Getting Around
Athens Airport to City Centre: Every Option Compared
Metro, express bus, or taxi — here's how to pick based on your luggage, budget and what time you land.
Athens International Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos, code ATH) sits about 35km southeast of the city center — far enough that the transport choice genuinely matters, especially after a long-haul flight.
Metro Line 3 — the best all-rounder
The metro runs directly from the airport into the city center, reaching Syntagma in around 40 minutes, with no interchange needed for most central hotels. It runs roughly every 30 minutes and operates from early morning into the evening (it does not run 24 hours). This is the best option if you're not overloaded with luggage and aren't landing in the middle of the night.
Express buses — cheapest option
Airport express buses (the X95 to Syntagma, and others to Piraeus port and different city areas) run around the clock, which the metro doesn't, making them the fallback for late-night or very early arrivals. They're cheaper than the metro but slower, especially in daytime traffic.
Taxi — easiest with luggage
Airport taxis operate on a fixed fare to central Athens (a different, higher fixed fare applies at night), which removes any haggling or meter anxiety. It's the most comfortable option with bags or with kids, and worth the extra cost if you're landing exhausted.
Ride-hailing apps
Uber operates in Athens but functions more like a licensed taxi dispatch than in some other cities — fares are broadly comparable to the fixed taxi rate. Useful if you want app-based booking and payment.
Which should you pick?
Landing during the day with reasonable luggage and a central hotel: take the metro. Landing at night, very early, or with a lot of luggage: take a taxi. Traveling on the tightest possible budget and not in a hurry: the express bus.
Heading straight to a ferry?
Some airport buses run directly to Piraeus port, skipping the city centre entirely — useful if you're connecting straight to an island. See our Piraeus guide for finding your gate once you're there.