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Getting from Athens Airport to City Centre

Athens is filled to the brim with ancient ruins, monuments and fantastic historical attractions. From the world-famous Acropolis and National Archaeological Museum to the charming neighbourhood of Plaka and the eclectic markets in Monastiraki, there’s so much to see and never enough time. Which is why planning your trip ahead of time can make the world of difference when you’ve got a busy itinerary.

You can travel from Athens Airport to the city centre using 4 different means of transport; taxi, private transfer, metro or bus. The cheapest transportation option is the X95 Express Bus, costing just €5.50 but taking over an hour to get to the centre. The fastest option is a taxi or private transfer, taking just 25 minutes for a door-to-door service. Alternatively, you can use the metro system and pay €9 to get to Syntagma Square in 40 minutes.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Athens at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS
OPTION PRICE DURATION AVAILABILITY
Welcome Pickups €43 25min 24/7 Book
Book
Taxi €44 25min 24/7
Metro €18 40min 06:10–23:34
Bus €11 60min 24/7

How to get from Athens Airport to the city centre by taxi

Getting a taxi from Athens Airport to the city centre is definitely the fastest and most convenient transport option as taxis are available 24/7 and take you door-to-door. The journey will take around 25 minutes to reach the city centre and you’ll pay €44 during the day and €55 at night.

*Please be aware that there are both yellow and black cars waiting outside of Athens Airport. The black cars are actually ‘private hire’ and can cost up to twice as much as the standard yellow taxis.

Taxi fare from Athens Airport to the city centre

Taxis in Athens charge using a taximeter, however, there is a flat fee for routes going from Athens Airport to the city centre. The price of a ride during the day is €44 and a ride at night will cost you €55. If your final destination is outside of the city ring, you will be asked to pay what is on the taximeter.

*It is recommended to book your Athens Airport transport in advance to save time and to ensure a fixed fare with no hidden fees.

Cost

€44

Trip Duration

25 Min

*Rates vary depending on the time of day

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 from Athens Airport.

Where do I get it from?

You can very easily find the designated taxi stand between arrival gates 2 and 3.

Convenience

Walking past long queues and hopping straight into the back of a comfortable Athens taxi is what everyone wants after a long day of travelling. Plus, there’s nothing better than having someone on hand to help you with your luggage and drive you directly to your destination, so that all you need to do is sit back, relax and enjoy your ride.

Editor’s Note

Yes, taxis are reliable and more comfortable than the metro or bus. However, you still have to wait in a queue for your taxi and ask the driver if they know the address of your hotel. This can be a problem as not all taxi drivers in Athens speak English.

Useful Tips

Ask for the estimated fare before getting in a taxi, and mention that you are aware of the flat fee to the city centre.
Most taxis in Athens, even the ones at the airport, have no way of accepting credit cards.
Please be aware that the nighttime prices are approximately 30% higher.
According to Greek law a taxi can carry a maximum of four people at a time, including children.

How to get from Athens Airport to the city centre by metro

The metro service in Athens is a solid mode of public transport to get around on. Line 3 (blue line) runs between the airport and “Dimotiko Theatro” in Pireaus, departing from the airport every 30 minutes and costing €9 for a one-way ticket.

The journey from Athens Airport to the city centre takes around 40 minutes. The main stops in the central area are Syntagma and Monastiraki. We recommend checking which stop is closest to your final destination on Google Maps.

How much is the metro from Athens Airport to the city centre?

A one-way ticket from Athens Airport to the city centre costs €9 and a round-trip ticket costs €16. Children under 6 years old can use the metro for free.

*Tickets can be purchased from ticket booths in the metro station or the self-service machines.

Cost

€9

Trip Duration

40 Min

There is an average waiting time of 30 minutes.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The Metro runs from 06:10­ - 23:34.

Where do I get it from?

The Athens Airport metro station is just a 10-15 minute walk from the arrival gate. You will have to follow the signs to 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

If you are arriving between 06:00 and 23:30, then the Metro is fairly convenient. You will still need to walk 15 minutes from the arrival gate and wait around 30 minutes for your train, but it’s a reasonably fast mode of transportation.

