Transportation from Athens Airport to Syntagma
 

I am coming to Athens on the 12th of April, and i need some information about the transportation services available from the Athens Airport to Syntagma. As I see the topics on this certain subject are a bit outdated. Does anyone know if something's changed?

Did you want something else than the subway/metro? It runs direct from the airport to Syntagma Square.

We used subway/train and it worked great. Inexpensive and.

I don't think much has changed recently. Both metro and express buses will take you to Syntagma Square. Metro remains the best option except for roughly midnight to 6 am when the line is closed. Buses are a little cheaper and run 24 hrs/day. Ticket prices can be seen here:
http://www.oasa.gr/pdf/tickets_airport.pdf

The Metro takes 45 minutes to reach Syntagma (€8). If there is surface street traffic the bus (€5)can take a lot longer. A daytime taxi (€35) is also subject to slowdowns due to traffic jams.

It's worth mentioning that the metro is a favourite haunt for pickpockets, so make sure your valuables are secure. I've been targeted myself, but kept my hand near the front pocket where I had my wallet, and the thief pulled his hand away. If you are carrying a day pack or handbag keep it in your lap or shift it to the front where you can keep an eye on it. Better not to carry a wallet in your pocket at all — just a few notes and change, while packing your wallet safely away.

Martin, your choice between bus x95 and Metro -- both are fine, & for singles, economical -- may depend on factors not mentioned:

•FATIGUE - If coming from UK, you'll be alert, but from USA, off a long flight, u may be groggy. In that state I usually prefer to sink into a bus seat & groggily doze to Syntagma. No need to keep hand/eye on everything ... bags are piled into a central pen inside bus, and since there are almost no stops from Airport to Syntagma, no bad guys on board, at least in my experience.

•AGILITY - On Metro, cars usually crowd up as u reach central athens, & u must be ready to spring to feet and exit at Syntagma; then u must trundle along corridors, up escalators, long way to surface. On bus, Syntagma is end of line, take your time, also you exit right onto curb.

Finally, altho "scenery" along way is mostly offices and car salesrooms, it is also fun to peer out window until you get first glimpse of Major Rock looming up -- Acropolis!

We took a taxi, 35E flat rate from airport to Syntagma area hotels mid day. No lines at taxi stand. Dealing with a 9 hour time change and fatigue, this was the best solution for us. Plus the driver was warm and welcoming, a great start to our trip.

I agree that taxi is a treat, HappyTraveler, if OP is a couple. The OP seemed to be alone -- so it's a 20€ difference ... also, he did not indicate he was taking the exhausting trip from Midamerica like u, he may have 3 hr hop from UK.

From Western USA, actaully 10 hrs time diffence when I went. I still would opt for taxi, a personal choice
though.

Travelerjan is correct that the airport bus is safer from pickpockets, and the reason is explained in the link I provided earlier:

<i>"Only boarding is allowed in the direction towards the Airport whereas only disembarking is allowed in the direction from the Airport."</i>

I suppose a pickpocket could conceivably travel all the way to the airport in order to board the X95 bus, but that is unlikely. Still, it's wise to keep an eye on the bag containing your passport and other valuables — suitcases are safe enough in the baggage area of the bus. Also be careful when getting off the bus at Syntagma Square.

Athens is a very safe destination with a low crime rate, so don't let this warning deter you from visiting. Pickpocketing is a problem in most major European cities, but with a few precautions you don't have to be a victim.

I've heard of bags being stolen from the under-the-bus luggage compartment. Specifically a laptop in a case in Washington DC. So I always sit on the side of the bus above the luggage compartment and watch to see no one removes my bag.

And I wouldn't just keep an eye on my bag containing my passport and any other valuables. Arriving after a long, overnight flight, that eye might close. I'd keep valuables on me, under my clothing in a money belt. Or at least in hand.

In the case of the Airport buses there are no under-the-bus luggage compartments. All bags are stored inside the passenger compartment in designated locations where you can easily keep an eye on them.

IMHO after a long flight I love to see a sign with my name on it & have taxi waiting. There have been great reviews on George the taxi cab driver. Check on trip advisor to get the info. We got ripped off by a taxi driver after a long flight on our first trip to Greece so I prefer to have taken care of in advance.

Taxi fares between the airport and Central Athens are now fixed, so dishonest drivers can no longer scam visitors: €35 from 6am to midnight, €50 from midnight to 6am.

Do note that Orthodox Esaster Sunday is on 12th April in 2015 and bus/metro service might operate on a less frequent schedule.

I had to do the same research some months ago, and i stumbled upon Athens Welcome Pickups. It's like a regular cab, more or less, but you can skip the waiting line for a taxi on your arrival and, while on the road, the driver makes a great introduction to the city's main attractions. They also gave me a greek sim card that i could use to connect to the internet during my staying, for free! It's pre booked and in the same price as a normal cab, so you could try it. They also gave a 10 euro discount coupon that i could share with anyone.
Here you go: iloveathens

Thank you all for your replies. It's really helpful!!