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Air harbor of Athens: description, history, prices and services. Athens Airport

Greece is a state in which a person for the first time realized his seemingly unrealizable dream and took to the air, making a long flight. This man was the mythological glorious master Daedalus, who designed wings not only for himself, but also for his son Icarus. With their help, the ancient engineer and his son flew from Crete almost to Sicily.

The descendants of the ancient Greeks are worthy of their ancestors in the field of aeronautics: Athens Airport receives flights from all over the world. Huge A380 airbuses, accommodating from 525 to more than nine hundred people, arrive here, the largest airliners land for refueling during flights to the states of the Middle and Far East.

The old Athens airport Ellinikon functioned as the capital air gate of Hellas for more than half a century. It was located in the southern part of Athens, seven kilometers from the city center. In preparation for the Olympic Games, construction began on a new air harbor located 35 kilometers southeast of the Greek capital.

The modern airport was commissioned in 2001 and named after the prominent Greek diplomat and politician Eleftherios Venizelos. Since then, all planes flying to Athens land in this place (the old air harbor is planned to be turned into a museum). Over the past twelve years, Eleftherios Venizelos has grown even more, metro and highways have brought here. Every year, Athens airport receives over sixteen million passengers, and this number continues to increase.

Currently, for convenience, the airport is divided into two parts, called terminals: main and satellite. The terminal, called satellite, serves flights that fly outside the Schengen zone: planes arrive here from Beijing, Singapore and other capitals of Asian states, as well as from Russian, British and American cities. Flights that do not depart from the borders of the Schengen area are served by the main terminal. Most planes from Europe land here and take off from these runways.

A tunnel is equipped between parts of the airport, through which those who wish can go from one half to the other.

Russian and Russian-speaking citizens have to “master” the satellite terminal, since the CIS countries (except for the former Soviet Baltic republics) do not belong to the Schengen area.

You can fly to Athens from many cities in Russia and the former USSR countries. Here is a list of Russian airports with direct air routes to the Greek capital:

Moscow;
Kazan;
Khabarovsk;
Rostov-on-Don;
Simferopol;
Ekaterinburg;
Novosibirsk;
Kaliningrad;
Permian.

The fastest way to the Athens airport can be reached from Simferopol - in about an hour and a half. It will take about three and a half hours to fly from Moscow, from St. Petersburg - almost four.

How to get there

Buses, taxis, express trains, subway trains and something like Russian "electric trains" run between Athens and the main Greek airport. The metro here also has its own characteristics. The fare in it is 8 euros, and a two-way trip is estimated at 14 euros, so it’s more profitable to buy tickets right there and back, but you need to use the opportunity to travel within an hour and a half after composting the ticket.

However, using the metro is undesirable for those who do not know Athens well and do not speak English or Greek. In addition, the underground roads of the Greek capital are divided into three branches: green, blue and red, and each has a large number of stations. Therefore, before traveling on the Athens metro, it is necessary to purchase a route map.

For beginners, it will be easier to take the express bus number 95, which runs every twenty minutes from Athens Central Square to Syntagma Square. The cost of a ticket in it, which can be bought from the driver, is 5 euros, and you can get to the stop by leaving the airport through the fifth or fourth exit. It will take a little over forty minutes to get there.

But the easiest way to get from the airport to the capital of Greece is by taxi. To do this, you need to go through the second or third exits of the building, where there is a parking lot of yellow cars next to them. This is the Greek "green-eyed" cars. The fare in them to the center of Athens is 35 €, and from midnight to five in the morning, when there is no other transport, this amount increases to 50 €.

Shops, kiosks, prices and hotels of the capital airport

The well-known computer store of the Athens airport is Germanos, where you can buy SIM and flash cards, as well as various accessories for tablets and phones. And grocery - a network of Duty-Free mini-markets, that is, duty-free shops. There is an extensive range of gastronomic products (cheese, sausages, canned olives, canned fish etc.), snacks, spirits, sweets, chocolate, biscuits and souvenirs.

But the prices in these stores "bite" a little. The most profitable purchase for Russians is a bottle of olive oil with a capacity of 750 milliliters. Its cost is 6.80 €, this oil is very useful and can be stored as a memory for a long time.

