Lois Larson
Athens International Airport is considered one of the most enjoyable airports in Europe. With a layover in Athens, you may be wondering if it's worth exiting the airport to explore the city. The answer depends on the length of your layover and your transportation options. If you have a shorter layover of 2-3 hours, it's probably best to stay at the airport and take advantage of the various amenities and services available, such as airport lounges, restaurants, cafes, and shopping. However, if you have a longer layover of 5 hours or more, you may have time to venture out and explore nearby attractions, such as the Acropolis, downtown Athens, and local beaches.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Leaving the airport during a layover | Possible, but depends on the length of the layover. A 5-9 hour layover is long enough to visit nearby attractions, but a 6-hour layover may be too short. |
| Attractions near Athens Airport | The Acropolis, the Parthenon, the beach, downtown Athens, the village of Artemida, and various restaurants and shops. |
| Transportation options | Train, bus, metro, taxi, walking |
| Airport amenities | Lounges, free Wi-Fi, restaurants, cafes, sleeping areas, shopping, spa treatments, archaeological exhibits, children's play area |
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What You'll Learn
How much time do you need outside the airport?
The time you need outside the airport depends on what you want to do during your layover. If you have a long layover of 5-9 hours, you can visit downtown Athens, take a quick swim, or visit some nearby beach towns with great restaurants. You can also take a traditional walking tour by getting off at the Acropolis metro station, strolling along Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, and heading to the Acropolis and its museum. If you don't have time to visit the Acropolis, you can climb the neighbouring Filopappou Hill for amazing views. You can also visit the National Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Cycladic Art, and the Benaki Museum.
If you have a shorter layover, you can still take advantage of the airport's location to get some fresh air and explore the local culture. The airport has plenty of shops and dining options, including Greek restaurants, cafes, and sit-down restaurants. You can also visit the permanent exhibitions from the Acropolis Museum, the Archaeological Findings, and the Eleftherios Venizelos Permanent Exhibition dedicated to Greek aviation history. The airport also offers various services and facilities such as hair and nail salons, massages, and beauty treatments.
Additionally, you can make use of the airport's free Wi-Fi to catch up on work or entertainment, or simply relax and read a book. If you need to rest, there are airport sleeping areas with comfortable chairs. For a more premium experience, the Sofitel Airport Hotel, located just 50m from the airport, offers dining and spa services.
Overall, the time you need outside the airport depends on your interests and how much time you have during your layover. Whether you have a short or long layover, there are plenty of options to keep you occupied and make the most of your time in Athens.
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Transport options to and from the city
Athens International Airport is located 33 to 35 km southeast of Athens. It is easily accessible via the Athens ring road (Attiki Odos). The drive from downtown Athens takes 25 to 45 minutes depending on traffic.
There are four transport options to get from the airport to the city centre: taxi, Athens Airport transfer, metro, or bus.
Taxi
The quickest and most convenient option is a taxi or airport transfer, as these services are door-to-door. Official taxis are yellow with a 'TAXI' sign on the roof and are available 24/7 from the official airport taxi ranks outside Exit 3 of the Arrivals Level. A taxi from the airport to the city centre costs a flat rate of €40 from 5 am to midnight, and €55 from midnight to 5 am.
Metro
The fastest public transport option is the metro, which will get you to Syntagma Square in the city centre in about 40 minutes. Metro Line 3 (Blue Line) connects the airport with the city centre. Trains run every 30 minutes, 7 days a week from 6:30 am to 11:30 pm. One-way tickets cost €9 (€4.50 for children, teenagers, and over 65s), and return tickets cost €16.
Bus
The cheapest option is the X95 Express Bus, which takes around an hour to get to the city centre. The bus stand is located between exits 4 and 5 of the arrivals terminal. Tickets cost €5.50 (€2.70 for children, teenagers, and over 65s) and can be purchased at the ticket kiosk in the bus departure area or from the driver on board the bus. The buses run 24/7, so this is a good option if you arrive outside metro hours.
Suburban Railway
The Suburban Railway (Proastiakos) connects Athens Airport with Larissis Station, the central Athens railway station, in approximately 45 minutes. Trains depart from Athens Airport every 15-25 minutes to Doukissis Plakentias station, where you can transfer to the Athens Metro network using the same ticket.
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Attractions near the airport
If you have a long layover at Athens Airport, there are several attractions near the airport that you can visit. Here are some options:
Acropolis
The Acropolis is one of the most famous landmarks in Athens and is easily accessible from the airport. You can take the train, which is located just in front of the airport and takes about 40 minutes, or you can take the X95 bus to Syntagma and walk through the national garden or the town towards the Acropolis. The bus takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Once you arrive, you can explore the historic site, stroll through the nearby Anafiotika neighborhood, and enjoy the beautiful views of downtown Athens.
