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The Athens International Airport ‘Eleftherios Venizelos’ (IATA code: ATH), located about 33 km southeast of central Athens, is Greece’s main airport.
The facility, inaugurated in 2001 to replace the old Ellinikon airport, serves not only the Hellenic capital but the entire surrounding region. From the city of Piraeus, a major Mediterranean port, the airport is about 45 km away with a travel time of 50 minutes. From Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city, it is about 5 hours by car via the A1/E75 motorway.
Athens International Airport is also a convenient stopover for reaching the Greek islands thanks to numerous internal flights to destinations such as Santorini, Mykonos and Crete. The airport is also convenient for those wishing to travel to the islands by sea: ferries depart frequently from the nearby port of Piraeus, which is easily accessible from the airport thanks to direct buses and the metro.
Athens airport is served daily by direct flights to and from airports all over Europe. To see the companies that land there and the connected airports visit the Flights to Athens page.
There are several ways to get to the centre of Athens from the airport: besides public transport such as metro or bus, consider booking a comfortable private transfer.
Line 3 (Blue) of the Athens Metro connects the airport directly with the city centre. With departures every 30 minutes (6.30am to 11.30pm), it is the most efficient option to reach the heart of Athens. The journey takes about 40 minutes to Syntagma station (Constitution Square), the city’s nerve centre.
The metro also offers direct connections to other strategic points such as the Larissa train station and the historic district of Monastiraki, famous for its markets and views of the Acropolis.
The X95 service connects the airport with Syntagma Square, while the X96 line goes directly to the port of Piraeus, ideal for those who need to continue to the islands. Lines X93 (to the KTEL Kifissou bus station) and X97 (to the Elliniko metro station) complete the service. Buses depart from the Arrivals level and operate 24 hours a day, with a frequency of 15-30 minutes during the day and 30-60 minutes at night.
The bus journey takes between 60 and 90 minutes depending on traffic.
Official taxis are easily recognisable by their yellow colour and can be found at the exit of the arrivals terminal. The journey time varies between 30 and 45 minutes in normal traffic conditions, but can increase considerably during peak hours.
The fare to the centre of Athens is fixed: 38€ during the day (5:00-24:00) and 54€ during the night (00:00-5:00). If they ask you for more, know that they are being sneaky. Many taxi drivers accept payment by credit card, but it is always advisable to check before departure.
In any case, be prepared to face queues before you can get into a taxi.
An alternative to TAXIs is to book in advance a private transfer to or from Athens Airport airport. A driver will pick you up at the airport arrivals (thus avoiding taxi queues), at your hotel or wherever you prefer, to take you to the desired address.
It is the best solution if you do not want to waste time, do not want to use public transport, have a lot of luggage or are travelling in a group. To book a private transfer to or from Athens Airport airport visit this site.
Many international and local car rental companies have offices on the Arrivals level. Renting a car is especially recommended for those who intend to continue on to other destinations in mainland Greece.
To rent a car in Athens we always recommend comparing the rates of all companies with DiscoverCars because in our opinion it offers the best prices, allows cancellation up to 48 hours before rental and offers a very cheap comprehensive insurance policy.
The Port of Piraeus, Greece’s main port and one of the most important in the Mediterranean, is a crucial junction for travellers to the Greek islands.
The X96 line is the cheapest direct connection between the airport and the port. Buses depart from the Arrivals level with a frequency of 30-40 minutes during the day and operate 24 hours a day. The complete journey takes about 90 minutes (which can become 120 during peak hours) and crosses the southern coast of Athens.
The bus makes several stops within the port area, so it is advisable to check the stop closest to your departure pier.
An inexpensive alternative is to use Metro Line 3 (Blue) from the airport to Monastiraki station, where you can change to Line 1 (Green) to Piraeus. The whole journey takes about 75-80 minutes including change time.
This option is especially recommended during rush hours, when road traffic can cause considerable delays for buses and taxis.
Below you can see real-time departure and arrival times at Athens Airport.
By entering the dates of your stay in the following form, you can check the rates and availability in real time of the facilities near theAthens Airport.
Below is a list of recommended hotels near Athens Airport.
Below are the cheapest prices for car hire at at the athens Airport, to book click here.
According to reviews by other travellers, the following are the best car rental companies at the athens Airport. To compare rates click here.
Athens International Airport is located 33 km southeast of the city.
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