A 100-gram jar of sardines in oil sells for 2.4 euros. The same cost is 200 grams of half-smoked sausage in a package. For 2.8 € you can take 180 grams of Manouri cheese, and a kilogram of Dodoni Feta will cost 13.6 €. 170 grams of the famous sheep's cheese is sold for 3.6 euros, but this is the cheapest option, there are more expensive varieties. A 425-gram jar of olives will cost 2.2 €, and a 65-gram bag of olives will cost 1.75 euros. The cheapest package of a cake weighing 160 grams costs 1.2 €, the lowest price is a bag of Kinder Bueno, weighing 44 grams - 1 €.

The Athens airport has several pharmacies and many special areas where there is a wireless connection to the Internet. They sign like this: Wireless Internet Zone.

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Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (IATA code ATH) is the central airport in Greece serving the capital and Attica. This major airport is one of the most modern in Europe and the world as a whole.

More than 16 million passengers are served at the airport annually; regular, charter and cargo flights are accepted here. The airport is becoming increasingly popular as a hub for Southeast and East Asia, it largest airport Europe, receiving flights from the Middle East (due to proximity to the region).

Athens airport terminals

Athens Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos) consists of two terminals: the main terminal and a small satellite terminal, which is connected to the main underground passage.

Main Terminal accepts flights from Schengen countries, as well as many flights from other countries. All check-in counters are located in the main building.
satellite terminal accepts aircraft flying outside the Schengen area. It consists of two levels. The "baggage carousel" is not so easy to find, you have to follow the signs. It can be found 10 minutes walk from gate A8. For a wheelchair for transporting luggage, they will take 1 euro.

Athens airport hotels

There is one hotel on the territory of the airport, and 2 more - in the vicinity of the airport. We suggest you familiarize yourself with the hotels located near Athens Airport:

Sofitel Athens Airport 5*. At 50 m
Gallery Basement in Villa Vravrona. 2 km
Varaba Country House. 4.5 km

Tax free

VAT refunds are issued prior to check-in at the Global Blue and Premier Tax Free desks located next to passport control. For registration of tax-free, it is necessary to certify the forms issued upon purchase at customs, and then present them along with checks.

Please note that the queues at the VAT refund points can be long, and in order to count on receiving money, you should arrive at the airport in advance.

How to get from Athens airport to the city center

Athens International Airport is located about 30 km from the city center, so upon arrival at this airport, the first question is “how to get from the airport to the city”.
There are three main ways to get from the airport to Athens. The main thing is to understand the inscriptions in Greek, which are quite difficult to read.

Metro

The metro is the easiest way to get to the city center. When traveling from the airport to the city, you need metro line 3 (blue) "Aghia Marina - Athens International Airport" (airport - terminus). Trains of this branch will take you to the very center of Athens, to Syntagma or Monastiraki stations (this is next to the Temple of Zeus and the Acropolis).

The center of Athens is Syntagma Square (or Constitution Square, located in front of the Greek Parliament). You need the Syntagma metro station of the same name. This central square is convenient because the public transport routes of Athens intersect on it and from here you can get to other parts of the city.

Finding a metro station at Athens Airport is very simple - from the arrivals area, follow the signs that show an electric train and say "To trains". Following the signs, you must exit the terminal building, cross the road and take the escalator up one floor. Numerous pointers will not let you get lost. The whole journey will take about 5 or 10 minutes.

Subway operating hours: The first train to the city center leaves at 6.30 and runs every 30 minutes. The last train in this direction is at 23.30. If the task is the opposite - to get from the city to the airport, then the first train from the Monastiraki station leaves at 5.50, the last - at 22.58. The trip takes about 50 minutes.

Ticket price one way from Athens airport to the city center costs 10 euros and a round trip ticket costs 18 euros. Children under 6 can use the metro for free.

You can view and download the Athens metro map.

By suburban train (train)

Another way to get there is the Proastiakos commuter train. It is marked on the map yellow- line P2.

It is especially convenient that at the airport the Proastiakos station and the metro are paired, that is, both trains stop on the same platform (from different sides). Trains depart every 15 minutes. Estimated travel time to Larissa is about 40 minutes.

The train goes to Larissa Station (Central Railway Station) with stops at Koropi, Kantza, Pallini, Doukissis Plakentias (Metro Line 3), Kifisias, Nerantziotisa (Line 1), Iraklio, Aharnes Railway Junction (SKA) and , finally, Larissa (Transfer to Metro - Line 2 or station with trains to Northern Greece). You can view and download the Athens metro map.

