Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos Airport Guide (ATH) – Athens

Airport Overview

Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) is Greece's largest and busiest airport, handling over 26 million passengers annually and serving as the primary hub for Aegean Airlines and Sky Express. Located approximately 33 km east of central Athens near the town of Spata, the airport opened in 2001 and is named after the prominent Greek statesman Eleftherios Venizelos. The facility is renowned for its archaeological museum featuring artifacts uncovered during its construction, and it regularly ranks among the best airports in Europe for passenger satisfaction.

Terminals

ATH operates a single integrated terminal building divided into two main areas:

• Main Terminal (Departures Level 3): Houses all check-in desks, departures, and arrivals. The terminal is seamlessly connected with no inter-terminal transfers required.
• Schengen Area (Gates A1–A24): Used for flights within the Schengen Zone, served primarily by Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air, Ryanair, and easyJet.
• Non-Schengen Area (Gates B1–B20): Handles intercontinental and non-Schengen flights including those operated by Emirates, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, and Air Canada.

WiFi Availability

Athens Airport provides free, unlimited WiFi throughout the terminal under the network name "AIA Free WiFi". Connect by selecting the network, opening a browser, and accepting the terms. There is no time limit or data cap on the complimentary service. Connection speeds are generally adequate for browsing and video calls, typically ranging from 10–30 Mbps. Premium paid WiFi is also available via the airport's commercial partners for faster guaranteed speeds.

Transport to City Center

Metro (Line 3)

The Athens Metro Line 3 (Blue Line) connects the airport directly to the city center. Trains run every 30 minutes and the journey to Syntagma Square takes approximately 40 minutes. The fare is €10 for a single ticket or €18 for a return. The metro operates from around 05:30 to 00:00 daily.

Suburban Rail (Proastiakos)

The suburban railway connects ATH to Athens central station (Larissa Station) and continues to Piraeus port. Journey time to central Athens is around 40–45 minutes. Trains operate from early morning until midnight, with fares starting at €10. The rail also connects to Corinth and other regional destinations.

Bus Services

Several express bus routes operate 24 hours, including the X93 to Kifissos Bus Terminal, X95 to Syntagma Square (60–90 min, €6), X96 to Piraeus (90 min, €6), and X97 to Dafni Metro Station. Buses are air-conditioned and run every 20–40 minutes depending on time of day.

Taxi and Rideshare

Official taxis are available outside the arrivals area. The fixed fare to central Athens is €38 during the day (05:00–00:00) and €54 at night. Journey time is approximately 45–60 minutes depending on traffic. Uber and Beat (local rideshare) also operate at ATH, typically offering slightly lower fares.

Airport Lounges

• Aegean Business Lounge (Schengen): Located airside past security in the Schengen wing. Access for Aegean Business Class passengers, Gold/Platinum status holders, and Priority Pass members. Offers hot food, bar, showers, and workstations.
• Aegean Business Lounge (Non-Schengen): Situated near Gate B gates, offers similar amenities for international departures with views of the apron.
• Olympic Air Lounge: Located in the Schengen area, accessible to Olympic Air Business Class and frequent flyers. Offers light refreshments and comfortable seating.
• Goldair Handling Executive Lounge: A Priority Pass and pay-per-use lounge with buffet dining, alcohol, and business facilities near the main security checkpoint area.
• No1 Lounges (Arrivals Lounge): Accessible on the arrivals level for Priority Pass holders, featuring shower facilities, refreshments, and rest areas — useful after long overnight flights.

Hotels Near the Airport

• Sofitel Athens Airport: The only hotel directly connected to the terminal via a covered walkway. Features 345 rooms, an indoor pool, spa, and multiple restaurants. Ideal for early-morning departures or late arrivals.
• Holiday Inn Athens Airport: Located about 5 minutes by shuttle from the terminal. Offers comfortable rooms at mid-range prices with a complimentary airport shuttle.
• Avra Imperial Hotel (Spata): A stylish option approximately 2 km from the airport in the town of Spata, with a pool and garden restaurant.
• Mayor Mon Repos Palace (Corfu / ATH stopover): For passengers exploring the Athens Riviera, several resort hotels are within 30 minutes by taxi along the coastal road.
• Cavo Tagoo Athens (Glyfada): A design hotel about 25 km from ATH near the Athenian Riviera, combining easy airport access with beach amenities.

Food and Restaurants

• Milos at the Airport: An upscale Greek seafood restaurant airside in the departures area, serving fresh fish, mezedes, and regional wines — a genuine fine-dining experience before boarding.
• Greco's Fast Food: A popular grab-and-go chain offering gyros, souvlaki, and traditional Greek pies at affordable prices throughout the terminal.
• Paul Bakery (Departures): The French bakery chain with a full menu of pastries, sandwiches, salads, and specialty coffees.
• The Greek Kitchen: Offers traditional moussaka, stuffed peppers, grilled meats, and local cheeses in a casual sit-down setting near Gate A.
• Starbucks (Multiple Locations): Available both landside and airside for coffees, teas, and light snacks.
• Hellenic Duty Free Café: Located in the duty-free shopping zone, serving light meals and beverages alongside shopping.

Travel Tips

• Arrive at least 2.5 hours before international flights and 2 hours before domestic/Schengen departures, as security queues can be lengthy during summer peak season (June–September).
• The airport's archaeological collection on the ground floor landside is free to visit and worth 20 minutes of your time before clearing security.
• Currency exchange desks inside the terminal charge higher fees — use ATMs (available throughout) or exchange in the city center for better rates.
• The airport is in the eastern Attica region; factor in potential traffic congestion on the Attiki Odos motorway, especially during rush hour (07:00–10:00 and 17:00–20:00).
• Duty-free allowances into Greece apply for non-EU arrivals — keep receipts for all purchases exceeding €430 to avoid customs issues.
• Free luggage storage (bag wrapping service) is available near the check-in hall for a fee of €8–12 per bag.
• Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the terminal; a designated outdoor smoking area is available just outside the arrivals exit.