Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport

Eleftherios Venizelos Airport, also known as AIA, is Greece’s biggest international airport. It’s situated in Spata, roughly 33 kilometres from the centre of Athens. The airport, which opened in 2001, replaced the old Ellinikon International Airport. It was named after Eleftherios Venizelos, a Greek Prime Minister known for his significant contributions to Greek aviation.

This airport is a crucial hub for tourism, serving as Greece’s main gateway. It handles numerous domestic and international flights. The airport is also home to several cultural attractions. These include the Acropolis Exhibition, a museum displaying artefacts discovered in the vicinity during the airport’s construction, and an exhibition dedicated to Eleftherios Venizelos. The airport regularly hosts various art collections and events.

For those waiting for their next flight during a layover, the airport offers a wide range of shops, services, dining options, and artwork. There’s even an exhibit showcasing archaeological artefacts from the local area.

The airport comprises two terminals: the Main Terminal and the Satellite Terminal. The Main Terminal is a three-story building with 144 check-in desks. It manages flights from non-Schengen and non-European countries, as well as domestic and intra-Schengen flights. The Satellite Terminal operates during peak tourist season and handles flights to and from Schengen destinations. An underground passage connects the two terminals, ensuring smooth transfers between them. Signage in the arrivals hall helps passengers easily find various facilities.

Opening hours

The airport’s opening hours typically range from 06:00 to 22:00/23:00, depending on flight schedules.

The Athens airport is a hub for Greek Aegean Airlines and RyanAir.

Airlines operating direct flights from the UK: Easyjet, Jet2, Aegean Airlines (Manchester), KLM, British Airways, WizzAir (London)

Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport Transit

It is an important connecting hub for all domestic flights in Greece with all the facilities you might need during your transfer. Whether you need to exit the transit zone depends on your inbound and outbound flights. See Aegan's official website for more information. Recommended time for transfer within Schengen zone is 45 minutes.

Athens Eleftherios Venizelos Airport Transfer

Airport – city centre (metro)

There is a metro line 3 running between the airport and Athens city centre.

Metro operates daily from 5:30 – 00:00 and departures every 20 minutes. The journey takes about 35 minutes.

Fares
90 minutes ticket (possible to change to different line)
10 EURcurrently £9.01
3 days ticket
22 EURcurrently £19.82
24 hours and 5 days ticket does not allow rides to the airport
- You can purchase tickets in a ticket machine at the station (Debit cards supported)

Airport – city centre (express bus)

There are four express bus lines running from the airport to different locations in Athens.

X93 – main bus station (60 minutes)
X95 – Syntagma square
X96 – Piraeus port
X97 – Elliniko district

Buses operate 24/7 with departures every 10-15 minutes.

Fares
One way ticket
6 EURcurrently £5.41
 - You can purchase tickets in a ticket machine or kiosk at the bus stop (Debit cards supported)

Airport – Rafina pier (bus) (Mykonos, Tinos, Andros ferries)

There is a KTEL Attika company-owned bus line between the airport and Rafina pier (ferries to Mykonos, Tinos, Andros..)

Buses operate between 5:00 – 21:00 with departures every 60-90 minutes (timetable). Bus stops at a few stops in Artemida city on its way.

The journey rakes approximately 40 minutes.

Fares
One way ticket approx.
4 EURcurrently £3.60
 - You can purchase tickets from the driver

Airport – city centre (taxi)

Taxis are available outside the arrivals hall and have fixed rates

Fares
To the city centre (between 5-00:00)
38 EURcurrently £34.23
To the city centre (between 00:00-05:00)
54 EURcurrently £48.65

Published 9 February 20209 June 2020 by Dave

Opening hours