Athens Airport Transfer Guide — Metro, Bus, Taxi, and Private Transfers (2026)

Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (IATA: ATH) sits approximately 35km east of the city centre, near the town of Spata. Four main transfer options connect the airport to Athens and beyond: Metro Line 3, express buses (X93, X95, X96, X97), metered taxis with fixed rates, and pre-booked private transfers. Costs range from approximately €6 for a bus to approximately €54 for a night taxi. This guide covers all four in detail, with current fares as of 2026.

Metro Line 3 (Blue Line)

The metro is the most consistent option for reaching central Athens — no traffic delays, fixed journey time, and a station directly below the terminal.

From the airport: The metro station is signposted from the arrivals hall. Walk through the terminal building, follow the blue metro signs, take the escalators or lift down one level. The station is inside the airport complex.

Fares (as of 2026):

• Single ticket: approximately €9 per person
• Return ticket: approximately €16
• 24-hour tourist pass: approximately €11 — covers unlimited journeys on all Athens urban transport (metro, bus, tram) plus the airport link, valid for 24 hours from first validation
• 72-hour tourist pass: approximately €22 — same coverage, valid for 72 hours; good value for stays of 2–3 nights

Journey times:

• Athens Airport → Doukissis Plakentias (interchange station): approximately 10 minutes
• Athens Airport → Syntagma Square (city centre): approximately 40 minutes
• Athens Airport → Monastiraki: approximately 44 minutes

Operating hours: Approximately 06:00–00:00 (midnight). After midnight, the metro does not serve the airport — use an express bus or taxi.

Frequency: Every 30 minutes. The timetable is consistent. In practice, allow time to walk from the baggage hall to the station (approximately 5–10 minutes with luggage).

Luggage: Trains are not always spacious at peak times (08:00–10:00 and 18:00–20:00). Large suitcases fit but you are standing in the doors area. The metro works well for solo travellers and pairs with manageable bags; for families with multiple large cases, a taxi or transfer is more comfortable.

Express Bus X95 — Athens Airport to Syntagma Square

The main express bus route for the city centre. Slower than the metro but useful outside metro operating hours and when travelling with luggage on a budget.

Route: Athens Airport → Stavros → Acharnes → various stops → Syntagma Square
Cost: approximately €6 per person
Journey time: approximately 60–90 minutes (varies with traffic)
Operating hours: 24 hours, 7 days
Frequency: every 15–30 minutes during the day; less frequent overnight

The bus departs from the dedicated bus stop outside the arrivals hall exit (follow the blue bus signs from the baggage hall). Tickets can be bought from the driver or from the ticket machine at the stop.

When to use X95: Late-night or very early-morning arrivals when the metro is not running. Budget-conscious travellers with manageable luggage who are not in a hurry.

Express Bus X93 — Athens Airport to Kifissos Coach Station

Connects the airport directly to Kifissos intercity coach terminal in Athens — the main departure point for KTEL buses to northern Greece, the Peloponnese, Patras, and Thessaloniki.

Route: Athens Airport → Kifissos (KTEL Attikis intercity terminal)
Cost: approximately €6 per person
Journey time: approximately 60–75 minutes
Operating hours: 24 hours

When to use X93: If you are arriving at Athens Airport and travelling onward immediately to another region of Greece by KTEL coach (Delphi, Patras, Corinth, Nafplio, Thessaloniki). This avoids going into central Athens entirely.

Express Bus X96 — Athens Airport to Piraeus Port

Direct route from the airport to Piraeus, the main ferry departure port for Greek island connections. Does not go through central Athens.

Route: Athens Airport → Glyfada → Alimos → Piraeus (Gate E6/E7 ferry terminal area)
Cost: approximately €6 per person
Journey time: approximately 60–90 minutes
Operating hours: 24 hours

When to use X96: Arriving at Athens Airport and connecting directly to an overnight ferry to Crete, Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, or Heraklion without a night in the city. The X96 drops off close to the international and domestic ferry departure gates at Piraeus port.

Check your ferry departure gate before relying on this route — Piraeus port is large and some gate areas require a short walk or transfer within the port complex.

Express Bus X97 — Athens Airport to Dafni Metro Station

Connects the airport to Dafni station on Line 2 (Red Line), giving access to southern and western Athens suburbs without going through the city centre.

Route: Athens Airport → Koropi → Dafni
Cost: approximately €6
Journey time: approximately 45–60 minutes
Operating hours: Approximately 07:00–23:30 (check current timetable at oasa.gr)

When to use X97: If your accommodation is in the southern part of Athens (Kallithea, Nea Smyrni, Moschato) or you want to connect to Line 2 at Dafni.

