Athens Taxis Back Early, Airport Links Normal by 6:00 a.m.

Published on Nov 6, 2025, 8:29 am CST

4 min read

Key points

SATA canceled the second day of the planned 48-hour taxi strike
Taxi service resumes across Athens and Attica from 6:00 a.m. EET on November 6
Airport transfers should normalize, with residual queues possible at morning peaks
Overnight arrivals before 6:00 a.m. should use 24/7 airport buses X95 and X96
Metro Line 3 remains a viable option during operating hours between ATH and Syntagma

Impact

Airport Transfers: Expect normal taxi ranks from 6:00 a.m. EET November 6
Overnight Arrivals: Use X95 to Syntagma or X96 to Piraeus before 6:00 a.m.
Morning Peak: Allow a buffer for residual queues as service ramps
City Mobility: Regular street hails and app bookings resume citywide
Back-Up Plans: Keep bus and metro options handy in case of localized gaps

Athens' taxi walkout is wrapping sooner than planned. The Taxi Drivers' Union of Attica, known as SATA, called off the second day of its 48-hour strike on Wednesday afternoon, clearing the way for full taxi service to return from 6:00 a.m. EET on Thursday, November 6. The early end should relieve last-mile pressure at Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), around Plaka and Syntagma, and at Piraeus for ferry connections. Travelers can go back to regular taxis and app bookings, while keeping a short buffer for residual queues at the morning peak.

Athens taxi union SATA

SATA launched the action on November 5 to press demands including access to bus lanes and relief from an immediate shift to fully electric taxis for new registrations. The union had initially slated a 48-hour stoppage through early Friday before reversing course for day two. Reporting by Greek outlets on Wednesday confirmed the decision and the 6:00 a.m. Thursday restart.

Latest developments

By mid-afternoon on November 5, local media and union statements indicated day two was canceled, with taxis due back on the road at 6:00 a.m. Thursday. Visuals from earlier in the day showed convoys and pickets as the walkout began, but the practical impact for travelers now compresses into a single day of disruption.

Analysis

For airport and port transfers, the immediate effect is normalization. At ATH, standard taxi ranks should operate from the 6:00 a.m. restart, easing pressure on the 24/7 airport buses and private shuttles. That said, travelers arriving at or just after the restart should plan a modest buffer while vehicles reposition and ranks fill.

Overnight arrivals before 6:00 a.m. on November 6 should continue to rely on the express airport buses. The X95 runs between the airport and Syntagma Square and the X96 connects the airport and Piraeus, both operating around the clock. The airport's information pages also list X93 for Kifissos and Liossion intercity stations and X97 toward Elliniko, useful for travelers with onward coach or metro connections.

When the metro is running its normal schedule, Metro Line 3 provides a direct link between the airport and Syntagma, often in about 40 minutes. It is a practical alternative during daytime and evening hours, while the buses cover late night and early morning. If you arrive just before the taxis return, boarding the X95 or X96 may still be faster than waiting for ranks to reform.

Background

Athens has seen repeated taxi stoppages over the past two years as the sector contests taxation, access to bus lanes, and rules for ride-hailing apps and electrification. SATA flagged the November 5-6 action in advance, prompting travelers and airports to lean on contingency options. With day two now scrapped, any knock-on effects should be limited to Thursday's morning peak, with regular service the rest of the day.

Final thoughts

With taxis back from 6:00 a.m. EET on November 6, Athens airport and city links should feel familiar again by late morning. Keep the X95 and X96 in mind as reliable 24/7 backstops, and expect the usual street hails and app bookings to pick up quickly once the ranks are staffed. The early end to the strike means minimal lasting disruption for most travelers.