Train operating hours: trains start running from the Airport at 6:48 and finish at 20:14. From Athens to the airport, the first train leaves at 6:06, and the last at 19:36.

By Bus Services (OSY) bus

Apart from railway communication Bus routes connect the airport with the city. With them, in general, everything is simple - as soon as you leave the building of the Athens International Airport, immediately turn right without crossing the road and without departing anywhere. After walking a couple of meters, you will notice buses and bright ticket offices.

There are 4 bus routes from the airport to the city:

X95 bus - The most popular route. It goes from the airport to Syntagma Square (the center of Athens).
The bus operates 24 hours a day: every 10 - 30 minutes.

X96 bus - The bus goes to the port of Piraeus. It will come in handy if you are in Athens by flight and are going to get to one of the islands of Greece by ferry.
The bus operates 24 hours a day: every 20 minutes during the day and every 40 minutes after midnight.

X93 bus - The bus goes to the Kifisos Intercity bus station. Buses leave from this bus station to Thessaloniki, to the cities of the Peloponnese peninsula and to Greek Macedonia.

X97 bus - The bus goes from the airport to Elliniko metro station, red line M2 metro.
You can learn more about the routes and all bus stops online.

Fare: 6 euros for adults, and 3 euros for children or schoolchildren aged 7 to 18, as well as people over 65 years old. Children under 6 travel free. Tickets must be purchased at the ticket kiosk near the bus stop, outside the airport.

Travel time: 45 - 90 minutes, depending on the amount of traffic jams.

Movement interval: every 10 - 60 minutes depending on the route.

Shuttles from Athens airport to city center

Another option for transfer from the airport to the center of Athens is to use the shuttle. The shuttle service is used by cars, minivans, minibuses and even buses. Travel time will take from 35 to 50 minutes, and the cost of the trip will be from 19 euros.

See details by entering your departure and arrival points.

By taxi

Hailing a taxi at the airport is the easiest, most convenient and fast way to get to the city center. You can comfortably arrange your things, and the driver will take you directly to the hotel. There is a taxi rank at the arrivals terminal, which can be reached by following signs that say «Ταξί» (it is located right at the exit from the airport terminal).

At the airport of Athens, cases of “warm hands” on tourists who first arrived in Greece are still very common. There is an effective way not to get into trouble with "extra rates" (landing cost, travel for 1 km, surcharge for night time, surcharge for traffic jams, payment for each piece of luggage, take into account the peculiarity of the Balkan countries that taxi drivers do not like to turn on the meter and etc.)
One of the most effective alternatives is to call a taxi via the Internet. It is quite possible to catch a taxi at the terminal, but with this option, all the risks are transferred to the passenger, the cost of a taxi can cost you 2 times more than the real fare. That is why it is advisable to place a pre-order in the search form below. You will receive an order confirmation by e-mail, and the driver will be waiting at the exit from the arrivals area with a sign with your name on it. Also, the driver can help you with your luggage, and payment of the full cost will be made only after arriving at the place, which you will already know when booking a taxi.

BY RENTED CAR

Traveling around the city by car is not rational and you are unlikely to succeed, since the city has rather dense traffic and a lot of motorcyclists that you need to get used to, you should also take into account that the city has a rather large historical center, where entry is limited. But no one bothers you to choose a hotel on the border of the historical center and park your car there. And in a day or two go to independent travel on mainland Greece.

If you like to drive a car and intend to travel frequently around Athens or Greece, then it makes sense to rent a car, especially since you can do it right at the airport. Go to order a car from a reliable operator, choose the right car, and it will be waiting for you in the parking lot. In fact, renting a car in Greece is very simple. You can do it right at the airport. If you booked a car in advance, it will take you about 30 minutes to complete all the documents and receive the car - this is very convenient.

Please note that the earlier you decide to book a car, the more choices you will have. You can also pre-order additional options, such as a navigator or a child seat.

Find cheap flights to Athens

If you have not yet purchased tickets to Athens, then right now you can use the convenient search form. All you need to do is enter your departure and destination and estimated travel dates, and then click "Find Flights". The air ticket search engine will select the best route for you and show the lowest price among airlines and air ticket agencies.

