How to Travel from Athens Airport to the City Centre in 2026

Last updated February 2026.

If you’re flying into Athens, your first interaction with Greece will unfortunately not be the Acropolis, but rather the Eleftherios Venizelos international Airport.

And whether your first impression of the country is calm and efficient, or chaotic and overpriced, depends almost entirely on what you do in the first 60 minutes after landing.

As a local, I’m going to be straight with you.

Athens airport is more than good. But it’s also full of overpriced nonsense, bad advice, and transport options that will happily drain your wallet or your patience if you don’t know better.

This guide is here to save you time, money, and unnecessary stress.

Just so you know: Some links on this page are affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you book or buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

The Athens airport

Let’s start this guide with some practical information. Athens International Airport, officially called Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), is Greece’s largest airport and the one you’ll certainly use if you’re flying into Athens.

It’s located about 20 km (12.4 miles) east of the city center, in the Spata area.

The airport operates 24/7 and handles both domestic and international flights, including long routes to the US, Canada, and the Middle East.

The airport has one main terminal and one satellite terminal.

• The Main Terminal handles most flights (Schengen and non-Schengen) throughout the year.
• The Satellite Terminal is only used during peak season and is connected to the main building by an underground walkway.

In practice, 90% of travelers will only use the main terminal.

How to get from Athens Airport to the city centre

Getting from Athens airport to the city center or the port of Piraeus is one of the most common reasons of frustration and, if I’m gonna be completely honest, scams.

Don’t worry, though. As an Athens local who has used it more than 100 times, I am here to help you.

I will give you all the available options, as well as the most common problems with each, so you can make up your mind and avoid any surprises.

Option 1: The Metro

If you ask me, the best way to get from Athens airport to the city center is the metro.

Metro Line 3 runs every 30 minutes from the airport station. The trip to Syntagma square takes about 30-40 minutes, while to the Piraeus port around 60-80 minutes.

A single airport ticket costs 9€ ($10.55), return tickets cost €16 ($18.76), while a 3-day all-you-can-travel ticket costs €20 ($21), which also covers a return trip to the airport.

Tickets can be purchased at the station. You can also use a valid credit card by just tapping it to the validator.

Option 2: The Bus

Buses are also a convenient and budget friendly way to get to the city center from the Airport.

However, they are not that spacious and can get quite crowded. I’ve been stuck like a sardine in a can (a lovely greek phrase) many times.

Buses X93, X95, X96 and X97 operate 24/7 and connect the airport to the city.

Bus X95 takes you to Syntagma square, while X96 goes to the Piraeus port.

One way tickets cost €5.50. Tickets can be bought at the automated machines at the station, or you can use your debit/credit card at the bus.

Option 3: The train (Proastiakos)

I wouldn’t recommend taking the train to the city. The trains are old, slow, and often run into technical issues. The tracks are not in a good condition, either. There has been a lot of talk and scepticism lately among locals about the overall condition of the railway system.

Tickets cost the same as the metro, therefore making it not worth it.

Option 4: Taxi

You should not take a taxi from the Athens airport to the city center – that should be your only takeaway from this article.

I would advise you not to take a taxi, unless absolutely necessary and booked from an app. But why, I hear you asking.

I’m going to be brutally honest, because taxis in Athens are one of the most common sources of frustration, and sometimes scams, for tourists.

First, many drivers tend to drive extremely fast and recklessly. There have been cases of taxis driving with speed up to 150 km/h (93.2 mph).

Taxi drivers can also be rude, insisting, and harassment still happens. You must always report these behaviors to police (dial 100) if you encounter them.

Another common issue is the taximeter. Some taxis use tampered or fake meters (even illegal tablets), showing higher fares. It’s also unfortunately common for drivers to refuse using the meter with tourists and quote an inflated flat price. This practice is illegal, but it still happens, so it’s important to stay alert.

Payment can also be tricky. Many taxi drivers decline card payments, even though accepting them is mandatory. Since 2025, taxis are obliged by state rules to have a sticker on the windows stating that card payments are allowed – that’s how big the problem is. 

By law, airport taxis should cost:

• 45€ ($52.77) to the city center.
• 60€ (70,36) to the Piraeus port.

*Keep in mind that these prices increase by a flat 10€ ($11.73) between 23:00-5:00.*

Any other price shown or quoted is illegal.

If I were a tourist, I would avoid taxis whenever possible. If you do need one, the safest option is to use a taxi app, such as freenow or uber. It’s the best way to make sure that the price is fair, the driver is checked, and you can pay by card.

Always confirm the route and price in the app before starting your trip. If you must take a taxi, insist that the meter is running and keep an eye on the route using Google Maps.

Hiring a car at Athens airport

Yes, you can rent a car from the Athens airport.

Offices of both greek and international rental companies are available on site. However, since Athens is one of the most popular travel destinations in Europe, I would recommend that you book in advance to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Discover cars is a fantastic website to compare prices and rental companies. What I like about them is that they have both local and international companies listed, 24/7 customer support and free cancelation services.

Buying a SIM card at the Athens Airport

You should not buy a SIM card from the Athens airport. Let me explain.

As of 2026, a Vodafone SIM card at the airport will cost you 22€ ($25.8) + 12€ ($14.07) of an unnecessary activation fee for 15 GB of data, 200 local minutes and 120 international minutes.

If you ask me as a local, this is an exorbitant cost, while Vodafone isn’t even the best carrier in the city.

