There are several ways to get to the Athens International Airport (AIA) from the center of Athens. You can drive there with a rental car, you can go by metro, bus, train, taxi or use a transfer service. Learn about all the available means of transportation to reach to the “Eleftherios Venizelos” airport and choose the one that is more convenient to you.
Bus
The public bus is the cheapest transport option, at only 6€ per person for a one way ticket. You can also get a special 3-day ticket that allows you to use of all public means of transport within Athens City for 22€. There are four bus routes from and to Athens airport, every 30-60 minutes.
- Bus X95 takes you from Athens Airport to Syntagma square and back. It departs every 15-20 minutes and the duration is around 40 minutes.
- Bus X96 takes you from Athens Airport to Piraeus Port in about 60 minutes and you will find a bus every 30-40 minutes.
- Bus X93 to Athens Central Bus Station “Kifisos” (KTEL Kifisou) departs from Athens Airport every 30-40 minutes and the duration is also about an hour.
- Bus X97 going to Elliniko Metro departs from Athens Airport every about 1 hour and the travel duration is approximately 40 minutes.
Metro
The Athens Metro is a great and cheap way to get to the Athens International Airport from the center of Athens or the other way round. Metro Line 3 connects the airport to the Syntagma Square. There is a train every 30 minutes, from 6:30am to 11:30pm and the duration is approximately 40 minutes. One way tickets cost 9€ and the return tickets cost 16€. On the Syntagma station you can connect and change metro line to Line 2 and have access to other places like Acropolis Museum or Omonia and on Monastiraki station of Line 3 you can change to metro Line 1 that will get to Piraeus port amongst other places.
Car rental
If you want to move fast, in comfort and have the independence of your own car, the best option is to rent a car at the airport. Airport car rental is the most convenient, fast, safe and low-cost way to explore the beauty of Athens and the nearby areas. You can choose the car that you prefer, for as long as you need it, and it will be waiting for you directly at your flight’s Gate so you won’t have to wait at all! The pick up and drop off to the Athens airport or any airport of Greece is free of charge with Kosmos car rental. If you don’t know the roads of Athens and you worry you might get lost, ask for a car with a navigator. The GPS system will help you to navigate through the streets of the city easily. You will also be able to change the course whenever you want and explore new places without consulting any driver.
Even without a navigator it is pretty easy to drive from the airport to the city of Athens. The driving distance between the Athens Airport to Athens (let’s say to Syntagma square) is 33 km and it takes approximately 30 minutes to arrive depending on the traffic jam. Once you arrive to Eleftherios Venizelos airport and get in the car you will be already in Attica Tollway (Attiki Odos), a big toll motorway. Drive for a few kilometers (5km approximately) and then turn right to “Elefsina - Athens” exit, where you will have to pay tolls. Keep straight for about another 10km and take the exit to Imittos Rign (Periferiaki Imittou). Continue straight and when you see the signs for “Alimou - Korea Ave.” use the right lane to turn slightly right onto Alimou katechaki. Then take the exit toward University Campus. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Kessariani and merge onto Leof. Eth. Antistaseos. Just a few meters before the end of Ethnikis Antistaseos Avenue, turn right onto Chiou street and then left onto Andrea Dimitriou. Continue straight onto Leof. Vasileos Alexandrou and then onto Leoforos Vasilissis Sofias. The Benaki Museum, the Zappion Hall, the National Garden and other attractions of Athens are just in front of you. Turn left onto Leoforos Vasilissis Amelias to see the Syntagma square.
Related Article: How many airports are there in Athens, Greece?
Taxi
The taxi is also an option for your transportation to and from the Eleftherios Venizelos Airport. Taxis usually wait between Exit 2 and Exit 3 at the arrival area of the airport. The cost is around 38€ per ride and 54€ during the night. Make sure the driver starts the meter as long as you get in the car and he gives you the receipt of your trip.
Private Transfer
If you prefer a private transportation you can book a transfer either to Athens International Airport from Athens or to Athens from AIA and a driver will be waiting for you outside your flight’s gate.
Suburban Railway
The Athens Suburban Railway (Proastiakos) is another way to get to the Athens International Airport from Athens. The line “Piraeus – Athens – Athens International Airport” connects the Port of Piraeus with the centre of Athens, with final destination Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos". Athens airport suburban trains run hourly and you can see the schedule and book your ticket here. The suburban railway station is located at the Departures Level, you get there in 3-5 minutes from the arrivals if you follow the signs to “Railway Station”. To go to the airport from Athens with the suburban railway you will need around 43 minutes. The train from Athens airport to Athens city center and Piraeus or back costs 10€. There is also available a 3-day tourist ticket at 22€ which can be used for bus, metro and tram services.