In the old days, the Athens airport was located in the city, but in 2001 a new modern airport was opened far beyond the metropolis. The new air harbor was named - Athenian international Airport"Eleftherios Venizelos", official website www.aia.gr, international code ATH. The airport includes the main and auxiliary terminals connected by an underground tunnel.

The distance from Athens to the airport is about 30 km east of the city. Now it is the most important transport hub not only for Europe, but also for the countries of the Middle East and Southeast Asia. There are also transfers from international flights to domestic destinations in Greece. On the information board in the arrivals area, I managed to read dozens of announcements about flights from Heraklion, Thessaloniki, Thira (Santorini), Rhodes, Kerkyra (Corfu).

Athens airport flight schedule in real time:

At the airport, information is displayed on light panels in front of the check-in counters, in the waiting rooms before the boarding gates, as well as in the baggage claim and meeting areas.

Athens airport on the map

Weather now near Athens Airport

light rain

humidity: 69%

wind: 5Miz S

Weather from OpenWeatherMap

Athens airport plan

Here is the plan of the airport in Russian:

There are a large number of cafes, restaurants, shops and other passenger services on the territory of the main terminal. All staff speak English language. The building has free Wi-Fi, there are special stands for charging smartphones - Battery charging station.

The auxiliary terminal is small in size and mainly receives flights from low-cost airlines.

Here is another, more detailed diagram Athens Airport and the surrounding area. For full enlargement, we recommend opening the image in a new tab.

1. Arrivals area

After landing through the sleeve tunnels, we got to the arrivals area on the first floor of the terminal. Arrivals from non-Schengen countries must go through passport control before collecting luggage. Passengers on local flights go directly to the baggage claim area.

There is a tourist center in the center of the main terminal. Here you can book excursions, clarify the addresses of attractions and even get advice on how to get to the desired museum.

2. Departure area

It is located on the second floor of the main terminal, where 159 check-in desks work around the clock. Their total length exceeds the length of two football stadiums. There are also baggage drop points. The departure area is divided for international and domestic flights.

I recommend going through passport and customs control at least an hour before boarding, because with a simultaneous influx of departing passengers, queues form. After passing the checks, you find yourself in waiting rooms with cozy chairs. There are also cafes, toilets, Duty Free shops.

For those flying to Greek airports and Schengen countries, the waiting rooms are located on the left after the security checkpoint.

3. Checkpoint

Located in the center of the departure area on the second floor.

The belt and jacket with metal parts had to be removed and passed through the frame twice. After scanning the backpack, I was asked to put all the things out of it.

Smartphone, camera and laptop must be turned on and demonstrated in working order.

The inspectors took away from me 3 packages of delicious local yogurt, which I wanted to treat my loved ones. Liquids, even in a jelly-like form, are not allowed on airplanes.

4. Children's room

Before passing through passport control, parents can use the services of a children's room. The minimum age of children is one and a half years, the maximum is 7 years. It opens at 9 am local time. Closes at 20.30.

5. Free museum at the airport

While the children frolic in the play area, parents can visit a small museum a few meters from the children's room.

photo: poznamka.ru

The main exhibits are items found by archaeologists during the construction of the airport. In the museum you can see household utensils: amphoras, vases, stone crafts and other exhibits.

6. Luggage storage

To make the most of your time in the city, I advise you to take your bags and suitcases to the storage room. It is located in the arrivals area on the ground floor. The cost of services starts from 7 euros per day for a small travel bag. There is also a point for protective packaging of luggage in film.

7. Tax Free Refund

If you have bought a lot, you can get a tax refund before going through passport control. To do this, with documents, you need to go to the Global Blue and Premier Tax Free taxi counters on the first floor of the main terminal.

8. Waiting rooms (lounges)

Terminal A has 2 halls:

In terminal B (no man's land):

Business class passengers are provided with lounges of Aegean Airlines (Schengen area B), British Airways (non-Schengen area A), Lufthansa (Schengen departure area B).

9. Where to eat

Dozens of cafes, bars and restaurants of famous brands are open around the clock in the main terminal.

10. Duty Free Shops

They can be visited in secure departure areas.

The Athens Duty Free saved me from Aeroflot's restrictions on the weight of luggage carried per 1 passenger.

