Getting in

• Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos: For central Athens, take Metro Line 3 to Syntagma: about 40 minutes and roughly €9 one way, with onward travel on the city network included. It is the sensible choice in daytime if your hotel is near a metro stop. The X95 Airport Express bus to Syntagma is cheaper (about €6) and runs around the clock, but traffic can make it much slower; use it late at night or when the metro is not practical. Skip pre-booked “private transfer” upsells unless you have a group or serious mobility/luggage needs.
• Athens Central Railway Station (Larissa Station): The station is on Metro Line 2. It is a short ride to Omonia and two stops from Syntagma; allow 15–25 minutes door to door for a central hotel. This is Athens’s principal rail arrival point for Thessaloniki, Larissa and other domestic services.
• Piraeus Port: From the ferry terminals, walk or take the port shuttle as needed to Piraeus Metro. Metro Line 1 goes directly to Monastiraki and Omonia; Line 3 is usually better for Syntagma and the airport. Allow about 25–40 minutes from ship to central Athens, including the often longer-than-expected walk out of the port. Do not default to a taxi queue after a ferry unless you are staying far from rail.
• Kifissos KTEL coach station: This is the main practical arrival point for many intercity buses. Bus 051 connects it with central Athens; Metro Line 2 at Elaionas is another useful connection via bus 052. Budget 35–60 minutes to the centre depending on traffic. It is not walkable to the sights.
• Liosion KTEL coach station: For coaches serving some northern and central-Greece routes, use nearby Agios Nikolaos on Metro Line 1 for the centre. Allow roughly 25–40 minutes to Monastiraki or Syntagma, including the walk and a change.