Taxi from Athens Airport

Licensed taxis operate from the official rank outside the arrivals hall exit. Fixed fare rates are set by law for journeys between the airport and central Athens — you do not negotiate, and drivers cannot charge more than the regulated amount.

Fixed regulated fares (as of 2026):

Destination	Daytime (06:00–midnight)	Night (midnight–06:00)
Central Athens (within ring road)	approximately €38	approximately €54
Piraeus port	approximately €50	approximately €65–70
Rafina port	approximately €30–40	approximately €45–55

Notes on taxi fares:

• Motorway tolls on the Attiki Odos (approximately €3–4) may be added to the above fares — this is legitimate
• Luggage supplements do not apply under Greek law for normal suitcases
• Always use the official taxi rank — do not accept offers from anyone approaching you inside the terminal
• The taxi meter is not used for airport journeys covered by the fixed rate; confirm the destination and the fixed rate with the driver before departure
• Prices are approximate as of 2026; always confirm current rates at the airport information desk or with the driver

Journey time: approximately 35–60 minutes to central Athens, depending on traffic. The Attiki Odos motorway is fast outside peak hours; allow up to 60–75 minutes during morning (07:30–09:30) and evening (17:00–19:30) rush hours.

Private Transfer from Athens Airport

Pre-booked private transfers work particularly well when arriving late at night, travelling as a group, or heading straight to a destination outside central Athens (the Peloponnese, Delphi, Nafplio, or Porto Heli, for example).

Kiwitaxi lets you compare local operators at fixed prices before you travel — no meter surprises. Welcome Pickups offers a meet-and-greet service with flight tracking: your driver waits in arrivals holding a sign, regardless of delays.

Approximate private transfer prices from Athens Airport (as of 2026):

• Central Athens: approximately €45–60
• Piraeus port: approximately €55–70
• Nafplio: approximately €90–120
• Corinth: approximately €70–95
• Delphi: approximately €120–160
• Porto Heli: approximately €160–220

For three or more people, a private transfer often competes with taxis on price while providing more space, a confirmed driver, and hotel door drop-off. For families with children or early morning departures where timing is critical, private transfers remove the uncertainty of queuing at the taxi rank.

Which Option Should You Choose?

Situation	Best option
Solo or couple, daytime arrival, central hotel	Metro Line 3 — fast, fixed cost, no traffic risk
Arrival after midnight	Express bus X95 or pre-booked transfer
Connecting to Piraeus ferry	Express bus X96 (budget) or private transfer (luggage/timing)
Connecting to KTEL coach for another region	Express bus X93
Family or group with heavy luggage	Taxi or private transfer
Late night arrival, want guaranteed pickup	Private transfer via Kiwitaxi or Welcome Pickups
Heading to the Peloponnese or Delphi directly	Private transfer — no taxi will agree a fixed long-distance rate at the rank

Practical Tips

Metro validates at the barrier, not on board. Make sure you validate your ticket at the yellow gates before reaching the platform. Inspectors board trains regularly — unvalidated tickets result in a fine even if purchased.

Night arrivals: The metro runs until approximately midnight. For flights landing after 23:00, allow for the walk to the baggage hall (15–20 minutes) and the journey to the metro; you may just catch the last service. When in doubt, pre-book a transfer.

Peak season queues: In July and August, the taxi rank at Athens Airport can have 20–30 minute waits. If timing matters, either take the metro or pre-book a transfer.

Tickets at the airport metro station: Vending machines accept credit and debit cards. Staff are on hand if the machine is unclear. The 72-hour tourist pass is sold at the ticket office (not always available at machines).

Luggage on buses: Express buses do not have luggage holds — all bags travel in the passenger cabin. This is manageable with one bag per person; for large groups with oversized luggage, a taxi or transfer is far more practical.

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Pre-book your Athens airport transfer to guarantee a fixed price and a driver waiting in arrivals. For a meet-and-greet service with flight delay tracking, Welcome Pickups covers Athens Airport and all onward destinations.

Related Guides

• Athens Travel Guide — what to do once you arrive
• Athens Airport Guide (ATH) — terminal facilities, lounges, and overnight logistics
• Getting Around Greece — ferries, buses, and domestic flights
• Greek Island Ferry Guide — connecting to the islands from Piraeus
• Greece Travel Tips — practical advice for the whole trip

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