From Greece, in addition to fur coats, tourists often bring wine, cognac, cheeses and other delicacies. Congestion fees are often an obstacle to large-scale purchases of first-class Greek products. In the suitcase, checked in earlier as baggage, I could only put souvenirs for relatives and a couple of bottles of dry Cretan wine.

In front of the Duty Free checkout, I unloaded:

2 kilos of Cretan cheese Graviera;
3 liters of olive oil;
3 bottles of local dry wine "Earth and Sky";
2 liters of Metaxa;
a liter of Greek Raki, Scotch whiskey and Finlandia vodka;
large bottle of Baileys.

I doubted very much that they would let me out of the store with so much alcohol. The manager thought for a long time, but in the end he allowed the cashier to accept payment. But another problem arose - three large packages total weight it was very difficult to carry more than 17 kilograms.

Airport parking

You can park your car in one of the parking lots on the right and left of the Sofitel. Each of them can accommodate up to 500 cars. The largest parking field for 2,000 spaces has been moved beyond the railway line. You can get there through a pedestrian crossing leading to the metro station and commuter train. All parking lots are open.

Hotels near the airport

There are many accommodation options near the Athens airport. I will describe some of them.

Sofitel Athens 5* . Built across the street from the main terminal. The average cost of living is from 200 euros per day. Inside the hotel complex there are 2 restaurants, an indoor pool, a spa center. Wi-fi is free throughout. My opinion - high quality, comfortable, but expensive. Rating on booking.com - 8.7.
Villa Vravrona Tower & Suites. The hotel is located in the fields 3 km from the terminal, built in a rustic style. When booking, guests receive a roundtrip airport transfer. A pool is open on the territory in summer, and around it there is a beautiful southern garden. Wifi is free. On hot days you can sunbathe on wooden terrace and in the evening sit by the fireplace. The cost of a room per night for two is from 97 euros. Rating on booking.com - 9.1.
A&J Apartments. Located in the village of Markopulon, 9 km from the airport. Guests are accommodated in apartments with a terrace, a kitchenette and a bathroom. The minimum cost of living per day is from 100 euros for two. Breakfast is included in the price. Free Wi-Fi is available on site. It also provides an airport shuttle. Rating on booking.com - 9.7.
Holiday Inn Athens Attica Av, Airport W . It is located 13 km from the airport. The advantage of the hotel is round-the-clock free transfer from the airport and back. Free Wi-Fi is available on site, gym, sauna and swimming pool. Breakfast is a rich buffet. The cost of living for two is from 170 euros per day. Rating on booking.com - 8.1.

How to get from the airport to the center of Athens

You can get from Athens airport to the city by different types transport.

1. Metro

The fastest way to get to the center is to take the metro. Athens Airport is the terminus of a branch that stretches for almost 40 kilometers. In the diagram, it is designated as line M3. of blue color. If you make one transfer in the center, you can get to the seaport of Piraeus.

To get to the platform, you need to exit the terminal building, cross the road and, following the signs, follow the covered walkway for 150 meters. Ticket price - 10 euros. Trains depart every 15-20 minutes. Athens city center is a 40-minute metro ride.

Most of the way, the train follows open areas and dives underground closer to densely populated areas. The carriages and design of the stations are noticeably different from their Russian counterparts. The subway does not work at night. The opening time of the station is 6.35, and the last train leaves at 22.35.

2. Commuter train

On the transport scheme, it is designated under the number P2. From the airport, the railway line leaves north of the center of Athens, has several connections with three metro lines. The fare is 10 euros. Boarding the train from the airport is located next to the metro line. Opening hours: from 7.00 to 20.20. Intervals are 20 to 30 minutes. My opinion is that the metro is more convenient.

3. Buses and fixed-route taxis

On the airport website, bus stops are marked between gates 4 and 5 of the arrivals area. There are several routes going to different parts of Athens, the suburbs and the nearest cities of the region. To get to the center of the capital, you need to find the X95 bus stop.

Buses have their advantages and disadvantages. I'll start with the pros, there are several:

The ticket price is only 6 euros one way.
Flights are operated around the clock with a frequency of 10 to 50 minutes.
The last stop in the city is the central Syntagma Square.

By cons, I attributed the high probability of standing all the way on your feet, if you do not have time to take a seat, as well as traffic jams, which the Greek capital is famous for in the daytime.

The center of Athens can also be reached by minibuses. The price is 20 euros per person.

