Lois Larson
Athens International Airport, also known as Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, is located 33km southeast of Athens. It is the largest airport in Greece, serving as the gateway airport for most of the country. The airport is modern, well laid out, and easy to navigate, with signs in both Greek and English. It has two terminals, the main terminal and the Satellite terminal, connected by an underground link. The main terminal has three levels, with arrivals on the lower level and departures on the upper level. The airport offers various amenities and efficient services, including cultural attractions such as the Acropolis Exhibition and a museum featuring exhibits from the airport's construction. It is easily accessible by road and public transportation, including metro, bus, taxi, and private transfer services.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Athens International Airport |
| Other Names | Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, El. Venizelos Airport, AIA, Sparta, Spata, Spada |
| Airport Code | ATH |
| Location | 33km southeast of Athens, in the Spata area |
| Terminals | Two (Main Terminal and Satellite Terminal) |
| Levels | Three (Arrivals, Departures, and Food Court) |
| Halls | Two (Hall A for non-Schengen and non-European flights, and Hall B for intra-Schengen and domestic flights) |
| Accessibility | Accessible parking for travelers with disabilities |
| Transportation | Metro Line 3, Suburban Railway (Proastiakos), 24-hour express buses, taxis, private transfers, car rental |
| Amenities | Acropolis Exhibition, various art collections, events, restaurants, shopping, baggage carts, parking facilities |
| Hotels Nearby | Sofitel Airport Hotel, Holiday Inn, Peri's Hotel and Apartments, Armonia Hotel |
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What You'll Learn
Transport options to the city centre
Athens International Airport, also known as Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, is located 33km southeast of Athens. It is easily accessible from the city centre via multiple transportation options.
The suburban railway (Proastiakos) connects the airport with Larissis Station, Athens' central railway station, in approximately 45 minutes. Trains depart from the airport every 15-25 minutes to Doukissis Plakentias station, where you can transfer to the Athens Metro network using the same ticket.
The Athens Metro Line 3/blue is another option to get to the city centre, stopping at Syntagma and Monastiraki stations in central Athens. The journey takes about 40 minutes, and trains run every 5-10 minutes from 6:10 am to 11:30 pm. Tickets cost €10, or €24 for groups of three.
Buses are also available, with the X96 bus going directly from the airport to Piraeus ferry port. Buses run 24/7 and are the cheapest option, with tickets costing €5.50 one way. However, during the day, buses may be slower due to traffic.
For those who prefer a more private option, taxis are available 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. Welcome Pickups is another car service option, which is similarly priced to taxis but offers the convenience of flight monitoring and pre-booking.
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The airport's terminals and how to navigate them
Athens International Airport, also known as the Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, is located 33km southeast of Athens. It is the only airport in Athens, serving both domestic and international flights, and is the largest airport in Greece. The airport is easily accessible via the Athens ring road (Attiki Odos), with the drive from downtown Athens taking 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic.
The airport has two terminals: the main terminal and the satellite terminal. The main terminal handles most of the airport's flight traffic, serving both domestic and international flights, while the satellite terminal is much smaller, dealing with flights from and to Schengen destinations and operating during the high tourist season. The two terminals are connected via an underground passage, with the journey between them taking around 15 minutes on foot.
The main terminal is a 3-level building, with the Arrivals area on the ground floor and Departures on the first floor. The Arrivals area is subdivided into two sections: Hall A for non-Schengen international flights and Hall B for inter-Schengen flights and domestic destinations. The first floor of the main terminal also houses all the boarding gates and check-in desks, as well as a Drink & Dine area with a wide variety of shops and Duty-Free stores. The satellite terminal is similarly divided into two levels, with Arrivals on the ground level and Departures on the first floor.
The airport offers a wide range of amenities and services, including various food and beverage options, shops, currency exchange, ATMs, luggage storage facilities, and lounges. There is also a museum and an archaeological exhibition within the airport, as well as parking facilities for short-term and long-term parking.
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Parking facilities at the airport
Athens International Airport has a range of parking facilities to meet the needs of its passengers. The airport has two short-term parking lots (P1 and P2) and a long-term car park. There is also a designated parking zone for motorcycles close to P1, and valet parking services are provided.
The Short Term 1 parking lot is located at the Arrivals level and is ideal for fast and easy access to the Main Terminal Building. It is only available for gate access and is not available for online booking. You can get 20 minutes of free parking, valid for up to 2 entries per day. After that, charges will apply according to the price list. For parking up to 1 hour, a €6 charge applies. Short Term 1 also has parking spaces for electric vehicle charging and people with disabilities.
