For the Athens airport to downtown metro route, take Metro Line 3 to a central stop such as Syntagma or Monastiraki; the alternative is OASA’s X95 bus to Syntagma Square. Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport is about 38 minutes by car from Exarchion Hotel, a two-star hotel.
- Metro: Line 3 runs between the airport and Dimotiko Theatro.
- Airport bus: X95 links the airport with Syntagma Square and runs around the clock.
- Metro Airport Ticket: €9.00 full fare one way.
- X95 journey: approximately 60 minutes to Syntagma, depending on traffic and travel time.
How do you get from Athens Airport to central Athens?
Athens International Airport, also known as Eleftherios Venizelos, connects with the city centre by metro and Airport Express bus. For an onward journey, first decide whether you want to arrive at a metro stop or at Syntagma Square by bus.
Metro Line 3 runs from the airport to Dimotiko Theatro, stopping at Syntagma and Monastiraki. The X95 bus runs between the airport and Syntagma Square. These are the main public-transport options covered here; the bus route gives you a direct link to Syntagma, while the metro serves several central stations.
What are the metro and rail options from Athens Airport?
Metro Line 3 is the direct airport metro connection, with central stops including Syntagma and Monastiraki.
Airport trains run every 36 minutes, every day of the week. The published timetable gives airport departures at 06:35, 07:10 and 07:45, with the last departure at 23:58. For trains from Syntagma toward the airport, the timetable lists departures at 05:53 and 06:30, with the last airport-bound train at 23:18.
A full-fare one-way Metro Airport Ticket costs €9.00, and the discounted fare is €4.50. A two-way ticket costs €16.00. The one-way ticket is valid for 90 minutes after first validation on OASA transport; the two-way ticket is valid for 30 days.
Is the Athens Airport bus a good alternative?
OASA’s Airport Express buses operate 24 hours a day, and X95 connects the airport with Syntagma Square. OASA estimates the journey at approximately 60 minutes, though traffic and time of travel affect how long it takes.
A full-fare one-way Airport Express ticket costs €5.50, and the discounted fare is €2.70. These tickets cover one journey to or from the airport, and OASA applies boarding and disembarking restrictions on the Airport Express routes.
How should you choose between the metro and bus?
Choose based on where you want to arrive and when you are travelling. Line 3 serves several central metro stations, while X95 goes to Syntagma and operates through the night. If you are travelling with luggage, check the route and the station or bus stop that best fits your onward plans.
OASA says you can pay the full €5.50 Airport Express fare with a contactless physical or virtual card. Validate the card once at the blue validator as you board.
Planning the onward journey
If you are continuing by metro, Omonia and Panepistimio are among the central stations with onward connections in the city. For a day that combines transport planning with central sights, this walkable one-day Athens route offers a separate itinerary idea.
Omonia is about 10 minutes on foot from the hotel, while Panepistimio is about 12 minutes away on foot.
If Piraeus is your next destination, the Athens-to-Piraeus route from Exarchion covers that onward trip.
Before travelling, check the official site before you go: OASA and STASY publish the current ticket rules and service information. Timetables and fares can change.
FAQs
Which airport serves Athens?
Athens International Airport is also called Eleftherios Venizelos.
Can you travel from the airport to Syntagma?
Yes. Take Metro Line 3 to Syntagma or use the X95 Airport Express bus, which connects the airport with Syntagma Square.
Can you use a contactless card on the X95?
Yes. OASA accepts contactless physical or virtual cards for the full Airport Express fare, with validation at the blue validator when boarding.