4. To Athens from the airport by taxi

This mode of transportation is suitable for small families with children, a company of 3-4 people or those who are in a hurry. The average travel time is 40 minutes. It is not difficult to find a taxi - immediately after leaving the terminal, dozens of yellow cars are parked in the parking lots. At the airport you can see black taxis of prestigious brands.

Features of ordering a taxi from the airport:

You may be in line to board. I advise you not to rush brazenly across. Better wait five minutes and prove that Russians are just as cultured Europeans.
Four people can sit in a taxi. Just for this, it is convenient to negotiate with neighbors in the queue. The savings are obvious.
Not all local taxi drivers speak English or German. The first step is to test their ability to communicate clearly.
Before you get into the car, check the fare to the center and be sure to agree on the place of disembarkation - it is possible that the road may be blocked due to repairs or a utility strike.
Carry cash with you in small denominations for payment.

5. Car rental at the airport

Through the site, a car can be booked from the airport parking lot. Car rental suppliers are the largest European and Greek companies: Avis, Caldera, Europcar, Goldcar, Alamo, Sixt and many others.

You can search for a car right here:

Each company has its own requirements for both drivers and the order of using the car. Before you rent a car, check the details - are there any restrictions on age, length of service, region of movement, mileage, etc. Such information is usually not indicated on sites. The best option can be e-mail correspondence.

To conclude a contract, you need a passport, as well as a personalized credit card. A credit card is needed to block the collateral. The more expensive the car, the higher the deposit. In some cases, you can leave cash. In Athens, they may refuse to rent if you do not have an international driver's license. This is due to the problems of compensation for damages arising from an accident.

During the high season, the choice of cars is limited, and it is better to book 2-3 weeks in advance.

The rental price depends on the car class, year of manufacture, its technical condition, the presence or absence of an automatic transmission. If you study the prices for daily rent on websites, you may be surprised to find that, for example, a Volkswagen Polo will cost 3,850 rubles, and you need to pay 10,719 rubles for a Peugeot 308.

6. Transfer from the airport to the center of Athens

Another way to quickly and comfortably leave the airport is a transfer. The service is ordered on specialized sites, for example, on. In the arrivals area you will be met with a sign or by phone they will indicate the landing site. Depending on the number of passengers, light taxis and minivans are often used for the trip. At the same time, the cost of transportation is comparable to the cost of a taxi.

You can order a transfer here:

The transfer is convenient because you can choose any available transport. The following are also offered as a means of delivery:

a bus for a large group with a lot of suitcases;
limousine for newlyweds and close relatives;
premium cars or helicopters for businessmen.

Conclusion

The information in this article about Athens Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" is taken from my personal experience and open sources on the Internet. If you have questions or comments, please use the form at the bottom of this page.

Alexander Dunaev, 45 years old, Krasnogorsk

Athens airport: how to get to the airport, official website, phones, flights, taxi to the airport, services and services of Athens airport.

Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport is the central airport in Greece serving the capital and Attica. This major airport is known for its continuous investment in innovative technology, making it one of the most modern airports in Europe and the world at large. The airport is becoming increasingly popular as a hub for Southeast and East Asia, it is the largest airport in Europe that receives flights from the Middle East (due to its proximity to the region).

Initially, the Athens airport was located within the city. Then the old building was closed, and a new airport was built 35 km from Athens, within the Attica region.

Athens airport terminals

Athens airport has 2 terminals: main and additional, connected by a passage.

The main terminal receives flights from Schengen countries, as well as many flights from other countries. All check-in counters are located in the main building.
An additional terminal is used to unload the main building, receiving flights mainly from low-cost airlines.

Terminal schemes

Services

Athens airport knowingly spends astronomical amounts on its development. The airport has everything for a comfortable pastime of any duration. The staff is competent in their work and always strives to help passengers as soon as possible. There are many cafes and restaurants, shops, spacious and comfortable waiting rooms at the disposal of visitors. It is important to have specially equipped children's areas. Car enthusiasts will appreciate the convenience of both car rental (for those who have just arrived in Athens and need their own transport) and the convenience of its parking near the airport.

Separately, it is worth noting the presence of convenient luggage storage. This service is important if Eleftherios Venizelos airport is an intermediate point of your air route.

