Options to get to the city centre from Athens International Airport
Finding your way at the airport:
Athens airport isn’t a huge airport (it consists of one main and one satellite terminal) and it’s definitely not a chaotic one. There are plenty of signs and English speaking staff to help you find your way.
So, you have three (3) basic options to choose from when you want to get from Athens airport to the city centre:
- Taxi
- Metro
- Bus
To the Athens Airport Taxis: Using the Athens airport taxi service is probably the best option for groups of three or more people, and especially families. The Athens Airport Taxi service has a flat rate of 40€ during the day (before midnight) to the city center. The night time rate is 55€.
The set prices for airport taxis from Athens International change from year to year. You can double check the prices by asking before you get into the taxi.
There is going to be plenty of room for your bags, and the driver can take you directly to your arranged place that you will stay (hotel or other accommodation). This method provides the least hassle when getting from Athens airport to city center.
To the metro/suburban railway station: The airport’s train station is where the Metro and Suburban railway trains depart, from adjacent platforms. The station’s building is at the (airport) Departures level (if you arrive in Athens you’ll take the elevator up) and it’s connected to the main building via a passageway with a moving walkaway. It takes 3 – 5 minutes to get to the station from the main airport terminal’s entrance/exit. Again, follow the signs “to Trains”. You will eventually cross a road, go up some stairs, and then use a bridge over a road system and to the metro station. At the station, there are ticket booths open when the trains are running.
The direct line [Blue Line M3] connects with both “Syntagma” Square in the center of Athens, and with “Monastiraki” which is the next station down. Make sure to ask in which platform you will board to the metro and NOT the suburban train.
Trains run every 30 minutes, 7 days a week from 6:32 a.m. (first train from the airport) to 11:32 p.m (last train from the airport). The trip from/to the Airport to Syntagma station (Athens center) lasts 40 minutes. See the Metro timetable to the airport here. The one way ticket prices are €9.00 for one person. A return ticket is 16.00 Euro.
To the bus departures: Buses and taxis depart just outside the exit at the (airport) Arrivals level. Just follow the “Buses / limousines” signs. At the bus departures area there is also a ticket booth which is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The number of the bus that will get you to to city centre is X95.
At 5.50€ per person, the Athens airport bus is by far the cheapest transport option. There are 4 separate routes, with the x95 Athens Airport Bus to Syntagma Square being the most popular. If you are staying at a hotel near the center, this is the public bus you would take. You can check the timetable here.
Where to buy tickets for the Bus
When leaving Athens Airport Arrivals from the middle doors, turn right. Start walking along the pavement, and you will see a little blue ticket kiosk. You can buy your tickets from this ticket booth.
Once you have them, continue walking along in the same direction looking for the X95 sign. When the bus pulls up, don’t expect an orderly queue Northern European style! Be as quick as you can, and grab a seat!
Once you have your seat, THEN you can validate your ticket in the ticket stamp machine at the center of the bus. If you don’t, you may be standing for the entire journey.
