Ruth Haines
Athens International Airport is Greece's largest and most modern airport. While it is possible to stay at the airport overnight, it may not be a comfortable option due to hard floors, bright lights, and periodic tannoy announcements. There are several 24-hour restaurants and cafes, art installations, a museum, and WiFi available to pass the time. For those looking for added comfort, there are lounges that economy-class passengers can pay to access, but these do not have sleeping facilities. Sleeping in the terminal is prohibited, and there are signs saying so. However, travellers have reported decent sleep spots, including armrest-free benches and private nooks to lie on the floor. If you're looking for a more comfortable option, there are hotels nearby, including the Sofitel Athens Airport Hotel, which is a two-minute walk from the airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleeping in the airport | Prohibited, but possible in practice |
| Sleeping in the airport comfort | Not possible |
| Sleeping in the airport hotel | Possible, but expensive |
| Sleeping in the airport lounges | Possible with a pass or membership |
| Sleeping in the airport restaurants | Possible, but you may be woken up by staff |
| Sleeping in the airport nooks | Possible, but you may be run off by airport personnel |
| Sleeping in Athens | Possible, but you will need to take a taxi to the airport |
| Luggage storage | Available at Care4Bag |
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What You'll Learn
- Sleeping in the airport is prohibited, but there are ways to find some rest
- There are no beds, but armrest-free benches and private nooks can be found
- hour restaurants, art installations, and a museum can help pass the time
- Lounges can be accessed by purchasing a pass, but they don't have sleeping facilities
- Nearby hotels include Sofitel Athens, Holiday Inn, and Hotel Pantheon
Sleeping in the airport is prohibited, but there are ways to find some rest
Sleeping in Athens Airport is prohibited, but there are ways to find some rest. The airport is open 24 hours and has many facilities, including 24-hour cafes, restaurants, and lounges. However, the floors are hard, the lighting is bright, and tannoy announcements are loud and frequent, so it may not be the most comfortable option for sleeping.
There are several spots in the airport where travellers have managed to get some rest. These include the area around Gate B22, which has some armrest-free benches, and the hallway just before the restaurants on the first floor, where there are private nooks to lie down. There are also armrest-free benches above the Arrivals area. If you don't have luggage to collect, you may be able to remain in the departures area, which has more comfortable seating.
If you want a more comfortable option, there are nearby hotels accessible by foot or airport shuttle. The Sofitel Athens Airport Hotel is located just 50 metres from the airport's main terminal and features a spa and massage parlour. However, it can be quite expensive. Other nearby hotels include the Holiday Inn Athens Airport, Hotel Avra Rafina, Hotel Pantheon, and Oceanis in Glyfada, which is an hour away via airport bus.
If you don't want to leave the airport, you can purchase a pass for one of the airport's business lounges, some of which may offer shower facilities. Lounges include the Aegean Business Lounge in Terminal 1, Airside, near Gate A15.
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There are no beds, but armrest-free benches and private nooks can be found
Athens International Airport is Greece's largest and most modern airport. While it does not offer the most comfortable sleeping arrangements, there are a few spots where you can get some rest.
Firstly, there are armrest-free benches in the area around Gate B22, although it can get quite chilly. If you're looking for a warmer spot, head inside Burger King in Terminal 1, where you'll find benches without armrests.
If you'd prefer a more private space, there are some nooks on the landside. Head upstairs to the hallway just before the restaurants, where you can lie down without being disturbed. There are also a few armrest-free benches above the Arrivals area.
While Athens Airport does not provide beds or dedicated sleeping areas, these spots might offer a bit more comfort during your layover. Keep in mind that sleeping in the terminal is not officially allowed, so staff may ask you to move.
If you'd prefer a proper bed, there are hotels near the airport, such as the Sofitel Athens Airport Hotel, which is just a two-minute walk from the main terminal. However, airport hotels tend to be expensive, and with Athens' vibrant nightlife and easy metro access, some travellers opt to spend their layover in the city instead.
