Athens Airport Transfers

If you already have your flight ticket to Athens, here's everything you need to know to save money and gain in comfort for your arrival at the hotel from the airport.

The best transfers between Athens airport and the city centre

Once you land in Athens, you can get to the city centre in two different ways: by public transport (metro and bus) or by private transport (taxi or pre-booked transfers).

Shared transfer from Athens airport to your hotel

Athens Airport Terminal| ©Leonid Mamchenkov

With this door to door shared transfer service from Athens airport to your hotel a professional driver will pick you up on arrival at the airport and take you to your hotel door in a luxury air-conditioned van or transfer. You will share the journey with two or three other travellers, but you will not have to give up any comfort.

For any questions, incidents, special luggage needs, etc. you can easily contact the company by email once you have made your booking.

Advantages

It is cheaper than a taxi
The driver is professional and reliable (which cannot be assured in the case of the unofficial transfers that are frequent at Athens airport).
The driver speaks English (something you will appreciate when you arrive in Greece)
You will be dropped off directly at your hotel, whereas with public transport you will have to find your way from one of the stops in the city centre.
It will take you only 45 minutes
You will travel more comfortably than by bus, train, taxi or metro.
The driver will be waiting for you on arrival and you won't have to make any effort to find a specific point within the airport.

Shared return transfer from your hotel to the airport

The same service is available for the same price to get you from your hotel in Athens to the airport at the end of your trip. Taking into account the departure time of your flight, your driver will pick you up from your hotel well in advance so that you arrive at the airport on time without having to board the plane in a hurry or wait for an eternity.

Private transfer from Athens airport to your hotel

This option is very similar to the shared transfer, the difference is that this time you will go alone in the vehicle or with those travelling with you. In 40 minutes you will be directly at your hotel. It is the most comfortable way to start your journey as you will not share the vehicle with anyone else and the departure will be immediate once you arrive in Athens and meet your driver.

How it works

This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so it doesn't matter what time you arrive in Athens.
Make your booking online indicating your flight and hotel details so that they can arrange your pick up.
Let the company know by email if you have any special situation or request.
Once you arrive at the airport, your professional, English-speaking driver will be waiting for you at the arrivals terminal with an identification sign.
You will show them the voucher or booking receipt sent to you by email and they will drive you to your hotel in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle.

Return transfer from your hotel to the airport

Once your trip is over, you can also use this private transfer service to get from your hotel to Athens airport. You can book it before your trip or once you are in Athens, the services and quality will be the same on the outward and return journeys.

Other options between the airport and the city centre

If you prefer public transport, Athens airport is served by both metro and bus services. You will find both options signposted on arrival at the airport. Here's what you need to know:

Metro

A single ticket to the centre costs 10 euros. If you choose a return ticket you will pay 18 euros, but you have to use the return ticket within seven days, so it is only recommended if you are only in Athens for a few days. You can buy your ticket from the ticket offices at the station or from the ticket machines located in the station.

The metro has connections to central Athens stations such as Syntagma and Monastiraki from where you can transfer or walk to your hotel. It takes about 45 minutes to get to the centre and the timetable is from 6:35am to 11:35pm with a frequency of 30 minutes.

Bus

It takes longer than the metro (from 45 to 90 minutes depending on the area you are going to), but it is cheaper and has a 24-hour service including public holidays. The ticket price is 6 euros and there are four lines available: X93, which connects to Kifisos and Liosion bus station, X95, which goes to Syntagma Square, X96, to the port of Piraeus and X97, with a final stop at Dafni metro station. Frequency can range from 15 to 60 minutes.

Children and the over 65s get a discount on the Athens public service, but if there are several of you travelling it may be worth booking a private transfer because of the prices and the added hassle of having to make your own way to the hotel once you get to the centre.

Taxi

If you arrive in Athens without booked transport and want to avoid public transport, you can also book a taxi. In this case you will not need a reservation but you will need to find the taxi rank (make sure it is the official rank which is signposted) and wait for your turn. Taxis in Athens have a fixed airport fare of 35 euros during the day and 53 euros in the early morning. As you can see, this is the most expensive option for getting to your hotel.

Renting a car

Finally, there is the alternative of a rental car, but I don't recommend it if you don't know the roads or if you intend to stay in Athens. Getting your bearings on Greek roads can be more difficult than in other European countries because of the language.

First tips for your arrival in Athens

Enjoy the historical beauty of Athens| ©Hert Niks

What Athens airport is like

Athens airport has all the amenities of a major international airport. You'll find free WIFI, food courts, luggage storage and a shopping area. Both at the airport and in the city centre, you'll find it easy to get around in English.

When to go to Athens

The best time to visit Athens is in spring. This season is not considered high season (so the crowds will be less crowded) than summer, and temperatures are still very pleasant during the day (averaging around 25 degrees Celsius).

How to save during your trip

Athens is not a cheap city. Due to tourism, prices can be high, but there are always ways to save money. The main one is to book flights, accommodation and excursions as far in advance as possible in order to find the best deals. Secondly, the food you can find at street stalls is pretty decent, so don't get hung up on eating at the best restaurants.

If you go on guided tours, it can be a good opportunity to ask your guide for recommendations on cheap places in the city that are off the beaten track. Children, students and seniors can get discounted entry to some of the sights, so always ask about the conditions before you buy your ticket. Here is a list of Best Tours and Day Trips from Athens.

Getting around Athens

The distances in Athens are not great, so if you're staying in the centre you can walk to many of the sights. Renting a bicycle is also an inexpensive and practical way to get around the city. The metro, meanwhile, is quite efficient and you can save a few euros if you buy multi-day combined tickets (ask at any station for information).

I also recommend that you consider using the tourist bus to get between the main points of the city. Here is my practical guide to Athens Hop on Hop off Bus Tours so that you can organise your trip.

What to pack

Greece's currency is the Euro, so there's no need to carry other currencies on your trip. You don't need to travel with cash either, as you can withdraw money free of charge from most ATMs in Athens. If you're travelling in summer, don't forget light clothing and a mackintosh if you're travelling in winter.

Whatever time of year you travel, wear comfortable shoes- you'll need to walk to visit the Acropolis. It's also a good idea to take your European Health Insurance Card in case you need medical assistance during your trip, as it's free of charge.