Tax free

VAT refunds are issued prior to check-in at the Global Blue and Premier Tax Free desks located next to passport control. Be prepared to present your purchases for inspection.

Online scoreboard

Online arrivals and departures board: www.aia.gr/flight-info/

How to get to the airport

By taxi

Taxi is a convenient alternative public transport. On it, you can get to the place you need directly, bypassing numerous transfers from buses to the metro or suburban trains. A trip to Athens will cost 35-60 EUR and take a maximum of 40 minutes.

Athens Airport is known for its continuous investment in innovative technology, making it one of the most modern airports in Europe and the world at large.

By bus

Shuttle transport in Athens runs around the clock, which allows you to get to the city by bus at any time. 6 different routes stop at the airport, differing in travel time and number of stops. The bus ride costs 5 EUR and the trip to the center of Athens takes up to 70 minutes.

On the transfer

The fastest and most comfortable way to get there. You need to choose a car of a suitable class and capacity in advance, and the driver will meet you at the airport with a name plate. The cost indicated at the time of booking will be fixed: for example, traffic jams will not affect it.

Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" is the largest aviation hub in the country, located in the Greek capital. Work began in 2001, to replace the Elinikon. Passenger traffic is more than 16 million people a year. If your path lies through the airport of Athens "Eleftherios Venizelos", you should read this article and find out all the details.

basic information

The official name of "Eleftherios Venizelos" in English is Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos";
Operator - Athens International Airport S.A.;
Type - civil;
Athens airport has ICAO codes - LGAV, IATA - ATH;
Equipped with 2 terminals connected by a passage. One is for the Schengen countries and other countries, the second serves low-cost airlines.
Geographic coordinates: latitude - 37.94, longitude - 23.94;
Serves passengers airport of Athens 24 hours a day and every day.

Contacts

The official address of the air gate is: Bullding 17, GR 190 19 Spata, Greece;
Eleftherios Venizelos website, where you can find out everything about him (available in English and quick guide in Russian): https://www.aia.gr/traveler/ ;
Call center: (+30) 2103530000;
Fax: (+30) 2103530001;
Email: [email protected]

Airport on the map

Eleftherios Venizelos Online Flight Scoreboard

The official website allows you to find a flight by the principle of departure / arrival, time, you can use the search bar, clarify information about the flight.

How to get to Athens airport?

The transport hub receives passengers 17 kilometers from the center of the Greek capital, near the city of Spata in East Attica. From Athens to "Eleftherios Venzelos" can be reached in different ways:

Metropolitan

Metro line No3, or Aghia Marina - Athens International Airport, is accessible from Syntagma or Monastiraki stations. Travel time will be approximately 1 hour. Trains run daily from 06:00 to 22:00 for every 5-10 minutes. Ticket terminals are located at the stations, you can buy a ticket at the box office. The cost is about 10 euros.

How to buy a ticket for the metro - in the video:

electric train

Suburban trains run from Athens Central Station, as well as from the Acharnes Railway Center (SKA) stop. The interval of movement is approximately half an hour, trains run from 05:30 to 21:00.

Bus

4 routes connect Athens and the aviation hub. They go straight to the arrivals floor, gates 4 and 5. Every day and around the clock with an interval of 30 minutes during the day and 1 hour at night, you can go on these buses:

X93 from Kifisos Intercity bus station.
X95 bus from the very heart of the city - Syntagma Square.
X96 bus from Piraeus port.
X97 follows from the Elliniko area (red metro line M2).

Taxi

In Athens, passengers are ready to be taken to the airport by many services. If you need to get to the city, the taxi rank is located at the exit of the 3rd floor of the arrivals. The rates are:

38 euros - to the very center during the day;
54 euros - at night.

The pre-order of the car is available at the number: +30 210 5239524.

You can rent a car at the Athens airport. Five car rental companies provide their services, their offices are located in the arrivals area in the main terminal building.

parking

For those traveling by private car, the following parking areas are available:

Short-term parking P1 and P2. Located on the arrivals floor, right next to it, 1360 parking spaces. You can park for 20 minutes for free.
Long term parking. Located near the main airport access road, P3 has a capacity of 5,800 vehicles.
Premium parking. Waiting for everyone on the departure floor at entrance 3, including improved service.

Airport map

Presented on the official website.

