Airport Guide to Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH)

Airport Overview

Terminal Transfer | Getting into Town | Car Parking | Information Desks | Airport Facilities

Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, otherwise known as Athens International, is a two-terminal airport, gateway to a country rich with history and tourism options. It is located to the east of Athens’ city centre, the perfect destination for travellers who want to discover popular ancient Greek sites such as the Acropolis and Plaka, or for those using the city as a stop-off point before exploring the islands of Greece.

There’s plenty to do at Athens Airport, which offers a range of world-class shopping opportunities as well as a host of local souvenirs and mementos. The airport has won two awards for best airport in Southern Europe and is an important link between Europe and Asia.

Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport is a major hub for Greece’s national carrier Olympic Air as well as Aegean Airlines. With austerity measures being the catchphrase across Greece and much of Europe it’s good to know that there are many low-cost carriers and budget airlines that offer cheap flights to Athens International Airport, including Blue1, easyJet, Fly Hellas, Aer Lingus and IZair.

Athens International Airport is well-connected to central Athens by rail and road networks and is the perfect start to a fun holiday in Greece. This Greek airport has also been awarded two Green Building Awards for energy efficiency and awareness, so travellers wanting to reduce their carbon footprint can sleep easy knowing Athens International Airport is doing its bit.

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Terminal Transfer

The terminals are a short distance apart and connected via an underground walkway. Most Schengen flights are handled in the main terminal, while non-Schengen flights are directed to the satellite terminal.

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Getting into Town

Train: The train station is connected to the terminal via a walkway on the upper level. Metro trains run to and from the airport into central Athens every 30 minutes from 5:30am to 12:15am from Sunday to Thursday and until 2am on Friday and Saturday nights. A single ticket costs €6 and it takes 30 minutes to reach the city centre. Trains also run from the airport station to destinations further afield.

Bus: Local and express buses can be found alongside arrivals, they run between Athens International Airport and various parts of Athens, including the bus station in the city. OASA Express bus numbers X92 to X97 cost €3.20 for a one way ticket and buses run at least every 40 minutes 24 hours a day. Local buses are only €2, but they operate less frequently.

Taxis: A taxi to central Athens will cost €30-35 for the 40-60 minute journey. The taxi counter is outside door four of arrivals.

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Car Parking

Short-term, long-term and valet-parking options are available at Athens International Airport. Short-term parking is on the arrivals level in P1 and P2; the first 20 minutes are free, thereafter it costs €3.80 for the first 60 minutes and €25 for 24 hours. Long-term parking is located at P3, on the other side of the airports principle access road. Regular shuttles connect the parking area to the terminal. Long-term parking costs €39 for the first three days and €50 for up to seven days, and an extra €5 is added for each day thereafter.

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Information Desks

Airport information desks are located in departures and arrivals, and the staff members are multilingual. There are also handy electronic information phone booths throughout the airport.

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Airport Facilities

Money and communications: Currency exchange facilities as well as banks and ATMs are easy to find in both terminals. There is also an auto exchange machine as well as a post office and public telephone facilities at the airport.

Luggage: Baggage services available at Athens International Airport include a lost-property counter in the arrivals hall next to the post office and a baggage-wrapping service for departing passengers. Left-luggage facilities are also available at the airport through Pacific Travel Services. Prices start at €3 for six hours for a small bag, larger bags cost more and leaving a bag at the airport for more than ten days can cost more than €58. A full list of prices is available on the Pacific Travel Services website.

Conference and business: Athens International Airport has a full range of business and conference facilities located on site, including fax, Internet, printing and computer facilities as well as conference rooms and catering.

Other facilities: The airport has an art and exhibition centre where weary travellers can relax and stretch their legs between flights. Athens International Airport also has a free iPhone app called ATH Airport. Passengers can download the app to their phone and get flight details and real time updates on airport conditions. The app also allows users to browse the shops at Athens International Airport online. There is a free Internet kiosk in the public section of the departures area, however the connection is unreliable.

Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminals; the first 60 minutes are free. Passengers wishing to make use of the Wi-Fi facility beyond 60 minutes will have to pay for the service at the Business Centre on the arrivals level.

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