Athens Airport: How to Get from Athens Airport to the City

Transfer Overview: From Athens Airport to the City Center

Here’s a quick overview of all your options for getting from the airport to the center of Athens.

Extra tip: If your flight is ever delayed, our article on flight delay compensation gives you tips on how you can get your money back.

Our Tip: Taking the Metro from Athens Airport

• Price: €9
• Travel time: 40 minutes
• Operating hours: 05:30 – 23:00
• Frequency: Every 30 minutes

There’s a metro station right at the airport, and it’s well signposted throughout the entire building — you really can’t miss it.

At the station you’ll find ticket machines where you can switch the language to English. That’s where you buy the Airport Metro Ticket for €9. Just hold the ticket up to the reader at the platform and you’re in.

Important: Hold onto your ticket — you’ll need to tap out again when you exit the metro network.

From the airport, only Line M3 to Piraeus runs (final stop: Dimotiko Theatro). After about 40 minutes, it stops in the city center at Monastiraki and Syntagma Square — both seriously convenient spots to start your Athens trip.

You can find the full timetable and station list for metro line 3 to the airport on the official STASY website.

Private Airport Transfer from Athens Airport

• Price: Around €55
• Travel time: 30 minutes

A private airport transfer makes the most sense when you have a lot of luggage or are traveling to Athens with a group. Your driver will already be waiting when you land and will take you directly to your hotel door.

Honestly, it’s the most stress-free option — you don’t have to think about a thing.

Private transfer from Athens Airport to central Athens

Taking a Taxi to the City Center

• Price: €45–55
• Travel time: 30 minutes

A taxi is a great choice when you need a quick, spontaneous ride to your hotel. The taxi stand is right outside the arrivals area — easy to find.

Just make sure the taxi meter is running so you don’t end up overpaying. Fares vary slightly by time of day, but you’ll typically pay around €45.

Picking Up a Rental Car at Athens Airport

Renting a car makes the most sense if you’re planning lots of day trips from Athens or want to keep exploring Greece after your city stay.

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Our tip: If you’re just doing a short trip to Athens, you really don’t need a car — all the top sights in Athens are easily walkable or reachable by public transit.

Athens Airport Bus

• Price: €5.50
• Travel time: 60 minutes
• Operating hours: 24 hours
• Frequency: Every 30–60 minutes

The bus is the cheapest way to get from Athens Airport to the city center — though it’s also the slowest.

You’ll find the bus stop on the arrivals level. There are four express routes. Route X95 heads to Syntagma Square and Route X96 goes to Piraeus.

You can grab your ticket at the counter by the stop or directly from the driver.

Taking the Suburban Rail to Athens

• Price: €9
• Travel time: 45 minutes
• Operating hours: 05:50 – 23:00
• Frequency: Every 40–60 minutes

The suburban rail (Proastiakos) runs from the airport to Larissa Station — essentially Athens’ main train station. You use the same ticket as for the metro.

Since Larissa Station is a bit removed from the city center, this option really only makes sense if you’re heading straight from the airport to another city in Greece.

Our tip: If you need to get from Athens Airport to Piraeus, the suburban rail is a great choice — the train runs all the way through to Piraeus. The journey takes about one hour.

Extra Tip: Staying Overnight at Athens Airport

If you have a layover in Athens or an early flight, you can stay overnight right at the airport — which honestly saves a lot of stress.

Sofitel Athens Airport: the only hotel located directly at the airport.

Cinema Zeus Studios: a more affordable alternative, just 5 km from the airport.

Extra tip: If your flight is ever delayed, our article on flight delay compensation gives you tips on how you can get your money back.

Frequently Asked Questions About Athens Airport