Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport is Greece's main airport, located about 27 km east of central Athens.
It is the entry point to the Acropolis and the historic center of the capital, and also the primary hub for connections to Greek islands.
How to get to Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to ATH
Parking near Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport
Official multi-level parking lots are located at the terminal (P1/P2, short stay).
Tiered rates: free up to 20 minutes, 6 euro from 21 to 60 minutes, 10 euro from 1 to 4 hours, 16 euro from 4 to 5 hours, 18 euro from 5 to 6 hours, 25 euro from 15 to 24 hours (then 25 euro per additional day). Parking P3 for extended stays costs 25-120 euro depending on duration (up to 4 days); the Economy area drops to 5 euro/day for advance bookings.
How to get to Athens from ATH
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
Athens: Private Transfer to/from Athens Airport
Athens: Transfer to/from Athens Airport and Athens Hotels
Private Transfer Between Athens Airport and Athens City
Athens: ATH Airport Private Transfer to/from Athens City
Car rental at Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport
Car rental is available at desks in the arrivals area.
EU citizens do not need an International Driving Permit; driver's license, passport, and credit card are sufficient.
Hotels near Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport
At the airport
The Sofitel is about 50 metres from the arrivals terminal, connected by a covered pedestrian walkway: you get there on foot in a few minutes.
Best for: Overnight layovers and dawn departures, when you don't want to depend on the metro or a taxi.
- You can reach check-in on foot, without a shuttle bus or a taxi
- The airport stays open 24 hours a day: useful for night flights or departures before the metro opens, at 6:30
- Only runways and car parks around: for dinner you stay at the hotel
- Rates higher than the city average; for an evening in Athens you still need 40 minutes on the metro
Historic centre - Omonia, Monastiraki and Plaka
Line 3 connects the airport to Syntagma and Monastiraki with no changes in about 40 minutes, a train every 30 minutes (single ticket 9 €, return 16 €); for Omonia and Metaxourgeio you then need to change at Syntagma onto Line 2, another 10-15 minutes.
Best for: Travellers who want the Acropolis, Plaka and the museums within walking distance, with a direct metro to the airport.
- The only area with a direct, change-free connection from the airport
- Acropolis, Plaka, Monastiraki and the main museums reachable on foot
- Monastiraki and Plaka are crowded and more expensive in the summer months
- Some streets around Omonia are less peaceful at night
Recommended hotels
- Wyndham Grand Athens 276 rooms in an early-twentieth-century building in Metaxourgeio, next to the metro station of the same name; many rooms and the terrace look towards the Acropolis, about 2 km from Syntagma. View availability
- Novotel Athens 196 rooms in Michail Voda, close to Omonia and Larissa railway station; a roof garden with a 360° view over the city and the Acropolis, among the few hotels in the area with an outdoor pool. View availability
Ilisia and Kolonaki
The same Line 3 from the airport: you get off at Evangelismos or Megaro Mousikis, both before Syntagma, in about 35 minutes with no changes.
Best for: Travellers looking for an elegant district near the embassies, two metro stations from Syntagma.
- Still on the direct Line 3, with no need to change metro
- Kolonaki and the Benaki Museum within strolling distance, away from the bulk of the tourist crowds
- Fewer evening venues within walking distance than Plaka or Monastiraki
- The Conrad has just reopened (April 2026) after years of closure: still few verifiable reviews
Recommended hotels
- Conrad Athens The Ilisian The April 2026 reopening of the old Hilton Athens on Vassilissis Sofias avenue, between Kolonaki and Pangrati; 278 rooms, one of the city's largest outdoor pools and the original marble façade by Yannis Moralis preserved. View availability
- Crowne Plaza Athens City Centre 192 rooms in Ilissia, 350 metres from Megaro Mousikis metro station (Line 3, direct from the airport) and about 20 minutes' walk from Syntagma. View availability
Syngrou Avenue - between the centre and the sea
There's no Line 3 station on Syngrou Avenue: you get off at Syntagma and change onto Line 2 for Syngrou-Fix, 45-50 minutes in total; by taxi or car, 30-40 minutes depending on traffic.
Best for: Business trips and those who want a room with an Acropolis view without being in the traffic of the historic centre.
- The terraces of the InterContinental and the Grand Hyatt are among the most photographed spots in the city for the Acropolis view
- A wide, free-flowing road, convenient for those arriving by car or taxi
- Requires a metro change: it's not a direct connection like Plaka or Kolonaki
- A district built for offices and hotels, with little neighbourhood life in the evening
Recommended hotels
- InterContinental Athenaeum Athens Business hotel on Syngrou Avenue, 15 minutes' walk from the Acropolis; the panoramic restaurant on the tenth floor is among the city's best known for its view of the Parthenon. View availability
- Grand Hyatt Athens 548 rooms on Syngrou Avenue, next to the Onassis cultural centre; opened in 2018, with a panoramic pool and a spa spread over several floors, about 15-20 minutes by car from the historic centre. View availability
Glyfada and the Athens Riviera
The X96 bus connects the airport directly to the coast (Glyfada, Voula) without passing through the centre, in about 50-60 minutes, ticket 6 €, departures every 15-20 minutes; by taxi 35-45 minutes depending on traffic.
Best for: Travellers who prefer the sea and the evenings of Glyfada to the historic centre, and are willing to accept a longer transfer.
- Direct bus from the airport, without having to enter the city
- Beaches, marina and restaurants of Glyfada within walking distance of the hotels in the area
- For the historic centre you still need another 30-40 minutes by tram or metro
- The "Four Seasons Hotel" in Glyfada is an independent 3-star with small rooms: not to be confused with the luxury chain of the same name
Recommended hotels
- Athens Marriott Hotel On Syngrou Avenue in Palaio Faliro, a few steps from the Stavros Niarchos Cultural Centre and the Athens Riviera cycle path; a convenient starting point for the tram towards Glyfada. View availability
- Four Seasons Hotel Small independently run hotel, 3-star, on Posidonos Avenue in Glyfada, right on the seafront; same name but no connection with the Four Seasons luxury chain. Simple rooms, some with sea views. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
- lounges
- 8
- with Priority Pass
- 5
- paid entry
- from €37
- open 24 hours
- 1
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The two terminals (main and auxiliary, the latter used seasonally for charter traffic) are well organized. Walking from check-in to gate typically takes 15-20 minutes.
Customs and security checks may take longer than expected during peak summer hours; for international flights, arrive at least 3 hours early.
Map of Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. How do you get to central Athens from the airport?
With metro line 3 (blue), which directly connects the airport to the centre in about 40 minutes.
Q. Is Athens airport convenient for those continuing on to the islands?
Yes, but always check which port (Piraeus or Rafina) is the correct departure point for your ferry, since they are in different directions from the airport.
Q. How much does a taxi cost from Athens airport to the centre?
Official taxis apply a declared flat fare: roughly €40-55 depending on the time of day, with a night surcharge.
Q. Can you visit the Acropolis in a day trip from the airport?
Yes, with a metro transfer of about 40 minutes, the Acropolis is a manageable stop even for those with a long layover.
Q. Which lounges accept Priority Pass?
Goldair Handling Lounge (Hall A), Skyserv Aristotle Onassis Lounge (Hall A), Goldair Handling Lounge (Hall B), Skyserv Melina Merkouri Lounge (Hall B) and Aegean Lounge (Hall B).
Q. How much does lounge access cost without a business class ticket?
The lowest entry price is €37, at AIA Lounge by Goldair Handling (Satellite).
Q. Are any lounges open 24 hours?
Yes: Goldair Handling Lounge (Hall B).
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
