Athens is a city where ancient history meets the buzz of a modern European capital. The Acropolis stands above neighbourhoods full of cafés, tavernas, museums, and markets. Athens also links travellers to the rest of Greece and the Aegean islands. Most visitors start their holiday at Athens airport, officially called Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos. It is in Spata, about 35 km from the city centre, and serves as the main entry point to Athens, with several ways to reach the city.
This guide covers the Athens airport code, transport options, terminal facilities, Athens airport restaurants, hotels near Athens airport, and other key details to help you plan your arrival or departure.
What Is Athens International Airport Like?
Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos opened on 28 March 2001 in Spata, Attica, just before the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics. It is Greece’s largest international airport and serves as the main hub for Aegean Airlines and Olympic Air, handling both domestic and international flights.
The Athens airport code is ATH (IATA) and LGAV (ICAO). You’ll see ATH on boarding passes, luggage tags, booking confirmations, and baggage tracking for all flights through Athens, Greece Airport.
In 2025, Athens Airport saw 33,993,746 passengers, a 6.7% increase from the previous year (according to official Athens International Airport statistics). In the first five months of 2026 alone, the airport handled 12.23 million passengers, already 5.3% higher than the same period in 2025.
Detail | Information |
Official name | Eleftherios Venizelos |
IATA code | ATH |
ICAO code | LGAV |
Opened | 28 March 2001 |
Location | Spata, Attica, Greece |
Annual passengers (2025) | 33,993,746 |
Hub airlines | Aegean Airlines, Olympic Air |
Official website | www.aia.gr/en |
Where Is Athens, Greece, Airport and How Do You Reach the City?
Athens Greece airport is well connected to the city centre. There are four main ways to cover the 35 km journey, which takes between 40 and 90 minutes depending on the time of day and your choice of transport.
Mode | Journey Time | Approx. Fare | Operating Hours | Notes |
Metro Line 3 (Blue) | 40 min | €10 per person | 5:30am to midnight | Runs to Syntagma and Monastiraki; same ticket for onward metro |
Suburban Railway | 35 to 45 min | €9 | Peak hours | Connects to Larissa Station; useful for Piraeus connection |
Express Bus X95 | 60 to 90 min | €6 | 24 hours | Runs to Syntagma Square; useful for late arrivals |
Taxi (flat rate) | 40 to 60 min | Fixed rate applies | 24 hours | Confirm flat rate before entering; higher rate at night |
Key transport notes:
- The Metro Line 3 is the most reliable option for most visitors; it runs directly from Athens airport to the city centre without traffic delays
- Athens International Airport has a dedicated metro station inside the terminal; follow signs from arrivals to the metro platform
- Express Bus X95 runs 24 hours and is useful for early morning or late night arrivals when the metro is not running
- Ride-hailing apps operate from Athens Greece airport; wait for your driver at the designated rideshare pick-up zone, not the taxi rank
What Can You Expect From Athens Airport Restaurants?
Athens airport restaurants and cafes are found in two areas: landside (before security) and airside (after security). Most places to eat are in the larger airside section.
Zone | Type | What's Available | Best For |
Airside (post-security) | Greek and international | Taverna-style food, coffee chains, bakeries, bars | Most passengers; widest choice |
Landside (pre-security) | Cafes and quick service | Coffee, pastries, sandwiches | Meeting arrivals; waiting before check-in |
Airside dining at Athens airport:
- Greek bakery outlets serving spanakopita (spinach pie), tiropita (cheese pie), and koulouri (sesame bread rings); a practical and filling option before a flight
- Sit-down taverna-style restaurants with mezze and hot meals; useful for longer layovers
- Coffee chains including familiar international brands and local options for Greek coffee (frappé or freddo espresso)
- Bar outlets for wine, beer, and spirits; Athens airport restaurants in the airside include options suited to evening departures
Tribe Travel Tip: The airside section of Athens International Airport gets noticeably busier between 10am and 2pm as multiple short-haul departures stack up; eat before or after this window if your flight time allows.
Which Hotels Close to Athens Airport Are Best for Your Stay?
Hotels close to Athens airport are grouped into three main areas, depending on how much time you have between arriving and your next holiday.
Hotel Zone | Distance from Terminal | Access Method | Best For |
On-airport | Walking distance | Pedestrian walkway | Very early departures or late arrivals |
Spata area | 5 to 10 min by car | Shuttle or taxi | Overnight stays between flights |
Markopoulo or Koropi | 15 to 20 min by car | Taxi or shuttle | Longer stays before island or city connections |
Why stay near the airport?
- Staying at a hotel close to Athens airport is the best option for early morning flights, especially before 6am when the metro does not run.
- If you arrive late and plan to catch a ferry to an island the next morning, staying near Athens, Greece, airport in Spata lets you take a simple early taxi to Piraeus port instead of a long trip through the city.
- Many hotels close to Athens airport offer shuttle services, but not all do. Check if a shuttle is available when you book, as it isn't always automatic in the Spata area.
Tribe Travel Tip: For up-to-date hotel listings, rates, and availability, check the airport’s official website or major booking sites. Use the filter "near Athens International Airport" for the best results, as hotel options change with the seasons.
What Should You Know Before Flying From Athens International Airport?
EU Entry/Exit System (EES) – Fully Operational from 10 April 2026:
As of 10 April 2026, the European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully deployed for all third-country nationals travelling to and from the Schengen Area (per the official European Commission traveller portal).
Arrive at the airport at least 2.5 hours before your scheduled departure to allow time for:
- Check-in
- Security screening
- Passport control under the new EES biometric registration
If you arrive late at your departure gate, you may not be allowed to board. This rule applies at all Schengen airports, including Athens International Airport.
Practical checklist before you fly from Athens airport:
- Know your code: The Athens airport code is ATH (IATA); use this on all booking confirmations, baggage labels, and airport searches; do not confuse it with regional Greek airport codes
- Power bank rule: Power banks must be carried in cabin baggage only; they are not permitted in checked luggage; Athens airport staff may remove checked bags containing power banks before the flight
- Accessibility: Athens International Airport has designated assistance points for passengers with disabilities and reduced mobility; note: Designated Point 2 at the Suburban Railway Station is temporarily unavailable due to construction works; contact the airport ahead of travel to arrange assistance at an alternative point
- Single terminal: Athens airport operates as one integrated terminal; domestic and international check-in, departures, and arrivals are all in the same building; follow English-language signage throughout
- EES registration portal: For more information on the EU Entry/Exit System, check the official EES information at the European Commission traveller portal before arrival
Final Takeaway
Athens airport (Eleftherios Venizelos, code ATH) is a single-terminal hub with reliable metro links to the city, plenty of Athens airport restaurants for any schedule, and more hotels nearby for early or late flights. With the 2026 EES system, non-Schengen travellers should arrive 2.5 hours before departure at Athens International Airport. This is the most important change for visitors this year.
If you want your Greece holiday planned from your arrival at Athens airport to your island transfers and hotel stays, Holiday Tribe’s advisors can handle everything for you.