What you should do instead: Take the metro to the city center. Find one of the many Germanos stores, and buy a Cosmote telekom SIM card. Then, you can top up your balance and choose a package of your liking from their app. It is much cheaper and the network is much better.

If you do not need a greek phone number, I suggest buying an e-SIM, so that you don’t pay the massive costs by greek carriers. Saily offers packages starting from $4.99, and you can get 5% off by using the code NICK5.

Can I exchange money at the airport?

Yes, you can. But you shouldn’t.

Almost every place in the city accepts card payments.

The exchange offices at the airport, while plenty, offer terrible rates.

ATMs are also available, and most international cards work fine. However, fees can be very high. That’s why I’d not recommend withdrawing cash from ATMs.

Banks generally offer better rates, so find one in the city center if you need cash.

In general, a Revolut card is your best bet. It gives you the best exchange rates and allows you to pay in euros directly without extra fees. 

Hotels near Athens Airport

1. Hotels at Athens Airport

If you want something right at the airport (so you can walk out of arrivals and be checked-in in minutes), there’s really only one top option:

Sofitel Athens Airport – This 5-star hotel is directly across the road from Eleftherios Venizelos airport and next to the metro station, making it insanely convenient if you have an early flight or a long layover.

Rooms are modern, service is top notch, and you’ll find things like an indoor pool and a rooftop restaurant here too. Being right at the airport comes at a premium price, but for convenience you can’t beat it.

Hotels near the Athens airport with free shuttle

If you don’t want to pay airport-hotel prices but still want an easy transfer, there are a few solid options just a short drive away that offer free shuttle service:

• Holiday Inn Athens – Airport by IHG – A very popular choice for a layover or early flight. It is owned by the international chain and offers a free airport shuttle 24/7 and good comfort for the price.
• Airscape Hotel Free Shuttle From Athens Airport – An elegant hotel with free shuttle service to/from the airport. Great balance of price, comfort, and location.
• Comfort Stay – Rooms are comfortable, and it’s ideal for a short overnight before or after a flight.

Tourist information at the Athens airport

There are 24/7 Airport Information Counters located both in Arrivals and Departures. Employees are knowledgeable and speak good English.

Storing luggage in Athens

Athens isn’t the friendliest city to move luggage around – Trust me, I know the struggle.

Pavements are small, sometimes damaged, and the city is not flat. Also, can you imagine carrying things in the scorching Summer heat? Therefore, it will be really hard to move around and do some sightseeing on your first or last day in the city while having your staff with you.

Bounce offers a list of places you can store your luggage, starting from just 1.95€ ($2). They also offer 24/7 support and a guarantee for up to $10.000, so you can rest assured that your belongings are always protected.

Athens Airport FAQs

1. Is Athens airport safe?

Yes, Athens airport is very safe. It is well organized, well lighted and police is always present. If you exercise normal safety precautions, you’ll have nothing to fear.

2. Is Athens airport easy to navigate?

Yes. Surprisingly for greek standards, Eleftherios Venizelos airport is very easy to navigate. Everything is marked, and you’ll not get lost, even though it can get busy.

3. What time does the Athens airport open?

Athens airport is open 24/7.

4. Does Uber work in athens airport?

Yes, it does. However, Uber in greece is not used as an app for freelance drivers, but rather normal taxis. Again, you should not take a taxi from the Airport to city center, unless absolutely necessary.

5. Parking at the Athens airport   

Athens airport has short term and long term parking. Prices at the official website start at 5€ ($5.86) per day.

There are also other, unofficial parking businesses that operate in the greater area and offer free shuttle service to the airport and vice versa.

6. How early to arrive at Athens airport for my flight?

Minimum 2-3 hours. Doesn’t matter if you travel domestically or internationally, arrive at least 2-3 hours before your flight. The airport can get really crowded and long queues are quite common.

7. Does Athens airport have free wifi   

Yes. Athens airport offers free wifi with really good coverage.

8. Can you leave Athens airport during layover?   

No. Leaving the airport during a layover is strictly prohibited.

9. What restaurants does Athens airport have?

There are restaurants before and after checkin. You can find the complete list here.

10. What lounges are in Athens airport?

There are quite a few lounges available in the Athens airport. This guide explains everything really well.

11. Does Athens airport have showers?

No. Unfortunately, only the Aegean lounge has showers.

12. What is the closest port to the athens airport? 

The Piraeus port is the closest to the airport. A trip with the metro should take around 60-80 minutes.

13. Is Athens Airport Good or Bad?

Honestly? It’s good. It’s not Singapore or Doha, but it’s also not bad. It’s clean, safe, easy to navigate, and functional.

Final Thoughts

Athens airport is not perfect, but it’s far better than most people expect.

It’s clean, well organized, easy to navigate, and generally efficient. You won’t get lost, you won’t feel unsafe, and you won’t struggle to find your way into the city.

The one thing that really matters is how you leave the airport.

If you take just one piece of advice from this entire article, let it be this: use the metro or the airport bus, not a taxi.

The metro is fast, cheap, reliable, and stress-free. The buses are slower but run 24/7 and cost even less. Everything else – taxis, overpriced SIM cards, cash withdrawals – falls somewhere between unnecessary and annoying.

Plan your transport in advance, don’t overpay for basic stuff at the airport, and you’ll start your Athens trip on the right foot instead of already being irritated.