Athens Airport Bus
IATA code: ATH
ICAO code: LGAV
Passengers: 25 million (2019)
International Airport in Athens, also known as Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, is one of the ‘youngest’ European airports, opened in 2001.
Located 20 km from the centre of Athens, it’s Greece’s primary international airport serving the area of the capital and the region of Attica.
It is also the country’s busiest airport and serves as a hub and main base of Aegean Airlines, as well as some other Greek airline companies.
If you’re flying to Athens check out our guide with the most important information about its airport.
Table of Contents
How to get from Athens Airport to Athens
Metro
You can reach the airport via metro line 3 on the route Aghia Marina – Athens International Airport.
- A 90-minute ticket costs 10 € per person, 18 € for 2 people and 24 € for three people. The return ticket costs 18 € per person and must be used within 48 hours. Children, students and seniors get discounts.
- Check out the line schedule.
- The journey is approximately 45 min long.
Rail
The Kiato Suburban Service connects the Airport and Kiato to the centre of Athens and Piraeus Port. The last stop is Athens Central Railway Station (Larissis Station).
- See the possible routes and departures.
- The journey takes 90 min.
Local Bus
Four regional buses operate at the airport. All buses drop off passengers at the Departures Level and depart from the Arrivals Level, between Exits 2 and 3, in front of the Airport Hotel Sofitel.
You will recognize them by KTEL sign on them. All bus routes are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
- X93 line is driving directly to Kifissos main bus station, the journey takes 65min. See timetable.
- X95 drives on a route Syntagma Square – City Centre. See timetable.
- X96 goes via Glyfada to Piraeus for 90 min. See timetable.
- X97 follows the route Elliniko – Athens Airport. See timetable.
- A single ticket costs 6 € for adults and 3 € for students and seniors.
- This is the best option for people travelling outside Athens, since you will find few other lines at the bus station at the airport.
NOTE: We advise you to buy a 3 day tourist pass which gives you a 72-hour access to all public transport including transport to and from the airport for 22 € per person.
Taxi
There is a taxi rank at the airport in front of the Arrivals Area. A fare to the city centre is 38€ during daytime, the price goes up to 54€ if you choose to take a taxi over the night (luggage included in both cases).
Transfer
If you don’t like using public transport and hesitate to take a taxi, consider booking a private transfer which will wait for you on the airport and take you to your hotel or wherever you need to go.
The transfer company will send a professional driver to pick you up. You can even pre-order a child safety seat if you’re travelling with a child.
Renting a car at Athens Airport
For those of you who would like to reach the city and explore the area on your own, the best option is to rent a car directly at the airport.
There are several car rental companies there. Compare their rental prices and save time by booking your car online.
Renting a bus at Athens Airport
For larger groups of passengers, consider renting a bus at the airport. However, it is recommended to book it online, so the bus rental companies have enough time to advise you on the meeting point and all other information.
Airlines at the airport
The airport is the central hub for the Greek carrier Aegean Airlines.
Since Athens is a worldwide famous destination, there are lots of airlines operating here.
Some of the busiest European destinations from the airport are London, Larnaca, Paris and Istanbul.
Here’s a list of airlines with the most frequent flights to and from the airport:
- Aegean Airlines
- Olympic Air
- Sky Express
- Ryanair
- Heraklion
- Wizzair
Services and Facilities
If you’re waiting for your flight or you’re on a layover, maybe some of these services and facilities available at AIA airport will help you:
| SERVICES AND FACILITIES | LOCATION |
| ATMs | Arrivals Level |
| Bank | Arrivals Level |
| Post Office | Arrivals Level |
| Duty-Free and Shopping | Departures Level |
| WiFi (free for 60 minutes) | |
| Luggage Storage | Arrivals Level |
| Pharmacy | Arrivals Level |
| Children’s Play Area | Main Terminal, 2nd Floor |
Did you know? There are also many interesting periodical and pernament exhibitions at the airport. We recommend the Archeological findings exhibition or the Acropolis Museum exhibition.
Accommodation near the airport
If you want to rest before or after your flight at one of the nearby hotels and accommodation units, check out the map below and find the best place to stay overnight.
Athens Airport FAQs
No, there are several means of transport which take you to the city centre. You can use the metro, rail or bus lines. If you miss them all, you can always take a taxi, but the price will be a bit spicy, especially during the nighttime.
Yes, the nearest hotel Sofitel is only 150 m away, and a bit further you can check in at the Mare Nostrum Thalasso hotel, as well as at Holiday Inn, for acceptable price with all services included.
