Athens Airport: Bus Transportation Options And Availability

Athens International Airport is located 33km southeast of Athens and is easily accessible by bus. There are four express bus routes from and to the airport, which are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The four bus routes are X93, X95, X96 and X97. The departure point for the bus is located between Exit 4 and Exit 5 at the arrivals level.

Bus routes X93, X95, X96 and X97

Athens International Airport is connected to the city's major hubs via four OASA public bus lines, which operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These are the X93, X95, X96 and X97 routes.

X93

The X93 route connects Athens Airport with the Intercity Bus Station on Kifisou Avenue. The journey takes approximately 65 minutes and the bus departs every 40 minutes. This is the only way to reach the intercity bus station by public transport, other than by taxi.

X95

The X95 route takes passengers from Athens Airport to Syntagma Square in the city centre. The route lasts about 60 minutes. Many ancient monuments are within walking distance of Syntagma Square, including the Acropolis, the Parthenon, the Acropolis Museum, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Roman Market.

X96

The X96 route connects Athens Airport with Piraeus Port, the biggest port in Greece. This route is for those planning to take a ferry to the Greek islands, such as Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Kos, Crete and Rhodes. The journey takes about 90 minutes, depending on traffic, and the bus departs every 20-25 minutes.

X97

The X97 route's final stop during the day is Elliniko Metro Station, and during the night it is Dafni Metro Station. The bus departs from the airport every 40-60 minutes and the journey takes 45 minutes.

Tickets

Athens airport bus tickets can be purchased from the ticket kiosks at the airport's arrivals area, or via contactless payment on the bus. Tickets are one-way and cost €5.50/6.38 for adults. Reduced tickets are also available for €2.70/3.13 for students, elders and children aged 6-18 years old. Children under 6 travel for free.

24-hour service

Athens International Airport is located 33 km southeast of Athens. The airport is easily accessible via the Athens ring road (Attiki Odos), with the drive from downtown Athens taking 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic.

The Athens public transport system is affordable and reliable, with an extensive bus and trolleybus network. While most buses and trolleybuses run daily from 5 am to midnight, there are 24-hour services available.

The Airport Express Bus lines operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, connecting the airport to the city centre (Syntagma Square), the port of Piraeus, the Intercity Bus Terminal (KTEL Kifissos), and the area of Elliniko. These services are available every 30 to 60 minutes, with four express routes:

• X95: Syntagma - Athens Airport (approximately 60 minutes)
• X96: Piraeus - Athens Airport (approximately 90 minutes)
• X93: Kifisou Avenue - Athens Airport (approximately 65 minutes)
• X97: Elliniko - Athens Airport (approximately 45 minutes)

These 24-hour services provide a convenient and cost-effective way to travel to and from the airport, with tickets sold at the ticket booth outside the Arrivals hall (between Exits 4 and 5). One-way tickets are €5.50 for adults and €2.70 for children, teenagers, and seniors.

In addition to the bus services, the Athens Metro Line 3 also connects the airport to the city centre, operating from 6:30 am to 11:30 pm, with trains running every 30 minutes. Taxis are available outside Exit 3 of the Arrivals Level, with a flat rate of €40 from 5 am to midnight and €55 from midnight to 5 am.

Ticket prices

There are several bus ticket options for passengers travelling to and from Athens Airport. The ticket you need depends on your age, the number of people travelling with you, and the length of your stay in Athens.

Single Tickets

Single tickets are valid for 90 minutes from the first validation and can be used on all Athens Urban Transport Organisation (OASA) means, including buses, trolleybuses, trams, and metro lines 1, 2, and 3. Single tickets are also valid for the Suburban Railway (TRAINOSE) route between Magoula, Piraeus, and Koropi. Single tickets are not valid for the Airport Express bus lines or the metro line 3 route between Koropi and the airport. Single tickets cost €1.20 at full price and €0.50 at a discount.

Daily Tickets

Daily tickets are valid for 24 hours from the first validation and can be used on all Athens Urban Transport Organisation (OASA) means, including buses, trolleybuses, trams, and metro lines 1, 2, and 3. Daily tickets are also valid for the Suburban Railway (TRAINOSE) route between Magoula, Piraeus, and Koropi. Daily tickets are not valid for the Airport Express bus lines or the metro line 3 route between Koropi and the airport. Daily tickets cost €4.10 at full price.

