Practical Athens
Airport to the city, made simple.
Every option from Athens International Airport (ATH) into the centre — the blue metro line, the four airport buses, taxi flat fares, and pre-booked transfers. Fares shown are current; buy the airport ticket from the driver or at the station kiosk.
Metro — Blue Line (Line 3)
The fastest way into the city centre. Direct trains run every 30 minutes between 06:30 and 23:30, with stops at Syntagma, Monastiraki, and beyond toward the western suburbs.
- LineLine 3 (blue) — direction Agia Marina / Doukissis PlakentiasLine 3
- Travel time to SyntagmaApprox. 40 minutes.~40 min
- FrequencyEvery 30 minutes, 06:30–23:30.30 min
- Single ticketAirport ticket; valid for a single ride to/from the airport.€9
- Return / groupSame €9 fare each way; cheaper 2-trip packs exist at the machines.€9
Airport buses
Four 24-hour express lines connect the airport to key city hubs. Luggage racks and air-con included; buy the airport ticket from the driver or at the platform kiosk.
- X95To Syntagma Square — the central square, every 30–40 min. Runs 24h.Syntagma
- X96To Piraeus port — for ferries and the coastal tram. Runs 24h.Piraeus
- X97To Elliniko metro (Line 2 south) and the coastal suburbs. Runs 24h.Elliniko
- X93To KTEL Kifissos intercity bus station — the central terminal for coaches to the Peloponnese, Epirus, Macedonia and the Ionian islands. Runs 24h.KTEL Kifissos
- Single ticketAirport bus fare, valid for a single ride on the express lines.€5.50
Taxi & flat fares
Yellow taxis queue outside Arrivals. A flat fare applies to the city centre; meter rates apply outside that zone. Tip is never expected — round up if you like.
- Flat fare (05:00–24:00)Airport ↔ city centre ring (inside Faliron / Katehaki).€45
- Flat fare (00:00–05:00)Same zone, late-night rate.€55
- MeteredOutside the flat-fare zone, the meter starts at €3.71 (day) / €5.16 (night).meter
- TollsAttiki Odos toll (€2.10) is paid by the passenger on top of the fare.+€2.10
- TipNot expected; round up to the nearest euro if you wish.optional
Ride-hailing & transfers
Pre-book if you land late or with lots of luggage. Prices are comparable to a metered taxi but fixed upfront.
- BeatThe Greek ride-hailing app — hail from Arrivals, pay in-app.app
- Welcome PickupsMeet-and-greet transfers; english-speaking drivers, fixed price.pre-book
- Private transferSedan for up to 4 pax — book ahead, ~€45–60 flat.€45–60
The blue Line 3 metro (€9) is usually the fastest balance of cost and speed. The airport buses (€5.50) run through the night when the metro doesn't — and the X93 will drop you at KTEL Kifissos if you're continuing onward by intercity coach. Taxis use a flat fare into the city ring — confirm the rate with the driver before you set off.