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Airport Transportation

Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport

Also known as: Athens Airport, Athens International Airport, Eleftherios Venizelos Airport.

ATH · LGAV · Athens

Airport facts

Name
Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport
IATA code
ATH
ICAO code
LGAV
City
Athens
Country
Greece
Coordinates
37.9362, 23.9465
Time zone
Europe/Athens

About Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport

Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" (ATH) is the main airport for Athens and Greece's busiest airport, with about 34 million passengers in 2025. It sits at Spata in Attica, about 20 km east of central Athens in a straight line, or about 30 km by road along the Attiki Odos motorway.

Aegean Airlines and its regional partner Olympic Air have their hub here and carry over 40% of passengers, flying across Greece and Europe and to the Middle East. Sky Express and Ryanair also have bases at Athens, and airlines such as Lufthansa, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, easyJet, Delta, Qatar Airways and KLM connect the city with the rest of the world. Athens is also the main connecting point for flights to the Greek islands.

The airport has a main terminal and a satellite terminal, linked by an underground passage with moving walkways. In the main terminal, Hall B handles flights within the Schengen area and domestic flights, and Hall A handles non-Schengen flights. The satellite is used mostly by low-cost airlines.

From the airport, most travelers head into central Athens and the Acropolis area, to the port of Piraeus for ferries to the islands, to Rafina port for the Cyclades, or along the coast to the Athens Riviera.

Airport operator, runways and traffic

Operator

Athens International Airport S.A. (AIA), under a state concession

Runways

Two parallel runways (03R/21L and 03L/21R)

Passengers per year

About 34 million in 2025

Main airline

Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air (hub, about 43% of passengers)

Arrival tips for Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport

If you arrive from another Schengen country or from elsewhere in Greece, you come into Hall B with no passport checks. If you come from outside the Schengen area, such as the UK, the US or the Middle East, you arrive in Hall A and queue at passport control, where non-EU visitors are registered in the EU's Entry/Exit System. Flights to the satellite terminal walk through the underground passage to the main building.

After baggage claim, follow the signs in the arrivals hall. Taxis wait at the official rank at exit 3. The Metro and suburban railway station is next to the terminal, reached by an elevated walkway: Metro Line 3 runs into central Athens, including Syntagma, and suburban trains run toward Piraeus and other destinations. Buses into the city and regional KTEL buses to Rafina and other towns leave from outside arrivals. Pre-booked drivers usually meet you in the arrivals hall.

Greece is on Eastern European Time (EET), two hours ahead of the UK, and uses the euro.

Ground transportation

The Metro is the easiest budget way into central Athens; a taxi or pre-booked car is simplest with luggage, at night or for the ports.

  • Metro Line 3

    From the station next to the terminal, reached by an elevated walkway, straight into central Athens including Syntagma.

  • Suburban railway

    Proastiakos trains from the same station run toward Piraeus and other suburban destinations.

  • Taxi from Athens airport

    Licensed taxis wait at the official rank at exit 3 of arrivals. Door to door into the city or to the ports.

  • Private transfer

    A pre-booked car meets you in the arrivals hall, useful for families, groups and connections to Piraeus or Rafina ports.

  • Airport buses

    City buses run to central Athens and Piraeus, and KTEL buses to Rafina, Markopoulo, Lavrio and other towns in Attica. Cheap but slower.

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Moving between terminals

  1. Underground walkway

    An underground passage with moving walkways links the main terminal and the satellite terminal.

Terminals

Main Terminal

Three levels, with Hall B for Schengen and domestic flights and Hall A for non-Schengen and non-European flights.

Satellite Terminal

Linked to the main terminal by an underground passage with moving walkways, used mainly by low-cost airlines.

Airlines and destinations

This directory lists the main airlines at Athens.

Aegean Airlines

Greek islands and cities, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa

Airline guide

Delta Air Lines

US hubs

Airline guide

easyJet

Cities across Europe

Airline guide

Emirates

Dubai

Airline guide

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

Amsterdam

Lufthansa

Frankfurt, Munich

Airline guide

Olympic Air

Greek islands and regional cities

Airline guide

Qatar Airways

Doha

Airline guide

Ryanair

Greek islands and cities across Europe

Airline guide

Sky Express

Greek islands and cities

Airline guide

Turkish Airlines

Istanbul

Airline guide

Parking

Short-term parking (P1 and P2)

About 1,357 spaces next to the terminal, for stays of up to five hours.

