Athens is connected to even the remotest destinations through the Athens International Airport, ports of Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio, national railway network operated by TRAINOSE and, long-distance bus network KTEL.
From the airport to downtown Athens
Athens Airport Railway/Metro Station
Athens Airport Railway/Metro Station
Getting to/from the Athens International Airport and the city center, located about 20 km (12 miles) east can be achieved via:
24-hour express buses: All buses leave passengers at the Departures Level and depart from the Arrivals Level, between Exits 4 and 5. There are four routes:
Χ93 : Kifissos KTEL (long-distance buses) Station – Airport
Χ95 : Syntagma – Airport
Χ96 : Port of Piraeus – Airport
Χ97 : Eliniko Metro Station – Airport
One-way travel time estimates: X93 (65 min), X95 (70 min), X96 (90 min), X97 (100 min).
Allow sufficient time to travel as traffic conditions may cause delays. For ticket info see Athens Transport tickets and cards.
Metro: Take Metro Line 3 (Aghia Marina – Douk. Plakentias – Airport), which connects the Athens airport with the city center. Trains run every 30 minutes, 7 days a week from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. The trip from/to the Airport to Syntagma station (Athens center) lasts 40 minutes. See the Metro timetable to the airport here. For ticket info see Athens Transport tickets and cards.
Proastiakos: The Suburban railway connects the Athens airport with the Athens Central Railway Station and Acharnai Railway Center, and through them to the National Railway network. Current timetables: Airport – Kiato and Kiato – Airport, Kiato – Patra bus connections, Piraeus – Athens – Halkida line .
Tip: The Suburban railway departs every 15-25 minutes from the Athens Airport railway station to Plakentias station, where you can change trains and continue to the city center (Metro Line 3 to Egaleo), using the same ticket.
Taxi: A taxi from the airport to the city center costs a flat rate of €35 from 5:00 a.m. to midnight, and €50 from midnight to 5:00 a.m.
From Athens to the port of Piraeus
Port of Piraeus is the biggest port of Athens and the main gateway to the Aegean islands. It is 10 km (6.2 miles) away from Athens center and 47 km (29.2 miles) away from Athens airport. You can get to the port via:
Metro: Take Metro line 1 towards Piraeus. The terminal station is just across the street from the port. If you’re coming from or going to the airport, change lines at Monastiraki station.
Buses and trolleys: A large number of buses and trolleys connect the port of Piraeus to different areas of Athens. Bus line 040 runs 24-hours a day, between Syntagma square and the port. Bus line 500 runs only during the night, on a route similar to that of Metro line 1. Bus route X96 is an express 24-hour line, running between Athens airport and the port of Piraeus. You can view more bus lines serving Piraeus here.
Moving around the city
Buses and trolleys
City buses and electrical trolley-buses serve Athens and its suburbs. Most vehicles are modern and air-conditioned. Special schedules apply during summer months of July-September
Operating hours vary according to line/day/season, but generally they run between 5:00 a.m. – midnight. There are also five 24-hour lines, 4 airport lines (see above section), and 8 Express lines.
You can find routes and maps for every line on this website: Athens Buses routes and timetables. You can also get additional information by calling 11185 from a Greek phone. For ticket info see Athens Transport tickets and cards.
Metro
The Athens Metro has 3 lines. Line 1 (the Green line) started operation in 1869, making it the second oldest underground system in the world after the London Underground. Lines 2 and 3 opened in 2000 and increased the Metro’s popularity due to its speed, cleanliness and security. Today’s Athens’ underground connects important landmarks of the Greek capital, such as the Acropolis, Athens Airport, Port of Piraeus, Central Railway Station and Olympic Stadium, in addition to connecting downtown Athens with the suburbs. Archeological exhibits found during Metro’s construction and modern works of art are exhibited in many stations. All stations are fully accessible to disabled persons with elevators in every level and platform and most of the trains are air-conditioned.
Line 1 (green line): Kifisia – Piraeus
Line 2 (red line): Anthoupoli – Eliniko
Line 3 (blue line): Airport – Douk. Plakentias – Aghia Marina
All trains stop at all stations all the time, except of the section Airport – Douk. Plakentias of line 3 where trains run every 30 minutes.
Operating hours are 5:30 a.m. to 00:30 a.m., and every Friday and Saturday night, lines 2 & 3 stay open until 2:30 a.m. You can find information about Athens metro, including timetables, maps, parking and safety information on this website. For ticket info see Athens Transport tickets and cards.
Tram
Athens Tram
Athens Tram vehicles
Starting operation on the eve of Athens’ Olympics, the Athens Tram connects the city center with the southern seaside. There are 3 lines:
Line 1 «Syntagma – SEF» linking downtown Athens to the Peace and Friendship Stadium,
Line 2 «Syntagma – Voula» which runs between the city center and southern suburb of Voula and
Line 3 «Voula – SEF» running along the coastal zone.
In summer, many Athenians choose tram to visit nearby beaches, seaside cafes and clubs.
Operating hours are 5:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays it operates approximately from 5:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Information on the Athens Tram, including timetables, can be found on on this website. For ticket info see Athens Transport tickets and cards
Suburban Railway
The Suburban Railway, or «Proastiakos«, is part of the national railway network of Greece. Its main route is Athens Airport – Kiato, while other routes travel up to Ano Liosia. There is also a route that connects Ano Liosia with the Athens Central Station as well as a route that connects the town of Halkida (Chalkis) with the Acharnai Station (S.K.A.), the Athens Central Station and Piraeus Station.
Be aware that different fares apply: Piraeus to Acharnai Station (S.K.A.) and Magoula to Koropi stations use the integrated ticket for all modes, while different fares are charged for more distant stations. Current Suburban Railway timetables: Airport – Kiato and Kiato – Airport, Kiato – Patra bus connections, Piraeus – Athens – Halkida line. See also: Suburban Railway Discount Policy. .
Keep in mind that strikes in Greece occur regularly and many times affect transportation even though most times there is an alternative option. Strike schedules are usually announced just 1-3 days in advance, so it’s essential to stay informed. The best website to keep you updated on all strikes and protests is livingingreece.gr/strikes. For information about Athens transport routes, schedules and more, you can also call 11185 on a Greek phone.
Reference: www.athenstransport.com
