Athens Taxi Strike Now Live, Airport Links Thin Nov 5-6
Key points
- Taxi union SATA launched a Athens and Attica walkout at 6:00 a.m. Nov 5 local time
- Athens International Airport links are tight with taxi ranks mostly inactive
- Use 24/7 Airport Express buses including X95, and Metro Line 3 during operating hours
- Ports and intercity rail may see congestion from displaced demand rather than a rail strike
- New today, SATA ended the action early with taxis resuming from 6:00 a.m. Nov 6
Impact
- Airport Transfers
- Favor X95 and private shuttles, expect longer curb waits
- Late-Night Arrivals
- Plan bus or pre-booked car, confirm hotel pickup
- Ferries And Ports
- Pad connections at Piraeus and Rafina
- Rail And Metro
- Metro Line 3 expected to run unless new notices
- Rebooking Buffer
- Allow 60-90 minutes extra for surface transfers
A 48-hour taxi strike in Athens, Greece, began at 6:00 a.m. on November 5, sharply reducing last-mile options across the capital and Attica, including transfers to Athens International Airport (ATH), the city center, and port districts in Piraeus. The Taxi Drivers Union of Attica, SATA, confirmed the walkout in advance. Travelers should pivot to the 24/7 Airport Express buses such as X95 between the airport and Syntagma, use Metro Line 3 during operating hours, or arrange pre-booked shuttles that do not rely on licensed taxis.
What changed for travelers
The strike is now live and visible at airport taxi ranks and port approaches, which makes curbside pickups scarce and increases congestion near terminals. The airport's express buses operate continuously, providing a reliable fallback while taxis are limited. For city-center links, the X95 bus serves Syntagma and typically departs every 15-20 minutes, with travel time around 40 minutes under normal traffic.
Latest developments
By mid-afternoon on November 5, SATA called off the second day of the action. Taxis are scheduled to return to normal service from 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 6, reducing the expected disruption window to roughly 24 hours. Travelers arriving overnight should still plan for thin taxi availability until the resumption time.
Getting between the airport, city, and ports
Airport Express buses remain the most dependable option while taxis are unavailable. Routes include X95 to Syntagma, as well as other lines to Piraeus and key hubs, and they run around the clock. Metro Line 3 connects the airport with central Athens during operating hours, which are unaffected absent a separate rail or metro notice. Always verify live updates before travel.
Ports, suburban rail, and knock-on effects
No separate strike notice has been issued today for the suburban rail (Proastiakos) or ferries connected to the taxi action. However, displaced demand often creates queues at port shuttles and intercity coaches, so allow larger buffers when connecting to ferries at Piraeus or Rafina. If you booked a hotel car or shuttle, reconfirm pickup points and grace periods given heavy traffic at ranks and forecourts. (Background: Athens has seen multiple strike waves this fall that intermittently affected public transport, which is why checking same-day notices is essential.)
Final thoughts
The Athens taxi strike briefly tightened airport and port links, but the early end means surface access improves from 6:00 a.m. on November 6. Use Airport Express buses overnight, Metro Line 3 when running, and generous connection buffers until normal taxi supply returns.