Athens Airport is 33 km from the city centre, which is further than many travellers expect. The good news is that the flat-rate taxi system and direct metro line make pricing transparent.
Bus X95: EUR 5.50
The cheapest option. The X95 runs 24 hours between the airport and Syntagma Square. The journey takes 60-90 minutes depending on traffic. At this price, it is popular with budget travellers. The downside is speed and comfort, not cost.
Metro: EUR 9 (full) / EUR 4.50 (reduced)
Line 3 (blue line) runs directly to Syntagma. The journey takes about 40 minutes. A full-price ticket is EUR 9, and reduced fares (for certain groups) are EUR 4.50. OASA also sells a two-way airport metro ticket for EUR 16 — note that this is a return for one person, valid 30 days, not a ticket covering two travellers. There is no group airport ticket. If you want the airport trip bundled with city travel, the 3-day tourist ticket is EUR 20 and includes a return airport transfer by metro or express bus. Children under 6 travel free.
The metro runs approximately 6:30 AM to 11:30 PM (later on weekends).
Taxi: EUR 40 (day) / EUR 55 (night)
The flat rate is fixed by law. Daytime is 5 AM to midnight, night rate is midnight to 5 AM. This covers anywhere within the Athens urban area. The rate includes tolls on the Attiki Odos motorway if the driver uses it.
No negotiation needed. No meter anxiety. Just confirm the flat rate before departure.
Pre-booked transfer: quoted at booking
A sedan transfer to central Athens is quoted when you book and does not change with time of day, which means at night it can undercut the taxi's EUR 55 flat rate. Minivans for larger groups cost more. Get the quote and compare it against the flat rate for your arrival time — that comparison, not a range on a web page, is the thing that decides it.
Rideshare (Uber): app price, shown upfront
Uber in Athens operates through licensed taxis, so prices are similar to taxi rates. Beat (a local alternative) works the same way. The app gives you an upfront price. During low-demand periods, it may be slightly below the flat taxi rate.
Costs to specific destinations
| Destination | Taxi (day) | Transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Syntagma / Plaka | EUR 40 flat (EUR 55 at night) | quoted at booking |
| Monastiraki | EUR 40 flat (EUR 55 at night) | quoted at booking |
| Piraeus port | metered | quoted at booking |
| Glyfada | metered | quoted at booking |
| Vouliagmeni | metered | quoted at booking |
| Kifissia (north) | metered | quoted at booking |
| Cape Sounion | metered | quoted at booking |
| Lavrio port | metered | quoted at booking |
What makes prices vary
Time of day only affects taxi fares (day vs night rate). Transfers are priced the same regardless. Bus and metro fares are fixed.
Destination distance matters for non-centre locations. Suburbs south of the airport (Glyfada, Vouliagmeni) are actually closer and cheaper than the city centre. Northern suburbs add distance.
Traffic does not change the taxi flat rate, which is one of the system's strengths. However, it affects travel time. Morning rush (7:30-10 AM) and evening rush (5-8:30 PM) can extend a 40-minute ride to 70-80 minutes.
Vehicle type for transfers: sedan is the baseline, minivan costs more, luxury vehicles more still.
Toll roads
The Attiki Odos motorway is the fastest route to most Athens destinations. Tolls are included in the airport taxi flat rate, along with luggage and VAT — that is the point of the flat rate. Some transfer providers include tolls, others do not. Confirm when booking. The non-toll alternative through surface streets adds 15-20 minutes.
The value calculation
For a solo traveller, the metro at EUR 9 is excellent value for 40 minutes of travel. For a couple, a taxi at EUR 40 (EUR 20 each) is competitive with two metro tickets (EUR 18). For a group of 3-4, the taxi at EUR 40 is clearly better value than EUR 27-36 in metro tickets, and you get door-to-door service. Note there is no discounted group ticket to the airport, so metro cost scales straight up with heads.