How to get from Athens airport to the city centre
Metro, express bus, suburban railway or taxi? Every way from Eleftherios Venizelos airport to central Athens and Piraeus port, with official prices, journey times and a comparison table.
- Metro line 3 (blue): €9 one way, €16 return, an airport train about every 36 minutes.
- X95 bus to Syntagma Square: €5.50, runs 24 hours. You can pay by bank card on board.
- Taxi to the centre: fixed fare of €50 by day and €65 at night (00:00–05:00), under the new tariff from September 2026.
Landing in Athens? By day the metro is fastest and most predictable. At night, or with lots of luggage, take a taxi or the X95.
In short
Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos, ATH) is in eastern Attica, outside the city. There are four ways to get to the centre: metro, express bus, suburban railway and taxi. Prices here were checked on 3 October 2026 on the official website of OASA, Athens' public transport authority.
Comparison table
| Option | To | Price | Frequency | Approx. journey | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metro line 3 | Syntagma, Monastiraki, Piraeus | €9 (return €16) | About every 36 min | Up to 59 min to Piraeus | Until just before midnight |
| X95 bus | Syntagma Square | €5.50 | Varies | About 1 hour | 24 hours |
| X96 bus | Piraeus port | €5.50 | Varies | About 1.5 hours | 24 hours |
| X97 bus | Elliniko metro station | €5.50 | Varies | About 45 min | 24 hours |
| X93 bus | Intercity bus stations (Kifissos, Liosion) | €5.50 | Varies | About 65 min | 24 hours |
| Suburban railway | Piraeus (via Metamorfosi) | Airport ticket | Up to 1 train per hour | Varies | Per timetable |
| Taxi | Central Athens | €50, €65 at night | Any time | Depends on traffic | 24 hours |
Bus journey times depend heavily on traffic.
Metro: line 3 (blue)
- Price: an airport ticket costs €9 one way (€4.50 reduced for those eligible). Return: €16, with the return valid for 30 days.
- The ticket is valid for 90 minutes on all OASA transport, so you can change lines or take a bus afterwards.
- Frequency: trains to the airport leave about every 36 minutes. Trains that don't continue to the airport terminate at Doukissis Plakentias, so board a train marked Airport.
- Where: the line passes Syntagma and Monastiraki and continues to Piraeus port. The airport–Piraeus trip takes up to 59 minutes.
- Hours: according to STASY, the last trains leave the airport between 23:34 and 23:58. After that, buses and taxis remain.
- Works: until 8 October 2026, Sunday to Thursday, Eleonas, Kerameikos and Monastiraki stations close at 21:40. The airport–Syntagma section keeps running. Check STASY for updates.
- More on the metro: our Athens metro guide.
Express buses
All airport express lines run 24 hours and cost €5.50 one way (€2.70 reduced). According to OASA you can pay the full fare with a contactless bank card or phone (Apple Pay / Google Pay).
- X95 – Syntagma: the most useful line for tourists. Arrives at Syntagma Square, next to metro lines 2 and 3. About an hour.
- X96 – Piraeus port: for those going straight to a ferry. About 1.5 hours.
- X97 – Elliniko: to Elliniko metro station (line 2), in the south. At night (00:00–04:55) it starts from Dafni metro station.
- X93 – intercity bus stations: Kifissos and Liosion, for those continuing by KTEL bus to another city.
Suburban railway (Proastiakos)
Hellenic Train's suburban railway also leaves from the airport station. Line A1 runs to Piraeus via Metamorfosi, up to one train an hour. It is not the most direct way to central Athens but is useful for the northern suburbs. Check the timetable and price on Hellenic Train's website before travelling.
Taxi
- Fixed fare to central Athens: €50 by day, €65 at night (00:00–05:00). This is the new tariff set by a Transport Ministry decision in September 2026. It used to be €40 and €55.
- The taxi rank is at the arrivals hall exit. Agree with the driver before setting off that it is the fixed fare, and ask about any extras.
- In Greece taxis must accept card payment and give a receipt. A sticker on the door says so.
- To Piraeus and destinations other than the centre, the meter applies.
- Apps: Uber and FreeNow operate in Athens. Uber in Greece sends a regular licensed taxi, not a private car.
Airport to Piraeus port
- Metro line 3: direct to Piraeus station, up to 59 minutes. The most predictable.
- X96 bus: €5.50, about 1.5 hours, runs at night too.
- Taxi: by meter.
- Flying straight to a ferry? Leave plenty of time, and check ferry and transport strikes.
Which ticket should I buy?
- 3-day tourist ticket: €20. Includes one airport round trip by metro or express bus, plus unlimited travel in the city. Good value if you stay 3 days.
- The daily ticket (€4.10) and 5-day ticket (€8.20) do not include the airport or the airport express lines.
- Flying back within 30 days? The €16 metro return saves €2.
FAQ
How much is a taxi from Athens airport to the centre?
A fixed fare of €50 by day and €65 between 00:00 and 05:00, under the tariff set in September 2026. You can pay by card.
Does the airport metro run all night?
No. According to STASY the last trains leave the airport shortly before midnight. At night take the X95 bus to Syntagma, which runs 24 hours, or a taxi.
How do I get from the airport to Piraeus port?
The simplest way is metro line 3, which goes directly to Piraeus station in about an hour, or the X96 bus, which runs 24 hours.
Is there Uber in Athens?
Yes, but Uber in Greece sends a regular licensed taxi. FreeNow also operates in Athens.
Prices checked on 3 October 2026 on the OASA and STASY websites. Prices and timetables change, so check again before you fly. Planning a flight? Flights from Tel Aviv to Greece.
