Athens Airport to City Centre: Every Option, Every Price (2026)
Metro, bus, taxi or private transfer — a clear-headed guide to getting from Athens International Airport into town, with exact fares and no surprises.
Athens Airport to City: Every Option, Every Price
Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" sits 33 km east of the city centre, off the Attiki Odos motorway. The trip in takes between 35 minutes (metro, off-peak) and 90 minutes (bus, rush hour). All four options below are reliable — the question is how much time and money you want to spend.
At a Glance
| Option | Fare | Journey time | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro Line 3 | €9 single / €16 return | ~40 min | 5:30 am – 12:30 am |
| Express Bus X95 | €6.50 | 60–90 min | 24 / 7 |
| Taxi (day) | €38 fixed | 30–50 min | 24 / 7 |
| Taxi (night) | €54 fixed | 30–50 min | 24 / 7 |
| Private transfer | from €40 | 30–45 min | Pre-booked |
Metro — Line 3 (Recommended for Most Travellers)
The metro is the fastest and most predictable option. Line 3 (blue line) runs non-stop from the airport to Syntagma (the historic centre, 40 min) and Monastiraki (Plaka and the Acropolis, 45 min) without changing trains.
Single fare: €9 — includes 90 minutes of unlimited travel on all metro, bus, and tram services in Athens. Use it to transfer directly to your hotel area.
Return ticket: €16, valid for 48 hours. Good value if you're flying home within two days of arrival and your hotel is near the metro line.
Frequency: Every 30 minutes
Hours: 5:30 am – 12:30 am (no all-night service — take a taxi or the X95 for late arrivals)
Where to board: Follow signs for "Metro" in the Arrivals hall — the platform is in the basement. Ticket machines accept cards; there's also a staffed ticket desk. Validate your ticket at the gate before the platform.
Stops served in central Athens: Doukissis Plakentias → Nomismatokopio → Halandri → Holargos → Papagou → Katehaki → Evangelismos → Megaro Moussikis → Syntagma → Monastiraki → Kerameikos → Egaleo → (continues west to Piraeus)
Good for: Solo travellers, couples, anyone staying within walking distance of the metro line. Not ideal if you're travelling with four large bags.
Express Bus X95 — The 24-Hour Option
The X95 is the airport's only all-night public transport link. It runs directly between the airport and Syntagma Square, stopping at several points along Mesogeion Avenue and Vasilissis Sofias.
Fare: €6.50 — buy from the driver or from the machine at the airport bus stop (cash and card accepted)
Included with: 24-hour, 5-day, and unlimited metro/bus day passes (these cost more upfront but cover all city transport)
Frequency: Every 20–35 minutes depending on the time of day
Journey time: 60–90 minutes. Traffic on the Attiki Odos is light at night and heavy during morning and evening rush hours. Add 20–30 minutes if you're arriving between 7 am and 10 am or 4 pm and 7 pm.
Where to board: Directly outside the Arrivals hall, Exit 4. The stop is signposted; buses are large and air-conditioned with ample luggage space.
Terminal at Syntagma: The bus drops you on Othonos Street, one side of Syntagma Square. From there you can walk to hotels in Syntagma, Monastiraki, and Plaka, or change to the metro or tram.
Return: The X95 departs from Syntagma every 20–35 minutes around the clock. Allow 90–120 minutes before an early morning flight.
Good for: Night and early-morning arrivals, budget travellers, anyone with a valid day pass, and travellers heading to hotels near Syntagma.
Taxi — Fixed Official Fares
Athens has set fixed fares for all journeys between the airport and the city. There is no meter for airport runs — the driver must quote and charge the flat rate. Confirm before you get in.
Official 2026 airport flat fares
| Time of day | Fixed fare |
|---|---|
| Day rate (5 am – midnight) | €38 |
| Night rate (midnight – 5 am) | €54 |
Luggage: €0.50 per bag placed in the boot (standard, often waived)
Tolls: The Attiki Odos motorway toll is included in the flat fare — do not let a driver claim otherwise.
