Athens Airport Guide: Location, Flights, Services, and Transportation
ُُُSepideh Kashani
2024-04-08
Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” is the main international airport serving Athens, the capital of Greece. For many travelers, this airport is the first point of arrival before exploring the city’s ancient landmarks, historical neighborhoods, cultural attractions, and nearby coastal areas.
As one of the most important airports in Greece, Athens Airport connects the city with many domestic and international destinations and plays a key role in supporting tourism, business travel, and regional air connectivity. Its passenger services, transportation options, shops, restaurants, and airport facilities help travelers start their journey in Athens more easily.
In this guide from the Sepehran Blog, we introduce Athens International Airport, including its location, terminals, flight information, facilities, transportation options, nearby hotels, and useful travel tips for passengers planning a trip to Greece.
Before starting your trip to Greece, explore our airport guide for international travelers to learn about airport terminals, documents, flight status, services, and transportation options.
Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” is the main international airport serving Athens and the wider Attica region. Commonly referred to as Athens Airport or AIA, it is the largest airport in Greece and one of the most important air gateways in southeastern Europe.
The airport officially began operations on 28 March 2001, replacing the former Ellinikon International Airport. It was developed to support the growing travel demand of Athens and to provide modern airport infrastructure ahead of the 2004 Olympic Games.
The airport is named after Eleftherios Venizelos, a prominent Greek statesman and former prime minister who played an important role in modern Greek history and the development of Greek aviation.
Today, Athens Airport serves millions of passengers every year, especially during the summer travel season, when Greece receives a high number of international visitors. According to the latest airport traffic data, passenger traffic reached about 34 million passengers in 2025.
Athens International Airport is located in the Mesogeia area of East Attica, near Spata, about 33 kilometers from central Athens. Because the airport is outside the city center, travel time may vary depending on traffic, transport method, and the exact destination in Athens.
The airport is connected to central Athens, Piraeus, and other parts of Attica by metro, suburban railway, express buses, taxis, private transfers, car rental, and private cars.
| Airport Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Airport Name | Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos” |
| Common Name | Athens Airport |
| IATA Code | ATH |
| ICAO Code | LGAV |
| Location | Spata / Mesogeia area, East Attica, Greece |
| Approximate Distance from Athens City Center | About 33 km, depending on the route |
| Time Zone | Eastern European Time / Eastern European Summer Time |
| Official Website | aia.gr |
The development of Athens International Airport began as part of Greece’s plan to replace the old Ellinikon International Airport with a modern aviation gateway. Construction started in the late 1990s, and the new airport commenced operations in March 2001 after several years of planning, construction, testing, and preparation.
Since opening, the airport has become a major hub for domestic, European, and international travel. It supports flights to many destinations and plays an important role in connecting Greece with Europe, the Middle East, North America, and other regions, depending on airline schedules and seasonal demand.
In addition to its aviation role, Athens Airport also includes cultural features. One of the most notable examples is the permanent exhibition of archaeological findings discovered in the Mesogaia area during airport construction. This exhibition is located in the Main Terminal Building and presents archaeological objects connected with the history of the area.
Athens International Airport has two terminal buildings: the Main Terminal Building and the Satellite Terminal Building. The Satellite Terminal is connected to the Main Terminal through an underground link with moving walkways.
The Main Terminal Building handles most passenger services and includes check-in areas, arrivals, departures, baggage claim, security control, passport control, shops, restaurants, cafés, information counters, and passenger services. Gates A1–A27 and B1–B31 are located in the Main Terminal Building.
The Satellite Terminal Building is used for selected flights and includes gates C15–C40. Passengers can access it only through the Main Terminal Building. After following the signs near the departure area, travelers reach the underground link and continue to the Satellite Terminal by moving walkways.
Gate assignments can change, so passengers should always check their boarding pass and the airport flight information monitors before proceeding to the gate.
Athens Airport is accessible by public transportation, taxi, ride-hailing services, private transfer, car rental, and private car. The best option depends on your location, luggage, arrival or departure time, and budget.
Metro Line 3, also known as the Blue Line, connects Athens Airport with central Athens and Piraeus. This option is useful for travelers who want a direct public transport connection between the airport, the city center, and key urban areas.
The Suburban Railway connects the airport with areas such as Ano Liosia and Piraeus, as well as railway connections to destinations outside Attica. Passengers can use this option if it matches their route and travel schedule.
Four OASA express bus routes connect Athens Airport with different parts of the city and transport network:
Regional buses also connect the airport with destinations such as Rafina and Markopoulo, with further connections toward Lavrio. Bus schedules and routes may change, so passengers should check the latest timetable before travel.
