Athens

Private car transfer
from Athens Airport to Athens

Door-to-door
in 40 min
From ...
per seat
Comfortable
car
One way
Cancel for free 24 hours before departure
Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice 2024
Excellent
trustpilot-stars

Trip Information

Pick-up

Your driver will meet you at your address in Athens Airport.

  • Door-to-door service
  • Help with your luggage

Trip

You’ll travel in comfort for 40 min.

  • Optional sight-seeing
  • Clean, comfortable car
  • Professional driver
  • Bottled water
  • Child seats
  • Prepared for handicapped
  • Smoke-free
  • Pet friendly

Drop-off

Your driver will drop you off at your address in Athens.

  • Door-to-door service
  • Help with your luggage
In total
  • 43 km
  • 40 min

Overview: transportation from Athens Airport to Athens

Traveling from Athens Airport to Athens is a breeze. There are several modes of transportation designed to suit your preferences and needs. The distance from the airport to the city center is approximately 27 miles (43 km). This isn’t really far, making the ride by car take 45 minutes to an hour.

The available routes take you along different highways, namely taking the E94, A64, and EO54 after hopping on the A6.

Being situated so close to the city allows you ample time to explore the areas surrounding the airport before heading to the center. Not too far from the airport, you can check out these places:

If you decide to use public transportation, the trip to the city center takes 45 minutes to an hour and a half.

For those interested in Greece’s ancient culture, there is no shortage of detours and pit stops that can be made to take a look into the past.

About Athens

A trip from Athens Airport to Athens takes you from 2001 when the airport was created back to 508 BC when the city was founded.

Athens history

Athens, the capital of Greece, has played a pivotal role in the development of democracy, art, and philosophical ideologies. With over 3,400 years of history etched into stone, Athens is truly a marvel.

Credited as the birthplace of Western civilization, Athens held the first modern Olympics back in 1896. Greek mythology tells a story that the city was named after the goddess Athena. However, modern scholars at large disagree and argue she was named after the city.

Safety in Athens

Even with such a beautiful history, many travelers are alarmed by how many streets in Athens are run down, dirty, smelly, and filled with graffiti. To make sure you stay safe use caution when walking in these areas at night: Kolokotroni, Omonia, Victoria Square, and Exarchia.

One of the safest areas to take a night stroll through is Plaka. In general, though, Athens is a really safe city despite how it may look in certain areas. It ranked 39 out of 162 cities across the globe from the safest to the most dangerous.

Athens today

Today, Athens is vibrant and packed with visitors from different corners of the world. There are over 5,000 places to get food from. And between Athens and Piraeus (a port city outside of Athens), there are over 70 museums to tour. With over 100 sites to explore, you’ll never experience a dull moment.

From Athens Airport to Athens: travel tips

When planning your trip from Athens Airport to Athens, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

Get a phone plan

The best way to cruise around Athens is with Google Maps. If you want live access to traffic without wifi then head to Vodafone and buy a SIM card. With a valid passport or ID, you can order a prepaid SIM card that costs $32.60 (€30) and get unlimited internet without a contract.

You can find prepaid SIM cards at the airport and throughout the city. This will help you locate your hotel, find the best restaurants, and discover the nearest bus lines.

Pack proactively

Athens has a Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot summers and mild winters. When we say hot, we mean temperatures can easily climb up to 101°F (38°C).

So pack lightweight clothing, sunscreen, and a hat to protect yourself from the sun. Be extra mindful of the heat when heading to archaeological sites that don’t have much protection from the sun.

Also wear your most comfortable pair of shoes, since you’ll likely be walking a lot.

When in Athens, behave like an Athenian

Understand local customs. Greeks are known for their hospitality and friendliness. Try learning a few basic Greek phrases, such as "Kalimera" (good morning) and "Efharisto" (thank you) to have the best experience possible.

How to get from Athens Airport to Athens

Going from Athens Airport to Athens is extremely simple. Since they aren’t far apart you can choose a couple of different options to cruise into the center.

Athens Airport to Athens by train

Taking the train is a very convenient option and the station is located immediately outside the airport. A ticket to Athens’ center costs $10 (€9) and the tickets can be purchased directly at the station. There is a train every hour and the ride takes about 40 minutes into the center.

Athens Airport to Athens by bus

The bus is the cheapest option to get you to your Airbnb or hotel. A ticket for the Athens airport bus costs $6.38 (€5.50) and it will take you directly to Syntagma Square in an hour.

Athens Airport to Athens with Daytrip

A private car transfer with Daytrip is the smoothest option. You’ll get door-to-door service, and luggage assistance, and be driven by a local driver who speaks English. Mix comfort and convenience by scheduling your transfer with Daytrip and planning the stops you’d like to see along the way.

Considering prices can be as low as $15 per person to avoid all the public transportation hassle, we'd say this is the best value, especially if you're traveling in a group.

Athens Airport to Athens by rental car

Traveling by car gives you optimal flexibility. Just remember that you might have to pay tolls depending on the road you take. Aside from being able to stop whenever and wherever you’ll have to find parking once you arrive. In 2020, there were a total of 4.4 million vehicles in Athens, meaning that parking may be a burden and traffic jams are common.