Infrastructure

Baggage services

For all-round comfort, Eleftherios Venizelos has:

Luggage storage CARE4BAG;
Luggage wrapping services from the same company;
Porter service available around the clock.

For travelers with children

The whole family at the airport has access to:

Children's playgrounds. Children aged 1.5-7 years can use them free of charge. Parents must look after the children themselves, at least one of them. The gaming zone is located on the 2nd floor of the main terminal building, open from 09:00 to 21:00.
Children's rooms. Designed for parents of very young children. Equipped with everything you need for feeding, as well as changing tables. They are marked with special symbols and are located near sanitary and hygienic zones.

Connection

The transport hub offers free Wi-Fi throughout the complex. You need to select an ATH Free Wi-Fi network, you need to update the session every 45 minutes.

In addition, there are Internet kiosks at Athens Airport.

There is a post office in the arrivals area. Opening hours: Monday-Saturday - 07:00-19:30, Sunday and weekends - 08:30-17:30.

Public catering establishments

On the territory of the aviation hub there are many catering establishments, including such as:

AIRTH COFFEE & NUTS. Confectionery and coffee shop, where you can also buy a lot of delicious gifts.
EAT GREEK. Traditional Greek cuisine including the legendary gyros.
FLOCAFE ESPRESSO ROOM. One of the coffee shops.
HEINEKEN STAR BAR. Italian and Greek cuisine, beer, coffee, refreshing drinks, snacks.
MCDONALD'S. World famous fast food.

Things to do?

In order to completely relax, passengers can proceed to one of the business lounges. Here is their list:

Departure area, non-Schengen flights: Skyserv Handling Services – Aristotelis Onasis, Swissport Executive Lounge, Goldair Handling;
Departure area, Schengen flights: Aegean Airlines - Club, Goldair Handling, Lufthansa - Business Lounge, Skyserv Handling Services - Melina Mercouri.

Athens airport often becomes a venue for cultural events.
Shopaholics will also be interested in the airport: there are many shops offering goods from international companies. Appliances, gifts, clothes and accessories.

There are outlets DUTY-FREE. Mini market with the same name in English - a good place for those who want to eat not at catering points.

FAIRYNAILS is a beauty salon where you can get all the necessary beauty treatments and relax, healing your body and resting your mind.

Where to stay?

For those who are waiting for a long transplant, it is possible to stay at the following establishments:

Five-star hotel Sofitel Athens Airport. It is located 50 meters from the transport hub. 2 restaurants, swimming pool, spa, free internet is waiting for all guests.
Detached Vintage House - Vacation home, which is located at a distance of 3 kilometers from the aviation hub. Jacuzzi tub, terrace, garden are just a few of the amenities guests need.
Sweet Home is an apartment located 5 kilometers from the airport. At home, you can relax while waiting for your flight.

Other services

In addition to the already described, "Eleftherios Venizelos" offers guests the following amenities:

pharmacies;
emergency station;
banks;
ATMs;
currency exchange point;
airline offices;
"air taxi" and helicopters.

At the entrance to the airport is a large shopping center, where there are stores such as IKEA, LEROY MERLIN, SHELL gas station.

What to do with a long transplant?

To exit the airport to Athens, you need a visa, if everything is done, it's good to take the chance to see the ancient beauties:

Plaka area. The historical center of the city is located under the shadow of the Acropolis. Narrow streets, taverns, small Greek houses.
Acropolis. A legendary attraction, where the remains of ancient temples and sculptures have survived to this day.
Theater of Dionysus. The amphitheater was founded in the 5th century BC. 17 thousand people could accommodate in it, enjoying performances by Aristophanes, Aeschylus, Sophocles. And yes, the acoustics are still amazing.
Port of Piraeus. The sea harbor of Athens will delight you fresh air, beautiful views as well as the richness of its history.
Hill of Lycabettus. highest point in the vicinity of the Greek capital. It is worth climbing just to see the panorama, and also visit the St. George's Chapel and the open-air platform, where cultural events are often held.

Airlines

Among the carriers that operate flights to Athens Airport, such as:

Hall A: Aegean Airlines, Aeroflot, Ryanair, EgyptAir, British Airways and others;
Hall B: Iberia, Scandinavian Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, Astra Airlines and others.

Eleftherios Venizelos is a large and well-developed aviation hub in Greece. It has everything that passengers need for a comfortable pastime.