Athens Eleftherios Venizelos — X95 Express + X96 Piraeus
Athens Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) to Athens — Updated 2026
Athens airport buses are the **cheapest 24/7 transport option** — the X95 runs to Syntagma Square (central Athens) and the X96 runs to Piraeus port (gateway to the Greek islands), both €5.50 single fare. The buses operate 24 hours with reduced overnight frequency (every 60 minutes between 02:00-06:00). For overnight arrivals, X95 + X96 are often the only operating options other than (expensive) taxi. The X95 takes 60-90 minutes to Syntagma depending on traffic; the X96 takes ~90 minutes to Piraeus.
X95 Express + X96 Piraeus stops
| Station / Stop | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Airport (bus stop) | 0 min | Outside Arrivals, exit gate 4 |
| Pallini | ~15 min | Stops if requested |
| Stavros | ~25 min | Major interchange |
| Katehaki | ~40 min | University area |
| Megaro Mousikis | ~50 min | X95 + X96 split here |
| Syntagma (X95) | 60–90 min | Final stop X95 — central Athens, Parliament |
| Piraeus port (X96) | 90 min | Final stop X96 — Greek island ferries |
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X95 Express + X96 Piraeus vs alternatives
| Option | Cost | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| X95 (airport → Syntagma) | €5.50 | 60–90 min | 24/7. Direct to central Athens. |
| X96 (airport → Piraeus) | €5.50 | 90 min | 24/7. Direct to Greek island ferries. |
| Metro Line 3 | €9.00 | 40 min | Faster but more expensive + closes 23:30. |
| Proastiakos rail | €9.00 | 38 min | Same as Metro but Piraeus-focused. |
| Taxi flat fare day | €38 | 30–50 min | Faster, more comfort, daytime. |
| Taxi flat fare night | €54 | 30–50 min | 24:00–05:00. Often only option overnight. |
FAQ
X95 or X96 — which Athens airport bus?+
X95 = central Athens (Syntagma Square area). X96 = Piraeus port (for ferries to Greek islands like Mykonos, Santorini, Crete). Take X95 if your hotel is in Plaka, Syntagma, Monastiraki, Kolonaki, or near the Acropolis. Take X96 if you're catching a ferry within 4-6 hours of landing.
How often do airport buses run?+
X95 every 15-25 minutes peak (06:00-22:00), every 60 minutes overnight (22:00-06:00). X96 every 30 minutes day, every 60 minutes overnight. Both run 24/7 — Athens is one of few European capitals with truly 24-hour airport bus service.
Where exactly is the airport bus stop?+
Bus stop is immediately outside the Arrivals Hall, exit gate 4 (left side as you exit). All Athens airport express buses (X93, X95, X96, X97) depart from this same stop. Buy tickets from the dedicated counter just before the bus stop OR on board (cash only on board).
Cheapest way to get from Athens airport to a Greek island?+
X96 bus to Piraeus (€5.50, 90 min) + ferry to your island (€35-65 depending on destination). Total budget transit to Santorini: €5.50 + €60 high-speed ferry = €65.50 + 7-9 hours total. By comparison, domestic Olympic Air flight to Santorini is €40-90 + saves 6+ hours.
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