How to get there

Arrival in Athens

Athens International Airport (AIA) connects with over 30 domestic destinations and around 60 cities across Europe, along with more than 15 direct flights to North America, Asia, and Africa.

AIA is a valued supporter of the EIBA 2025 Conference, committed to offering a safe, comfortable, and seamless travel experience for all participants and visitors.
For more information, please visit https://aia.gr/traveler/

Getting from Athens International Airport to the city center

Metro Line 3 (Blue Line) provides a direct connection from Athens International Airport to the city center. Trains run every 30 minutes, seven days a week, from approximately 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. The travel time from the airport to Syntagma station (in the city center) is around 40 minutes. The ticket costs €9 and is valid for 90 minutes from the time of first validation.

The Suburban Railway connects Athens International Airport to the Athens Central Railway Station (Larissis Station), providing access to Metro Line 2 (Red Line) and the National Railway network. Trains operate approximately every hour from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The ticket costs €10.

Important note: The Suburban railway departs twice every hour from Athens Airport to Plakentias station, where you can change trains and continue to the city center with Metro Line 3 (Blue Line), using the same ticket.

Important note: The congress venue (MAICC) is located very close to the city center, with a metro station (Megaro Moussikis) just outside the venue.

There is a bus that connects central Athens (Syntagma Square) to the Athens International Airport (AIA) “Eleftherios Venizelos”. This bus is called X95. Service is provided on a non-stop basis seven days a week (24/7 operation). It starts its route from the Arrivals Level between Exits 4 and 5 and arrives at its destination (Departures Level of the airport) in about an hour.

Tickets can be bought directly by the driver (with no extra cost), from the ticket kiosk at the bus departure area and from all the metro stations around Athens.

There is only a one-way ticket, which costs €6.

Visitors to Athens can choose from a variety of taxi companies for their transportation. Taxis at the airport are available at the designated waiting area located at Exit 3 at the Arrivals Level. A taxi from the airport to the city center costs a flat rate (including luggage, VAT, and road tolls) of 40 euros from 5:00 a.m. to midnight, and 55 euros from midnight to 5:00 a.m.

Additionally, several taxi companies operate ride-hailing services in Athens. The two most popular are Uber Taxi and Free Now, allowing travelers to select the most convenient option for their needs. These apps help you book a taxi easily, offering credit card and cash payment options, with no hidden fees.

To use these services, simply download the app of your chosen provider, register, and follow the instructions to call your taxi. Taxis are available 24/7, ensuring that visitors can rely on quick, professional service at any time of day or night.

Local transportation in Athens

The Athens public transportation network offers a comprehensive range of routes that combine various means of transport, including buses, trolleybuses, trams, and the metro. The metro system, specifically, is a fast and efficient way to navigate the city, with extensive coverage across key areas, including routes to Athens International Airport, the city center, and major landmarks.

The Athens Metro system consists of three lines:

Line 1. (Green Line) This line connects the port of Piraeus in the south of Athens to the suburb of Kifissia in the north, passing through key locations like Omonia and Monastiraki.

Line 2. (Red Line) This line connects the eastern and western parts of the city, from Anthoupoli in the northwest to the neighborhood of Elliniko in the south, via Syntagma and Omonia squares.

Line 3. (Blue Line) This line provides a direct service between the Port of Piraeus with the Athens International Airport.
Lines 1 and 2 meet at Attiki and Omonoia stations.

Lines 1 and 3 meet at Monastiraki station. Lines 2 and 3 meet at Syntagma station.

The most common tickets are:

  • A 90-minute ticket costs €1.20 (valid for 90 minutes after its first scan).
    Important note: The single ticket is valid for all Athens Urban Transport Organization options: buses, trolley-buses, trams and metro lines 1, 2 and 3 (up to Koropi Station) networks, including the Suburban Railway (TRAINOSE, Magoula – Piraeus – Koropi).
    This ticket type is not valid for Airport EXPRESS bus lines and metro line 3 (from Koropi Station to the Airport).
  • A 24-hour ticket costs €4.10 (valid for 24 hours after its first scan).
    Important note: The daily (24h) ticket is valid for all Athens Urban Transport Organization (OASA) options: buses, trolleybuses, trams and metro lines 1, 2 and 3 (up to Koropi Station) networks and for the Suburban Railway (TRAINOSE, Magoula – Piraeus – Koropi). Valid for X80 bus line as well. This ticket type is not valid for Airport EXPRESS bus lines and metro line 3 (from Koropi Station to the Airport).
  • A 3-day tourist ticket costs €20 (valid for 3 days after its first scan).
    Important note: The 3-day tourist ticket is valid for 3 x 24 hours from its first validation for all Athens Urban Transport Organization (OASA) options: buses, trolleybuses, trams and metro lines 1, 2 and 3 (up to Koropi Station) networks and for the Suburban Railway (TRAINOSE, Magoula – Piraeus – Koropi). It also includes a 2-way journey from and to Athens International Airport by Metro or the respective EXPRESS bus lines (X80 icluded).

For more information regarding the public transportation tickets please click here.

Taxis offer a 24-hour service. They can be hailed down on the street or otherwise picked up at taxi stands around major tourist spots such as Monastiraki and Syntagma. You can also book a taxi by calling on any of the following numbers (18222, 18300, 18288, 18180) or via a taxi app like FreeNow and Uber Taxi.

There is a huge network of buses and trolleys (electric buses) that operate in Athens and its suburbs from around 6:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. approximately. You may have more information on the timetables here. One ticket costs €1.20 and can be used for 90 minutes from the time you first validated it. It is virtually the same as the one you use on the Metro. It can be bought at special kiosks around town as well as inside all Metro Stations.

There are more means of transportation that can help every traveler explore Athens, including: car or motorcycle rental, bicycle or electrical scooter rental, as well as some more touristic choices, like the Hop-On Hop-Off bus and the Happy Train.

What to Expect from Athens in December

Athens in December typically enjoys a mild winter climate. During the day, temperatures generally range from 10°C to 16°C (50°F to 61°F), while nights can be cooler, falling between 7°C and 10°C (45°F to 50°F). Rainfall is fairly common during this month, so it’s a good idea to pack a raincoat or umbrella. We also recommend dressing in layers to comfortably adjust to changing conditions.

Despite the cooler, sometimes damp weather, December offers a unique atmosphere to explore Athens’ rich history and vibrant culture. The city’s iconic landmarks and cozy neighborhoods take on a special charm in winter, providing a refreshing backdrop for both academic and social engagements during the conference.