Take metro line 3 to Syntagma (about 40 minutes, €9 in 2026), the 24-hour X95 express bus (€5.50) or a taxi at the fixed fare of €50 by day and €65 from midnight to 05:00. The metro suits most daytime arrivals; a taxi is best late at night.
There are three good ways from Athens airport to the city centre: metro line 3 (about 40 minutes to Syntagma, €9 in October 2026), the X95 express bus (cheaper at €5.50 and running around the clock, but slower in traffic), or a taxi at a fixed fare of €50 by day and €65 at night to the central area. For most travellers arriving between early morning and late evening, the metro is the best balance of price, speed and predictability. At night, or with a family and luggage, the taxi wins.
Quick facts
- Airport: Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), at Spata, roughly 30 km east of the centre.
- Metro: line 3 (blue), €9 single, €16 return; about 40 minutes to Syntagma (fares as of October 2026).
- Express bus: X95 to Syntagma, 24 hours a day, €5.50; 45 to 90 minutes depending on traffic.
- Taxi: fixed fare €50 from 05:00 to 24:00, €65 from 00:00 to 05:00, to the central zone (fixed fares raised in September 2026).
- Best choice: metro by day, taxi late at night, X95 on a tight budget or when the metro is not running.
All prices below were checked on the official websites of the metro operator, the Athens transport authority and the airport in October 2026. Fares in Athens have changed several times in recent years, so treat them as a guide and confirm before you travel.
Option 1: Metro line 3
The airport has its own station, reached by a covered walkway across the road from the arrivals level. Blue line 3 trains run from the airport through the northern suburbs and into the centre, stopping at Syntagma, Monastiraki and on towards Piraeus. Syntagma is the stop for Plaka and most central hotels, and Monastiraki is the stop for Psyrri, Thissio and the area around the Acropolis.
Times and frequency
According to the operator’s timetable, the first train leaves the airport at 06:10 and the last at 23:34. Airport trains run roughly every 30 to 36 minutes, so check the departure boards and do not assume a train every few minutes as in the city centre. The journey to Syntagma takes about 40 minutes, and the full run to Dimotiko Theatro in Piraeus a little over an hour. Note that only some line 3 trains continue to the airport; the others terminate at Doukissis Plakentias, so if you are heading out to catch a flight, board a train marked “Airport”.
Tickets
The airport ticket is a special fare, separate from the normal city ticket. As of October 2026 it costs €9 one way and €16 for a return, with a reduced fare of €4.50 for eligible passengers (reduced airport fares now require a personalised card). If you are staying a few days, the 3-day tourist ticket at €20 includes one return trip to the airport plus unlimited travel on the metro, buses, trolleybuses and tram, which makes it excellent value. Buy tickets from the machines or the ticket office at the airport station and validate before you go through the gates. Contactless bank cards can also be tapped at the validators across the Athens network.
Engineering works in late 2026
From 11 October 2026 the operator announced evening works on line 3: from Sunday to Thursday after about 21:40, trains run in two sections with a replacement bus between Ambelokipi and Halandri. If you land late on a weekday evening, check the current announcements on the metro operator’s website or simply take the X95 or a taxi.
Option 2: X95 express bus
The X95 is the cheapest way into town and the only public transport that runs 24 hours a day. It leaves from the bus stops outside the arrivals hall and ends at Syntagma Square, on Amalias Avenue beside the National Garden. Buy tickets at the small ticket booth by the bus stops or use a contactless bank card on board.
- Fare: €5.50 one way, reduced fare €2.70 (October 2026). The ticket is valid only for the express airport lines, not for onward travel on the metro.
- Journey time: around 45 to 60 minutes at quiet times, and up to 90 minutes in the weekday rush hours.
- Frequency: roughly every 15 to 40 minutes, depending on the time of day.
Buses can be crowded in summer, and there is limited room for large suitcases. If several flights land at once you may have to wait for the next bus.
Other express buses
Three other express lines leave from the same area and use the same €5.50 ticket. X96 runs to Piraeus port, useful if you are catching a ferry straight to the islands. X93 goes to the Kifissos intercity bus station, for KTEL buses to the Peloponnese, northern and western Greece. X97 heads to the Elliniko metro station in the southern suburbs, close to Glyfada and the Athens Riviera.
