Athens Eleftherios Venizelos — Metro Line 3 (Blue)
Athens Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) to Athens — Updated 2026
Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport (ATH) connects to the city via Metro Line 3 (Blue) — €9.00 one-way, 40 minutes to Syntagma Square (central Athens). The line continues to Monastiraki (Plaka, Acropolis area) and Egaleo. The metro is the operator-recommended option for value + reliability, particularly for trips longer than 24 hours when the €9.00 cost is amortised across return + city transport. For shorter stays, the suburban rail (Proastiakos) line covers the same airport-to-city route for €9.00 (same fare, slightly faster) but with fewer departures and stops more relevant to Piraeus + suburban Athens than central tourist areas.
Metro Line 3 (Blue) stops
| Station / Stop | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | 0 min | Metro Line 3 platform, integrated with terminal |
| Pallini | ~10 min | Eastern Athens suburb |
| Doukissis Plakentias | ~17 min | Transfer to Line 3 northbound |
| Nomismatokopio | ~23 min | Mint, residential |
| Katehaki | ~28 min | University area |
| Megaro Mousikis | ~32 min | Concert hall, embassy district |
| Evangelismos | ~35 min | Hilton hotel area, museums |
| Syntagma | 40 min | Parliament + Plaka. Transfer to Line 2. |
| Monastiraki | +4 min | Plaka, Acropolis access. Transfer to Line 1. |
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Metro Line 3 (Blue) vs alternatives
| Option | Cost | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro Line 3 | €9.00 | 40 min | Direct to Syntagma + Monastiraki + Egaleo. |
| Proastiakos suburban rail | €9.00 | 38 min | Same fare, fewer departures, Piraeus-focused. |
| Express bus X95 | €5.50 | 60–90 min | Direct to Syntagma. 24/7 service. |
| Express bus X96 | €5.50 | 90 min | Direct to Piraeus port (ferries to islands). |
| Taxi (flat fare day) | €38 | 30–50 min | Flat fare 05:00–24:00. €54 night. |
| Welcome Pickups | €42+ | 30–50 min | Pre-booked transfer with name sign. |
FAQ
Why is Athens airport metro so expensive?+
Athens metro charges a €9.00 airport surcharge that applies only to journeys starting/ending at the airport station. Standard Athens metro tickets within Zone 1 (city centre) are €1.20 — the €9 reflects the longer airport-line distance + dedicated airport service. A 3-day tourist pass (€20) includes airport transfers in both directions, making it the value option for 3+ day stays.
Metro or X95 bus from Athens airport?+
Metro at €9.00 / 40 min is faster but more expensive. X95 at €5.50 / 60-90 min is cheaper but slower with traffic. For luggage + late arrivals: Metro wins on comfort. For value + flexibility: X95 (24/7 service, drops at Syntagma directly). Most travellers take Metro inbound (less luggage stress) and X95 outbound (cheaper).
Can I take Metro Line 3 to Piraeus directly?+
Yes from the airport but it requires a transfer. Take Line 3 to Monastiraki, then change to Line 1 (Green) southbound to Piraeus. Total time: ~80 minutes. For direct Piraeus access (ferry connections to Greek islands), the X96 express bus is more efficient — 90 minutes direct from airport to Piraeus port.
Late-night Athens airport transport?+
Metro runs until 23:30 (last train from airport). X95 and X96 buses run 24/7 every 30-60 minutes overnight. Taxi flat fare €54 between 24:00 and 05:00. For arrivals after midnight, X95 is the most cost-effective option; for 03:00-05:00 arrivals, taxi is often the only practical option.
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