Things to do when you bet to Athens

After riding from Athens Airport to Athens, unpack your bags, get settled in, and prepare to see the city. There’s loads to do!

See history up close

The best place to start is at the Acropolis. Visible from afar, this UNESCO World Heritage Site encompasses most of the city's most iconic landmarks. One of them, the Parthenon, is a huge place of worship dedicated to Athena.

Not too far off you’ll find the Acropolis Museum, which is decked with archeological finds, like the head of a statue of Alexander the Great from 338 BC.

One of the great things is that many sites in Athens can be seen from a distance in case you’d like to save a penny. There are also some budget-friendly museums in Athens as well, such as the Hellenic Children's Museum which has free admission.

Play with lemurs (yes, you can touch them)

The Attica Zoological Park is an animal lover's paradise. While many people have different opinions on how ethical zoos are, this animal park allows you to see over 2,000 animals. The best part?

You can hold and play with their ring-tailed lemurs. Aside from the lions, giraffes, penguins, and other animals, the lemurs are a highlight for visitors who want an interactive zoo experience.

Take time to dine

Athens is a paradise for food lovers. With thousands of places to choose from here are some restaurants that are affordable and extremely tasty:

See outer space

One of Athens’ most fun and educational experiences is located at the Eugenides Foundation New Digital Planetarium, near the port. Here you can watch a 360-degree documentary on the solar system and the grandeur of the universe. There are more movies and shows available, and headsets are given to each viewer so they can choose which language to tune into via radio.

What is the best time to visit Athens

The best time to go from Athens Airport to Athens is from 6:30 AM to 11:30 PM when the airport subway trains are running. But the best time to explore the city depends on your preferences.

We’ve established that summers can be brutally hot, but luckily winters only go down to 32° F (0° C) at the lowest. Athens’ weather makes outdoor activities perfect 365 days a year. In fact, they get over 300 days of sunshine annually, which is great if you’re planning your trip months in advance.

If you’d like to plan your trip around events be sure to check the dates for: Rockwave Festival, Athens International Film and Video Festival, and Athens Technopolis Jazz Festival.

Questions & Answers about Traveling from Athens Airport to Athens

You can take the train, the bus, a taxi, or a private ride with Daytrip. All of these means can potentially take about the same amount of time depending on traffic and when your flight lands. However, Daytrip allows you to see stops along the way to customize your transfer.
The trip from Athens Airport to Athens can be quite scenic. From the train, you start above ground riding alongside hundreds of olive trees, and then slowly make your way into the city. And with Daytrip you can make it as scenic as you’d like by choosing your desired stops.
The fastest way to get from Athens Airport to Athens is with Daytrip. This eliminates the time you’d need to buy a train ticket and wait for the next train to arrive. You’d get door-to-door service, and the car will be there waiting for you to arrive.
Yes! There are many ferries departing from Athens. You can find a ferry to take you to Cyclades, Crete, Dodecanese, the Saronic Islands, the Northern Aegean Islands, and other locations. This is a great way to go island hopping, but keep in mind destinations vary depending on the season.
Depending on your choice of transportation, prices range from $6.38 (€5.50) to $58 (€55). Taxis have a flat rate and train tickets are purchasable at the station outside the airport. Private transfers may cost more but you’re paying for the whole vehicle, so they’re comparable to public transportation for groups and offer added comfort and convenience.
The easiest way to travel from Athens Airport to Athens is by using the metro. The subway trains run from 6:30 AM to 11:30 PM and there is at least one available each hour. The price of a ticket is $10 (€9).

Visit these sights on the way

Monastery St. Ephraim

Monastery St. Ephraim

At one of the region's oldest monasteries, a devout nun had here dream of meeting a long-dead monk fulfilled.  A Wish Fulfilled 

Marathon Battlefield Burial Mound

Marathon Battlefield Burial Mound

The 10-meter high hillock rising from this unassuming plain is actually an ancient Greek tomb. A Mountain of Honor 

Archaeological Museum of Eleusis

Archaeological Museum of Eleusis

The ancient site of Eleusis was constructed in part to celebrate Demeter, the Greek goddess of grain, corn and the harvest. Love to the Goddess 

The Corinth Canal

The Corinth Canal

Connecting the Gulf of Corinth and Saronic Gulf was a 2000-year-old idea that took centuries to realize.  A Long Time Coming 

Castle of Acrocorinth

Castle of Acrocorinth

This fortress has weathered the test of time, being used for almost 2000 years. The Walls of Time 

Why people love Daytrip

Tripadvisor logo
4,800+ reviews
  • 2,122 travelers took this route with us
Dec 4, 2024

Excellent service for transfers in Thailand

I was unsure about this company but a few good reviews on Trip Advisor made me take the chance. I am so happy that we did. We needed a ride from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai. Our driver Saksun was an excellent driver - it's not a long distance to drive (by Texas standards!) but the road is challenging and there are a lot of places where improvements to the road are being made. It took around 3 hours with a stop at a place with very clean bathrooms, very interesting hot springs and a place to get a snack and cold drinks. Saksun had a vehicle that was fantastic for this type of drive - a very comfortable ride indeed and was obviously well maintained and very clean. I highly recommend this company. I used to post on trip advisor as "lakekariba" but got out of the habit of doing so. This company was so easy to use and the result was so enjoyable that I felt that the company Daytrip and the driver Saksun had earned our trust and a glowing review. Gillian and Ted Pearsall Austin, Texas

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler lakekariba
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lakekariba

Dec 4, 2024
Dec 3, 2024

Excellent option to get to Vienna to Budapest!

