Jazmin Li
Athens International Airport offers many cultural options for travellers with layovers. While some sources suggest that a layover of under five hours is too short to leave the airport, others recommend a quick trip to the city centre, which is approximately 45-60 minutes away by metro. With a longer layover, you can visit downtown Athens, or with five to seven hours, you can explore nearby beach towns. The airport itself offers plenty of options to fill your time, including an archaeological museum, Greek food, and a playground for children.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Leaving the airport during a layover | Travellers can leave the airport during a layover, but it is recommended only if there is enough time between flights. A minimum of 5 hours is suggested to make the most of a trip into Athens. |
| Travel time to the city | It takes approximately 45-60 minutes to reach the city centre from the airport. |
| Attractions | The Acropolis, Monastiraki, Syntagma Square, Ermou Street, Athens Cathedral, Plaka, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Greek wineries, IKEA, McArthurGlen Designer Outlets, Attica Zoological Park, Rafina, Vouliagmeni Beach, Voula Beach, Artemis Beach. |
| Transport | The M3 train runs from the airport to Monastiraki every 30 minutes (hourly on holidays) and costs €10-18 return. Taxis are also available, but prices should be negotiated beforehand. |
| Food and drink | Greek food and drink are available both at the airport and in the city. Airport options include Greek pastries, sit-down meals, and coffee. In the city, travellers can enjoy Greek beer and traditional Greek snacks. |
| Other airport activities | Athens International Airport offers free Wi-Fi for the first 60 minutes, various shops and boutiques, hair and nail salons, massage and beauty treatments, lounges, and a playground for children. There is also a small archaeological museum inside the airport. |
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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 want to leave the airport, you should have at least a 5-hour layover. With a 5- to 7-hour layover, you can visit nearby beach towns, such as Artemis Beach, Rafina, Vouliagmeni Beach, and Voula Beach. You can also visit local wineries, such as Gikas Winery, Domaine Papagiannakos, and Eklektikon. With an 8- to 9-hour layover, you can head to downtown Athens.
Keep in mind that it takes about 50 minutes each way to get to the city centre from the airport, so you'll need to factor that into your time outside the airport. If you have a short layover of 2 hours, it's not recommended to leave the airport as you risk missing your connecting flight.
If you decide to stay at the airport during your layover, there are plenty of things to keep you entertained. You can visit the small archaeological museum inside the airport, showcasing finds from the Attica region and the airport's construction site. There are also plenty of restaurants and cafes serving traditional Greek dishes and pastries. You can also take advantage of the airport's amenities, such as getting your hair or nails done or enjoying a massage or beauty treatment.
Whether you decide to leave the airport or stay put during your layover, there are plenty of options to make the most of your time in Athens.
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What to do inside Athens Airport during a layover
Athens International Airport is considered one of the most enjoyable airports in Europe. If you have a long layover, you may want to leave the airport and explore the city. However, if you are looking for things to do inside the airport during your layover, there are plenty of options to keep you entertained.
First, you can grab a bite to eat. Several restaurants are open 24 hours a day, including Greek options such as the Kir-Yanni Wine Bar, cafes, and sit-down restaurants. There is also a grocery store located pre-security where you can pick up snacks.
Second, you can relax in one of the airport lounges, which are open to all travellers regardless of airline or class of service. Lounges offer good food and drinks, Wi-Fi, and a quieter environment than the main terminal.
Third, you can do some shopping. The airport is home to a variety of Greek fashion brands, international labels, boutiques, duty-free shops, specialty stores, and food shops.
Fourth, you can take advantage of the airport's services. Get a manicure or pedicure, or enjoy a massage or beauty treatment. You can also drop off your luggage at the luggage drop located at the end of the terminal, which will allow you to move around the airport more freely.
Finally, you can get some work done or catch up on sleep. The airport offers free Wi-Fi for the first 60 minutes, so you can answer emails, make video calls, or finish a presentation. There are also plenty of stiff seats and benches where you can catch up on some sleep, although the airport is not always quiet. For a better quality sleep, there is a Sofitel hotel just opposite the main terminal that offers day rooms from 12 pm to 6 pm.
In addition, the airport offers various cultural options, including exhibitions and museums featuring archaeological findings and Greek history and culture.
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Exploring Athens on a brief stop
Athens International Airport is not located directly next to downtown Athens, but that doesn't mean you can't get a taste of Greece during your layover. If you have a long layover of five to nine hours, you can leave the airport and head into the city. With a shorter layover, you may want to stay at the airport and explore the shops, restaurants, and exhibitions there.
