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 Directions Sign: https://www.greece-travel-secrets.com/Athens-International-Airport.html

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 Metro 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.

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.

Some other Athens pages

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  • Athens to Santorini

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  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Marathon

    The ancient site of Marathon and the site of the Battle of Marathon are in Attica and naturally about 26 miles or 42 kilometres from the centre of Athens.

  • 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.

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • The Best Things to Do in Athens

    The best things to do in Athens, Greece, include top archaeological sites like the Acropolis and must-see attractions such as the National Archaeological Museum

  • Best Cocktail Bars in Athens

    Two of the best cocktail bars in Athens, MoMix Kerameikos and The Clumsies, are making creative cocktails using that most Greek of Greek spirits, Metaxa.

  • Athens: Travel Information and Advice about Athens, Greece

    Athens is a top vacation destination. The Greece Travel Secrets Athensguide has information on hotels, museums, Athens airport and all the best things to do.

  • Athens Weather and the Best Time to Visit

    The Greece Travel Secrets website looks at the Athens weather, the chance of rain, the climate in summer and winter and the best time to visit Athens.

  • Athens Walking Tours and Other Experiences

    Athens walking tours and other experiences like cookery lessons, ceramics workshops, dining with a family, and street art are available from Alternative Athens

  • Athens in the Rain

    Athens in the rain isn’t something you’re likely to experience but here are suggestions for things to do in the rain in Athens including museums and shopping

  • Athens Food Tours

    Athens Food Tours are being introduced by new company The Greek Fork, and will include tours of the Central Market, and the best street food.

  • Athens Events and Public Holidays

    If visiting Athens it helps to know when major events and public holidays take place, as some shops and attractions may be closed, but to be there at times like Easter can make for a magical trip.

  • Athens Eaters Guide

    Athens, an Eater's Guide to the City, is published by Culinary Backstreets, who do walking food tours in Athens and the book recommends the best places to eat.

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