We used Daytrip to travel between Budapest and Vienna with a 2 hour stop for lunch in Bratislava. Our driver Zsombor arrived on time at our hotel in Budapest and was very friendly and informative throughout our trip. His vehicle was roomy and clean and he was kind enough to provide us with some bottled water for the trip. Our quick visit stop in Bratislava was very nice as well. He gave us plenty of time to explore the city and have lunch before meeting him again when it was time to head for Vienna. Daytrip provided us with a happy and trouble free transfer between Budapest and Vienna. Many thanks to your team and especially to your driver Zsombor!

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler pgh1125
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pgh1125

Dec 3, 2024
Nov 9, 2024

Great communication with an actual person! They will take you ANYWHERE, No pre-set routes to choose from!

Last minute plan change and Daytrip was our last resort so I chatted with them and had an immediate response from a real person, best situation ever. Never used Daytrip before but the reviews were incredible so we took the chance and booked a driver at like 11-12pm and by 7am the next morning when we woke, they found us a driver and the driver had already texed us making contact! Very impressed and will definitely use them again. We went from Dubrovnik, Croatia to Tivat, Montenegro.

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler James B
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James B

Nov 9, 2024
Nov 1, 2024

Perfect Transport

Andreas did a great job picking us up from Pireaus Cruise Port and taking us to our rental in Spata. The three of us had been on a long cruise and had 9 pieces of luggage. He arrived in an appropriate vehicle and loaded and unloaded all of it. We are very happy with out decision to book with Daytrip.

Reviewed by Tripadvisor traveler LuckyTraveler01
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LuckyTraveler01

Nov 1, 2024

Vehicle options for this trip

Most popular

sedan

Sedan

Comparable to aVolkswagen Passat
Passengers and luggage
  • 1-3
  • 3x
  • 3x
  • Clean
  • Comfortable
  • Air conditioned
  • Handicapped accessible
  • Child seats
  • Pet friendly
  • Smoke-free
From ... per seatSelect

Best reviews

luxury sedan

Luxury sedan

Comparable to aMercedes Benz E-class
Passengers and luggage
  • 1-2
  • 2x
  • 2x
  • All standard sedan features
  • Luxurious vehicle
  • Chauffeur-style service
  • Extra amenities
From ... per seatSelect

More options

mpv

Compact MPV

Comparable to aVolkswagen Touran
Passengers and luggage
  • 4
  • 4x
  • 4x
From ... per seatSelect
van

Van

Comparable to aMercedes Vito
Passengers and luggage
  • 5-7
  • 7x
  • 7x
From ... per seatSelect

The Daytrip driver advantage

Daytrip driver
  • Local knowledge about the route from Athens Airport to Athens
    Including available sights:
  • English speaking*

    All Daytrip drivers speak English* as well as their native language (and sometimes additional languages too!). They'll be happy to discuss local history and culture with you, as well as answer any questions you may have. And because they speak the language, they're able to provide you with a unique opportunity to connect with local culture. *Drivers for Lite service aren't required to speak English but must meet all other standards.

  • Safety first!

    We screen all our drivers for criminal and traffic records, and personally interview each one. We also inspect their cars for safety, comfort, and reliability. All cars must be less than ten years old, in excellent operating condition, and insured as required by local law. And because our drivers are locals, they're familiar with the rules and customs of the road.

World-class customer support

  • Available 24/7
  • Close relationship with drivers
  • Experts on the route from Athens Airport to Athens

Flexible cancellation policy

  • Cancellations: 100% refund up to 24 hours before the trip!
  • Changes: Free up to 24 hours before the trip!

Good to know

Children

If you’re traveling with children, make sure to let us know in the booking so we can get the appropriate child seats ready!

Pets

Pets are allowed (and loved)! We just need to know beforehand. You can tell us about them in the next phase of the booking.

Tips

Gratuity isn’t included or required, but if you really enjoyed your trip, you can show your driver your appreciation with an optional tip (10% is sufficient).

Luggage

  • Big luggage
  • 29x21x11 inches
  • 74x53x28 cm
  • Small luggage
  • 22x14x9 inches
  • 56x36x23 cm

Each passenger is allowed to have one checked bag and one carry on. If you’re traveling with more bags or oversized luggage, you can adjust this while booking.

Payment methods

Pay by credit card online, or in cash directly to your driver!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions, here are the answers.

Daytrip is the most convenient way to experience 13,800+ cities around the world.

Every traveler deserves real insight into the cultures of the countries they’re visiting. And every amazing place on Earth deserves to be visited and appreciated. We believe unique local knowledge and real human connection are irreplaceable when it comes to truly comprehending another culture.

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