Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) to Athens
Metro line 3 runs straight to Syntagma in about 40 minutes, and the X95 bus runs 24 hours for a lower fare. Taxis charge a fixed fare to the centre, higher at night.
Best for most people: Metro. Line 3 is direct, avoids traffic on the Attiki Odos and drops you at Syntagma or Monastiraki, close to most central hotels.
All the options
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Hours | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| metro Line 3 (blue) from the airport station opposite Arrivals, across the footbridge | about 40 min to Syntagma | about every 30–40 min on the airport section | about €9 single | about 06:30–23:30 | Some trains terminate at Doukissis Plakentias; change there for the city if needed. Validate your ticket before entering. |
| bus X95 express bus from outside Arrivals to Syntagma | about 60–90 min depending on traffic | every 15–30 min | about €5.50 | 24 h | Other express lines go to Piraeus (X96), Kifisos bus station (X93) and Elliniko (X97). |
| train Suburban railway (Proastiakos) from the same airport station | about 40–60 min | about hourly | about €9 | daytime and evening | Useful for Larissa station and Piraeus, and onward to Corinth and Kiato. |
| taxi Official yellow taxis at the rank outside Arrivals, exit 3 | about 35–50 min | fixed fare: about €40 by day, about €55 at night (00:00–05:00) | 24 h | The fixed fare covers the centre, tolls and luggage. Confirm the fixed price before you set off. |
*Approximate 2026 prices and times. Services change: check the operator before you fly, especially for late arrivals.
Sort it before you land
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Tips
- Buy metro or bus tickets at machines or the ticket desks in Arrivals; contactless bank cards also work at the gates.
- If your hotel is in Plaka or Monastiraki, the metro to Syntagma or Monastiraki is the easiest choice.
- For Piraeus ferries, X96 bus or the suburban railway avoids the city centre.
- Only use the official taxi rank; ignore drivers approaching you inside the terminal.
Common questions
How much is a taxi from Athens airport to the centre?
Athens taxis charge a regulated fixed fare to the city centre: about €40 during the day and about €55 between midnight and 05:00. This includes tolls and luggage. Take a yellow taxi from the official rank outside Arrivals and agree that you are using the fixed fare. Destinations outside the central zone go on the meter.
Is there public transport at night?
Yes. The X95 bus to Syntagma runs 24 hours a day, though less often in the small hours. The metro stops around 23:30 and restarts early morning. If you land very late with heavy luggage, a taxi at the night fixed fare is the simplest option.
How long does the metro take?
About 40 minutes from the airport to Syntagma on line 3, a little longer to Monastiraki. Trains on the airport section run about every 30–40 minutes, so check the next departure on the board before walking over. Some trains end at Doukissis Plakentias, where you change for the centre.
Can I pay by card?
Yes. Ticket machines and desks accept cards, and you can tap a contactless bank card at metro gates and on buses in many cases. Athens taxis are required to accept cards, but it is still wise to ask the driver before you set off.
Compiled by TonyPlan from airport and transport-operator information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.