Athens International
Airport:
Eleftherios Venizelos
Athens International Airport (code: ATH; website: www.aia.gr) is named after Eleftherios Venizelos, the Greek revolutionary fighter who became the Prime Minister of Greece.
Athens International Airport: Location
Athens airport is about 12 miles (19kms) east of the city center, but about 19 miles (30kms) by road because of the hilly terrain.
Ground Transport: Metro and Train
Athens International Airport has its own Metro station, on Line 3 of the Athens Metro. Trains run every 30 minutes from 5.30am-11.30pm and take about 40-45 minutes to central Athens. The airport Metro station is at the eastern end of Line 3. If you're going to Piraeus you can change at Monastiraki. Be sure to check current information on times and fares at the Athens Urban Rail Transport website.
The station at the airport is shared by the suburban train service, although this goes to the Larisis train station in Athens which is not as convenient for the city centre. The suburban trains do run slightly later, though, if you miss the last Metro, and some services go all the way to Piraeus.
Our Pick of the Athens Guides
Ground Transport: Buses
Buses are cheaper than the Metro but are slower, especially if the traffic is busy – and it often is, in Athens. However, they do run all night if you have a late arrival or early departure, and of course then the traffic is lighter. The X95 bus service goes from the airport to Syntagma Square, and the X96 service links the airport with Piraeus. There are other services to the centre and to other parts of the city.
Ground Transport: Taxis
Athenian taxi drivers are unfortunately notorious for over-charging visitors to the city. A trip into the centre should take up to about an hour, and at the time of writing cost no more than about €30. There are legitimate add-ons to the bill, by way of an airport surcharge, a toll if using the toll road, and for luggage. Make sure the meter is switched on, as a 'broken meter' usually means you will be ripped off. If you feel you may have been overcharged, ask your hotel to help you, or if there is no-one to help insist on ringing the police (Tel: 100).
Athens Airport Car Hire
See our Athens Airport Car Rental page.
Athens Airport Hotels
See our Athens Airport Hotels page.
Don't miss this visual tour of Athens with photos by Donna Dailey of Greece Travel Secrets.
Other Athens pages
A Drive around Attica
This drive around Attica offers visitors high hills, beach resorts, small villages and classical sites like Marathon and the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion.
Athens: Travel Information and Advice about Athens, Greece
Athens is a top vacation destination. The Greece Travel Secrets Athens guide has information on hotels, museums, Athens airport and all the best things to do.
Restaurants with Acropolis Views
Greece Travel Secrets chooses its top ten Athens restaurants with Acropolis views, perfect for dining by day or by night, including places with Michelin stars.
Where to Eat in Athens and Piraeus
If you're wondering where to eat in Athens and Piraeus we have a few suggestions including some favorites around the Acropolis, Omonia Square, and Syntagma.
The Best Hotels in Athens
Greece Travel Secrets gives its choice of the best hotels in Athens from budget and moderate options through to 5-star luxury choices.
Athens Airport Hotels
Athens Airport hotels include the luxury Sofitel at the terminals, Holiday Inn near the airport, and others close by like the Hotel Pantheon.
Greek Architecture
This beginner's guide to Greek architecture explains how to tell your Ionic from your Doric columns, and what to look for in temples and Byzantine churches.
Athens to Santorini
There are lots of flights from Athens to Santorini as well as a ferry service from Piraeus, with flights to Santorini leaving from Athens International Airport.
Cape Sounion and the East Coast
The beach resorts of Athens are easily reached from the city and also close are Cape Sounion with the Temple of Poseidon, ancient Marathon and Rafina's port.
The Pnyx
The Pnyx hill near the Acropolis is one of Athens' true hidden gems, a place to wander freely away from the crowds and discover ancient places and mysteries.
Ten Fun Things to Do in Athens
Ten Fun Things to Do in Athens include eating in the Central Market, watching the sun set over the Acropolis and seeing one of the world's oldest theatres.
Ten Best Museums in Athens
Greece Travel Secrets lists the ten best museums in Athens, with the top two being the National Archaeological Museum and the Acropolis Museum.
Syntagma Square
Syntagma Square or Constitution Square is the main square in Athens and has a metro station, the Greek Parliament building, hotels, cafes, and a post office.
Piraeus
Piraeus is the port of Athens from where many ferries to the Greek islands depart, and it also has an Archaeological Museum and the Hellenic Maritime Museum.
Pictures of Athens
Pictures of Athens from the Greece Travel Secrets website
National Archaeological Museum
The National Archaeological Museum is one of the best things to see in Athens, and the best museum in the world for seeing Greece's archaeological treasures.
My Athens: a Portrait by Travel Writer Mike Gerrard
In My Athens on Greece Travel Secrets travel writer Mike Gerrard describes what he loves about Athens including the Acropolis and eating!
Mount Lykabettos
Mount Lykabettos is the highest hill in Athens and provides some of the best views of the city, with a funicular cable car the easiest way to get to the top.
Monastiraki Flea Market
Greece Travel Secrets visits the Monastiraki Flea Market, followed by Sunday lunch at Sigalas on Monastiraki Square
Monastiraki and Around
Around Monastiraki is the flea market, Athens cathedral, Kerameikos Cemetery, the Benaki Museum of Islamic Art and the Psirri and Gazi nightlife districts.
A History of Athens
A History of Athens from the first people to live on the Acropolis through the Golden Age of Pericles and Alexander the Great to the military junta.
Entertainment in Athens
There's all kinds of entertainment in Athens whether you're interested in theatre, dance, classical music, jazz, Greek music, rock music, disco, opera or movies.
Easter in Athens
Easter in Athens is, like everywhere in Greece, the biggest religious celebration of the year and this page tells you what to expect over the Easter weekend.
Changing of the Guard in Athens
The Changing of the Guard in Athens takes place outside the Parliament building at the top of Syntagma Square and is a must-see for visitors.
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LATEST NEWS
Latest Posts
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Kerameikos Ancient Site in Athens Getting New Visitor Facilities
Jul 16, 24 08:46 AM
Visitors to the Kerameikos archaeological site in central Athens will soon have new access through an entrance-exit point being developed on Agion Asomaton Street, directly across from Dipylou Street. -
Central Greece Motorway E65 Adding More Kilometers
Jul 16, 24 08:46 AM
A new section of the E65 motorway, often referred to as the “backbone road” of Central Greece, was opened to traffic in the second week of July, with 136 kilometers now operational. This road provides… -
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Jul 15, 24 04:12 AM
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Jul 15, 24 04:12 AM
Greek seaplane company Hellenic Seaplanes on Friday laid the groundwork for some of the Greek islands that will welcome seaplanes and carried out its first flights between three islands of the Sporade… -
Travel + Leisure: Four Greek Hotels Among Best in the World and Europe
Jul 15, 24 04:12 AM
The World’s Best Awards by Travel + Leisure recently ranked four Greek hotels among the best in the world and Europe, honoring them for their luxurious atmosphere and top-notch hospitality. -
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Jul 13, 24 04:03 AM
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Jul 13, 24 04:03 AM
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Jul 11, 24 12:12 PM
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