Long-term parking (P3)

About 5,800 spaces across the access road, with a free shuttle to the terminal.

Valet parking

Premium valet service at departures, entrance 3.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Athens airport from the city center?

Athens International Airport is at Spata, about 20 km east of central Athens in a straight line, or about 30 km by road on the Attiki Odos motorway. Metro Line 3 runs from the airport into the center, including Syntagma, and taxis, buses and pre-booked cars are also available.

How do I get from Athens airport to the Acropolis?

Take Metro Line 3 from the airport station into central Athens and change to reach the Acropolis area, or take a taxi or pre-booked car straight to your hotel. The station is next to the terminal, reached by an elevated walkway.

How do I get from Athens airport to Piraeus port?

Suburban Proastiakos trains and city buses run from the airport toward Piraeus, the main port for ferries to the islands. A taxi or pre-booked transfer goes straight to the ferry gates, which is easier with luggage and tight connections.

How many terminals does Athens airport have?

Athens has a main terminal and a satellite terminal, linked by an underground walkway. In the main terminal, Hall B is for Schengen and domestic flights and Hall A for non-Schengen flights. The satellite is used mainly by low-cost airlines.

Where are the taxis at Athens airport?

Licensed taxis wait at the official rank at exit 3 of the arrivals level. Use only the official rank rather than accepting offers inside the terminal.

Which airline has its hub at Athens airport?

Aegean Airlines and its regional partner Olympic Air have their hub at Athens and carry over 40% of passengers. Sky Express and Ryanair also have bases here, flying to the Greek islands and across Europe.

Why book with Airport Transportation?

We provide private transportation from any airport to any hotel at the best price, and we are licensed with complete insurance liability.

Is the transportation private or shared?

Airport Transportation provides private transportation only, in vans, luxury SUVs, or semi-buses.

Are prices per person or per vehicle?

Prices on our website are per vehicle, not per person, based on a range of passengers.

How many people can a van carry?

Regular vans carry up to 9 passengers, semi-buses up to 16, and luxury SUVs up to 6 passengers.

How do I find you at the airport?

Walk all the way out of the airport. You'll see representatives holding boards. Look for the Airport Transportation logo or your name.

What kind of vehicles do you use?

Commonly Toyota Hiace, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Chevrolet Suburban.

Do you have insurance?

Yes. We carry insurance with complete liability for all passengers while using our services.

Do you provide baby seats?

Baby seats are provided with prior notice, subject to availability, one seat maximum per vehicle.

How far in advance should I book?

You can book any time in advance; we suggest one week to one day ahead. Same-day reservations are available.

What payment methods are accepted?

PayPal is our main payment method; a cash option is also available when booking through our website. Credit cards are accepted through PayPal.

Do vehicles have air conditioning?

Yes. For your comfort all our units have air conditioning.

What if my flight is delayed?

During booking we ask for your airline and flight number so we can track delays and wait for you.

Can I make stops during my ride?

Yes, you can add an extra stop to your service during the booking process.

Do children pay differently than adults?

No. Prices are set per passenger range or per vehicle, not per age.

Is my reservation refundable?

Yes. Cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your pick-up and you are refunded in full. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before service are not refundable.

Do drivers speak English?

Yes. While their English may not be native-level, drivers have the skills to communicate with passengers.

Are tips mandatory?

Tips are not mandatory but are highly recommended; drivers earn them through service quality.

What currencies are accepted?

All prices are in USD. Via PayPal you can pay in almost any currency; cash payments accept USD only.

Are pets allowed?

We can transport domestic pets kept in cages that fit in a normal vehicle.

Is there room for luggage?

Yes. There is plenty of room for one suitcase and one carry-on per person.

What is included in the price?

Every private transfer includes a professional, licensed driver; an insured, well-maintained vehicle; real-time flight monitoring; meet-and-greet service at arrivals; and door-to-door service with no hidden fees added after booking. Your fixed price covers the full route to your destination.

Book a transfer from ATH