If you have a long layover, you can take the M3 train to Monastiraki and explore the beautiful traditional neighbourhoods with low-key Greek restaurants, markets, and white homes lined along ancient Roman and Greek ruins. You can also walk to Syntagma Square, the heart of the city, and Ermou Street, the main shopping street. Monastiraki, a large pedestrian flea market, and Plaka, a picturesque Athenian neighbourhood with scenic houses and dining options, are also within walking distance. On your way, you'll pass by the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
If you're looking for a beach, you can take a 15-minute taxi ride to Artemis Beach or Rafina, or head to Vouliagmeni Beach or Voula Beach, 25 minutes west of the airport. If you're travelling with kids, the Attica Park Zoo is a 10-minute taxi ride away, and IKEA is just a few minutes away by bus or taxi.
Staying at the Airport
Athens International Airport offers many cultural options for travellers. The airport features exhibitions from the Acropolis Museum in town, the Eleftherios Venizelos Permanent Exhibition dedicated to Greek aviation history, and an archaeological museum showcasing finds from the Attica region and the airport's construction site. There are also periodical art collections and cultural exhibitions. For food, you can find traditional Greek pastries like spanakopita and baklava, or sit down for a full meal of moussaka or souvlaki. There are also several restaurants open 24 hours a day, including Greek options like the Kir-Yanni Wine Bar, as well as cafes and sit-down restaurants.
If you're looking to relax, there are airport lounges that offer good food, drinks, and a quieter environment. You can also take advantage of the airport's free Wi-Fi, get your hair or nails done, or enjoy a massage or beauty treatment. If you need to get some work done, grab a drink or coffee, get comfortable, and start that book you've been meaning to read!
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How to get to Athens from the airport
Yes, you can leave Athens airport during a layover. Athens International Airport is located 33 km southeast of Athens, and it takes 50 minutes each way to get to the city centre, so you will need to factor this travel time into your layover. If you have a long layover (7-9 hours), it is not advisable to stay in the airport. You should head into Athens to experience the city's historic attractions and culture.
By Metro
The Athens Metro system can have you in the heart of Athens in about 45-60 minutes. Line 3 (the Blue Line) connects the airport with the city centre and Piraeus port, with stops at Syntagma and Monastiraki. Trains run every 30-36 minutes, seven days a week from 6:30 am to 11:30 pm. Tickets cost €9 one way (€4.50 for children, teenagers, and over 65) and €16 return.
By 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.
By Bus
24-hour express buses connect Athens International Airport with the port of Piraeus and the Intercity Bus Terminal (KTEL Kifissos). These non-stop services operate daily, including public holidays. Buses depart every 15-20 minutes and the journey time to Syntagma Square is about 50 minutes. Tickets cost €5.50 one way (€2.70 for children, teenagers, and over 65).
By Taxi
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. The rate includes all applicable surcharges.
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Where to stay during a layover in Athens
If you have a long layover in Athens, it is not advisable to stay at the airport. You can leave the airport and head to Syntagma Square, the heart of the city, which is home to the Greek Parliament. From there, you can walk to Ermou Street, the main shopping street, and then to Athens Cathedral. Monastiraki, a large pedestrian flea market, and Plaka, a picturesque Athenian neighbourhood with dining and drinking options, are also within walking distance.
If you want to stay within the airport or very close by, the Sofitel Athens Airport Hotel is just a 2-minute walk from the airport, and day rooms are available from 12 pm to 6 pm. The Holiday Inn Athens Airport and the Pantheon Hotel Athens Airport are also options, located about 10 minutes away by shuttle or taxi.
For those who want to stay in the city, the Athens Boutique Pod (Syntagma Square) and the Mediterranean Apartment (Monastiraki) are good options. The former is a light-filled loft apartment in the centre of Athens, just a few minutes from the Syntagma metro station. The latter is located in the Monastiraki neighbourhood, a 12-minute walk from the Acropolis, and offers a king-size bed, HD TV with Netflix, high-speed Wi-Fi, a kitchen, and a vintage record player.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can leave Athens airport during a layover if you have enough time between your flights. However, it is important to plan your time carefully to ensure you don't miss your next flight.
It takes approximately 50 minutes each way to get to the city centre from the airport. Therefore, it is recommended that you have at least 4 hours between flights if you want to leave the airport.
During a short layover, you may want to stay at the airport and explore its amenities. Athens International Airport offers various restaurants, cafes, shops, and lounges. You can also take advantage of the airport's free Wi-Fi, get your hair or nails done, or simply relax and read a book.
If you have a long layover of 5 hours or more, you may want to explore the city of Athens. You can visit the Acropolis, stroll through the traditional neighbourhoods of Monastiraki, or enjoy the scenic views of Plaka. You can also take a short taxi ride to nearby beach towns, such as Artemis Beach and Rafina, or visit local wineries for wine tasting.
Yes, Athens International Airport offers several cultural options. The airport features a small archaeological museum showcasing finds from the Attica region and the airport's construction site. There is also a permanent exhibition dedicated to Greek aviation history and periodic art collections and cultural exhibitions.