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24-hour restaurants, art installations, and a museum can help pass the time
Athens International Airport is open 24 hours a day, and while there are no designated rest zones, there are some informal relaxation areas. Sleeping at the airport is prohibited, but if you're looking for a place to rest, head to the first floor near the chapel and Burger King, where you're unlikely to be disturbed.
If you're looking to pass the time, the airport has plenty of 24-hour food options, ranging from traditional Greek dishes to sandwiches, pizza, pies, and salads. There are also a variety of bars and coffee shops.
For something more cultural, the airport features rotating art displays and hosts cultural events, including painting and photography exhibitions. There is also a museum on Level 2 outside security, housing 177 ancient artefacts uncovered during the airport's construction. The airport also has permanent exhibitions from the Acropolis Museum and the Eleftherios Venizelos Permanent Exhibition, which showcases Greek aviation history.
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Lounges can be accessed by purchasing a pass, but they don't have sleeping facilities
Athens International Airport is Greece's largest and most modern airport. While the airport is open all night, it may not be the most comfortable place to sleep over. The floors are hard, the lighting is extremely bright, and tannoy announcements happen periodically and loudly.
Sleeping in the airport is prohibited, and there are signs saying so. However, if you go to the first floor near the chapel close to Burger King, it is unlikely that anyone will disturb you. There are also armrest-free benches in the area around Gate B22, and some benches inside Burger King (Terminal 1). There are also private nooks to lie on the floor upstairs near the hallway just before the restaurants.
If you are looking for a more comfortable option, there are hotels near the airport. The Sofitel Athens Airport Hotel is located 50 metres from the airport's main terminal. It features a spa and massage parlour that is open to non-guests, but it can be quite expensive. Other nearby hotels include the Holiday Inn Athens Airport, Hotel Avra Rafina, and Hotel Pantheon, which are within a 10-minute drive and offer free shuttle services.
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Nearby hotels include Sofitel Athens, Holiday Inn, and Hotel Pantheon
Athens International Airport is Greece's largest and most modern airport. While it's possible to spend the night at the airport, it may not be comfortable. There are no dedicated sleep areas or sleeping pods, and sleeping in the airport is prohibited. However, travellers have reported decent sleep spots, such as the area around Gate B22, which has armrest-free benches, and the benches inside Burger King in Terminal 1.
If you're looking for a more comfortable option, there are nearby hotels accessible by foot or airport shuttles. One popular choice is the Sofitel Athens Airport Hotel, a 5-star luxury hotel located just 50 metres (about a 2-minute walk) from the airport's main terminal. Sofitel Athens offers a blend of French art de vivre and Greek hospitality, with elegant rooms and suites, a rooftop restaurant, and an indoor swimming pool.
Other nearby hotels include the Holiday Inn Athens Airport, which is a 10-minute drive from the airport and offers a free 24-hour airport shuttle service. The hotel has a range of amenities, including a restaurant, bar, indoor pool, fitness centre, and business facilities.
The Pantheon Hotel Athens Airport is another option located in the tranquil town of Markopoulo, about a 10- to 15-minute drive from the airport. This 2-star hotel has 15 elegant rooms, a 24-hour reception, café, bar, free parking, and free Wi-Fi. While the Pantheon Hotel doesn't offer an airport shuttle, they can arrange taxi services for guests.
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Frequently asked questions
Sleeping in the airport is not comfortable. The floors are hard stone floors, the lighting is extremely bright, and tannoy announcements happen periodically and loudly.
There is a Sofitel Athens Airport Hotel, located 50 metres from the airport's main terminal. However, it can be quite expensive.
Yes, there are a few hotels within 10 minutes of the airport via free shuttle, including the Holiday Inn Athens Airport, Hotel Avra Rafina, and Hotel Pantheon.
No, there are no sleeping pods or dedicated sleep areas in the airport.
There are some armrest-free benches in the area around Gate B22, and benches inside Burger King (Terminal 1). Landside, there are private nooks to lie on the floor in the hallway just before the restaurants.