Journey time: 30–50 minutes depending on traffic. At night, closer to 30 minutes; at peak hours, up to an hour.
Payment: Cash is still standard in Athens taxis. Some drivers accept cards; confirm before travel. There is no surcharge for card payment.
Where to find a taxi: The official taxi rank is outside the Arrivals hall, Exit 3. It is well-organised and attended — join the queue. Ignore anyone approaching you inside the terminal offering rides; use only the rank or a pre-booked transfer.
Return to airport: Order a taxi from your hotel or use the Beat app (formerly Taxibeat), which is widely used in Athens and shows the fare before you book. For a guaranteed morning pick-up, book via your hotel front desk the night before.
Good for: Groups of 3–4 splitting the cost, heavy luggage, late-night arrivals, and anyone staying off the metro line.
Private Transfer — Pre-Booked, Door-to-Door
A pre-booked transfer means a named driver waiting in Arrivals with your name on a sign, help with luggage, and a fixed price agreed before you travel. No queuing at the taxi rank, no uncertainty about the fare.
Prices start from around €40–45 for a standard saloon car (up to 4 passengers, 3 bags). Minivans for larger groups are available from around €65.
Book through Viator or GetYourGuide — both offer free cancellation and include driver monitoring of your flight so the driver adjusts for delays.
Good for: Long-haul arrivals when you want no stress, families with children, business travellers, and anyone staying in a neighbourhood that's hard to reach by metro.
Car Rental
All major car rental companies (Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, Sixt, Europcar) have desks on the Arrivals level of the airport — no shuttle required.
When it makes sense: Renting a car is useful if you plan day trips during your stay — Delphi (3 hours), Cape Sounion (1.5 hours), Nafplio and the Peloponnese (2 hours), or the Meteora monasteries (4 hours). Prices start from €25–35 per day for a small car.
When it doesn't: Driving in central Athens is genuinely difficult. Parking is scarce and expensive. Certain inner-city zones are restricted to local residents at certain hours. If you're only visiting the city, leave the car at the airport and collect it on the day you're heading out of town.
If you do rent, return the car a day before your flight and use the metro or taxi back — airport returns during peak hours can be stressful.
Which Option Is Right for You?
1–2 people, standard bags, daytime arrival → Metro. Fastest, cheapest, direct.
Night arrival (after 12:30 am) → Bus X95 or taxi. The metro stops at 12:30 am. The X95 runs all night. For a very late flight or heavy bags, take a taxi.
3–4 people or heavy luggage → Taxi. Split the fixed fare: €38 between four people is €9.50 each — cheaper than the metro.
Long-haul arrival and you just want it sorted → Private transfer. Pay the premium once and walk straight to a waiting driver.
Day trips planned → Rent a car at the airport but leave it there for city days.
Practical Notes
- The airport has a left-luggage service (24 h, near Arrivals) if you need to store bags before check-in at your hotel.
- There is a currency exchange desk in Arrivals, though ATMs give better rates. Euronet ATMs charge high fees — use a bank ATM (Piraeus, Alpha, Eurobank).
- Athens taxis are yellow. If you order via the Beat app, the car colour varies but the app confirms the plate.
- The airport Arrivals hall has free Wi-Fi; buy a local SIM card at the airport if you need data — Cosmote and Vodafone kiosks are in Arrivals.
Book This Experience
Vetted options across every price point and travel style.
Private Transfer: Airport to Athens Hotel
A named driver meets you in Arrivals, handles your luggage, and drops you at your hotel. Fixed price, no meter anxiety.
Private Airport Transfer (GetYourGuide)
Meet & greet in Arrivals, fixed price, free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Sedan or minivan options.
Athens Rent-a-Car — Airport Pick-Up
All major rental companies have desks on the Arrivals level. Useful if you're planning day trips to Delphi, Cape Sounion, or the Peloponnese.