The Athens Mass Transit System is one of the most modern and efficient transport schemes in Europe. A large bus fleet, the Athens Metro, a tram line connecting the southern suburbs to the city centre and the Athens Suburban Railway all constitute the as part of the transit system.

Athens International Airport is located just over 20 miles southeast of Athens and is easily reachable by a six-lane motorway, known as the Attiki Odos. The airport serves over 14 million passengers a year and as it is was only built in 2001, it offers a wide range of modern facilities. There are excellent dining options at the airport as well as a business centre, courier services and excellent facilities for passengers with special needs.

Six express bus routes serve the airport, connecting it with Athens and beyond. Tickets can be bought from the driver or at all public transport ticket outlets. The express buses deliver passengers to the Departures level and pick up from the designated area located outside Arrivals, between doors 4 and 5.

The airport is also accessible via Metro Line 3, with trains departing for the airport every 30 minutes. The journey time from Athens International Airport to Syntagma Square in central Athens is 27 minutes, while the journey to the Piraeus takes 60 minutes.

The Suburban Railway also connects the centre of Athens with the airport. The journey time from Athens International Airport to Central Railway Station (Larissis Station) is approximately 30 minutes.

The airport is served by taxis on a 24-hour basis and passengers should wait for taxis at the stand situated by the Arrivals level.

Six car rental companies operate at Athens International Airport, with offices situated on the Arrivals level.

Public transport in Athens and the port of Piraeus consists of the metro, railway and express airport buses. The network is inexpensive and reliable, especially the excellent Metro service.

The Athens Metro currently operates three lines and is one of the most modern urban rail systems in the world. The historic Green Line, which is the oldest and for the most part runs over ground, connects the port of Piraeus with the northern suburb of Kifissia. The line is 15 miles long and has 24 stations. The red and blue lines first opened in January 2000 and run entirely underground.

The Athens Suburban Railway, known as Proastiakós, connects Athens International Airport with the city of Corinth, 50 miles west of Athens, via Athens Central Station. 

Bus services operate along numerous routes and include regular buses, electric buses and natural gas-run buses. The entire Athens metropolitan area is served by bus. 

Trams run from Syntagma Square to the southwestern suburb of Palaio Faliro, where the tram line splits into two branches. The first branch runs along the coastline, while the other route heads towards the Piraeus district of Neo Faliro. Extensions to the service are planned for the near future.

Taxis can be recognised by their yellow colour and all taxis run on metres, which display the fare. They are reasonably priced and during rush hours it is considered normal to hail a taxi, even when another customer is already in it. If the taxi is already going to the same area and the customer already in the car doesn’t mind, the taxi will take both passengers and charge for only one.

Travel by sea is popular in Athens. Boats leave from the port of Piraeus and travel to a wide range of destinations including the popular Cyclades and Crete. Boats sail all day and into the night, with the last departure at 22:00. There is no need to book tickets in advance for conventional ferries, unless you want a cabin berth or are taking a car on board. If this is the case, you need to consult travel agents in Athens or at the Piraeus in advance.

On the day of planned travel, it is advised that you arrive at Piraeus at about 07:00 and check with various shipping agents around the metro station for prices. Many of these work on behalf of particular ferry lines, so for a full price guide it is best to ask three or four different outlets. Prices for all domestic boat journeys are standard, but the quality of the craft and the length of routes vary greatly. If you are heading for Santorini or Rhodes, try to get a boat that stops at only three or four islands enroute. For Crete, only settle for direct routes.