Athens airport: 9 € by metro, 5.50 € by night bus, 40 € by taxi

Athens Airport Eleftherios Venizelos is located far outside the city, and the trip to your hotel takes anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour and a half. Four options connect the terminal to the center: the metro, four express buses, the suburban railway, and taxis. A metro ticket costs €9, the night bus costs €5.50, and a taxi costs a flat €40 (as of 09/2026, OASA fares).

The difference between the options isn't just about price. The train avoids traffic but stops running before midnight. The bus gets stuck in congestion, but it runs around the clock. A taxi drops you at the hotel door, but during rush hour it takes longer than the train. Below you'll find the price, travel time, and the right scenario for each option.

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Four ways to get to the center

💡 In short:

• Metro: Line 3 to Syntagma, €9, about 40 minutes, the most predictable option during the day.
• Bus X95: €5.50, runs around the clock, the cheapest option at night.
• Taxi: €40 during the day and €55 at night at a flat rate, a good deal if you're traveling as a group of three or four.
• Prices and tickets: 09/2026, verified on the official OASA website.

Prices and travel times: 09/2026, OASA express schedules and Hellenic Train.

Metro: Line 3 without traffic

© Bahnfrend · CC BY-SAPhoto: Bahnfrend, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Line 3 was extended to the airport for passengers, so the train runs from the terminal directly to Syntagma and Monastiraki. No transfers are needed along the way, and the trip takes about 40 minutes (as of 09/2026, OASA tickets and fares). The train doesn't get stuck in traffic, and that's the main argument for the metro if you arrive during the day.

An airport ticket costs €9, a round trip costs €16, and for children under 18 and passengers over 65 it's €4.50 (as of 09/2026, OASA ticket prices). A regular city ticket for €1.20 doesn't work on the section from Koropi station to the airport: you'll buy it at the machine, tap it at the turnstile, and won't get through the glass doors. A three-day pass for €20 includes round-trip airport travel and 72 hours of city rides, which is a good deal for a weekend trip (as of 09/2026, OASA passes).

You can pay for your ride with a contactless Visa or Mastercard right at the turnstile: the Tap2Ride system automatically calculates the best daily fare (as of 09/2026, OASA Tap2Ride payment). Maestro and American Express cards aren't supported yet, so keep cash on hand for those.

Ticket machines and counters are located in the arrivals hall and at the station. Metro signs start right in the terminal, and it takes just a couple of minutes to walk to the platform.

• Who it's for: you need the Syntagma area, Plaka, or Monastiraki, and you're arriving before late evening.

• The catch: after midnight there are no trains, and you're left with the bus or a taxi.

Buses X95, X96, X93, and X97

© Yoo Chung · CC BY-SAPhoto: Yoo Chung, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5), Wikimedia Commons

Four express buses connect the airport with the city, and all of them run around the clock, including holidays (as of 09/2026, OASA express bus schedule). If your plane lands at two in the morning, buses, taxis, and transfers are still available: the metro and suburban rail don't run at that time.

• X95 goes to Syntagma Square in the center, about 60 minutes.

• X96 takes you to the port of Piraeus, about 90 minutes. This is the option for anyone transferring straight to a ferry to the islands.

• X93 brings you to the Kifissos bus terminal, about 65 minutes. Useful if you're continuing onward by intercity bus.

• X97 ends its route at Elliniko metro station, about 45 minutes. Convenient if you're staying in the south of the city.

A ticket costs 5.50 €; for children and passengers over 65 it's 2.70 € (as of 09/2026, OASA bus fares). The ticket office is outside the arrivals hall between exits 4 and 5, and you can also pay on board. The express buses make stops in the city, so you can get off before the final stop.

Buses are on the arrivals level: follow the "Bus" signs from baggage claim. Contactless cards are accepted here too: tap your card on the blue validator once when boarding (as of 09/2026, OASA travel rules).

• Who it's for: late-night arrivals, trips to Piraeus, and stays in the south of Athens.

• The catch: travel time depends on traffic; on a Friday evening, the X95 can take over an hour.

Proastiakos suburban rail

© A.Savin · CC BY-SAPhoto: A.Savin, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

The suburban rail connects the airport with Larissis central station and works well if you're continuing by train: to Corinth, Chalkida, or toward the port. The train runs to Larissis station without transfers. If you need the center, get off at Doukissis Plakentias station and change to metro line 3 on the same ticket (as of 09/2026, Hellenic Train schedules).

The ticket is the same as for the metro: 9 € one way or 16 € round trip (as of 09/2026, suburban rail ticket under OASA fare). The full trip to Larissis station takes about 45 minutes.

Many tourists skip this option, and that's a mistake. If you don't need the center but the train station or Corinth, the suburban train saves you one transfer. For trips around Greece, check train tickets on Trip.com in advance.

• How to find it: from the arrivals hall, follow the "Suburban Railway" signs; the platform is next to the metro.

• The catch: without a transfer, you can only get as far as Larissis station.

