Getting around · Athens, Greece
Getting Around Athens: Airport, Metro, Taxis, Ferries & Day Tours
Everything you need to get from the airport into the city, around Athens and out to the islands: the metro, buses and tram, official taxis and apps, private airport transfer drivers, the three ferry ports, the best ferry lines to the Greek islands, and tour companies for day trips across Greece.
Updated October 2026
What's onThis week in Athens
Insiders' picks
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Athens.
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Arrive here
Athens International Airport
Athens' only international airport, about 35 km east of the city. From Arrivals you can take the metro (Line 3) or the suburban railway, the airport express buses, an official taxi from Exit 3, a ride-hailing app or a pre-booked transfer.
Eleftherios Venizelos, SpataExplore View on map
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Fastest to the centre
Athens Metro
Three clean, air-conditioned lines cover the centre, Piraeus port and the airport. Line 3 (blue) runs from the airport to Syntagma in about 40 minutes and on to Piraeus. A standard ticket is €1.20 for 90 minutes; the airport ticket is €9 (€16 return). Tap a contactless card at the gate.
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Cheapest from the airport
Airport Express Buses
Four express lines link the airport with Syntagma (X95, round the clock), Piraeus port (X96), the Kifissos and Liossion intercity coach stations (X93) and Elliniko metro (X97). A ticket costs €5.50 one way. Allow extra time in traffic.
Arrivals level, outside the terminalExplore View on map
The full list: Transport, A–Z
Airport & transfers 7
From Athens airport into the city: metro, express buses, the suburban railway, official taxis and pre-booked transfers.
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Cheapest from the airport
Airport Express Buses
Four express lines link the airport with Syntagma (X95, round the clock), Piraeus port (X96), the Kifissos and Liossion intercity coach stations (X93) and Elliniko metro (X97). A ticket costs €5.50 one way. Allow extra time in traffic.
Arrivals level, outside the terminalExplore View on map
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Chauffeur cars
Airport Limousine Service
The airport's official luxury car service, available on request from the inner lane of Arrivals. A comfortable option for business travellers, families with lots of luggage or anyone arriving after a long flight.
Arrivals level, inner lane between Exits 3 and 4Explore View on map
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Arrive here
Athens International Airport
Athens' only international airport, about 35 km east of the city. From Arrivals you can take the metro (Line 3) or the suburban railway, the airport express buses, an official taxi from Exit 3, a ride-hailing app or a pre-booked transfer.
Eleftherios Venizelos, SpataExplore View on map
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To Rafina & Lavrio ports
KTEL Attica Coaches
Regional coaches connect the airport with Rafina port and Markopoulo (change there for Lavrio port), useful for ferries to the Cyclades. Services are less frequent and run during the day only.
Arrivals level, between Exits 2 and 3Explore View on map
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Fixed fare to the centre
Official Airport Taxis
Yellow licensed taxis wait 24/7 at Exit 3 of Arrivals. Trips between the airport and central Athens (inside the inner ring) are a flat €50, or €65 between midnight and 5am, including all surcharges. Drivers must give you a receipt.
Arrivals level, Exit 3Explore View on map
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Airport–Piraeus by rail
Suburban Railway (Proastiakos)
Hellenic Train's suburban line links the airport with Athens Larissis station and Piraeus (about 65 minutes), with connections to destinations beyond Attica. Metro airport tickets are valid on it.
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Private airport transfers
Welcome Pickups
Founded in Athens in 2015, Welcome Pickups provides pre-booked airport and port transfers with licensed, English-speaking drivers who meet you in Arrivals with a name sign. Fixed fares are paid in advance and flights are tracked.
Getting around Athens 3
The metro, buses, trolleys and tram run on one ticket, and licensed taxis can be booked by app.
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Fastest to the centre
Athens Metro
Three clean, air-conditioned lines cover the centre, Piraeus port and the airport. Line 3 (blue) runs from the airport to Syntagma in about 40 minutes and on to Piraeus. A standard ticket is €1.20 for 90 minutes; the airport ticket is €9 (€16 return). Tap a contactless card at the gate.
