity train; for the city centre the metro is simpler.
- Airport ticket: €9 one way, valid on the metro and suburban railway with transfers
- Trains every 30 minutes; the last metro leaves the airport around 23:30
- Luggage space is limited at rush hour; stand near the doors with a big suitcase
Express buses X95, X96, X93 and X97
Four express lines run 24 hours a day from the stops outside arrivals, all for a flat €5.50: the X95 to Syntagma via the Attiki Odos and Mesogeion avenue (60–90 minutes depending on traffic), the X96 to Piraeus port along the coast through Glyfada, the X93 to the Kifissos intercity bus terminal, and the X97 to Elliniko metro station. Tickets are sold at the kiosk by the stops and validated on board.
The X96 is the ferry traveller’s bus: it stops right at the Piraeus passenger port gates, runs all night and takes 60–90 minutes. For the KTEL coaches to the Peloponnese and northern Greece, the X93 goes straight to the Kifissos terminal.
Taxi from Athens Airport
The taxi rank is outside door 3 of the arrivals level. Trips to the city centre (inside the inner ring road) have an official flat fare: €40 between 05:00 and midnight and €55 from midnight to 05:00, tolls and luggage included. Everywhere else is metered, with the airport surcharge and the Attiki Odos toll added. Ask for a receipt; the flat fare is printed on it.
Athens taxis are yellow and plentiful at every hour, so pre-booking is only worth it for a minivan or a fixed price to a distant suburb. Ride-hailing apps work at the airport too, with the pick-up at the same rank.
| Destination | Fare | Time |
|---|---|---|
| City centre, 05:00–24:00 (flat fare) | €40 | 35–50 min |
| City centre, 00:00–05:00 (flat fare) | €55 | 30–40 min |
| Piraeus port | about €60 | 50–70 min |
| Rafina port | about €35 | 25–30 min |
| Glyfada / Vouliagmeni | about €40 | 35–45 min |
| Kifissia | about €45 | 35–45 min |
Connecting to the ferries: Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio
Island-hoppers rarely stay in Athens. Piraeus, the main port for Crete, the Cyclades and the Dodecanese, is reached by the X96 bus or by metro Line 3 to its last stop; allow two hours door to gate. Rafina, closer to the airport and the departure point for many Cyclades fast ferries, has a KTEL bus from the airport roughly hourly and is a 25-minute taxi. Lavrio, for Kea and Kythnos, is taxi or KTEL only.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Athens Airport from the city centre?
About 30 km east of Syntagma. The metro takes 40 minutes, a taxi 35–50 minutes depending on traffic, and the X95 bus 60–90 minutes.
How much is a taxi from Athens Airport to the city centre?
A flat €40 between 05:00 and midnight and €55 from midnight to 05:00, tolls and luggage included, for any address inside the inner ring road. Other destinations are metered.
Does the metro go to Athens Airport?
Yes. Line 3 (blue) runs between the airport and Syntagma every 30 minutes from about 06:30 to 23:30, continuing to Monastiraki and Piraeus. The airport ticket costs €9. The station is across the road from the terminal, over the pedestrian bridge.
How do I get from Athens Airport to Piraeus port?
The X96 express bus runs 24 hours a day straight to the passenger port for €5.50 and takes 60–90 minutes. Metro Line 3 also reaches Piraeus in about an hour. A taxi costs around €60.
Is there public transport from Athens Airport at night?
Yes. The X95 to Syntagma and the X96 to Piraeus run around the clock, roughly every 20–40 minutes at night. The metro and suburban railway stop around 23:30.
See also
Prices and timetables are indicative and change seasonally. Confirm before you travel.