Taxi: a fixed fare instead of the meter

© Magnus.chronicles · CC BYPhoto: Magnus.chronicles, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Taxis in Athens operate on a fixed fare to the city center. During the day from 05:00 to midnight, the ride costs 40 €, at night 55 € (as of 09/2026, Athens Tourist Information). The price already includes toll roads, surcharges, and VAT: you don't need to pay extra for luggage or late hours.

The fixed price applies only to central districts: Plaka, Syntagma, Monastiraki, and the surrounding area. If your hotel is in another district, the fare will be different, so agree on the price before getting in. The driver is legally required to issue a receipt: if you're asked to pay more, ask for one.

The drive takes 35-50 minutes depending on traffic, longer during rush hour. The taxi stand is right outside exit 3; the yellow "TAXI" signs are visible from the arrivals hall.

• Who it's for: there are three or four of you, you're arriving at night, or you have a lot of luggage.

• The catch: in traffic, a taxi loses to the metro, sometimes by nearly double.

Private transfer and Uber

A private transfer is booked in advance and costs more than a taxi. In return, the driver waits with a sign in the hall, tracks your flight number, and doesn't charge extra for delays. This is the option for night arrivals, trips with children, and large groups.

You can book it before departure: a group transfer from Athens airport on GetYourGuide works well for a group with luggage, and a private transfer with a sign for a couple or solo traveler.

Uber in Athens operates through licensed taxi drivers and keeps the same airport fare, so you'll see almost no savings compared to the taxi stand. The app's only real benefit is paying by card and knowing the exact amount before the ride.

• The catch: this is the most expensive option of the five.

What to choose: a cheat sheet by situation

© Thomas Wolf , www.foto-tw.de · CC BY-SAPhoto: Thomas Wolf , www.foto-tw.de, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.en), Wikimedia Commons

If you arrive during the day and are staying near Syntagma, Plaka, or Monastiraki, take the metro. The ticket costs 9 €, the ride takes about 40 minutes, and traffic jams and transfers don't affect you.

After midnight, the cheapest way to get to Syntagma is bus X95 for 5.50 €. The metro and suburban railway are closed, and a taxi will cost 55 € at the night rate.

To get to the port of Piraeus, X96 is more convenient. Metro line 3 also reaches Piraeus, but the bus ticket is cheaper.

If you're traveling as a group of three or four, a taxi at the fixed rate is a good deal: 40 € for everyone works out to about 10 € per person, just 1 € more than a metro ticket (as of 09/2026, Athens Tourist Information). The car takes you right to the hotel door, no stairs or suitcases to haul.

If you're traveling with kids, heavy luggage, or arriving late at night, book a transfer in advance. For trips further into the country, take the suburban railway from Larissis station.

As of 09/2026, OASA fare information and transfer rate summary.

Practical tips before your trip

• Download the city transit app before you fly: it shows real-time arrival info for trains and buses. Google Maps also works in Athens, but bus data there tends to lag.

• Keep an eye on your bags in the metro at Acropolis, Syntagma, and Monastiraki stations. Athens is not a crime capital, but pickpockets work the tourist crowds.

• Don't count on a taxi during rush hour: from 07:30 to 10:00 and from 16:00 to 19:30, cars sit in gridlock (according to Athens Tourist Information).

• If you don't want to drag your suitcase up and down metro stairs, look for a hotel within walking distance of a line 3 station.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to get from Athens Airport to the center?

The express bus costs 5.50 €, the metro 9 €, a taxi at the fixed rate 40 € during the day and 55 € at night (as of 09/2026, OASA fare schedule). For four people, a taxi is almost the same as four metro tickets. For a budget trip, take the X95; for a fast and predictable one, take the metro.

Does transport from Athens Airport run at night?

Yes, buses X93, X95, X96, and X97 operate around the clock, including holidays (as of 09/2026, OASA night buses). The metro and suburban railway don't run at night. A taxi at the night rate costs 55 €, while the 5.50 € bus usually gets you moving faster than waiting for a car.

Which is faster, the metro or a taxi?

During the day, the metro is more reliable: the train takes about 40 minutes to Syntagma and doesn't depend on traffic (as of 09/2026, OASA trains and tickets). A taxi takes 35-50 minutes, but during morning and evening rush hours it can easily lose an hour. For precise timing, take the train.

Where can I buy a bus ticket at the airport?

The ticket office is outside the arrivals hall, between exits 4 and 5, and metro tickets are sold there too. You can also pay on board the bus with a contactless Visa or Mastercard at the blue validator (as of 09/2026, OASA ticket purchase).

Can I pay for the ride with a bank card?

Yes. Athens has the Tap2Ride system: tap your Visa or Mastercard at the turnstile or validator, and you'll be charged the best available fare (as of 09/2026, Tap2Ride on the OASA website). Maestro and American Express cards are not accepted, so keep some cash for the bus.

In short: what's worth booking

The bottom line on transport is simple: metro during the day, bus X95 after midnight, taxi for four people, private transfer with kids and luggage. You'll get to the center in 40-60 minutes, and to Piraeus on the X96 in about 90 minutes.

If your hotel is in the center, choose accommodation within walking distance of line 3: it saves you evening trips. You can check options and hotel prices in Athens on Trip.com in advance.