Metro

ℹ️ TL;DR: The Athens metro has 3 lines and runs 5:30 AM to midnight in 2026 (Friday–Saturday until 2 AM). Single ticket €1.20 (90 min, all transport). Airport trips require a special €9 ticket — regular tickets don’t work on the airport section of Line 3. Key stations: Syntagma (Lines 2 & 3), Monastiraki (Lines 1 & 3). The 3-day tourist pass (€20) covers unlimited rides plus one airport journey. The Athens metro might be the most underrated one in Europe. It’s clean, it’s air-conditioned (a genuine blessing in summer), the signage is clear, and — here’s the kicker — several stations double as free archaeological museums because they kept finding ancient artifacts while digging the tunnels. Only in Athens.

ℹ️ TL;DR: In 2026, the best way from Athens Airport (ATH) to the city center is Metro Line 3 — €9 one-way, 40 minutes to Syntagma Square, runs 6:30 AM–11:30 PM. Taxis cost a fixed €40 (daytime) or €55 (night). The X95 bus costs €6 and runs 24/7 — the go-to for late-night arrivals. Private transfers run €45-55 and are worth it for families with lots of luggage. One of the first questions everyone asks about Athens: “How do I get from the airport to my hotel?” Good news — it’s straightforward. Athens International Airport (ATH) sits about 33 km east of the city center, and you’ve got options ranging from €6 to €55+ depending on your budget and how much you care about comfort after a flight.