ATHAttica, Greece

Athens Airport

Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos is the main gateway to Athens and the largest airport in Greece, located in Spata, about 30 km east of the city centre. In 2025 it handled nearly 34 million passengers. Here you will find a real-time flight board, car rental, taxi fares and a full guide to reaching the city centre.

Book a Car Book a Taxi Things to Do in Athens Flight Board
Services

How to Get There and What to Find

Four essential options to plan your journey to and from the airport.

Most flexible

Car Rental

Desks in the arrivals hall, no-deposit options and free cancellation. Explore Attica at your own pace, from EUR 28.50/day.

See the deals →

Taxi and Transfer

Official taxi rank outside arrivals or a fixed-price private transfer. Athens centre from EUR 40, Glyfada from EUR 45.

Fares and booking →

Parking

Official Short Term and Economy car parks next to the terminal, plus low-cost private lots with shuttle from EUR 4/day.

Compare rates →

Flights and Times

Check arrivals and departures in real time. Follow delays and gates before you travel.

See the flights →
Key facts

Athens Airport in Numbers

Official name
Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos"
IATA / ICAO
ATH / LGAV
Operator
Athens International Airport S.A.
Opened
28 March 2001
Distance from centre
~30 km (Syntagma)
Location
Spata, Attica
Elevation
94 m
Runways
03R/21L 4,000 m + 03L/21R 3,800 m
Real time

Athens Airport Arrivals and Departures

Check the real-time arrivals and departures board. Flight status, delays and airline are updated automatically by Avionio.

See the full list on the arrivals and departures pages.

How to Reach Central Athens

The fastest way from Athens Airport to the centre is the metro: Line 3 connects Spata to Syntagma Square in 40-45 minutes, with a EUR 9 ticket. Alternatively, four express buses run 24 hours a day from the arrivals level.

ModeDestinationDurationPriceFrequency
Metro Line 3Syntagma40-45 minEUR 9Every 36 min
Suburban trainLarissa Station / Piraeus34-60 minEUR 9Hourly
Bus X95Syntagma60-70 minEUR 5.50Every 15-30 min
Bus X96Piraeus90 minEUR 5.50Every 20-40 min
Yellow taxiAthens centre35-45 minEUR 40 day / EUR 55 nightAlways available

See the full car rental prices or the fixed taxi fares to plan your transfer.

Attiki Odos motorway connecting Athens Airport to the city centre, warm summer morning light
Attiki Odos motorway links the airport to central Athens in under 40 minutes.

Greece's Main Airport Hub

Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (IATA code ATH, ICAO code LGAV) lies within the municipalities of Spata, Koropi, Markopoulo and Loutsa, about 30 km east of central Athens. It opened on 28 March 2001, in time for the 2004 Olympics, replacing the old Ellinikon airport, which had reached saturation point.

The airport is named after Eleftherios Venizelos, a prominent Cretan political figure and Prime Minister of Greece, who made a significant contribution to the development of Greek aviation in the 1930s. It is managed by Athens International Airport S.A., with the Greek State holding 55% and private investors the remaining 45%.

After surpassing 20 million passengers in 2016, the airport continued to grow, reaching an all-time record of 33,993,746 passengers in 2025 (+6.7% compared with 2024). It now ranks as the 15th busiest airport in Europe and second in the Balkans after Istanbul. It is the operating base of Aegean Airlines, with a 43.6% market share, as well as Olympic Air and Sky Express.

The airport was built and is operated under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) concession, one of the first infrastructure agreements of its kind in Greece, with a German group involved in construction and in managing the airport's first decades of operation.

  • Aegean Airlines
  • Olympic Air
  • Ryanair
  • Sky Express
  • Lufthansa
  • Air France
  • KLM
  • ITA Airways
  • easyJet
  • Volotea
  • Wizz Air
  • Eurowings
  • Emirates
  • Qatar Airways
  • Etihad Airways
  • Delta Air Lines
  • American Airlines
  • United Airlines
  • Air Canada
  • Turkish Airlines
Air traffic control tower at Athens Airport under a clear blue sky, warm summer morning light
The control tower oversees the two parallel runways 03R/21L (4,000 m) and 03L/21R (3,800 m).

Two Terminals Linked by an Underground Passage

The airport has two main terminals: the Main Terminal and the Satellite Terminal, connected by an underground passage fitted with moving walkways. All 153 check-in desks are located in the Main Terminal, spread across three levels.

The Satellite Terminal is used mainly by low-cost carriers such as Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air and Volotea, with a capacity of 6 million passengers a year. It is accessible airside from the Main Terminal via the underground passage, with no additional security check.

  • VIP lounges: Aegean Lounge, Lufthansa Business Lounge, Skyserv Aristotle Onassis (EUR 38-49)
  • Care4bag luggage storage at the arrivals level, open 24 hours (EUR 8-18/night)
  • Terminal open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
  • Check-in closes 1 hour before domestic flights and 1 hour 30 minutes before international flights

Most shops and restaurants are open from 06:00 to midnight.

Bright modern check-in hall inside Athens Airport main terminal, rows of check-in desks
The Main Terminal's check-in area houses 153 desks spread across three levels.

Where to Stay Near the Airport

For early-morning flights or late-night arrivals, the Sofitel Athens Airport connects directly to the Main Terminal via an enclosed walkway. More affordable options are found nearby in Spata and Koropi, 5-10 minutes away by car or with a free shuttle from several hotels. For the ride, a private transfer drops you right at your hotel entrance.

How to Reach the Airport by Car

The airport is served by the Attiki Odos ring road, which connects it to the whole Attica road network. Access depends on where you're coming from:

  • From central Athens: via Attiki Odos, 30-40 minutes
  • From the Peloponnese: Athens-Corinth National Road, then Attiki Odos
  • From northern Greece: Athens-Lamia National Road, then Attiki Odos
  • From the southern suburbs (Glyfada, Vouliagmeni): coastal Poseidonos Avenue, 30-40 minutes

Arriving by flight and want to continue with your own car? See the no-deposit rental options at the airport.

Coordinates: 37°56′10″N 23°56′40″E · Spata, Attica.

Airport Parking

Official car parks next to the terminal or low-cost private lots with free shuttle. Book online for the best rate.

See the rates

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers on check-in, luggage, transport and every practical detail of your trip.

See the questions

Quick Answers

How far is the airport from central Athens?

About 30 km, 40-45 minutes by metro or car via Attiki Odos.

What is the cheapest way into the city?

Metro Line 3 at EUR 9 or the express buses at EUR 5.50 are the most affordable options.

Can I rent a car with no deposit?

Yes, many rental companies at the airport offer no-deposit options on economy models.

How much does a taxi to the centre cost?

A fixed rate of EUR 40 during the day and EUR 55 at night applies, regardless of traffic.

Is there free short-term parking?

Yes, Short Term 2 offers a few free minutes for quick pick-up or drop-off.

Which terminal do I need?

Most flights use the Main Terminal. The Satellite Terminal is mainly used by low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and Wizz Air, check your boarding pass.

Is there free WiFi at the airport?

Yes, free WiFi is available throughout the terminal, with no time limit on the connection.

See all questions