Frequently Asked Questions (ATH)

Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos is located in Spata, about 30 km east of central Athens. The IATA code is ATH and the ICAO code is LGAV.

In 2025 the airport handled 33,993,746 passengers, a record that makes it the 15th busiest in Europe and second in the Balkans after Istanbul.

It opened on 28 March 2001, shortly before the 2004 Athens Olympics, replacing the old Ellinikon airport.

It is managed by Athens International Airport S.A., with the Greek State holding 55% and private investors, including Canada's PSP Investments, the remaining 45%.

There are two terminals, the Main Terminal and the Satellite Terminal, connected by an underground passage with moving walkways.

The metro, Line 3 (Blue), connects the airport to Syntagma Square in 40-45 minutes, with a EUR 9 ticket, roughly every 36 minutes.

The ticket costs EUR 9 for adults and EUR 4.50 for children, students and over-65s. It is valid for 90 minutes across the whole OASA network.

Yes, four express buses (X95, X96, X93, X97) run 24 hours a day, connecting the airport to the centre, Piraeus and Elliniko, for EUR 5.50.

A fixed fare of EUR 40 applies during the day (05:00-23:59) and EUR 55 at night (00:00-04:59) to central Athens, regardless of traffic.

Yes, over 12 companies, including Avis, Hertz, Sixt and Europcar, have desks at the arrivals level, with rates from EUR 28.50/day.

Economy Parking (P4) at EUR 5/day is the cheapest official option, available only with advance online booking.

Arriving 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international ones is recommended, especially during busy summer months.

The airport is the operating base of Aegean Airlines (43.6% market share) and Olympic Air, and a major hub for Ryanair and Sky Express.

Yes, lounges such as Aegean Lounge, Lufthansa Business Lounge and Skyserv Aristotle Onassis are available, priced EUR 38-49 per visit.

The Care4bag storage service is at the arrivals level, exit 1, open 24 hours, priced EUR 8-18 per night.

Check-in closes 1 hour before domestic flights and 1 hour 30 minutes before international ones. Arriving at least 45 minutes earlier is recommended.

Yes, free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal, with no time limit in most areas.

Glyfada and Vouliagmeni, known beaches of the Athens Riviera, are about 25-30 km away, roughly 30-40 minutes by car.

Yes, the terminal operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, although most shops close around midnight.

The airport is planned to expand gradually across six phases, raising capacity to 33 million passengers by 2028 and 50 million by 2045.