The cheapest way from Athens International Airport (ATH) into central Athens is the X95 express bus straight to Syntagma Square: it costs €5.50 one-way and takes about 60 minutes, longer in rush-hour traffic. Buy your ticket at the kiosk between exits 4 and 5, from the driver, or simply tap a contactless card or phone on the validator when boarding. Skip the €9 Metro Line 3 direct, which only saves about 20 minutes, and definitely the taxi, a flat €40 by day and €54 at night.
How to find it
- AIRPORTAthens International Airport – Eleftherios Venizelos
- 01From arrivals, follow signs for 'Bus / X95' toward Exit 4 and Exit 5. The X95 stop and ticket kiosk are right outside on the arrivals-level curb, about a 5-minute walk.
- 02Buy a €5.50 one-way ticket at the kiosk or machine — or skip the queue and tap a contactless card or phone on the validator when you board.
- 03Board the next Syntagma-bound X95 — it runs 24 hours a day, roughly every 15–20 minutes by day and less often overnight — and validate a paper or app ticket on board.
- 04Ride about 60 minutes (up to 90 in rush-hour traffic, 07:30–10:00 and 16:00–19:00) to Syntagma Square, where Metro Lines 2 and 3 and city buses connect to the rest of the centre.
- CITY CENTREAthens
Ticket
X95 Express Airport Bus one-way ticket to Syntagma Square
Where to buy: At the ticket kiosk/machines between Exit 4 and Exit 5 on the arrivals level, from the driver, or via the OASA telematics/fastAthens app; no need to buy in advance.
How to pay: Machines and the kiosk take cash and cards; or skip buying altogether and tap a contactless bank card or phone (Apple Pay/Google Pay) directly on the onboard validator for the same €5.50 fare.
All ways to downtown, compared
| Option | Price | Time | Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|
| BusCheapest route | €5.50 | 1 h | X95 Express Airport Bus one-way ticket to Syntagma Square |
| Metro | €9.00 | 40 min | Airport Metro Line 3 one-way ticket |
Frequently asked
- What is the cheapest way from Athens Airport to the city center?
- The X95 express bus to Syntagma Square, €5.50 one-way, running 24 hours a day roughly every 15–20 minutes by day and taking about 60 minutes depending on traffic.
- Where does the X95 airport bus leave from?
- From the bus stop and ticket kiosk between Exit 4 and Exit 5 on the arrivals level, right outside the terminal.
- Do I need to buy a ticket in advance?
- No — buy a €5.50 ticket at the kiosk or machine, from the driver, or just tap a contactless bank card or phone (Apple Pay/Google Pay) on the validator as you board.
- Is the metro faster than the bus?
- Metro Line 3 reaches Syntagma in about 40 minutes for €9, roughly 64% more than the €5.50 X95 bus, saving only about 20 minutes.
- How much is a taxi from Athens Airport to the center?
- A regulated flat €40 during the day (05:00–00:00) and €54 at night (00:00–05:00) — far more than the €5.50 bus or €9 metro, and unlicensed drivers touting inside the terminal charge even more.
- What is the best way from ATH to downtown Athens?
- For budget travellers the best way is the cheapest one: the X95 express bus to Syntagma Square — €5.50 one-way, about 60 minutes depending on traffic.
Last verified: . Prices and timetables change — confirm at the official transport source.