Yes, it will take approximately an hour to reach the city, but the airport is well-connected to the centre at all times of the day, so it should be no problem to go there and back within a day. There is even the PACIFIC Travel Services S.A. which provides dedicated storage space where travellers can safely leave their luggage while exploring the city.
Yes, you can exchange your money, but you can also pick up money at the ATM machine in the Arrivals Hall. We recommend you to bring euros with you to avoid low currency rates.
From the airport you can go directly to the ports nearby, but for other destinations, such as Tirana you have to reach the Central Station and check your options there.
Hi
How much time does it take from the airport to Syntagma Place with bus X95 ?
Thank you
Diane
Dear Diane,
I takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes by bus from Athens Airport to Syntagma Square.
Best regards!
Melani, GBB Team
Hi Melani, do you know the fair? How much is it for the bus? Thank you, Barb
Dear Barb,
The bus ticket costs 6.00 €.
Best regards!
Melani, GBB Team
Hi…just wanted to ask where in the airport can we buy the airport transfer ticket to Syntagma (Bus X95)?
Also, is there a kiosk/booth where we can buy tickets for a return trip to the airport from Syntagma?
Thanks…Joel G
Dear Joel,
Tickets can be purchased from the bus drivers, at the ticket kiosk located in the bus departure area in front of the airport and at all the metro stations in Athens.
Best regards
Melani GBB Team
Hi Melani,
you said that it takes 1 h 20 m from Airport to Syntagma square. On the webpage that way from Center to Airport is 40 min. “It takes approximately 40 minutes from Syntagma to Athens Airport.”
Why it is so different?
Regards,
Sandor
Dear Sandor,
The journey is shorter if you take metro line 3, it will take you 30-40 minutes. However, if you take bus line X95 the journey will be longer.
Best regards!
Melani, GBB Team
How long it take by cab to Kifissos bus station and how much would it cost?
Dear Angela,
By taxi it takes around 30-40 minutes to get to Kifissos bus station and it should cost somewhere between 35-45€. I suggest to check with the taxi driver the price beforehand.
Best regards!
Melani, GBB Team
Hi! How long does it take to get from the Kifisos Bus Station to the Athens Airport, at 6.30 AM on a Friday morning, please?
Dear Victoria,
The bus drive from Kifisos Station to Athens Airport usually takes around 65 minutes.
Best regards!
Melani, GBB Team
Which bus to the centre? And what time is the last one? Thanks
Dear Leonie,
The bus line X95 connects Athens Airport with Syntagma Square (City Centre). The last bus departs from the airport at 23:55.
Best regards!
Melani, GBB Team
From where can I buy the bus ticket from airport. and please what are the opening times of the booth if there are any.
Dear Moira,
Tickets can be bought directly on board, at ticket kiosk at the airport bus station (located between between Exit 4 and 5 at the Arrivals level) and on all the metro stations around Athens.
Best regards!
Melani, GBB Team
How can I get from athens center to rafina port to arrive by 7am ad will a 24hour bus ticket cover the cost??
Dear Simon,
There’s a direct bus line from Athens to Rafina Port. You can check the bus timetable on the following link – http://ktelattikis.gr/en/en_marathon_makri
Best regards!
Melani, GBB Team
Can I catch a bus from kriopigi hotel to skg Thessaloniki airport?
Dear Sophie,
You can check transportation from Thessaloniki Airport on the following link https://getbybus.com/en/blog/airport-bus-thessaloniki/
Best regards!
Melani, GBB Team
Which bus goes from airport to alimos marina please?
D ear Eilise,
The best option is to take line X96 and exit at Edem bus stop. From there there’s additional 5-10 minute walk to Alimos Marina.
Best regards!
Melani, GBB Team
Hey there,
I arrive arround 8.30pm in the evening at Athens Airport.
Do you know if the Ticket office at Airport – Arrivals (Gates 4 – 5) will still be open at that time ?
( I want to purchase a personalized ath.ena card and this seems to be the only place to get it at the airport)
Thanks a lot 🙂
Dear Marc,
We do not have that kind of information, so I advise You to contact directly Athens Airport.
Best regards!
Melani, GBB Team
Hi any idea what s best way to get too nafplio tks heading on friday tks
Dear Louise,
You can see how to get from Athens to Napflio on the following link https://getbybus.com/en/blog/best-day-trips-from-athens/
Best regards!
Melani, GBB Team
Hi, if I took the bus X95 to the airport from syntagma square how much is the fare?
