Arrival
Getting from Athens Airport to the city
Three easy options from Athens International Airport (ATH) to the centre: Metro Line 3 (the blue line) straight to Syntagma in about 40 minutes, the 24-hour X95 express bus to Syntagma, or a fixed-fare taxi. Pick the metro unless you land overnight or have heavy bags.
Metro Line 3 — simplest for most arrivals
The blue Metro Line 3 runs directly from the airport to Syntagma and Monastiraki in roughly 40 minutes, with no traffic to worry about. The airport leg uses a special airport ticket (about €9 one way as of mid-2026), which is more than a normal city ticket — normal 90-minute tickets are not valid on the airport section.
Trains run roughly from early morning to late evening, so this is the default for daytime arrivals heading to the historic centre.
X95 express bus — cheapest and runs all night
The X95 express bus goes from the airport to Syntagma Square around the clock, every day, for about €5.50 (mid-2026). It is the cheapest option and the one to use when the metro is closed, but it shares the road, so allow 60–90 minutes depending on traffic.
Taxi — fixed flat fare, best with luggage or at night
Licensed taxis from the airport to central Athens charge a fixed flat fare — roughly €40 by day and €55 at night (midnight–05:00) as of mid-2026, regardless of traffic. Use the official taxi rank, agree it is the flat fare, and a ride-hail app such as FREENOW can also book a licensed taxi. The trip is usually 35–45 minutes.
Which to choose
Daytime, light bags, staying central: take the metro. Overnight landing or metro closed: take the X95. Heavy luggage, a group, or a door-to-door drop: take the fixed-fare taxi. Always confirm current fares and metro hours on the official sources below before you travel.
Reviewed source trail
- This Is Athens (official city visitor guide) — Coming from the airport - checked 2026-06-11
- Athens International Airport — to/from the airport - checked 2026-06-11
Last reviewed June 11, 2026