How to get from Athens airport to downtown Athens
3 easy & fast ways to get from Athens airport to downtown Athens
Getting to/from the Athens International Airport and the city center, located about 30 km (19 miles) east can be achieved via:
1) Metro:
Take Metro Line 3 (Aghia Marina – Douk. Plakentias – Athens International Airport), which connects the Athens airport with the city center. Trains run every 30 minutes, 7 days a week from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. The trip from/to the Airport to Syntagma station (Athens center) lasts 40 minutes. See the Metro timetable to the airport here.
For tickets and cards check here.
2) the bus services
• 24-hour express buses:
EXPRESS Bus routes connect directly the Athens (city center & greater area) and Piraeus (port) with the Athens International Airport (AIA) “Eleftherios Venizelos”. Service is provided on a non-stop basis seven days a week including holidays (24/7 operation). All buses disembark passengers at the Departures Level (inbound trips to airport) and depart from the Arrivals Level (outbound trips from airport). BUS tickets are sold at the info/ticket-kiosk (located outside the Arrivals between Exits 4 and 5), or on board (ask operator) at no extra cost.
There are four routes:
Χ93: Kifissos KTEL (long-distance buses) Station – Airport
Direct Connection to the intercity bus (KTEL) terminals KIFISOS and LIOSION. Link to suburban rail station at: KIFISIAS
X95 : Syntagma – Airport
Direct Connection to Syntagma Square at Athens city center. Link to metro line 2 station at: SYNTAGMA Link to metro line 3 stations at: NOMISMATOKOPEIO, ETHNIKI AMYNA, SYNTAGMA Link to tramway routes at: SYNTAGMA
Χ96: Piraeus – Airport
Direct Connection to Piraeus central passenger port terminals. Link to metro line 1 stations at: N.FALIRO (ISAP N.FALIRO), PEIRAIAS. Link to suburban rail station at: PEIRAIAS Link to tramway routes at: PLATEIA GLYFADAS, EDEM, FLISVOS
Χ97: Eliniko Metro Station – Airport
Direct Connection to ELLINIKO metro station. Link to metro line 2 stations at: AG.DIMITRIOS, DAFNI
One-way travel time estimates: X93 (65’ min), X95 (60’ min), X96 (90’ min), X97 (45’ min). Allow sufficient time to travel as traffic conditions may cause delays.
NOTE: Estimates are given for reference only. Journey time depends always on prevailing traffic conditions. Passengers are advised to allow sufficient time for their transfer from/to the airport. Check here for ticket information and cards.
3) the suburban railway
• ProastiakosThe Suburban railway (Proastiakos) connects the Athens airport with the Athens Central Railway Station (Larissis Station) and Acharnai Railway Center, and through them to the National Railway network.
Current timetables:
Airport – Kiato and Kiato – Airport
Kiato – Patras bus connections
Piraeus – Athens – Halkida line.
The Suburban railway departs every 15-25 minutes from the Athens Airport railway station to Plakentias station, where you can change trains and continue to the city center (Metro Line 3 to Egaleo), using the same ticket. To find your itinerary or book your tickets, please check here
4) Taxi & transfer services
Taxis are available at the designated Taxi waiting area located at Exit 3 of Arrivals Level.A taxi from the airport to the city center (inner ring) costs a flat rate of €40 from 5:00 a.m. to midnight, and €55 from midnight to 5:00 a.m.
Note: The charge is determined by the time of arrival at the destination and includes all applicable surcharges and extras.
the Athens airport in brief
Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (IATA: ATH, ICAO: LGAV), commonly initialised as AIA, is the largest international airport in Greece, serving the city of Athens and region of Attica. It began operation on 28 March 2001 (in time for the 2004 Summer Olympics). It covers an expanse of 16,000 acres (25.0 sq mi; 64.7 km2), making the facility among the largest in Europe and in the world in terms of land area.
The Airport is located between the towns of Markopoulo, Koropi, Spata and Loutsa, about 30 km (19 mi) to the east of central Athens and is named after Elefthérios Venizélos, the prominent Prime Minister of Greece, who made a significant contribution to the development of Greek aviation and the Hellenic Air Force in the 1930s.
✔ How to organize your holidays in Athens
Ferry to the islands: Book your ferry to to Santorini, Mykonos and other islands.
Hotels: Discover our selection with the best hotels and accommodation in Athens.
Tours and Activities: Explore the city with some amazing tours and activities.
Car rentals: Discover the the surroundings on your own by booking your car.
