Araxos Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended hotels

The name "Patras" in the airport code is misleading: Araxos airport sits near Kato Achaia, 45-50 km from the centre of Patras, with no rail connection at all. A KTEL Achaias bus reaches Patras central station in 40-50 minutes (5-8 euros), while the taxi costs 40-50 euros for 35-40 minutes on the road. Those who only need to board the ferry to Italy or visit Patras castle accept the longer transfer; those who rent a car to tour Elis and the western coast of the Peloponnese can instead sleep just minutes from the runway, in Kato Achaia.

Kato Achaia

Airport area · 10-17 km from the airport, 10-15 minutes by car or taxi; there's no direct bus, your own car or a taxi are the only options.

Best for: Travellers who rent a car to visit Elis and the western coast of the Peloponnese, or have an early morning departure and want to minimise the transfer.

Pros

The transfer from the airport shrinks to a quarter of an hour, against the 40-50 minutes for Patras
Several properties are less than a kilometre from the sea, handy for one last swim before the flight

Cons

Kato Achaia is a farming village with few restaurants and no nightlife comparable to Patras
Without your own car getting around is awkward: here renting one is almost mandatory

Recommended hotels in this area

Villa John Dimeon Kato Achaia With Pool - Happy Rentals: Villa with a seasonal pool in Kato Achaia, about 14 minutes by car from Araxos airport and less than a kilometre from the sea.

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Patras

City centre · 45-50 km from the airport: KTEL Achaias bus to the central station in 40-50 minutes (5-8 euros), or taxi in 35-40 minutes (40-50 euros).

Best for: Travellers using the airport as an entry point for the ferry to Italy or to visit Patras' historic centre and castle, accepting a 40-50 minute transfer.

Pros

The ferry port for Italy and the Ionian islands is a few steps from the centre
The Byzantine castle, the Roman Odeon and the Agiou Nikolaou pedestrian stairway can be visited on foot

Cons

No quick connection with the airport: every transfer takes a good 40 minutes
The KTEL buses aren't very frequent: check the timetable in advance for morning flights

Recommended hotels in this area

Central Aquarium: Apartment about 3 km from the ferry port and 1.7 km from Patras castle, in the heart of the city.
Central Old Town Stay - Bright & Fully Equipped: House in the hilly districts of the old town, 450 metres from the castle and the Roman Odeon; reviews warn that the last stretch is uphill.

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