Athens Airport Metro 2026: Lines, Fares & Complete Guide
The Athens Airport Metro is the fastest and cheapest way to get from Athens International Airport (ATH) into the city centre. Line 3 (Blue Line) runs directly from the airport to Syntagma Square in approximately 40 minutes for €10 per person. This guide covers everything: ticket prices, journey times, operating hours, step-by-step instructions and a comparison with taxis and transfers.
- Athens Airport Metro at a Glance
- Athens Airport Metro Ticket Prices
- Journey Time: Athens Airport to Key Stations
- How to Take the Metro from Athens Airport: Step by Step
- Athens Airport Metro Operating Hours
- Metro vs Taxi: Which Should You Choose?
- Book an Athens Airport Transfer
- Where to Stay in Athens Near the Metro
- Practical Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Athens Airport Bus Service: Prices & Routes 2026
Athens Airport Metro at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Metro Line | Line 3 — Blue Line |
| Airport Station | Athens Airport (Eleftherios Venizelos) |
| City Centre Station | Syntagma Square (40 min) / Monastiraki (44 min) |
| Single Ticket | €10.00 |
| Return Ticket | €18.00 (valid 48 hours) |
| Reduced Fare | €5.00 (children 6 – 18, pensioners 65+, valid students) |
| Children Under 6 | Free |
| Operating Hours | Approx 06:30 – 00:00 (midnight) daily |
| Frequency | Every 30 minutes |
| Luggage Restrictions | None |
Athens Airport Metro Ticket Prices
A standard single ticket from Athens Airport to any metro station in Athens costs €10.00. This is a flat airport fare — the same whether you are travelling one stop or ten. A return ticket costs €18.00 and is valid for 48 hours from first validation, so it covers both your arrival and departure journeys if you plan to use the metro both ways.
Reduced fares (50% discount): Available for children aged 6 – 18, pensioners aged 65 and over, and registered students with a valid card. Children under 6 travel free. You will need to present relevant documentation if asked by an inspector.
Note: Standard Athens metro network tickets (€1.20 for 70 minutes of travel) are not valid on the airport section of Line 3. You must purchase the dedicated airport ticket at €10.
Journey Time: Athens Airport to Key Stations
| Station | Journey Time | Nearby Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Doukissis Plakentias | 7 min | Change here for suburban rail (ISAP) |
| Ethniki Amyna | 18 min | Eastern suburbs |
| Katehaki | 22 min | Hilton / National Gallery area |
| Evangelismos | 28 min | Kolonaki, Benaki Museum |
| Syntagma | 40 min | City centre, Constitution Square, Parliament |
| Monastiraki | 44 min | Plaka, Ancient Agora, flea market |
| Kerameikos | 47 min | Gazi, Psyrri |
| Egaleo (terminus) | 55 min | Western suburbs |
How to Take the Metro from Athens Airport: Step by Step
Step 1: Find the Metro Station
The metro station is on Level 0 (Ground Floor) of the main terminal building. After collecting your bags and passing through customs in the arrivals hall, follow the blue Metro signs — the walk takes around 5 minutes. The station is fully signposted in both English and Greek and is hard to miss.
Step 2: Buy Your Ticket
Ticket machines at the airport station accept both cash and card and have English-language menus. Select the airport ticket option (€10 single or €18 return). If you plan to use public transport extensively during your stay, ask about the Ath.ena reloadable card — it works on the metro, buses, trams and the suburban rail, and can be topped up at any station.
Step 3: Validate and Board
Validate your ticket at the blue turnstile gates before entering the platform area. Keep your ticket for the entire journey — inspectors board trains regularly and the fine for travelling without a valid validated ticket is €60. On the platform, board any train displaying Monastiraki / Egaleo — all trains heading in that direction serve the city centre.
Step 4: Exit at Your Station
For most visitors, Syntagma is the main destination — it is the central interchange with Line 2 (Red Line) and puts you in the heart of the city. For Kolonaki, exit one stop earlier at Evangelismos. For the Acropolis, go one stop past Syntagma to Monastiraki, or change at Syntagma to Line 2 and exit at Acropolis station.
Athens Airport Metro Operating Hours
Line 3 operates from approximately 06:30 to midnight (00:00) every day of the week including weekends and public holidays. Trains run every 30 minutes during most of the day. There is no all-night metro service in Athens. If you arrive on a late flight after midnight, you will need to take a taxi or a pre-booked late-night transfer.
Metro vs Taxi: Which Should You Choose?
The metro wins on price (€10 vs €38+ for a taxi) and avoids traffic completely. It is the right choice for solo travellers or couples with manageable cabin-size luggage who are happy to navigate two metro lines. A taxi from Athens Airport costs more but is door-to-door, handles any amount of luggage, and is far better for families, groups, late-night arrivals, or anyone staying in a neighbourhood with limited metro access. See our full taxi vs metro comparison for a detailed breakdown.
Book an Athens Airport Transfer
Prefer a hassle-free door-to-door service? Browse Athens Airport private transfers and shared shuttles:
Where to Stay in Athens Near the Metro
Syntagma and Monastiraki are on Line 3, putting you directly on the airport metro line. Browse hotels in central Athens with easy metro access:
Practical Tips
- The metro does not run after midnight — late arrivals must use a taxi or pre-booked transfer
- Hold on to your ticket until you exit the destination station — inspectors are common
- There are no luggage restrictions on the metro but it can be crowded during morning and evening peak hours
- The airport station has lifts and is wheelchair accessible
- Standard Attica Zone metro tickets (€1.20) are not valid for the airport section — always buy the dedicated €10 airport ticket
- For the Acropolis, exit at Monastiraki (Line 3) then walk 15 minutes, or change at Syntagma to Line 2 and exit at Acropolis station
Frequently Asked Questions
Athens Airport Bus Service: Prices & Routes 2026
Athens Airport is served by four express bus lines running 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These are the cheapest way to travel between the airport and the city, costing €6.50 per ticket (valid for 90 minutes on all public transport). Below are the four routes and what they cover.
| Bus Line | Route | Journey Time | Price | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X95 | Athens Airport → Syntagma Square | 60–90 min | €6.50 | Every 20–30 min |
| X96 | Athens Airport → Piraeus Port | 60–90 min | €6.50 | Every 20–40 min |
| X97 | Athens Airport → Elliniko (southern suburbs) | 45–60 min | €6.50 | Every 30–60 min |
| X93 | Athens Airport → Kifissos Bus Terminal | 60–90 min | €6.50 | Every 30–60 min |
Athens Airport Bus Price
All four express bus lines from Athens Airport cost €6.50 per journey. Tickets are purchased at the ticket machines near the bus stops outside Arrivals (Level 1), or from the on-board driver on some services. Children under 6 travel free. The ticket is valid for 90 minutes of travel and can be used on connecting metro or bus routes within that window.
X95 Bus: Athens Airport to Syntagma
The X95 is the most useful bus for most visitors — it runs directly between Athens Airport and Syntagma Square (central Athens), stopping at several major points along the way including Ethniki Amyna, Katehaki, Panormou, and Ambelokipi. Journey time is 60–90 minutes depending on traffic. Buses run every 20–30 minutes around the clock.
X96 Bus: Athens Airport to Piraeus
The X96 connects Athens Airport to Piraeus Port via the coastal road (Poseidonos Avenue), passing through Glyfada, Alimos, and Faliro. Journey time is 60–90 minutes. It’s the best public transport option if you’re catching a ferry from Piraeus, though a taxi is faster and more practical with luggage.