Taxis are available 24/7 at the designated taxi waiting area outside the arrivals level. According to the official airport information, a flat taxi fare applies between Athens Airport and the city center inner ring: €40 during the day and €55 at night. These fares may change over time, so passengers should check the latest official taxi information before travel.
Ride-hailing services such as Uber may also be available at the airport in cooperation with local licensed taxi drivers. Pick-up points and fare conditions may vary depending on the service and airport rules.
Car rental services are available at Athens Airport for travelers who want to explore Athens, the Attica region, or other parts of Greece by car. Rental conditions, prices, insurance coverage, and vehicle availability may vary by company and travel date.
Athens International Airport provides a wide range of facilities for departing, arriving, and connecting passengers. These services help travelers complete airport procedures, relax before departure, shop, eat, work, or arrange transportation after arrival.
Available facilities may include:
Service availability, opening hours, and access conditions may vary depending on the terminal area, flight schedule, and time of travel.
This Airport has a large commercial area known as Airport Agora, with more than 150 shops, restaurants, cafés, and service points. Passengers can find duty-free products, fashion and accessories, Greek products, gifts, books, travel essentials, coffee, snacks, and dining options in different areas of the airport.
Restaurant and café options may include Greek and international food, coffee shops, grab-and-go meals, bakery items, and light snacks. Availability may differ between public areas, Schengen areas, non-Schengen areas, and the Satellite Terminal.
Business lounges are available in the departures areas of the Main Terminal Building and Satellite Terminal Building. Lounge access may depend on airline, ticket class, membership program, or paid access conditions. Passengers should check access rules with their airline or lounge provider before travel.
Athens Airport provides medical support, pharmacy access, family facilities, and assistance services for passengers with reduced mobility or disabilities. Passengers who need wheelchair support or special assistance should contact their airline before travel to arrange the required service.
Athens Airport offers several parking options for passengers and visitors. These may include short-term parking, long-term parking, economy parking, value parking, and valet parking. Some parking areas are within walking distance of the Main Terminal, while others may be connected by a shuttle bus.
| Parking Option | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Short-Term Parking | Pick-up, drop-off, and short visits | Located close to the terminal area |
| Long-Term Parking | Longer stays during travel | May be accessible on foot or by shuttle, depending on the parking area |
| Economy Parking | Lower-cost long stays | May require online booking and shuttle transfer |
| Valet Parking | More convenient terminal access | Usually available at the departures level |
Parking fees, locations, booking rules, and shuttle services may change, so passengers should check the latest airport parking information before traveling.
Travelers with early departures, late arrivals, long layovers, or short business stays may prefer to book accommodation near Athens Airport. The most convenient option is the airport hotel located opposite the terminal, while other hotels are available in nearby areas such as Spata, Artemida, Rafina, and the Attica coastline.
| Hotel / Area | Location Type | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|
| Sofitel Athens Airport | Opposite the airport terminal | Transit stays, early flights, late arrivals, business travel |
| Hotels in Spata or Artemida | Near the airport area | Short stays and travelers looking for nearby accommodation |
| Hotels in Rafina | Near Rafina port and within driving distance of the airport | Passengers connecting between the airport and ferries |
| Hotels on the Attica coastline | Coastal areas within driving distance | Travelers who want a longer stay near the sea |
Before booking, travelers should check the hotel’s distance from the airport, shuttle availability, check-in and check-out times, and current guest facilities.
Read on Sepehran’s blog: The best hotels in Santorini
Passengers who want to eat before departure or after arrival can use restaurants, cafés, and coffee shops inside Athens Airport. These are usually the most convenient options for travelers with limited time, luggage, or connecting flights.
Travelers staying at the airport hotel can also find dining options at Sofitel Athens Airport. For those with more time, restaurants in nearby areas such as Spata, Artemida, or Rafina may be suitable, but travel time should be considered before leaving the airport area.
Required documents for traveling to Athens depend on the passenger’s nationality, visa status, route, airline rules, and purpose of travel. In general, international travelers may need:
Travel rules may change, so passengers should check the latest entry requirements with their airline, official Greek authorities, or the relevant visa application center before departure.
“Eleftherios Venizelos Airport” is the main gateway to Athens and one of the most important airports in Greece. In this guide, we reviewed essential information about the airport, including its history, location, terminals, transportation options, facilities, parking, nearby hotels, restaurants, travel documents, and passenger tips.
Before your trip, it is always recommended to check your flight status, travel documents, baggage rules, transport options, and airport services through your airline or the official Athens Airport website.
Planning to explore Greece after arriving at Athens Airport? You can read the Greece travel guide, discover the best Greek islands, or explore top Greece attractions with flysepehran.