Can I use the ath.ena ticket? I bought the 24 hour ticket.
Thx u
Dear Lily,
The bus fare to Syntagma Square costs €6.00. Regarding ath.ena ticket, we do not have that information, so I advise you to check with their customer service.
Best regards!
Melani, GBB Team
I am arriving athen airport at 17.15 on 8 January 2019 I need to go to posiden apartment Address Derigini 49 athen greece.
What is best mode of public transport
Dear Gilbert,
The best way to get to your accommodation is to take metro line M3 from Athens Airport to Monastiraki Metro Station and then transfer to line M1 and exit at ΣΤ.ΒΙΚΤΩΡΙΑΣ stop (two stops from Monastiraki). From there you have additional 5 min walk.
Best regards,
Melani, GBB Team
Dear melanie
I am arriving on athens in january but i reach the airport at 1 am . Would it be possible to find public transporation at late time ? Or i need to take a taxi thanks
Dear Claudette,
There are several local bus lines, X39, X95, X96 and X97 operate during night as well. You can check timetables in the blog post.
Best regards,
Melani, GBB Team
Hi There, are local bus lines, X39, X95, X96 and X97 can be boarded using 72-hour access for 22 € per person?
Thanks
Dear Puthirin,
As it is stated in the post, 72-hour bus pass gives access to all public transport in Athens.
Best regards,
Melani, GBB Team
Cheapest way to get from airport to Oscar hot hotel. Seen different names of buses to and from centre. Cost of one way ticket or best to buy return staying 4 nights
Dear Loraine,
The best way is to use metro (M3 combined with M2 line). If you’re staying 4 nights it would be best to buy a multiday ticket.
Best regards,
Melani GBB Team
Hi, what about the best way to get into the city center having a baby with us? What’s the best offer if we speak about price and confort to travel with a baby? About those 3 day tourist pass where can we buy them? Thanks
Dear Jose Miguel,
There are several ways of getting to the city center. Maybe the best option for you would be a private transfer booked in advance and you can also demand a child seat in the car for the safety of your child.
Best regards
Melani GBB Team
Hi I’m looking for public transport options to travel from the city to the Airport around 2.00 am in the morning what would be my options?
Dear Shamalie,
Express Buses connect Athens (city centre & greater area) with Athens International Airport. Service is provided on a non-stop basis, seven days a week including holidays. As stated in the text, you can see the timetables of lines X93, X95, X96 and X97 and see which of these suits you the best.
Best regards,
Melani GBB Team
Hello, i want to reach from Alimos Marina to Athens Airport. Which line i should pick up? Thanks
Dear Teo,
You should take bus line X96 (Piraeus) which makes a stop at Alimos Marina. The timetable for this line is in the text.
Best regards
Melani GBB Team
Hi Melanie,
Buying 3 day passes or metro tickets at the airport, is cash only?
Cannot pay contactless, right?
Thanks!
Dear Cristian,
You can also pay by credit cards at any ticket office or ticket machine.
Best regards
Melani GBB Team
Hi Melani
Could you provide a step by step guide on how to get from Athens Railway Station (Larissa) to Athens International Airport by subway?
Dear Catherine,
Please read the instructions in the blog post on how to get from Athens Airport to Athens Railway Station.
Best regards,
Melani GBB Team
To get to Piraeus from Athens Airport after 18.55 according to timetable doesn’t seems possible. It reads that after 18.55 *) Final Stop KARAISKAKI SQUARE. Is my understanding correct ?
Dear Daz,
All departures marked with an asterisk have Karaiskaki Square as the last stop, not Piraeus.
Best regards,
Melani GBB Team
Hi, How much does a 14 year old pays (full price, half price or free) and how much a 4 year old pays (full price, half price or free) Thank you.
Dear Ionee,
Which type of transport are you referring to?
Best regards,
Melani GBB Team
Hello
Please i will be arriving in Athens at 00:45.
How do i get bus to thesaloniki?
Dear Tettey,
In order to reach Thessaloniki, you have to reach the Central Station in Athens first and check your options there. Another option is booking direct and reliable transfer https://getbytransfer.com/
Where would I find timings for specific stops? We are going from 4th GLYFADAS to the airport On the x96 but I can’t find the timings.
Dear Lily,
unfortunately, the schedule does not give the exact timing when the bus arrives at a certain bus stop.
The approximate time from the first station in Piraeus to Glyfada stops is 30 minutes.
We suggest you arrive at the station on time, no later than 30 minutes from the departure of the bus.
Best regards,
Maja GBB Team