Athens, 48-Hour Taxi Strike Nov 5-6, Airport Links Strained

Published on Nov 4, 2025, 8:25 am CST

4 min read

Key points

Taxi union SATA will stage a 48-hour strike in Athens and Attica from 6:00 a.m. Nov 5 to 6:00 a.m. Nov 7
Airport transfers face pressure; use 24/7 X95 bus, Metro Line 3 during operating hours, or pre-book non-taxi shuttles
No separate rail strike announced; Proastiakos and Metro expected to run normal schedules unless new notices post

Impact

Airport Transfers: Expect long waits curbside at Athens International Airport and limited availability in the city
Back-Up Options: Favor X95, X96, X93, X97 airport buses and Metro Line 3 when running, or private shuttles that do not rely on licensed taxis
Late-Night Arrivals: If landing after midnight, plan for the 24/7 X95 bus from Arrivals and confirm hotel check-in buffers
Ferries And Rail: Build larger buffers for Piraeus sailings and intercity rail; allow extra time between modes
Ticketing And Info: Monitor OASA, STASY, Hellenic Train and AIA pages for any same-day adjustments

Athens, Greece, will lose most taxi capacity for 48 hours as the Taxi Drivers' Union of Attica, SATA, strikes from 600 a.m. Wednesday, November 5, to 600 a.m. Friday, November 7. The stoppage will squeeze last-mile links between Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) and key visitor areas including Syntagma, Plaka, and Piraeus. Travelers should pivot to airport express buses, Metro Line 3 during operating windows, or pre-book private shuttles that are not licensed taxis, and plan larger buffers for ferry and rail connections as curbside queues lengthen.

What changed and why it matters

SATA has called a 48-hour walkout to protest government measures, with action explicitly timed 600 a.m. Wednesday to 600 a.m. Friday. This removes the city's most flexible point-to-point option at exactly the places and times visitors rely on it, notably airport arrivals and hotel corridors. Expect knock-on crowding at bus bays, metro platforms, and the airport's ticket kiosks.

Getting between ATH and the city during the strike

Airport Express buses run continuously and are the simplest fallback. Line X95 connects the airport and Syntagma Square, X96 links the airport and Piraeus port, X93 serves the Kifissos and Liosion intercity bus stations, and X97 runs to Elliniko. All four operate 24/7 under OASA. Allow extra time for lines at airport bus ticket machines and consider buying return tickets on first boarding to reduce dwell time on the way back.

Metro Line 3 runs directly between the airport and central stations including Syntagma and Monastiraki. Normal operating hours apply unless STASY posts a same-day advisory. Recent notices show routine service and extended Friday and Saturday closing times, but always recheck before you travel because Athens agencies sometimes add short work stoppages on strike days. If traveling with large luggage, compare the metro's fixed travel time with the X95 bus, which can be more comfortable for baggage and avoids transfers.

Athens' suburban railway, the Proastiakos, also serves the airport and can be a useful alternative toward Athens Central (SKA) or Piraeus with a change, subject to Hellenic Train timetables. No separate rail strike has been announced specific to these taxi dates, but verify morning-of in case of short-notice labor actions.

Late-night and early-morning arrivals

If landing after midnight, assume taxis will be scarce to unavailable. Follow airport signage at Arrivals between Exits 4 and 5 for the round-the-clock X95 bus to Syntagma. From hotels near Piraeus or Rafina, the X96 to Piraeus and KTEL coaches or local buses cover most needs, though total journey times will be longer. Build a 60- to 90-minute buffer for ground transfers when connecting to ferries or early trains. The airport's transport page consolidates the official options and is the best live link to OASA service info.

Airline and port considerations

Airlines typically do not provide ground transport during city taxi strikes. Expect standard rebooking rules to apply. If a late-night arrival is tied to an early-morning sailing from Piraeus, consider moving the ferry one departure later or overnighting nearer the port. When your ship or rail ticket is inflexible, travel into town as early as possible on the X95 or Metro Line 3, then finish on foot or via hotel shuttle.

Background

Athens sees periodic taxi walkouts, often 24 to 48 hours long, that ripple through public transport. For this action, SATA has paired the stoppage with a Wednesday rally that may slow road traffic near Sp. Patsi Street and Athinon Avenue. Even if buses and metro run normally, heavier loads and surface diversions can add minutes to any leg. Travelers who must move during the demonstration windows should add buffer, pre-load ticket apps, and favor direct, no-transfer routings.

Final thoughts

During the 48-hour Athens taxi strike, the reliable constants are the 24/7 X95 bus and Metro Line 3 when operating. Reconfirm service windows the morning you travel, leave bigger margins for ferries and intercity rail, and consider one-night adjustments to protect tight connections. The goal is certainty, not speed, while taxi capacity is offline.