Athens International Airport Overview

Athens International Airport, named after the statesman Eleftherios Venizelos, is the main airport for the Greek capital and the wider Attica region. It opened in 2001, replacing the old Ellinikon airport on the coast. It is the home base of Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air, which makes it a key connecting point for flights to the Greek islands.

How Far the Airport Is from Athens

The airport lies east of the city in the Mesogeia plain. By road it is about 30 km from central Athens, as hills sit between the two, and the drive usually takes 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic.

Terminal and Facilities in Athens

Check-in, shops, cafés and lounges are all under one roof in the main terminal building. Schengen and non-Schengen flights are handled in separate areas, so passengers heading outside the Schengen zone pass through passport control.

Airlines and Connections from Athens

Aegean Airlines and its regional partner Olympic Air run a large domestic network from Athens, reaching many islands and mainland cities. Low-cost carriers, among them Ryanair and Sky Express, have bases here too, and a wide range of European, Middle Eastern and long-haul airlines fly in. Schedules to the islands grow in summer.

Getting from Athens Airport to the City

• Metro Line 3 (blue line): runs from the airport through central Athens towards Piraeus.
• Suburban railway: links the airport with Larissis Station, the city's main railway station, and Piraeus.
• Express buses: X95 goes to Syntagma Square around the clock, X96 to Piraeus port, X93 to Kifissos bus station and X97 to Elliniko.
• Taxi: the taxi rank is outside the arrivals level, with set fares to the city centre.

Sights to Visit in Athens

The Acropolis and Parthenon, the Plaka district and the Acropolis Museum are all close to Syntagma, the end of the X95 route. Piraeus, reached by metro or bus, is the main port for ferries to the Saronic and Cycladic islands.

Tips for Athens International Airport

If you have an island connection, allow extra time in peak summer. The X95 is useful for late-night arrivals, since it runs through the night. Evening metro works sometimes change the route, so check notices before you travel.

Book your flights from Athens on Traveloka and start your Greek trip.