Greece › Athens › Transportation
Updated: December 5, 2025
By Santorini Dave

See Also

• Athens Airport Rental Cars
• Best Hotels in Athens
• Best Family Hotels in Athens
• Athens Airport Hotels
• Where to Stay in Athens

Getting Around Athens: Transportation Guide

Athens has a modern, safe, and efficient public transport network. For most visitors, the Metro and walking will be your primary modes of travel. However, knowing the specific logistics for the Airport and Ferry Ports (Piraeus and Rafina) is crucial to for an easy transfer to the Greek Islands.

1. From Athens Airport (ATH) to City Center

The airport is located 30km (20 miles) east of the city. You have three main options to reach downtown (Syntagma Square/Plaka).

• Metro (Blue Line 3): The fastest and most consistent option.
  • Route: Take the Blue Line straight from the airport to Syntagma (40 mins) or Monastiraki (42 mins).
  • Frequency: Trains run every 36 minutes, from roughly 6:30 AM to 11:30 PM.
  • Cost: €9.00 (One-way). Note: Standard €1.20 city tickets are not valid here.
• Express Bus (X95): The best budget option and the only 24-hour public transport.
  • Route: Runs from the Arrivals curb directly to Syntagma Square.
  • Time: 45 to 70 minutes (highly traffic-dependent).
  • Cost: €5.50. Buy tickets at the kiosk next to the bus stop or tap your card on the bus.
• Taxi (Flat Rate): The easiest door-to-door option.
  • Cost: There is a fixed, regulated flat fare to the city center (Inner Ring).
    • Day (5:00 AM – Midnight): €40
    • Night (Midnight – 5:00 AM): €55
  • Tip: The flat rate includes all tolls and luggage fees. Do not let a driver turn on the meter if you are going to the city center.

2. From Athens Airport (ATH) to Piraeus Ferry Port

You no longer need to switch trains. The Metro extension has made this trip seamless.

• Metro (Blue Line 3): The best option.
  • Route: Direct from Airport to Piraeus Station (located right at the port entrance).
  • Time: 60 minutes.
  • Cost: €9.00.
• Express Bus (X96): Best for late-night arrivals.
  • Route: Direct from Airport Arrivals to Piraeus Port. Runs 24/7.
  • Time: 60 to 90 minutes.
  • Cost: €5.50.
• Taxi:
  • Cost: Approx. €50–€60 (Day) / €65–€75 (Night). There is officially a flat rate for this route (~€54), but drivers often use the meter due to the long distance/traffic. Confirm the price before getting in.

3. From Athens Airport (ATH) to Rafina Port

Rafina is the secondary port, mainly used for the northern Cyclades (Mykonos, Tinos, Andros). It is much closer to the airport than Piraeus.

• KTEL Bus (Orange Bus):
  • Location: Departs from the Arrivals level (usually across the street from the Sofitel, between Exits 2 and 3).
  • Frequency: Roughly every hour.
  • Cost: Approx. €3.00 – €4.00 (Pay the driver in cash).
  • Time: 30–40 minutes.
• Taxi:
  • Time: 25 minutes.
  • Cost: €35–€40 (Day) / €50+ (Night).

4. Getting Around Athens (Metro & Public Transport)

The Athens Metro is safe, clean, and filled with archaeological exhibits.

The Three Lines

• Line 1 (Green): The old electric railway. Connects Piraeus Port ↔ Monastiraki ↔ Omonia.
• Line 2 (Red): Connects Acropolis ↔ Syntagma ↔ Omonia.
• Line 3 (Blue): Connects Airport ↔ Syntagma ↔ Monastiraki ↔ Piraeus.

Tickets & Contactless Payment (Tap-to-Pay)

• How to Pay: Simply tap your contactless credit card or phone (Apple Pay/Google Pay) on the turnstile reader.
• Cost: €1.20 for a standard 90-minute ticket.
• Daily Cap: The system automatically caps your spending at €4.10 per day. Once you hit that amount, all further rides that day are free.
• Note: This works for city transport (Metro, Bus, Tram). It does NOT cover the €9 Airport Metro fare. For the airport, you must buy a specific paper ticket or tap your card at the special airport gates (charges €9).

5. Taxis and Uber

• Uber: Uber operates in Athens as “Uber Taxi.” You hail a standard yellow taxi through the app.
  • Pros: No language barrier, no cash needed, map tracking, and no haggling.
  • Cons: There is a small booking fee (€1-€2) added to the metered fare.
• FreeNow: The most popular local taxi app. Works exactly like Uber.
• Street Taxis: You can hail yellow taxis anywhere. Always ensure the meter is ON (unless taking a flat-rate airport trip).
• Lyft: Does not operate in Greece.

6. Getting to Piraeus Port from Downtown

• From Monastiraki: Take the Green Line (Line 1) or Blue Line (Line 3) straight to Piraeus. (20 mins).
• From Syntagma: Take the Blue Line (Line 3) straight to Piraeus. (22 mins).
• The “Walk”: Piraeus station is right opposite the main gates (E5/E6). However, for gates E1/E2 (Dodecanese/Crete) or E9 (Seajets), you may need to walk 10–15 minutes or take the free port shuttle bus inside the gates.

Recommended Hotels

The Sofitel Airport Hotel at the Athens Airport. The only hotel located at the Athens Airport.

A for Athens Hotel located in central Athens near the metro train to the ferry port and airport (same train different directions).

Theoxenia Hotel in Piraeus and a very short walk from the ferry port.

Read More

• The Best Hotels in Athens
• Best Hotels on the Athens Riviera
• The Best Family Hotels in Athens