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Tram to the beaches
Buses, Trolleys & Tram
One ticket covers buses, trolleybuses, the tram and the metro for 90 minutes. The tram runs from Syntagma down to the coast at Faliro and the Riviera. A 24-hour ticket is €4.10, a 5-day ticket €8.20, and the 3-day tourist ticket (€20) includes an airport return.
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Book by app
Taxi apps: FREENOW & Uber
Both apps book licensed Athens taxis, so you pay the regulated metered fare (or the airport flat rate) with card or cash. At the airport, Uber pick-ups are opposite Exit 4 of Arrivals. Handy late at night and for paying by card.
Ports & ferries 10
The three ferry ports and the best ferry lines to the Greek islands.
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To western Crete
ANEK Lines
Long-established ferry line with overnight sailings from Piraeus to Chania in western Crete, plus other island routes.
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Cyclades & Dodecanese
Blue Star Ferries
One of Greece's largest ferry lines, running big, comfortable conventional ferries from Piraeus to the Cyclades, the Dodecanese and other islands. Good value, with cabins on longer routes.
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Book any ferry
Ferryhopper
An Athens-founded app and website that compares ferry timetables and prices across operators and ports, so you can plan island hopping and book tickets in one place.
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From Rafina
Golden Star Ferries
Ferries and fast boats from Rafina to Cycladic islands such as Andros, Tinos and Mykonos, a good choice if you are staying near the airport or the east coast.
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Saronic islands
Hellenic Seaways
Ferries and fast boats from Piraeus, including the hop to the Saronic islands of Aegina, Poros, Hydra and Spetses, ideal for day trips and short breaks.
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To Crete
Minoan Lines
Large overnight ferries between Piraeus and Heraklion in Crete, with cabins, restaurants and space for cars. Sleep on board and wake up on the island.
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For Kea & Kythnos
Port of Lavrio
A small port near Cape Sounion, the main gateway to the islands of Kea and Kythnos and to some other Cyclades and North Aegean routes.
Lavrio portExplore View on map
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Main ferry port
Port of Piraeus
Greece's biggest port, with ferries to the Saronic islands, the Cyclades, the Dodecanese, the North Aegean and Crete. Reach it by metro (Lines 1 and 3 to Piraeus), the suburban railway or the X96 bus from the airport. Check which gate your ship leaves from.
Piraeus portExplore View on map
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Closest to the airport
Port of Rafina
A smaller port on the east coast, about 20 minutes from the airport, with frequent ferries and fast boats to Andros, Tinos, Mykonos and other Cyclades. Often quicker than Piraeus for these islands.
Rafina portExplore View on map
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Fastest to the islands
Seajets
Fast catamarans from Piraeus and Rafina to the Cyclades, including Mykonos, Paros, Naxos and Santorini, plus Crete. Quicker than conventional ferries, though rougher in strong winds.
Day tours from Athens 4
Licensed tour companies running day trips to the Corinth Canal, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Nafplio, Olympia, Delphi, Meteora and the islands.
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Small groups since 2004
Athens Walking Tours
Athens' first walking tour company, founded in 2004, with licensed guides leading small-group and private day trips to Delphi, Meteora and the Peloponnese, as well as tours of the city.
112 Syngrou AvenueExplore View on map
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Coach tours since 1953
CHAT Tours
Athens' longest-running sightseeing operator, founded in 1953, with scheduled coach day trips and multi-day tours to the Corinth Canal, Mycenae and Epidaurus, Nafplio, Olympia, Delphi and Meteora, plus Saronic island cruises.
9 Xenofontos StreetExplore View on map
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Day trips across Greece
Hop In Sightseeing
A licensed Athens operator with day trips and tours to Ancient Corinth, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Nafplio, Olympia, Delphi, Arachova and Meteora, and cruises to Hydra, Poros and Aegina.
44 Vasilissis Amalias AvenueExplore View on map
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Since 1963
Keytours
A family tour operator near the Acropolis, organising day trips and excursions since 1963: Delphi, Meteora, Mycenae and Epidaurus, and Nafplio, with free last-minute changes and customer care every day.
26 Athanasiou Diakou StreetExplore View on map
Fares and times are from the official airport (aia.gr) and Athens transport (oasa.gr) websites in October 2026 and can change. We have no commercial relationship with any operator listed. Only use licensed taxis and transfer drivers, and buy ferry tickets from the operator, the port or a recognised booking site.
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