I’m here to help you navigate your way from Athens Airport to your hotel. Whether you’re looking to save money or find the most convenient option, I’ve got you covered. Let’s dive into your options, starting with the metro.
1. Airport Metro
The first and most budget-friendly option is the metro. The blue line connects Athens Airport directly to the city center, with stops at Syntagma and Monastiraki stations. The ride takes about 40 minutes. If your hotel is not directly on the blue line, don’t worry—Syntagma connects to the red line, and Monastiraki connects to the green line, making transfers easy.
Walking from the Terminal to the Metro Station
After collecting your luggage, exit the terminal and take a left. Follow the signs to the first exit on the right. You’ll cross the road and go left, passing the Sofitel Hotel—perfect if you want to stay close to the airport, though it’s a five-star hotel and not the cheapest option.
Once you reach the escalators, head up and turn right into a long corridor. There are plenty of signs along the way, so even if you forget my directions, you should be fine. At the end of the corridor, you’ll find the metro station.
Buying Your Metro Ticket
Now that you’re at the metro station, it’s time to buy your ticket. There are three main options:
- One-way ticket: €9, valid for 90 minutes.
- Round-trip ticket: €16, valid for 30 days after the first use.
- 3-day tourist ticket: €20, allows unlimited travel on all public transport for 72 hours.
Note that the return trip to the airport must be within 72 hours, so if you’re staying longer, this might not be the best option.
Other ticket options, like the 5-day pass, don’t cover airport transfers, but I’ll cover those in a future article.
How to Use the Ticket Machines
To buy your ticket, start by selecting your language on the machine. For a one-way ticket, choose “Athens & Airport,” then select the 90-minute option. For a round-trip ticket, go back to the main menu, select “Athens & Airport, Round,” and choose the 90-minute option again. If you want the 3-day tourist ticket, it’s right there under the same menu.
Once you’ve selected your ticket, proceed to payment. You can pay with cash or card. After purchasing, remember to validate your ticket before heading to the platform.
Finding the Right Track and Metro Timings
After validating your ticket, head down to the platform. You’ll be in the middle of two tracks—take the one marked “Metro.” Trains run every 40 minutes or so, so check the timetable to avoid long waits. If you arrive at night, when the metro isn’t running, consider taking the X95 bus instead. It’s more prone to traffic delays, but it’s an option if your hotel is close to one of its stops. The bus costs around €6 and runs every half hour.
Taking the Metro Back to the Airport
When you’re heading back to the airport, make sure you’re on the blue line at either Monastiraki or Syntagma. Not all blue line trains go to the airport—most stop at Doukissis Plakentias. Only one train every 40 minutes goes all the way to the airport. To identify the correct train, look for “Airport” or “Aerodromio” written above the conductor’s cabin, airplane logos on the windows, and luggage compartments inside. If you board the wrong train, don’t worry—you can switch at Doukissis Plakentias.
Getting a Taxi from the Airport
If you’re carrying heavy luggage or staying far from a metro station, a taxi might be a better option. There are three ways to get a taxi, all costing around €50 to €60, with higher rates at night.
Traditional Taxi: Just exit the terminal, and you’ll find a line of taxis waiting. However, be cautious—some drivers may try to overcharge you.
Taxi Apps: Uber works in Greece, but the most popular app is FreeNow. Both apps connect you to licensed taxi drivers, and the price is fixed by the app, so no surprises.
24-Hour Express Buses
For those who prefer bus travel, Athens International Airport offers 24-hour express bus services that connect the airport with key locations in Athens, including the port of Piraeus and the Intercity Bus Terminal (KTEL Kifissos). These buses run every day, even on public holidays, and provide a non-stop journey to your destination.
All buses pick up passengers at the Arrivals Level and drop them off at the Departures Level. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket booth located outside the Arrivals hall, between Exits 4 and 5. A one-way ticket costs €5.50, with reduced rates for children, teenagers, and those over 65 (€2.70).
Here are the four express bus routes available from the airport:
- Χ93: Airport – Kifissos Station (Estimated journey time: 65 minutes)
- X95: Airport – Syntagma Square (Estimated journey time: 60 minutes)
- Χ96: Airport – Piraeus Port (Estimated journey time: 90 minutes)
- Χ97: Airport – Elliniko (Estimated journey time: 45 minutes)
The X95 route is particularly popular for those heading to Syntagma Square, which is centrally located and well-connected to other parts of the city.
Suburban Railway (Proastiakos)
Another excellent option is the suburban railway, known as Proastiakos. This service connects Athens Airport with Larissis Station, the central railway station in Athens, with a journey time of approximately 45 minutes. Trains depart from the airport every 15-25 minutes, making it a frequent and convenient choice.
Once you reach Doukissis Plakentias station, you can easily transfer to the Athens Metro network using the same ticket, providing seamless access to various parts of the city.
For more details, you can visit the Proastiakos Suburban Railway website or contact them directly at +30 210 527 2000.
Whether you choose the express bus or the suburban railway, both options offer reliable transportation to help you reach your destination smoothly and affordably.
Things to know before the transfer
- Watch out for pickpockets, especially if you take the metro. It’s a sad reality, but many tourists fall victim on this line. I’ve made a separate video about how to avoid pickpockets, which you should definitely watch.
If you’re just in Athens for a few hours and don’t want to lug your baggage around, there’s a storage facility called “Care4bag” inside the airport. It costs around €10 per suitcase. I’ll leave a link with their pricing information below.
Now that you know how to get around, you can also explore the best areas to stay in Athens to ensure a comfortable and well-located accommodation for your visit. Safe travels!