Athens Airport is modern and manageable with children. The real challenge is the 33 km distance to the city centre and the lack of child seats in standard taxis.
The terminal with children
The airport is a single terminal, spacious and well-signed in English. The walk from the gate to baggage claim is reasonable. Baby changing facilities are available in restrooms throughout the terminal. Luggage trolleys are free.
After clearing arrivals, you emerge into a bright, open hall with clear signs pointing to metro, taxis, and buses. The layout is logical and there is no need to change buildings or take shuttle trains.
The child seat problem
Greek law requires child restraints for children under certain heights, but enforcement is inconsistent. More importantly, no standard taxi or Uber in Athens carries child seats. This puts families with small children in a difficult position.
Your options:
- Pre-booked transfer with child seats: Specify ages at booking. The provider installs appropriate seats. This is the most reliable solution.
- Bring your own: A portable, foldable booster seat or travel car seat works in any vehicle. Worth considering if you will also need seats in taxis around the city.
- Risk it: Some parents take taxis without child seats. This is common in Athens but carries obvious safety risks and is technically against the law.
Metro with kids
The metro (Line 3) to Syntagma takes about 40 minutes. Trains are modern, clean, and air-conditioned. There is space for luggage and strollers. The metro is a viable option for families with children old enough to manage the walk and a 40-minute ride.
Challenges:
- Trains run every 30-36 minutes, so a just-missed train means a long wait with tired children.
- Some Athens metro stations have steps without escalators or lifts, which complicates stroller navigation at your destination station.
- Rush hour trains are crowded, making luggage and strollers difficult.
The X95 bus with kids
The bus is cheap (EUR 5.50) and runs 24 hours, but the 60-90 minute journey is long with small children. The bus can get crowded and there is limited space for luggage. Not recommended for families with infants or toddlers unless you are on a tight budget.
Recommended approach
Families with children under 5: Pre-booked transfer with child seats. The convenience and safety are worth the cost. Door-to-door, no waiting, no stairs.
Families with children 5-10: Transfer is still easiest, but the metro works if you are travelling light and your hotel is near a metro station with good accessibility.
Families with teenagers: The metro is fine. Save the money for dinner.
Large families or multi-generational groups: A minivan transfer accommodates everyone in one vehicle. Coordinating multiple taxis with grandparents, children, and luggage is stressful.
The Athens factor
Athens is hilly, with uneven pavements and narrow streets in the old town. If you are staying in Plaka, Monastiraki, or Anafiotika, be aware that the final stretch from where a vehicle can drop you to your hotel entrance may involve cobblestones and steps. This is manageable but worth knowing if you have a stroller.
Practical tips
- The airport has a small play area near the gates, useful if your children need to burn energy before the car ride.
- Buy water and snacks before leaving the terminal. The ride to the city can be long in traffic.
- Athens is hot in summer. If arriving between June and September, the walk to the taxi rank or bus stop is in the open and can be intensely warm. Get into an air-conditioned vehicle quickly.
- If heading to the islands, families often overnight in Athens before an early ferry. Hotels near Syntagma or Piraeus port are practical staging points.