Editor’s Note

The Metro is fairly fast and modern, but you won't be able to see many views of the city while traveling. There is also a question of safety on the Metro when traveling in rush hour.

Useful Tips

The metro departs from the airport every 30 minutes.
Tickets can be bought from the ticket booths or self-service machines at the train station.
Make sure that you scan your tickets on the designed validation machines.
If you plan on using the metro throughout your stay, you can buy day tickets or 10 rides in one go to save money.

How to get from Athens Airport to the city centre by bus

Taking a bus from Athens Airport to the city centre is the cheapest but not necessarily the most convenient option. There are a few express services connecting the airport to various areas around Athens.

The X95 Express Bus departs from Athens Airport and ends at Syntagma Square, in central Athens. Tickets cost just €5.50 and the trip takes around 60 minutes. Keep in mind that the bus can take anywhere up to 90 minutes to get to the centre if traffic is heavy.

How much is the bus from Athens Airport to the city centre?

Taking the X95 bus from Athens Airport to the city centre is the most budget-friendly option available, as a one-way ticket will only cost you €5.50.

*Tickets can be purchased at the ticket kiosk in the bus departure area or on board the bus from the driver.

Cost

€5.50

Trip Duration

60 Min

There is an average waiting time of 20 minutes.

Convenience
Safety
Value for Money

The bus line X95 run 24/7, including public holidays.

Where do I get it from?

Buses can very easily be found at the bus stand, which is located between exits 4 and 5 of the arrivals terminal.

Convenience

Taking a bus from Athens Airport to the city centre is by far the least convenient mode of transport. Due to the city’s old road network and busy roads, you can expect substantial delays and lots of standing around in queues holding your luggage.

However, the buses do run 24/7, so if you arrive outside of metro hours and want a cheap mode of transportation, it may be a good option for you.

Editor’s Note

Useful Tips

Make sure to check how far your final destination is from Syntagma Square, you can always use other express services to reach different areas of the city, such as; X93, X96, X97.
Remember to scan you ticket on the validation machines on board the bus.
Many buses have luggage rails, ask the driver for details.
Children under 6 years old travel for free.

Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups

Book a trained, English-speaking taxi driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular cab from the line

If you feel more relaxed knowing that somebody is waiting for you, you may as well book a Welcome Pickups transfer. As soon as you arrive at the airport you will be greeted by your driver. He will be waiting for you at the terminal of your arrival with a sign that has your name on it. Your driver will help you out with your luggage and together you will make your way to the vehicle. While he is driving you to your accommodation, the driver can give you some tips and recommendations on what to do during your holidays in Athens. Our drivers are hand-picked and speak fluent English. No need to worry about miscommunication issues that you may face with the local taxi drivers regarding your destination. Relax and enjoy your ride.

Best drivers

Hand-picked english-speaking drivers

Flight monitoring

Drivers are always on time

Quality support

24/7 email & phone support

Cancel up to 24 hours before the pickup and get an 80% refund

Edit or cancel transfers

Read more

Prices

DAYTIME
€43
NIGHTTIME
€79
Same price as a regular taxi from the line

PRICES FOR

Sedan Car

4 pax, 4 pieces of luggage

Book Welcome Pickups transfer

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

  • 20 minute gap between transfers

  • Regular Car Sanitisation

  • Contactless ride

  • Sanitiser in every car

Read More

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get from the Athens Airport to city center?

Athens Airport is reasonably close to the city centre. The journey is around 35 km long, so it shouldn’t take longer than 25 minutes by car or taxi. Alternatively, taking the X95 bus will take around 60 minutes to reach the centre and the metro takes between 40-50 minutes.

How much is taxi from Athens Airport to city?

Rides to and from the airport are charged at a flat rate. It will cost €44 to take a taxi in the daytime and €55 at night. Although, if you are travelling outside of the central ring, the fare will be calculated using a taximeter depending on the distance and the time of travel.

How far is Athens Airport from the city?

Athens Airport is located about 35 km from the city centre. If you are travelling by car or taxi, it shouldn’t take you more than 25-30 minutes to reach your destination.

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