The Short Term 2 parking lot is also located at the Arrivals level and offers fast and easy access to the Main Terminal Building. This lot is only available for gate access and cannot be booked online.
The Long Term parking lot is ideal for both short-term and long-term stays and is only a 5-minute walk from the Main Terminal Building through the pedestrian bridge. You can book your parking space online and choose the "be fast" service for €4 to get priority at the security screening points before your flight.
Athens International Airport also has a Multistorey parking facility under construction. In the meantime, Short-Term Parking areas 1 & 2 are only available for gate access, without online booking.
In addition to the official parking areas, there are also off-site parking options nearby, such as Airpark, which offers inexpensive parking and a full range of services for drivers, passengers, and vehicles.
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The airport's amenities and attractions
Athens International Airport, also known as Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, is located 33km southeast of Athens. It is easily accessible via the Athens ring road and is well-connected to the city by public transportation. The airport offers a wide range of amenities and services, including cultural attractions such as the Acropolis Exhibition, a small museum with exhibits found in the nearby area during the airport's construction. The airport also features various art collections and events from time to time.
The airport has two terminals: the main terminal and the satellite terminal, connected through an underground link. The main terminal is spread across three levels: arrivals, departures, and a food court. The satellite terminal operates with two levels, one for arrivals and one for departures, and is equipped with ten jet bridges. Both terminals have baggage claim areas with clearly marked baggage carousels and free-to-use baggage carts.
Athens Airport provides a diverse range of food and shopping options. It also has parking facilities, including short-term and long-term car parks, motorcycle parking, and accessible parking for travellers with disabilities. The airport's website offers an interactive map to help passengers navigate and locate various amenities, gates, restaurants, lounges, security checkpoints, and baggage claim areas.
In terms of transportation, the airport is connected to the city centre by Metro Line 3, with trains running every 30 minutes and a journey time of approximately 40 minutes. Taxis are available at a flat rate, and private transfer services like Welcome Pickups offer an alternative to taxis with similar pricing and additional conveniences. The airport is also served by 24-hour express buses, providing a cheaper and spacious option for luggage, although they may be slower during the day due to traffic.
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Hotels near the airport
Athens International Airport, also known as the Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, is located 33 km southeast of Athens. The airport is modern, well laid out, and easy to navigate. It has only one building with two levels, with arrivals on the lower level and departures on the upper level. All signs are conveniently in Greek and English.
If you need to stay near the airport, there are a few hotel options in close proximity. The Sofitel Airport Hotel is located directly in the airport, offering extremely easy access by foot. Other nearby hotels include the Holiday Inn, Peri's Hotel and Apartments, and Armonia Hotel, which are a short drive or free shuttle service away. These hotels may be preferable if you want to be near the city centre, as the airport is quite a distance from downtown Athens.
There are also apartment options near the airport, such as the Mocha Luxury Residence, Akali Apartment, and Mint Luxury Residence, all located in Spata. These apartments offer garden and barbecue facilities, light and balconies, and a relaxing atmosphere.
For those seeking a more resort-like feel, the Mati Hotel is a popular choice. It is located within walking distance of the airport and the coast, with guests praising its excellent staff and cosy rooms.
Lastly, there is a brand new family-run hotel located 2.5 miles from the airport with a free shuttle service. Guests have praised the pleasant and helpful staff, modern and comfortable rooms, and good breakfast options.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Athens airport is modern, well laid out, and easy to navigate. It is not huge and has only one building with two levels. Arrivals are on the lower level, and departures are on the upper level. All signs are in Greek and English.
Athens International Airport is located 33km southeast of the city centre of Athens. The drive from downtown Athens takes 30-45 minutes, depending on traffic.
The Metro Line 3/blue is the best way to get to the city centre. It goes to Syntagma and Monastiraki stations in central Athens. The trip takes about 40 minutes and a one-way ticket costs €9. Buses are also available and are the cheapest option, but they have to deal with Athens traffic which can slow to a standstill.
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.
Yes, there are hotel options in close proximity to the airport. The Sofitel Airport Hotel is at the airport and offers easy access by foot. The Holiday Inn, Peri's Hotel and Apartments, and Armonia Hotel are also a short drive or free shuttle service away.