5-Day Tickets

5-day tickets are valid for 5 x 24 hours from the first validation and can be used on all Athens Urban Transport Organisation means, including buses, trolleybuses, trams, and metro lines 1, 2, and 3. 5-day tickets are also valid for the Suburban Railway (TRAINOSE) route between Magoula, Piraeus, and Koropi. 5-day tickets are not valid for the Airport Express bus lines or the metro line 3 route between Koropi and the airport. 5-day tickets cost €8.20 at full price.

3-Day Tourist Ticket

The 3-day tourist ticket is valid for 3 x 24 hours from the first validation and can be used on all Athens Urban Transport Organisation (OASA) means, including buses, trolleybuses, trams, and metro lines 1, 2, and 3. The 3-day tourist ticket is also valid for the Suburban Railway (TRAINOSE) route between Magoula, Piraeus, and Koropi, and it includes a 2-way trip from/to the airport by metro or the respective express bus lines. The 3-day tourist ticket costs €20.00 at full price.

ATH.ENA Card

The ATH.ENA card is a reloadable plastic pass that can be topped up with multiple fare products depending on your needs. The ATH.ENA card is recommended for extended stays in Athens.

Express Bus Tickets

Express bus tickets are valid for a single route and cost €5.50 for adults. Reduced tickets are available for students, elders, and children aged 6-18, and they cost €2.70. Children under 6 years old travel for free. Express bus tickets can be purchased from the ticket booth outside the arrivals hall (between exits 4 and 5) or via contactless payment on the bus.

Where to catch the bus at the airport

There are four express bus routes from Athens Airport, all of which are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The departure point for all four routes is the designated area at the arrivals level, between Exit 4 and Exit 5.

The X95 bus goes to Syntagma Square in Athens city centre. This is the most central area of the city and is within walking distance of many ancient monuments, including the Acropolis, the Parthenon, the Acropolis museum, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and the Roman Market. The route takes approximately 60 minutes and buses depart every 30 to 60 minutes.

The X96 bus goes to Piraeus Port, the biggest Greek port and the place to go if you're planning to take a ferry to the Greek islands. The route takes about 90 minutes, depending on traffic, and buses depart every 20 to 25 minutes.

The X93 bus goes to Kifissos Station, the Intercity Bus Station. The route takes about 65 minutes and buses depart every 40 minutes.

The X97 bus goes to Elliniko Metro Station during the day and Dafni Metro Station during the night. The route takes about 45 minutes and buses depart every 40 to 60 minutes.

Taxi alternatives

If you're looking for alternatives to taking a taxi from Athens Airport, there are several options available. The airport is well-connected to the city and its surroundings by bus and train. Here are some detailed instructions for each alternative:

Option 1: Airport Express Buses

Athens International Airport is served by four 24-hour express bus routes, providing connections to the city centre and other key locations. The four bus lines are X93, X95, X96, and X97, and they depart from the designated area at the arrivals level (between Exit 4 and Exit 5). These buses offer a cheaper alternative to taxis, with tickets priced at €5.50 for adults and €2.70 for children, teenagers, and seniors. You can purchase tickets at the kiosks located by Exit 3 or via contactless payment on the buses (full fare only).

• X93 (Athens Airport - Kifissos Station): This route connects the airport to the Intercity Bus Station, with an approximate journey time of 65 minutes. Buses depart every 40 minutes.
• X95 (Athens Airport - Syntagma Square): This route takes you directly to the city centre (Syntagma Square) in about 60 minutes. It's ideal if you're staying in the city centre or want to visit ancient monuments like the Acropolis and the Parthenon.
• X96 (Athens Airport - Piraeus Port): If you plan to take a ferry to the Greek islands, this route connects the airport to Piraeus Port, the biggest Greek port. The journey takes approximately 90 minutes, and buses are available every 20-25 minutes.
• X97 (Athens Airport - Elliniko Metro Station): This route's final stop is Elliniko Metro Station during the day and Dafni Metro Station at night. Buses depart every 40-60 minutes, and the journey takes around 45 minutes.

Option 2: Suburban Railway (Proastiakos)

The suburban railway is another alternative to taxis. It connects Athens Airport with Larissis Station, the central Athens railway station, in approximately 45 minutes. Trains depart every 15-25 minutes to Doukissis Plakentias station, where you can transfer to the Athens Metro network using the same ticket.

Option 3: Athens Metro

You can also use the Athens Metro to get from the airport to the city centre. Metro Line 3 connects the airport to Syntagma Square in the city centre, with a journey time of about 40 minutes. Trains run every 30 minutes, seven days a week, from 6:30 am to 11:30 pm. Metro tickets are €9 for adults and €4.50 for children, teenagers, and seniors.

Frequently asked questions