You can get from Athens International Airport (ATH) to the city center by taxi €40 (35-45 min), metro €9 (40 min), express bus €5.5 (60-90 min), or a Welcome Pickups private transfer from approximately €43 (35 min). Prices confirmed August 2026.
Options from Athens Airport to the city
PRICE FOR 
OPTION | PRICE | TIME | AVAILABILITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Welcome Pickups Private Transfer | €43 | 25min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
| Ideal for families and business travelers after a seamless arrival experience. | ||||||
Taxi | €40 | 25min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
| Good for families or groups who haven't booked a ride in advance. | ||||||
Metro | €18 | 40min | 06:10–23:34 | Convenience | Read more | |
| Good for experienced travelers seeking the fastest public transport option available. | ||||||
Airport Express Bus | €11 | 60min | 24/7 | Convenience | Read more | |
| An option for budget-conscious travelers with some time to spare. | ||||||
Video Guide: Getting from ATH Airport to Athens
The official taxi from Athens Airport charges a flat daytime fare of €40 and €55 at night, taking around 35-45 minutes to cover the 33 km distance to the city center. You’ll find the official taxi rank outside Exit 3 of Arrivals. Confirm the fixed fare before boarding and ask for a receipt at the end of the ride.
Cost of a taxi from Athens Airport to the city
A taxi from Athens Airport to the city center costs a fixed €40 between 05:00 and 00:00 and €55 between 00:00 and 05:00.
Where do I get a taxi from?
Official taxis are available 24/7 outside Exit 3 of the Arrivals Level. Politely ignore drivers approaching passengers inside the terminal and use only the official taxi queue.
Convenience
Getting a standard airport taxi at Athens Airport is a reliable choice. The downside is that the airport gets very busy during peak season (June-August), and passengers often end up standing in line waiting for an available taxi.
Useful Tips
Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi
Learn moreThe Athens Metro is one of the best-value options, costing €9 per person and taking around 40 minutes to reach Syntagma Square. The airport station connects directly to the terminal via a covered walkway and serves Metro Line 3 (Blue Line).
How much is the metro from Athens Airport to Athens?
A single airport metro ticket costs €9, while a two-way ticket costs €16 and is valid for 30 days. The ticket is also valid on other public transport services for 90 minutes after validation.
Make sure you purchase the ‘Airport Metro ticket,’ as standard 90-minute tickets are not valid for trips to and from the airport.
Athens metro runs from 06:10 until 23:34.
Where do I get the metro from?
The Athens Airport metro station is a 5-minute walk from the arrivals exits on the departure level. You must follow the ‘Train’ signs as you exit the terminal building. Cross the street, ascend one level via either elevator or escalator, and cross over the pedestrian bridge. Once there, you can follow the signs down to the metro platform.
Convenience
The metro is ideal for budget travelers and those staying near Syntagma, Monastiraki, or stations on Line 3. However, trains can become crowded and may not be suitable for families or those with heavy luggage. Keep in mind you may have to wait for up to 30 minutes for the next train.
Timetables
Line 3 Metro Timetable
Blue Line Athens Airport-Dimotiko Theatro
Athens Metro Tickets
Information about Ath.ena Tickets and Passes
Useful Tips
The X95 Airport Express Bus is the cheapest way to reach central Athens from Athens Airport, costing €5.50 and taking around 60-90 minutes depending on traffic. The bus runs 24/7, making it the best public transport option for late-night arrivals.
How much is the bus from Athens Airport to the city center?
A one-way Airport Express bus ticket costs €5.50 for adults and €2.70 for eligible discounted passengers.
The Express Bus Line X95 runs 24/7, including public holidays.
Where do I catch the bus from Athens Airport?
Airport Express buses depart from the bus area outside Arrivals; look for the blue ticket booth with OASA written on it.
Tickets are available from the ticket kiosk located between Exits 4 and 5.
Convenience
Although it’s the most affordable option, taking a bus from Athens Airport to downtown is the least convenient mode of transport.
Because the journey time depends on traffic levels, you can expect substantial delays during rush hours. Additionally, the bus fills up quickly during peak season, so passengers often have to wait for the next one.
However, the buses run 24/7, so if you arrive outside metro hours and want a cheap mode of transportation, it may be a good option for you.