Plaka
Plaka is a charming neighborhood in Athens, known for its picturesque streets and beautiful views of the Acropolis. Head to the Thea Terrace location in the Central Hotel for amazing views and delicious food and drinks.
Beach Towns
If you're looking for some sun and sand during your layover, there are several wonderful beach towns near the airport. You can take one of the express buses (X93, X95, X96, or X97) to reach these towns and enjoy fresh air, great restaurants, and a quick swim.
Rafina
Rafina is a small town by the sea, located about 15 minutes from the airport. It offers a beach, a marina, and a variety of grill and seafood restaurants for dinner. You can take a taxi or bus to reach Rafina and enjoy a meal on the Aegean Sea.
Sofitel Airport Hotel
If you don't want to venture too far from the airport, the Sofitel Airport Hotel is just 50 meters from the exit doors. You can enjoy premium dining and drinking options, as well as spa treatments, without having to leave the airport complex.
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Things to do inside the airport
Athens International Airport is considered one of the most enjoyable airports in Europe. The airport offers a range of facilities and services to keep travellers entertained and relaxed during their layover. Here are some things to do inside the airport:
Explore the Airport Agora
The Airport Agora is a unique shopping and dining experience inspired by classical Greece. It features open agoras that lead to shopping arcades, communal squares, and a variety of local tastes, designs, and cultural encounters.
Shop at the Whitewashed Arcade
The Schengen area of the airport features a whitewashed arcade, home to a range of boutiques and duty-free shops. You can find everything from fashion and jewellery to specialty stores, food, bookstores, and electronics. The arcade also offers pampering services and fashion advice from experts.
Visit the Eleftherios Venizelos Exhibition
The airport hosts the Eleftherios Venizelos Permanent Exhibition, dedicated to Greek aviation history. It is open daily from 6 am to 11 pm and is a great way to learn about the country's rich aviation past.
Relax in Airport Lounges
Athens Airport offers a range of airport lounges that are accessible to all travellers, regardless of airline or class. You can purchase a pass online or use your membership to gain entry. Lounges provide a quiet and comfortable environment with tasty food and drink options and access to reliable Wi-Fi.
Indulge in Greek Delicacies
The airport has a variety of dining options, including Greek specialities. You can find everything from traditional Greek sandwiches and gyros to fine cheeses, strained yoghurt, cream puddings, and ice cream made with local ingredients. There are also Greek delis offering organic products and Greek cosmetics.
Unwind at the Sofitel Hotel
If you need a more extended rest, the Sofitel Hotel, located just opposite the airport terminal, offers day rooms and premium dining and drinking services. The hotel also provides spa treatments, including massages, manicures, and pedicures, to help you relax during your layover.
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Overnight layover options
If you have a long layover at Athens Airport, you may want to consider staying at a hotel, either at the airport or in the city centre.
The Sofitel Athens Airport Hotel is located just 50 metres from the airport's exit doors. While it may be expensive, you can still enjoy the premium drinking and dining services from the panoramic-view hotel's roof or even indulge in the provided spa treatments without booking a room.
There are also plenty of other hotels in the surrounding towns, just a short taxi ride away. For example, Athens Boutique Pod (Syntagma Square) is a light-filled loft apartment in the centre of Athens, just a couple of minutes from the Syntagma metro station. The flat is equipped with a kitchenette, king-size bed, washer/dryer and 4K TV. Prices start from £109 a night, including cleaning and service fees. Another option is the Mediterranean apartment, Monastiraki, located just a 12-minute walk from the Acropolis. This flat offers a king-size bed, HD TV with Netflix, high-speed Wi-Fi, a kitchen and a vintage record player. Prices start from £80 a night, including cleaning and service fees.
If you don't want to leave the airport, you can book a pass for one of the airport's business lounges, which may offer shower facilities. Alternatively, there are some informal relaxation areas in the airport, such as near Gate B22 (Schengen) and Gate A15 (non-Schengen).
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can exit Athens airport during your layover. However, it is recommended that you have at least a 5-hour layover if you want to leave the airport and explore Athens.
It is recommended that you arrive at the airport 1.5-2 hours before your flight to allow enough time to get through security and to your gate.
Athens airport has plenty of shops, restaurants, and lounges to keep you entertained during your layover. If you have a longer layover, you can explore the city of Athens, visit nearby beach towns, or check out some of the local attractions, such as the Acropolis and the Parthenon.