Option 3: Taxi at a fixed fare
Licensed yellow taxis wait at the official rank outside arrivals. There is a fixed fare between the airport and the central zone of Athens (inside the so-called inner ring, which covers Syntagma, Plaka, Monastiraki, Koukaki, Kolonaki and the other central neighbourhoods). Following a ministerial decision published in September 2026, the airport lists the fixed fare as:
| Time | Fixed fare (per taxi) |
|---|---|
| 05:00 to 24:00 | €50 |
| 00:00 to 05:00 | €65 |
The fare applies according to the time you arrive at your destination and includes tolls, luggage and all surcharges. Older guides still quote €40 and €55, the rates before September 2026. For destinations outside the central zone, including Piraeus port, the meter applies instead. App-booked taxis follow the same flat fares for city-centre trips. Expect a journey of about 35 to 60 minutes depending on traffic. Drivers must give you a receipt; ask for one before you get out.
Private transfers
Pre-booked transfers with a driver waiting in arrivals cost more than a taxi but make sense for larger groups, late arrivals with young children, or if you want a fixed price to the suburbs or the port.
Which option should you choose?
For a solo traveller or a couple arriving between 06:00 and 23:00, the metro is the easiest choice: it is fast, unaffected by traffic and drops you in the centre. Two people paying €18 between them is still well under half the taxi fare. A group of three or four with suitcases may find the taxi costs only slightly more than metro tickets and saves you dragging bags through stations. After midnight the choice is between the X95 and a taxi, and after a long flight most people sensibly take the taxi. The X95 suits budget travellers with light luggage and plenty of time.
Once you are in town, our Athens travel guide suggests how to spend your first three days, and our comparison of neighbourhoods to stay in explains which areas are closest to the metro. If the Acropolis is first on your list, read the Acropolis visitor guide before you go, and for ideas beyond the ancient sites see things to do in Athens.
Going straight to the islands or the mainland
Many travellers never stay in Athens at all and head straight to a ferry. For Piraeus, take metro line 3 all the way to Dimotiko Theatro and walk or take a short connection to the gates, or ride the X96 bus, which stops along the port; our guide to Greek ferries explains which gate serves which islands. Rafina, the smaller port for the Cyclades and Evia, is closer to the airport than Piraeus and has its own bus connections. If you are touring the mainland, car hire desks are in the arrivals hall; see renting a car in Greece for licences, insurance and tolls.
Practical tips
- Buy the 3-day tourist ticket if you are staying in Athens for three days or more and flying out within that time; it covers the airport both ways.
- Check the late-evening metro situation in autumn 2026 because of the line 3 works, especially from Sunday to Thursday.
- Use only the official taxi rank and ignore anyone offering rides inside the terminal.
- Confirm the fixed fare with the driver before setting off if your hotel is near the edge of the centre, since areas outside the inner ring are charged by the meter.
- Allow plenty of time on the way back: the airport is busy in summer, and security queues can be long. Aim to leave the centre at least two and a half to three hours before an international flight.
- Keep your ticket until you leave the station or bus; inspectors check and fines are steep.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the metro from Athens airport to the city centre?
As of October 2026 the airport metro ticket costs €9 one way and €16 return. The 3-day tourist ticket at €20 includes one return trip to the airport plus unlimited city transport. Check the metro operator’s website for current fares.
How much is a taxi from Athens airport to the centre?
Since September 2026 the fixed fare to the central zone is €50 from 05:00 to 24:00 and €65 from 00:00 to 05:00, including tolls and luggage. Trips outside the central zone, including to Piraeus, are charged by the meter.
Does the X95 bus run all night?
Yes. The X95 express bus between the airport and Syntagma Square runs 24 hours a day, with lower frequency at night. The fare is €5.50 one way (2026), and the journey takes about 45 to 90 minutes depending on traffic.
What time is the last metro from Athens airport?
The operator’s timetable shows the last train from the airport at 23:34 and the first at 06:10. In autumn 2026 evening engineering works on line 3 affect Sunday to Thursday after about 21:40, so check the latest announcements if you land late.
How do I get from Athens airport to Piraeus port?
Take metro line 3 to its terminus at Dimotiko Theatro in Piraeus, a little over an hour, or the X96 express bus, which runs to the port. A taxi to Piraeus is charged by the meter rather than a fixed fare.