Timetables
Athens Airport Bus X95
ATHENS AIRPORT EXPRESS BUS TIMETABLE
Useful Tips
A private transfer from Athens Airport takes approximately 35 minutes and generally starts from around €43, depending on destination and vehicle type. Unlike taxis, private transfers offer fixed pricing and personalized meet-and-greet services.
How much is a private transfer from Athens Airport to the city?
Private transfer prices typically start from:
Get a quote for your ride online or in the Welcome Pickups app. Just enter your contact information, flight number, and pick-up time to secure a quote. The quote is all-inclusive and fixed, so even if you get stuck in traffic, you won’t pay a cent more.
Private transfers are available 24/7 from Athens International Airport.
Where do I get a private transfer from?
If you book a private transfer, your local English-speaking driver will be waiting for you at Arrivals, holding a sign with your name. Following a friendly meet-and-greet, your driver will help you with your luggage and lead you to your pre-selected vehicle.
Convenience
Private transfers provide the most hassle-free experience, including meet-and-greets, trained English-speaking drivers, flight monitoring, fixed fares, and 24/7 customer support. They are particularly useful for families, business travelers, and passengers with heavy luggage.
Useful Tips
Sedan up to 4 passengers
€19Starting from 4.8 EUR / passenger
Minivan up to 8 passengers
€70Starting from 8.8 EUR / passenger
Minibus up to 15 passengers
€54Starting from 3.6 EUR / passenger
Frequently asked questions
How much does a taxi from Athens Airport to the city center cost?
Official Athens Airport taxis charge a fixed fare of €40 between 05:00 and 00:00 and €55 between 00:00 and 05:00 for journeys to central Athens. The fare includes luggage charges, tolls, and airport surcharges, and the journey usually takes 35-45 minutes, depending on traffic.
Can I take the metro from Athens Airport to the city center?
Yes. Metro Line 3 (Blue Line) connects Athens Airport directly with central Athens, including Syntagma and Monastiraki stations. A one-way airport ticket costs €9, and the journey to Syntagma takes approximately 40 minutes.
Is there a train from Athens Airport to the city center?
Yes. In addition to the metro, Suburban Railway (Proastiakos) services also operate from Athens Airport. However, most tourists prefer Metro Line 3 for reaching the city center.
How long does it take to get from Athens Airport to the city center?
Travel times depend on the transportation mode:
Traffic conditions can significantly affect road journey times.
What are the transport options from Athens Airport to the city center?
You can travel from Athens Airport to the city center by:
Private transfers offer the most convenient door-to-door service, while the metro and bus are the cheapest options.
How do I get from Athens Airport to the city center?
The best option is a Welcome Pickups private transfer that provides the easiest and most comfortable door-to-door experience, including meet-and-greets, flight monitoring, and fixed prices. The metro offers the best balance between price and speed, while the bus is the cheapest option.
Is Athens Metro available 24 hours?
No. Athens Metro is not available 24 hours a day. Airport metro services generally operate between approximately 06:30 and 23:30, with trains departing every 30-35 minutes.
How do I get from Athens Airport to the city center after midnight?
After midnight, the best transport options are official taxis, Welcome Pickups private transfers, or the X95 Airport Express Bus, which operates 24/7. A private transfer is usually the most convenient option, as your driver will be waiting inside Arrivals and monitor any flight delays.
What is the Athens Airport Metro timetable?
Airport metro services on Line 3 generally operate from around 06:30 until 23:30, with trains running approximately every 30-35 minutes.
Is it safe to book a private transfer from Athens Airport in advance?
Yes. Booking a private transfer in advance is one of the safest and most convenient ways to travel from Athens Airport. Services such as Welcome Pickups offer trained English-speaking drivers, flight monitoring, fixed fares, meet-and-greet services, and 24/7 customer support, helping you avoid taxi queues and potential overcharging.
What is the difference between a taxi and a private transfer from Athens Airport?
A private transfer is pre-booked and includes additional benefits such as meet and greets inside Arrivals, fixed pricing confirmed in advance, flight tracking, English-speaking drivers, and customer support, providing a more seamless arrival experience. Taxis, however, can usually be taken immediately from the airport rank and charge a fixed fare to central Athens.
What is the fastest way from Athens Airport to the city center?
A pre-booked private transfer is usually the fastest way to reach central Athens, taking approximately 35-45 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. It often saves additional time by allowing you to skip taxi queues and head directly to your vehicle upon arrival.
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