Athens By Air

Greece's international airport, Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) (☎210 35 30 000 www.aia.gr), has 1 massive but navigable terminal. Arrivals are on the ground fl. Metro Line 3 (blue) connects the airport to Syntagma in the Athens city center ( $ €6). Suburban Rail, which serves the airport and runs along the Attiki Odos highway, connects with Line 1 (green) at Neratziotissa and with the blue line at Doukissis Plakentias—the most central stations in Omonia and Syntagma, respectively ( h About 30min.) To get from Plateia Syntagma in the city center to the airport, take the X95 bus ( $ €3.20. h 45min.-1hr. depending on traffic, every 10-15min.), which runs 24hr. Pick it up on Othonos near the top right corner of Pl. Syntagma. From Ethniki Amyna, take the X94 ( $ €6, students €3. h Every 15min. 7:20am-8:40pm.) or the X95, and from Dafni take the X97 ( $ €6, students €3. h Every 30-60min.) From Piraeus, take the X96. ( $ €6, students €3. h Every 20-25min.) Catch the bus in Pl. Karaiskaki on the waterfront, on Akti Tzelepi, across from Philippis Tours. From Kifisia, catch the X92 from Pl. Platanos. ( $ €6, students €3. h Every 45min.-1hr.) If your travels have taken you to Kifisos Intercity Bus Station, take the X93. ( $ €6, students €3. h Every 20-45min.) KTEL regional bus lines serve the airport as well. From Rafinam, a bus ( $ €3.) leaves every 30min. from the stop midway up the ramp from the waterfront, and stops at Loutsa (Artemis) along the way. Buses drop off at the 1 or the 4 departure entrances and wait outside the 5 arrival exits. You can catch the bus from Lavrio at Keratea, Kalivia Thorikou, and Markopoulo as well.

There are a number of ways to get from the airport to the center of town. From the airport, take the X95 bus. ( $ €3. h 40-70 min., every 15min.) Bus tickets can be bought right outside the exit near baggage claim. The blue Metro line, line 3, is fast, clean, and also runs from the airport to Pl. Syndagma. ( $ €6.) Signs for the metro are clearly marked by baggage claim. When in doubt, ask the information booth how to get to Syndagma and they will point you on the right path. Make sure to exchange a bit of currency to buy your bus or metro ticket to Syndagma. Cabs are also available, but they cost upwards of €40 and come with a €3.40 airport surcharge and additional baggage fees ( $ €0.35 per bag). If sticking to a budget, the bus or the metro is the way to go.